Laid down (40)

1916: Light cruiser Sumatra (40)

1918: Minesweeper Pigeon (ASR 6) - Minesweeper Seagull (AM 30)

1923: Armed Yacht Princess (FY 021)

1933: Submarine Salmon (N 65)

1936: Submarine O 19 (N 54) - Submarine O 20

1939: MS Trawler Walnut (T 103)

1942: Corvette Folaga - Minesweeper Concise (AM 163) - Minesweeper Control (AM 164) - Minesweeper Counsel (AM 165) - Landing craft tank LCT 3 (LCT 3) - Tank landing ship LST 197 (LST 197) - Tank landing ship LST 446 (LST 446) - Destroyer Nields (DD 616) - Submarine chaser SC-1023 (SC-1023) - Submarine chaser SC-750 (SC-750) - Submarine chaser SC-987 (SC-987) - Minesweeper YMS-151 (YMS-151) - Minesweeper YMS-300 (YMS-300) - Minesweeper YMS-304 (YMS-304)

1943: Destroyer Escort Gary (DE 326) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-362 (LCI(L)-362) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-448 (LCI(L)-448) - Motor torpedo boat PT 551 - Submarine chaser SC-1476 (SC-1476)

1944: Repair Ship Berry Head (F 18) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-654 (LCI(L)-654) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-774 (LCI(L)-774) - Landing craft support LCS(L)-51 (LCS(L)-51) - Landing craft tank LCT 1131 (LCT 1131) - Landing craft tank LCT 1311 (LCT 1311) - Landing craft tank LCT 842 (LCT 842) - Medium landing ship LSM 222 (LSM 222) - Tank landing ship LST 760 (LST 760) - Escort carrier Rendova (CVE 114) - Minesweeper YMS-436 (YMS-436)

1945: Patrol craft PGM-15 (PGM-15) - Submarine Volador (490)

Launched (45)

1918: Minesweeper Bobolink (AM 20)

1932: Submarine Jalea

1936: Submarine Onice

1938: Minelayer Ringdove (M 77)

1942: Corvette Flax (K 284) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 388 (LCT 388) - Motor minesweeper MMS 226 (J 726) - MS Trawler Staffa (T 159) - Motor minesweeper Vlieland (FY 226) - Destroyer Boyle (DD 600) - Corvette Brisk (PG-89) - Vehicle landing ship Ozark (LSV 2) - Submarine chaser SC-745 (SC-745) - Minesweeper YMS-9 (YMS-9)

1943: Corvette Owen Sound (K 340) - Sloop Cauvery (U 10) - Minesweeper BYMS 2041 (J 841) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1042 (FY 1042) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1043 (FY 1043) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 374 (MTB 374) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 375 (MTB 375) - Destroyer Swift (G 46) - Motor minesweeper Voorne (FY 1043) - Salvage vessel Extractor (ARS 15) - Tank landing ship LST 34 (LST 34) - Destroyer Escort Menges (DE 320) - Destroyer Escort Sederstrom (DE 31)

1944: Corvette Strathroy (K 455) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 1104 (LCT 1104) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 7094 (LCT 7094) - Minesweeper Marmion (ii) (J 381) - Minesweeper Rowena (J 384) - High speed transport Cavallaro (APD 128) - High speed transport Kirwin (APD 90) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1031 (LCI(L)-1031) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-635 (LCI(L)-635) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-697 (LCI(L)-697) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-768 (LCI(L)-768) - Landing craft tank LCT 1170 (LCT 1170) - Landing craft tank LCT 885 (LCT 885) - Motor torpedo boat PT 483 - High speed transport Ruchamkin (APD 89) - Submarine chaser SC-1512 (SC-1512)

1945: Patrol craft PGM-14 (PGM-14) - Motor torpedo boat PT 795

Commissioned (57)

1917: Light cruiser Caradoc (D 60)

1918: Destroyer Scout (H 51)

1922: Submarine S-32 (137)

1928: Destroyer Brestois

1930: Destroyer Fougueux

1931: Submarine D-6 / Yakobinets

1938: Destroyer Ottawa (i) (H 60) - Destroyer Restigouche (H 00) - Light cruiser Honolulu (CL 48)

1939: MS Trawler Hawthorn (T 32) - MS Trawler Holly (T 19) - MS Trawler Laurel (T 29) - MS Trawler Magnolia (T 31) - MS Trawler Oak (T 54) - MS Trawler Willow (T 66)

1940: Motor Launch ML 102 (ML 102) - Minelayer Southern Prince (M 47)

1941: Destroyer tender Markab (AD 21)

1942: Rescue Tug Favourite (W 119) - Motor minesweeper MMS 62 (J 562) - Destroyer Petard (G 56) - MS Trawler Switha (T 179) - Light cruiser Cleveland (CL 55) - Escort carrier Copahee (CVE 12) - Patrol craft PC-566 (PC-566)

1943: Motor Launch ML 802 (ML 802) - Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1303 (ML 1303) - Motor Gun Boat MGB 124 (MGB 124) - MS Trawler Probe (T 186) - Submarine Stonehenge (P 232) - Corvette Fenice - Destroyer Hale (ii) (DD 642) - Tank landing ship LST 174 (LST 174) - Tank landing ship LST 262 (LST 262) - Tank landing ship LST 74 (LST 74) - Motor torpedo boat PT 252 - Motor torpedo boat PT 347 - Submarine chaser SC-1008 (SC-1008)

1944: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1339 (ML 1339) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 488 (LCT 488) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 740 (LCT 740) - Motor Launch ML 840 (ML 840) - Motor minesweeper MMS 1063 (FY 1063) - Minesweeper Density (AM 218) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-630 (LCI(L)-630) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-765 (LCI(L)-765) - Medium landing ship LSM 19 (LSM 19) - Tank landing ship LST 747 (LST 747) - Patrol craft PCE(R)-853 (PCE(R)-853) - Patrol craft PCE-891 (PCE-891) - Destroyer Escort Peiffer (DE 588) - Motor torpedo boat PT 475 - Motor torpedo boat PT 538

1945: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 515 (MTB 515) - Frigate St. Brides Bay (K 600) - High speed transport Belet (APD 109) - Motor torpedo boat PT 650

1942: Escort destroyer Airedale (L 07) - Destroyer Bedouin (F 67) - Destroyer Hasty (H 24) - ASW Trawler Kingston Ceylonite (FY 214) - Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 201 (MTB 201)

1944: Frigate Mourne (K 261)

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (Capt. E.G. Abbott, AM, RN) is undocked.

Light cruiser HMS Dunedin: HMS Dunedin (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CVO, RN) departed Curacao to patrol off Maracaibo.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) returned to Penang from patrol.

Light cruiser HMS Dragon: HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN) arrived at Durban from Mombasa.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: Vice-Admiral G. Layton, CB, DSO, RN, struck his flag in HMS Manchester (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN) following which Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN, hoisted his.

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide: HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) arrived at Geralton from Fremantle.

Submarine HNMS O 22: HrMs O 22 (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Ort) was undocked.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Portland together with HMS Heartsease (Lt.Cdr. E.J.R. North, RNR) and two minesweepers.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle: Convoy SL 36. This convoy departed Freetown on 15 June 1940. It was made up of the following transports; Agapenor (British, 7391 GRT, built 1914), Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Baron Elgin (British, 3942 GRT, built 1933), Baron Semple (British, 4573 GRT, built 1939), Bencruachan (British, 5920 GRT, built 1928), Benvrackie (British, 6434 GRT, built 1922), Blairclova (British, 5083 GRT, built 1938), Boma (British, 5408 GRT, built 1920), British Zeal (British (tanker), 8532 GRT, built 1937), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), City of Melbourne (British, 6630 GRT, built 1919), Clan Ogilvy (British, 5802 GRT, built 1914), Clearton (British, 5219 GRT, built 1919), Corinaldo (British, 7131 GRT, built 1921), Delfshaven (Dutch, 5281 GRT, built 1930), Derrynane (British, 4896 GRT, built 1938), East Wales (British, 4358 GRT, built 1925), Framlington Court (British, 4888 GRT, built 1924), Homeside (British, 4617 GRT, built 1924), Ilvington Court (British, 5187 GRT, built 1919), Kastelholm (Finnish, 5417 GRT, built 1907), Mount Kitheron (Greek, 3876 GRT, built 1912), Pennington Court (British, 6098 GRT, built 1924), Peru (British, 6569 GRT, built 1916), River Afton (British, 5479 GRT, built 1935), Romney (British, 5840 GRT, built 1929), Royal Emblem (British, 4900 GRT, built 1940), Sandanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9432 GRT, built 1938), Silverlarch (British, 5064 GRT, built 1924), Stad Maassluis (Dutch, 6541 GRT, built 1918), Tuva (Dutch, 4652 GRT, built 1935), Uranienborg (British, 5257 GRT, built 1940) and William Wilberforce (British, 4013 GRT, built 1930). On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN). On 16 June 1940, the transports Avelona Star (British, 13376 GRT, built 1927), Beignon (British, 5218 GRT, built 1939), Clan Murdoch (British, 5950 GRT, built 1919), Godfrey B. Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929) and Slemmestad (Norwegian, 4258 GRT, built 1928) departed Freetown to overtake and join the convoy. The Godfrey B. Holt and Beignon joined the convoy around 0900N/19. The Clan Murdoch around 0730N/20. [There is no mention of the Avelona Star and Slemmestad joining in the logbook of HMS Dunvegan Castle.] On 16 June 1940, the Clearton and Homeside straggled from the convoy due to bad coal. They were unable to do more then 8 knots. Apparently the later rejoined the convoy. From Dakar three more transports were sailed to join the convoy, these were the Belmoira (Norwegian, 3214 GRT, built 1928), Lafonia (British, 1961 GRT, built 1911) and Orari (British, 10350 GRT, built 1931). The last two of these joined the convoy around 1300N/18. [There is no mention of the Avelona Star and Belmoira joining in the logbook of HMS Dunvegan Castle.] Shortly after 1000Z/30, the Clan Ogilvy was torpedoed and damaged by the German submarine U-65. The damaged ship proceeded to Falmouth escorted by the destroyer HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.E.F. Hussey, DSC, RN) and corvette HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, RNR). U-65 made two more attacks on the convoy firing single torpedoes but both missed. Around 1415Z/30, the destroyers HMS Windsor (Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Vesper joined the convoy. Shortly after 2030Z/30, the Avelona Star was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-43. Survivors were picked up by the Beignon (82) and HMS Dunvegan Castle (2). Following the attack HMS Dunvegan Castle dropped some depth charges. Around 0200Z/1, the Beignon was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-30. Survivors were picked up by HMS Windsor and HMS Vesper. Shortly before 1200Z/1, the Clearton was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-102. Survivors were picked up by HMS Windsor and HMS Vesper. The destroyer HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) meanwhile had also arrived in the area and depth charged an A/S contact resulting in the sinking of U-102. HMS Dunvegan Castle parted company with the convoy around 1455Z/1. The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 July 1940.

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr R.H. Dewhurst, RN) makes an unsuccessful torpedo attack on the Italian submarine Anfitrite in the Strait of Otranto. (All times are zone -2) 0120 hours - Sighted a submarine proceeding on a course of 340°. Started attack. 0124 hours - Made the challenge but received no reply. Three torpedoes were then fired but they all missed. [No further details are known, the patrol report refers to a separate report regarding the attack but it is not attached to the patrol report. Therefore the exact position of the attack is not known to us at the moment possibly approximately 40°40'N, 18°50'E.]

Submarine HMS Triad: HMS Triad (Lt.Cdr. E.R.J. Oddie, RN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Harwich.

Sloop HMS Fowey: HMS Fowey (Cdr. H.B. Ellison, RN) picks up 16 survivors from the Norwegian tanker Italia that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-38 about 60 miles west of the Scilly Isles in position 50°37'N, 08°44'W.

Destroyer HMAS Vampire: Around 1500C/15, HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN), returned to Alexandria from patrol.

Destroyer HMAS Voyager: Around 1245C/15, HMAS Voyager (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN) departed Alexandria for A/S patrol.

Destroyer HMS Diana: HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and HMS Acheron (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) returned to Scapa Flow after a fruitless A/S hunt at 0115/15.

Destroyer HMS Kandahar: HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) returned to Aden from patrol.

Destroyer HMS Kelvin: HMS Newcastle (Capt. J. Figgins, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow during which she was screened by the destroyers HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) and HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN).

Destroyer HMS Kelvin: Sinking of the armed merchant cruiser HMS Andania. At 2330A/15 (0030B/16 = German time), the armed merchant cruiser HMS Andania (Capt. D.K. Bain, RN) was torpedoed and heavily damaged by the German submarine U-A south-west of Iceland in position 62°36'N, 15°09'W. The ship sank slowly by the stern and the entire crew was taken off by the Icelandic trawler Skallagrímur. There were no casualties. In response the destroyer HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) was sent from the Faroes. HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN), which was part of the escort of a transport ship from Scapa Flow to the Faroes was also ordered to leave this transport ship and proceed to the attack position. HMS Amazon however had to return to Scapa Flow with defects and arrived there around 1115A/17. At 0200A/16, the destroyer HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) departed Scapa Flow to assist. She was later ordered to proceed to the Faroes. At 0240A/16, the destroyers HMS Ashanti (Cdr. W.G. Davis, RN) and HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Reykjavik, Iceland. They were to try to find the Icelandic trawler Skallagrímur which had the survivors of the Andania on board. They could however not find the trawler in the low visibility. These two destroyers were later ordered to hunt a German submarine which was reported to be near Reykjavik. It was HMS Forester who encountered the trawler on the 16th but the survivors could not be transferred due to the weather conditions. On the 17th it was possible to take over the survivors and they were taken to Scapa Flow by HMS Forester. She arrived there at 2230A/17.

Destroyer HMS Khartoum: HMS Khartoum (Cdr. D.T. Dowler, RN) departed Aden for the Perim patrol.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. C.G. Walker, RN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RD, RNR).

1941

Heavy cruiser HMS London: Around 1330ZO(+0.5)/15, HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) and HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 08°30'N, 30°15'W.

Light cruiser HMS Caradoc: HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.S. Bethell, RN) departed Castries, St. Lucia to patrol to the east of Martinique to try to intercept the Vichy-French merchant vessel Duc d'Aumale (4452 GRT, built 1913) which was due to leave Martinique for France.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: With her refit completed HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) departed Singapore for Penang. Around 2230 hours HMS Dauntless and HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN) collided with near the Malakka lighthouse. Both ships were damaged. HMS Emerald had 16 crew killed, HMS Dauntless one. On the 16th they were joined by by the destroyers HMS Stronghold (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Pretor-Pinney, RN) and HMS Tenedos (Lt.Cdr. J.O'B. Milner-Barry, RN). Both cruisers were able to proceed under their own power to Singapore where they arrived on the 17th.

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: HMS Diomede (Capt. J.W. Farquhar, RN) returned to Bermuda from patrol.

Light cruiser HMS Dunedin: HMS Dunedin (Capt. R.S. Lovatt, RN), captured the German tanker Lothringen (10746 GRT, built 1940, former Dutch Papendrecht) in position 19°49'N, 38°30'W which had first been sighted by an aircraft from HMS Eagle (Capt. E.G.N. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN). The Lothringen was sent to Bermuda and was put into service by the MOWT as Empire Salvage.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, CBE, RAN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.G. Crace, RN) is undocked at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. She then proceeded to the Garden Island naval base to complete her refit which also included the removal of her catapult and other aircraft facilities as these were to be substituted for more close range AA armament.

Light cruiser HMS Glasgow: Around 0700D/15, HMS Glasgow (Capt. H. Hickling, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for Colombo.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: At 1345 hours, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN), commenced escorting the Tabian.

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. G. Quint, RNN(R)) conducted A/S exercises at / off Scapa Flow with HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN), HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN) and HMIS Jumna (Cdr. W.R. Shewring, RIN).

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. S.G. Jinks, RNR) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. J.H.D. Dansie, RNR).

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Hector: Around 0645C/15, HMS Hector (Capt.(Retd.) F. Howard, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Kilindini / Mombasa.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Asturias: HMS Asturias (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) received 1000 tons of fuel from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937) in Samborombón Bay. On completion of fuelling HMS Asturias left Samborombón Bay to resume patrol in the River Plate focal area.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Canton: Around 0600Q/15, HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN) arrived at Bermuda from Chesapeake Bay.

Submarine HMS Regent: Around 0815B/15, HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Thunderbolt: HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN) makes two torpedo attacks on the German submarine U-557 in the North Atlantic in position 41°32'N, 46°39'W. All torpedoes fired in the two attacks however miss their target. The Germans later trailed their attacked but lost sight of it before they could attack themselves. 1155P/15 - HMS Thunderbolt spots the conning tower of a German U-boat about 3.5 nautical miles away. Due to the sea conditions contact was lost. 1243P/15 - Contact was gained again at 5000 yards. 1250P/15 - A salvo of 6 torpedoes was fired from 4300 yards (2 torpedoes misfired and did not left the torpedo tubes). No explosions were heard after 5 minutes so no hits were obtained. 1312P/15 - Another two torpedoes were fired but these also missed. Lt. Crouch decided to prepare for gun action but the surprise was gone as the U-boat was seen to follow up the torpedo tracks. Lt. Crouch decided to go deep.

Submarine HMS Tetrarch: At 1403B/15, while still patrolling south of Mudros, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighed what was thought to be an Italian Sauro-class destroyer approaching Mudros from the west. This must have been the Italian torpedo boat Castelfidardo which arrived at Mudros that afternoon. At 1730B/15, two small vessels were seen bearing 230°, range 8 nautical miles. Enemy course was around 050° / 060° towards Mudros.

Submarine HMS Union: Around 1815B/15, HMS Union (Lt. R.M. Galloway, RN) departed Malta for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was escorted out by HMS Abingdon (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR) on which also a practice attack was made. They parted company around 1930B/15. HMS Union then set course to area ' Z ' which was bounded by lines joining the following positions; A) 36°45'N, 12°20'E, B) 36°26'N, 11°39'E and C) 36°04'N, 12°44'E. This was mostly to the south-east of Pantelleria.

Submarine HMS Union: For the daily and attack positions of HMS Union during her 3rd war patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Unique: HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkenah Bank and Lampedusa Island. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN) sailed for exercises then and following these departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkennah shallows and Lampion Island. For the daily positions of HMS Upright during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) arrived at Londonderry.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) N.T.B. Holt, RN).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Beverley (Lt.Cdr. J. Grant, RN) and HNoMS St. Albans (Capt. G. Hovdenak, RNorN).

Light cruiser HMS Naiad: HMS Naiad (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN) is undocked.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: Minelaying operation SN 66. Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron. At 0520B/15, the auxiliary minelayers HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN) and HMS Menestheus (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN) of the 1st Minelaying Squadron departed Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) to lay minefield SN 66. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Brighton (Cdr. (Retd.) C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN), HMS Castleton (Cdr. (Retd.) F.H.E. Skyrme, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN) and HMS Wells (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN). They were joined around 1145B/15 by the light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow around 0715B/15. Distant cover was provided by the light cruisers HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN) which were on patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer passage. The minefield made up of 939 mines, was laid between 0655B/16 and 0850B/16, on a line joining positions, 62°22'7"N, 06°59'1"W, 62°32'0"N, 07°14'5"W and 62°40'3"N, 07°30'0"W. The minelayers laid as follows; HMS Agamemnon 529 mines and HMS Menestheus 410 mines. The 1st Minelaying Squadron returned to Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 1350B/17. HMS Aurora returned to Scapa Flow around 1045B/17. She had parted company with the 1st Minelaying Squadron at 1127B/16. HMS Nigeria remained on patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer gap while HMS Kenya arrived at Scapa Flow around 0030B/17.

Battlecruiser HMS Renown: At 1800/15, ' Force H ' departed Gibraltar to the eastward. ' Force H ' was made up of the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN (Capt. D.8)), HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN). The aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, RN) and the destroyer HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) sailed with ' Force H '. These two ships were to return to the UK. On departure from Gibraltar all available aircraft were ranged on deck in both carriers to mislead enemy observers. Course was shaped to the eastward at 18 knots. At 2010/15, HMS Victorious transferred two Fulmars to HMS Ark Royal and flew off to North Front five Fulmars and one Hurricane. This was the Hurricane that had been unable to fly to Malta during operation Tracer. Some AA gunnery exercises were carried out during the evening. Course was altered to the westward at 2050/15 and the force passed through the Straits under cover of darkness. At 0200/16, Vice-Admiral Somerville was informed that two unidentified ships had been sighted by aircraft leaving Brest at 2100/15. Shortly afterwards he was instructed to act on the assumption that these were warships. Course was about to be altered to reach a favourable position for a reconnaissance when information was received that photographs had identified the two ships as merchant vessels. Course was adjusted to pass 25 miles to the northward of convoy OG 64 in order to provide A/S protection for the convoy which was probably being shadowed by an enemy submarine. Visibility from 1000 feet was only 6 miles and reconnaissances flown off at 1420/16 from position 35°50'N, 09°36'W and at 1740/16 from position 35°57'N, 10°24'W both failed to locate the convoy. During the day the wind was easterly involving a reversal of course for all flying operations. An A/S patrol of three aircraft was maintained from dawn till dusk and HMS Victorious tansferred six Swordfish to HMS Ark Royal. At 1905/16, the escort destroyers HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN) and HMS Farndale (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN) were sighted. They were on passage to Gibraltar. Course was altered to 304° at 2230 for the rendezvous in position 49°00'N, 29°30'W. Fog was encountered between 0400 and 0600/17 but cleared by sunrise when an A/S patrol of three aircraft was flown off. HMS Hesperus oiled from HMS Repulse during the forenoon taking 95 tons and thereby completing to full stowage. Whilst this was in progress HMS Faulknor obtained an A/S contact and attacked it but it was considered non-sub. HMS Ark Royal flew off a reconnaissance of six aircraft from position 38°16'N, 15°32'W at 1130/17 to search to a depth of 70 miles from 215° through north to 035°. These aircraft sighted nothing more than a school of 13 whales. Visibility was reported as 8 miles. The five 'F-class' destroyers were detached at 1140/16 in position 38°22'N, 15°22'W to return to Gibraltar. A reconnassance of six aircraft took off at 1700/17 in position 39°20'N, 17°20'W and searched from 215° through north to 035° to a depth of 70 miles in visibility 17 miles. They sighted a Portugese ship who was circling round a large red buoy in position 40°30'N, 17°16'W at 1753/17. Throughout the day there was a northerly wind force 3-4, and flying operations could be taken without large alterations fom the mean line of advance. All fighters and newly joined observers in HMS Ark Royal received training and 21 pilots made a total of 35 training flights. At midnight speed was increased to 23.5 knots. The heavy ships were zig-zagging astern of HMS Hesperus who maintained a steady course at 22 knots. At 0200/18, information was received that the latest intelligence of enemy submarines indicated the safest route for ' Force H ' lay through position 45°00'N, 18°00'W to 51°00'N, 20°00'W. Course was therefore altered to 025°. At 0440 HMS Victorious reported reception of strong RDF transmissions from right ahead. Course was altered to 340° till daylight, when 035° was steered for the rendezvous. Subsequent investigation suggested that the transmissions heard by HMS Victorious was caused by the ASV gear in HMS Hesperus. A very welcome signal was intercepted at 1130/18 stating that the five 'F-class' destroyers returning to Gibraltar had sunk a German submarine (this was U-138). A reconnaissance of six aircraft was flown off at 0930/18 from position 43°31'N, 19°29'W. They returned at 1130/18 having searched to a depth of 65 miles from 305° trough north to 035°. The visibility had been around 17 miles. They had sighted nothing. At 1510 the inner A/S patrol dropped depth charges on a coloured patch of water in position 45°15'N, 18°03'W. HMS Hesperus was ordered to investigate but no contact was obtained. On passing through the patch she fired a pattern of depth charges, mainly to provide an opportunity to exercise rapid reloading. Throughout the day the wind was northerly, force 4. Some exercises were carried out throughout the day. The evening reconnaissance was carried out by six Fulmars. They took off at 1735/18 in position 45°45'N, 18°15'W and searched to a depth of 65 miles from 257° through north to 077°. Visibility was reported as being 20 miles. They sighted nothing. The final A/S patrol landed on at dusk just after midnight. At 0710/19 six aircraft flew off in position 50°06'N, 19°47'W, to search from 257° through north to 077° wth instructions to inform Captain (D), 4th Destroyer Flotilla, of Renown's position, course and speed. The visibility from the air was only 8 miles and the reconnaissance flew to a depth of 75 miles. They sghte the destoyers of the 4th Destroyer Flottila and the corvettes Coreopsis and Fleur de Lys some 48 miles to the eastward returning to Gibraltar after escort duty with convoy SL 76. HMS Cossack (Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSC and Bar, RN, (Capt. D.8)) and HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN), joined at 0900/19 in position 50°04'N, 19°45'W. At 0937/19, HMS Victorious was detached for the UK, escorted by HMS Cossack, HMS Sikh and HMS Hesperus. HMS Renown and HMS Ark Royal then turned to 155°, 24 knots, to return to Gibraltar. The wind had now conveniently shifted to the south-south-west, force 4. Various flying practices were therefore carried out including close range aiming practice at fighters simulating dive bombing attacks. At 1800/19, a reconnaissance of nine aircraft was flown off in position 47°52'N, 18°12'W, to search from 065° though south to 245° to a depth of 95 miles. Visibility was 35 miles decreasing to 10 miles to the southward. Nothing was sighted. Speed was decreased to 23 knots at 2000/19 owing to boiler defects in HMS Renown. The last A/S patrol landed on at 2320/19. At 0100/20, course was altered to south and the first A/S patrol flew off at 0655/20. The wind was north-north-west, force 3. A full flying training programme was carried out, which involved a loss of advance of some 50 miles during the day. Six Fulmars flew off at 0915/20 in position 42°45'N, 16°46'W, so search from east through south to west to a depth of 115 miles. The visibility was 30 miles to the south-west but only 10 miles to the south and south-east. The reconnaissance only sighted a Spanish merchant vessel. The evening reconnaissance of six Swordfish flew off at 1745/20 in position 40°14'N, 16°24'W, to carry out a similar search. The aircraft penetrated to a depth of 95 miles with visibility 20 miles. The only ship sighted was a Greek one, on Swiss charter. Clocks were put back one hour at 1830/20 to zone -1. Course was altered at 1925/20 to 1925/20. The last A/S patrol was landed on at 2200/20. An A/S and fighter patrol were flown off at daylight and maintained during the day, the latter in case German Focke Wulf aircraft should be sighted. HMS Faulknor, HMS Fearless, HMS Forester, HMS Foxhound and HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) joined at 0800/21 in position 36°05'N, 12°58'E. Course was then altered to 095° for Gibraltar. The wind was north-north-westerly, force 2, increasing to force 4 in the evening. At 0930, 16 Swordfish aircraft armed with depth charges were flown off in position 36°02'N, 12°25'W, to carry out an A/S patrol sweep ahead of the fleet. Aircraft flew on tracks 8 miles apart to a depth of 115 miles but sighted nothing. A similar sweep was flown of at 1630/21 with 14 Swordfish from position 35°57'N, 09°48'W, to a depth of 90 miles, but again nothing was sighted. At 2005/21 speed was reduced to 18.5 knots to arrive at Gibraltar at daylight. The last A/S patrol was landed on at 2105/21. HMS Renown enterned harbour at 0600/21 and HMS Ark Royal, screened by the five destroyers, proceeded to the eastward to carry out exercises. They entered harbour at 1000/21.

Destroyer HMAS Waterhen: Around 1355C/15, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) and HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) departed Mersa Matruh with troops, ammunition, stores and mail for Tobruk where they arrived around 2315C/15. They departed again around 0155C/16 with troops which they were to take to Alexandria where they arrived around 1630C/16.

Destroyer HMS Ilex: HMS Ilex (Capt. H. St. L. Nicolson, DSO, RN) was damaged by near misses from Vichy-French aircraft while operation off Syria. She sustained major structural damage was was towed to Haifa by HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN).

Destroyer HMS Jackal: While operating off Syria, HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN), is hit by a bomb from an enemy aircraft. The bomb passed trough the upper deck but failed to explode and then fell harmlessly into the sea. Damage was only minor and Jackal was able to continue her operations. [We have been unable to find out when HMS Jackal returned to Haifa.]

Destroyer HMS Kelvin: HMS Kelvin (Cdr. J.H. Allison DSO, RN) departed Aden for Bombay.

Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire: Around 1500N/15, HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

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

1942

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Caledon: Around 1500C/15, HMS Caledon (A/Capt. H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) returned to Kilindini / Mombasa from patrol.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. She also made a run on the measured mile to calibrate the log.

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: While escorting a convoy from Alexandria to Malta HMS Newcastle was hit by a torpedo from the German motor torpedo boat S-56. The torpedo hit on the starboard side forward and did considerable damage. The ship went to Bombay, India to be patched up. She arrived at the New York Navy Yard on 10 October 1942 for permanent repairs. HMS Newcastle returned to service in March 1943.

Destroyer USS Borie (i): USS Borie picks up 9 survivors from the American merchant Merrimack in position 20°48'N, 85°30'W. The Merrimack was torpedoed and sunk on 10 June 1942 by German U-boat U-107 about 60 nautical miles off Cozumel Island, south of the Yucatan Strait in position 19°47'N, 85°55'W.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: With her repairs completed HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed the Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt.Cdr. G. Quint, RNN(R)) arrived at Halifax. Before she could join a convoy to the U.K. the submarine that had replaced her on A/S training duties (HMS P 514 (Lt.Cdr. R.M.E. Pain, RN)) was lost in an accident. As the training program of the RCN could not do without a training submarine it was decided that O 15 would be used for training again until she could be replaced by another submarine. HMS P 553 (Lt. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) was commissioned at New London on 14 September 1942, she was to take over from HrMs O 15 which now was finally able to proceed to the U.K. Two years after it was originally intened to do so.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) shifted from Rothesay to Ardishaig. At Ardishaig she participated in A/S exercises with ML's.

Submarine USS Seawolf: USS Seawolf (Lt.Cdr. F.B. Warder, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary gunboat Nampo Maru (1206 GRT, built 1940) off Corregidor, Philippines in position 14°20'N, 120°20'E.

Submarine USS Cuttlefish: USS Cuttlefish (Lt.Cdr. M.P. Hottel) ended her 2nd war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Ranchi: Around 0800F/15, HMS Ranchi (Capt.(Retd.) J.M. Alleyne, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden.

Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included practice attacks on HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, RN) which also carried out an A/S exercise during which HMS Ursula acted as A/S target.

Submarine HMS Porpoise: At 1935 hours HMS Porpoise (Lt. L.W.A. Bennington, DSC, RN) was about 140 miles west of Crete when it was attacked by an aircraft. As a salvo of bombs fell near, the submarine dived to 60 feet but escaped damage. At 2025 hours another similar attack occurred with the same results.

Submarine HMS Sahib: HMS 212 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS P 219 (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Taku: At 0055C/15, HMS Taku (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) received Capt. S.1's signal timed 2356C/14, ordering the submarines on the (V-Z) patrol line to postpone taking up their new positions on the (V-Z one) patrol line until the 16th. The submarines were ordered to return to their positions on the original (V-Z) patrol line. HMS Taku complied. At 0100C/15, HMS Taku dived for an hour as ordered in an earlier signal from Capt. S 1. She surfaced at 0210C/15, with both engines back in operation. At 0325C/15, HMS Taku received a signal from the Vice-Admiral Malta which reported that an aircraft that at 0200 hours had sighted an enemy battleship, two cruisers and two destroyers in position 37°30'N, 19°35'E. Enemy course was 190° at 20 knot. HMS Taku altered course to the west and went to full speed to try to intercept. At 0625C/15, an aircraft report was received of the enemy unit changing course to 240°. Obtaining contact was considered unlikely so HMS Taku dived and patrolled to the south-east. Later it became evident from the actual movements of this enemy unit that had HMS Taku continued on she most likely would have made contact with the enemy around 0800C/15. At 1155C/15, HMS Taku and the other four submarines on the V-Z patrol line were ordered (Capt. S's signal timed 0825C/15) to proceed to their positions as originally ordered in their patrol orders for Operation Vigorous with D 4 as the 15th but with the convoy delayed 6 hours. HMS Taku and set course at speed for the new position. At 1300C/15, HMS Taku received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1138C/15 cancelling the above signal. HMS Taku dived and proceeded to take up her position in the V2 - Z2 line. At 1715C/15, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1315C/15, was received which ordered a new patrol line to be formed. Course was altered to comply and went to full speed. At 1825C/15, a signal was received from Capt. S 1' which stated that at 1515C/15, the enemy fleet was in position 34°30'N, 21°33'E and was proceeding on course 330° at speeds between 20 and 25 knots. Both enemy battleships were reported to be damaged. Three enemy cruisers were reported to be 25 nautical miles to the southward of the battleships proceeding on course 320°. HMS Taku set course to try to intercept. At 1914C/15, HMS Taku sighted a submarine which turned out to be HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN). At 2200C/15, HMS Taku arrived in her intended patrol position from which she commenced patrolling to the south-south-east.

Submarine HMS Thorn: At 0226C/15, a signal was received ordering, HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, DSO, RN) to intercept a battleship, two cruisers and two destroyers in position 37°30'N, 19°35'E, steering 190° at 20 knots. At 0747C/15, she sights the masts of a battleship at 12000 yards but could not get within attacking range. Later that day, at 2040C/15, in position 36°04'N, 19°04'E, a ship was sighted bearing 315° at a range of 8 miles. This was though to be a Spica-class torpedo boat. The enemy was proceeding on course 180° at 18 knots. The enemy was seen to alter course to the westwards at 2100C/15 but was soon lost from sight. The ships sighted were part of the Italian Italian Battle Squadron made up of the battleships Littorio, Vittorio Veneto, the heavy cruisers Gorizia, Trento, light cruisers Giuseppe Garibaldi, Emanuele Filiberto Duca D'Aosta and the destroyers Alpino, Bersagliere, Mitragliere, Legionario, Freccia, Folgore, Aviere, Geniere, Camicia Nera and Corazziere. They had sailed from Taranto between 1235- 1410B on 14 June 1942 to operate against a convoy coming from Alexandria (operation 'VIGOROUS').

Submarine HMS Thrasher:

Submarine HMS Uproar: At 0604 hours, in position 35°46'N, 18°50'E, HMS P 31 (Lt. J.B.de B. Kershaw, RN) sighted two battleships and three cruisers but they passed far out of range. A few minutes later an air attack was observed and a cruiser (Trento) appeared to have been damaged.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: At 0615 hours (zone -3) HMS P 34 (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSC, RN) spotted the Italian battlefleet. An air attack was in progress and the ships were maneuvering all over the place. P 34 was unable to obtain a favourable firing position. At 1012 hours, while approaching a damaged Trento-class cruiser this ship was seen to sink as a result of torpedo hits by HMS P 35 (Lt. S.L.C. Maydon, RN). P 35 had gone deep to evade but Lt. Harrison sat front row and was able to confirm that the cruiser had sunk. [This was indeed Trento.]

Submarine HMS Umbra: At 0645 hours HMS P 35 (Lt. S.L.C. Maydon, RN) fired torpedoes at the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto. The torpedoes however missed their target. Position of the attack was 36°00'N, 19°06'E. [The squadron was led by the battleship Littorio with Vittorio Veneto next in line, they were in company with the heavy cruiser Gorizia, the light cruisers Giuseppe Garibaldi and Emanuele Filiberto Duca D’Aosta and three squadrons of destroyers. The heavy cruiser Trento had just been disabled by an aircraft torpedo and lagged behind with two destroyers.] At 1151 hours HMS P 35 torpedoed and sank the Italian heavy cruiser Trento in position 35°55'N, 18°59'E. Trento was already damaged by a torpedo from a British Beaufort aircraft (217. Sqn. RAF based at Malta). [Trento was screened by the destroyers Saetta and Antonio Pigafetta.] (All times are zone -3) 0540 hours - Heard HE bearing 320°. 0545 hours - Sighted two large vessels bearing 310°. Altered course to intercept and closed at full speed. 0555 hours - Started attack on two Littorio class battleships and two cruisers in line ahead. Enemy course was 175°, speed 26 knots. 0611 hours - Aircraft started a bombing attack. P 35 was about to fire torpedoes at a battleship. The Italians went all over the place and it was not possible to attack now. 0618 hours - The pandemonium had died down and two cruisers were seen approaching. Started attack on these. 0622 hours - The cruisers turned away. 0628 hours - The battleships were sighted again escorted by four destroyers. 0630 hours - It was thought that the cruisers were laying a smoke screen but it was now sighted that one of them was on fire. Started attack on the battleships. 0646 hours - In position 36°00'N, 19°06'E fired four torpedoes from 5000 - 6000 yards. After firing P 35 went deep. It was thought one hit was obtained but this was not the case. 0719 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find the battleships disappearing to the South in a haze of smoke. Sighted the burning cruiser bearing 263° with a destroyer on either side. Range was 5500 yards. The enemy was proceeding to the West at slow speed. Commenced reloading the torpedo tubes. 0816 hours - The destroyers came nearer forcing p 35 to go deep and to proceed to the North. This delayed reloading. 0915 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find the cruiser still on fire bearing 159°. The two destroyers were laying a smoke screen. The cruiser was a Trento class ship. Started attack. 1006 hours - In position 35°55'N, 18°59'E fired two torpedoes. Both hit. P 35 went deep. Seven depth charges were dropped close to P 35 but they caused no damage. The counter attack ended at 1040 hours. HMS P 34 (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSC, RN) was approaching from the South saw the cruiser break in two and sink in three minutes. 1058 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Only the two destroyers were in sight picking up the survivors. Range was 4 nautical miles. P 35 retired to the South. [The destroyers Saetta and Antonio Pigafetta picked up the survivors and the hospital ships Aquileia and Città di Trapani were directed to the scene to help with the search. In all 602 survivors were picked up from a crew of 1152 but many were wounded and some died later.]

Submarine HMS Unbroken: At 1945 hours, in position 38°00’N, 11°55’E, HMS P 42 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) sighted the masts of a cruiser squadron from a distance of 10 miles. This was probably Admiral Zara’s force retiring after the battle.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Preston North End (Lt. K.A. Vasey, MBE, RNR).

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC, RNR) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

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

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

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

Minelayer HMS Abdiel: HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) departed Porte Noire for Simonstown. She later signalled that she was proceeding to Takoradi instead to effect repairs to defective evaporators.

Light cruiser HMS Jamaica: Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN) proceeded from Liverpool to Greenock.

Battleship HMS Ramillies: HMS Ramillies (Capt. D.N.C. Tufnell, DSC, RN) is docked in the graving dock at Durban. [We have been unable to find out the date she was undocked.]

Battleship HMS Rodney: HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, DSO, RN) and HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown around 1200Z/15.

Corvette HMS Marigold: HMS Marigold (Lt. J.A.S. Halcrow, RNR) picks up 36 survivors from the British merchant Etrib and 20 survivors from the Norwegian tanker Slemdal that were torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-552 west of Corunna, Spain in position 43°18'N, 17°38'W.HMS Marigold also picks up 29 survivors from the British merchant Thurso that were torpedoed and sunk by the same German U-boat in position 43°41'N, 18°02'W.

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

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

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

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

Submarine USSR ShCh-304: ShCh-304 fires two torpedoes against the German minesweeper depot ship MRS 12 / Nurnberg (5635 GRT) between Helsinki and Talinn. Both torpedoes missed their target.

Submarine USSR ShCh-405: Four miles west of Seskar island (at 60°01 's. s.28°13' s. d.) patrol boats picked up the bodies of 1WO M. Bakutin and helmsman V. Zhulepnikov from the water. A day later the body of the boat's commander was found on the shore of the island of Seskar. A search of the ship conducted by the air force showed the presence of a large oil trail at 60°09' s. W.28°10' s. d.

Destroyer HMS Winchester: HMS Winchester (Lt. J.R. Gower, RN) is docked in No.1 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) conducted dummy torpedo attacks at Scapa Flow.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class off new submariners.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. C.A. Pardoe, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. G.D.N. Milner, DSC, RN) departed the Philadelphia Navy Yard for New London, Connecticut. She put into refuge harbour for the night.

Submarine HMS P 614: HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) is undocked at Rothesay and then returned to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS P 615: HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) arrived at Reykyavik, Iceland.

Submarine RHS Papanikolis: Papanikolis sank two sailing vessels with gunfire off Scarpanto.

Submarine RHS Nereus: Nereus (Lt.Cdr. Rallis) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire off Scarpanto.

1943

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: Around 1915Z/15, the heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), light cruiser HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) departed Hvalfjord for Scapa Flow.

Heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk: HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty.

Light cruiser HMS Capetown: HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) and the (troop) transport Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa.

Light cruiser HMS Capetown: Convoy KR 5. This convoy departed Kilindini / Mombasa on 15 June 1943. it was made up of the following (troop) transports; Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924), Ascanius (British, 10048 GRT, built 1910), Cap Tourane (British, 8009 GRT, built 1923), City of Paris (British, 10902 GRT, built 1922), Ekma (British, 5108 GRT, built 1911), Empire Woodlark (British, 7793 GRT, built 1913), Lancashire (British, 9557 GRT, built 1917), Llanstephan Castle (British, 11348 GRT, built 1914) and Salween (British, 7063 GRT, built 1937). The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Capetown (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.V.H. Harris, DSC, MVO, RN). On 20 June 1943, the destroyer HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN) joined. She had departed Port Victoria earlier that day. On 24 June 1943, the sloop HMIS Hindustan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.J. Wilson, DSO, RINR) and the RFA tanker Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917) joined. HMIS Hindustan had departed Colombo on 22 June 1943 for Addu Attol to collect the Appleleaf and then join the convoy. On 27 June 1943 the convoy arrived at Colombo.

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (A/Capt.(Retd.) A.G. Davidson, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Lamlash. En-route exercises with aircraft were carried out.

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (A/Capt. R.C. Harry, RN) arrived at Khasab Bay.

Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (A/Capt. R.C. Harry, RN, flying the broad pennant of Commodore(Retd.) C.F. Hammill, RN) departed Khasab Bay for the Rooke Anchorage (south of Abadan).

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

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: HMS Diomede (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, RCN) arrived at Scapa Flow to commence a work-up period.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) arrived at Khasab Bay.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 0715K/15, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Challenger Bay for more exercises with RAAF aircraft. Around 1410K/15, the exercises having been completed, she returned to Challenger Bay.

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) conducted trials and exercises off Casco Bay, Maine. She was escorted by USS Hobby (Cdr. E. Blake, USN), USS Kalk (Cdr. C.T. Singleton, Jr., USN) and USS Gillespie (Cdr. C.C. Clement, USN). Upon completion of these trials and exercises she departed for New York.

Submarine HNMS O 23: Around 1100FG/15, HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) departed Colombo for her 19th war patrol (6th in the Far East). She was to patrol in the Malacca Straits and to carry out a special operation. For the daily and attack positions of HrMs O 23 during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. W.J. de Vries, RNN) is docked at Colombo.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) shifted from Rothesay to Kames Bay where she was immediately docked.

Submarine USS Trout: USS Trout (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Clark) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese tanker Sanraku Maru (3000 GRT) off Sibitu in the Celebes Sea in position 05°09'N, 119°38'E.

Submarine USS Sailfish: USS Sailfish (T/Cdr. J.R. Moore, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant vessel Shinju Maru (3617 GRT, built 1943) off Hakozakicho, Honshu, Japan in position 39°18'N, 142°05'E. 1200K/15, Sighted smoke and soon after made out two ships zig-zagging widely. The leading ship was zig-zagging wider then the second and was estimated to be making 11 knots. Commenced approach on this ship. Both looked the same size, about 5000 tons but the leading ship appeared more modern. When the range was 2500 yards, the leading ship turned giving an angle on the bow of 3°. Went deep, crossed the track and came back up to set up an attack on the second ship which was seen to be heavily laden. Fired three torpedoes from the stern tubes from 2500 yards. One hit was obtained. Two depth charges exploded close by, most likely from an aircraft. Meanwhile some breaking up noises were heard. Also fast screws were heard and soon after three patrol vessels were heard to be hunting overhead. They obtained contact for the during of three hours during which 36 depth charges were counted, all fairly close.

Submarine USS Gunnel: USS Gunnel (Lt.Cdr. J.S. McCain, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Koyo Maru (6426 GRT) in Tsushima Straits in position 33°55'N, 127°38'E.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Unicorn: During 15/16 June 1943, HMS Unicorn (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. These included night flying.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alaunia: Around 1045C/15, HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Aden.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle: Around 1800B/15, HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) arrived at Simonstown from convoy escort duty.

Submarine HMS Ursula: HMS Ursula (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Otus: HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. She was now assigned to training duties.

Submarine HMS Rorqual: HMS Rorqual (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Napier, RN) was undocked.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. [Most likely these were for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) but this is not specified in the ships logbook.]

Submarine HMS Safari: Around 0900A/15, HMS HMS Safari (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (also 12th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. She was escorted in by HMS Stroma (A/Skr.Lt. J.S. Harper, RNR).

Submarine HMS Sickle: HMS Sickle (Lt. J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN) departed Algiers for her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa and off the East coast of Corsica. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Sickle during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Stonehenge: Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted trials in Gare Loch following which she was commissioned at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. First, HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN), served as target and later the target was HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.M.K. Keble-White, RN).

Submarine HMS Syrtis: HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HNoMS Potentilla, HNoMS Rose and HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN).

Submarine HMS Tactician: Around 2100B/15, in position 39°09'N, 18°15'E, HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) sighted a submarine 7 to 8 nautical miles away bearing 310° steering approximately northwards silhouetted against the sunset. Closed and brought all eight forward torpedo tubes to the ready. The target could not be identified definitely as it was rapidly getting darker. At 2115B/15, the target could no longer be seen in the darkness so the attack was broken off and course was set to the southward. An enemy report was passed by W/T at 2220B/15. As this sighting was on the edge of the operating area of HMS Unbroken (Lt. B.J.B. Andrew, DSC, RN), Lt.Cdr. Collett did not attack immediately. This was the Italian submarine Atropo returning to Taranto from a supply mission to Lampedusa. She arrived at Taranto around 0820B/16.

Submarine HMS Taurus: Around 0830C/15, HMS Taurus (Lt.Cdr. M.R.G. Wingfield, DSO, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Beirut.

Submarine HMS Trespasser: Around 1000B/15, HMS Trespasser (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) arrived at Oran from Algiers.

Submarine HMS Tantalus: HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.

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

Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. G.E. Hunt, DSC, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper No.92/Tullio (137 GRT) off Cape Vaticano in position 38°25'N, 15°47'E. The vessel was engaged with the minesweeper RD 42 in minesweeping between Scilla and Cape Vaticano. Three were killed and eleven survivors were picked up. Later the same day she attacked two Italian destroyers/torpedo boats with three torpedoes. It was thought one of these was sunk but in fact no hits were obtained. In fact the Italian corvette Euterpe reported being missed missed by four (sic) torpedoes and attacked the submarine with five patterns totalling twenty-eight depth charges. Later she was joined in the A/S hunt by the corvette Gabbiano. All times are zone -2) 1220 hours - Sighted smoke to the north. 1242 hours - Started attack on a vessel escorted by 'a destroyer' that was joined by another 'destroyer' at 1300 hours. 1340 hours - In position 38°25'N, 15°47'E fired three torpedoes from 1000 yards and 50 seconds later one torpedo hit abreast the bridge and the vessel sank immediately. 1347 hours - One of the escorts dropped a depth charge but it was not close. ---------------------------------------------------- 1859 hours - Sighted a vessel thought to be a large submarine in company with a Climene-class torpedo boat. They were very difficult to see against the land. Ran in deep for long periods. 2000 hours - The vessel was now seen to be a Orsa-class torpedo boat with a Climene-class torpedo boat on his port quarter and to seaward. Started attack. Position was 38°31'N, 15°46'E. 2017 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 3700 yards. After 2min 25sec a torpedo was heard to hit giving a running range of 3550 yards. 2031 hours - Heard HE of a destroyer approaching. A pattern of 15 depth charges was dropped quite close. Only HE of one destroyer was heard and it was thought the target was sunk. 2245 hours - HE faded out and ASDIC transmissions ceased.

Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) shifted from Govan to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials.

Submarine HMS Upstart: HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Brecon (Lt.Cdr. T.D. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, RN), HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN) and HMS Viceroy (Lt. T.F. Hallifax, RN).

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN) and HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN).

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR), HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) and HMS H 34 (T/Lt. R.L. Willoughby, RNR) departed the Clyde area (Campbeltown / Rothesay) for Londonderry. They were escorted by HMS Blade (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR).

Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. R.B. Foster, RN), while en-route to sea for exercises, ran aground in Town Cut Channel, St. Georges, Bermuda. She came off after about half an hour and returned to Ordnance Island, Bermuda.

Light cruiser HMS Scylla: Around 1815B/15, HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Plymouth.

Light cruiser HMS Scylla: Convoy XK 7. This convoy departed Gibraltar on 15 June 1943 for the U.K. It was made up of the following transports; Archangelos (Greek, 5692 GRT, built 1918), Brika (British, 4412 GRT, built 1929), Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929), Lanande (British, 7453 GRT, built 1920) and Penshurst (British, 1454 GRT, built 1921). Also part of the convoy were the cable layer Aquilla (British, 450 GRT, built 1907) and the tug HMS Aimwell which was towing a part of HMS Porcupine. The convoy was escorted by the corvette HMS Cyclamen (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lawson, RNR), ASW whaler HNoMS Molde and the ASW trawler HMS Huddersfield Town (A/Skr.Lt. J.H. Consadine, DSC, RNR). Distant cover for the convoy during part of the voyage was provided by the light (AA) cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN). The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 26 June 1943.

Light cruiser HMS Gambia: HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) departed Plymouth for Liverpool where she was to refit.

Light cruiser HMS Uganda: HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Newfoundland: Around 1200/15, HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), departed Malta for Suez. She arrived at Suez around 1830/17.

Battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth: HMS Queen Elizabeth (Cdr. R.C. Haskett-Smith, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in Chasepeake Bay.

Battleship HMS Revenge: Around 1300C/15, the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) departed Kilindini for Durban. The was escorted by the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN).

Battleship HMS Ramillies: HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.M.K. Keble-White, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg followed by speed trials on the Arran measured mile.

Battleship HMS Resolution: Around 1300B/15, HMS Resolution (Capt. J.W. Durnford, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. She is escorted by HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN) and HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN). On departure from Durban, HMS Resolution conducted D/G exercises.

Battleship HMS Rodney: During 15/16 June, a large exercise was carried out off Scapa Flow by ships that were to participate in the upcoming landings on Sicily. The ships that participated were; the battleships HMS Nelson (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.U. Willis, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. L.H. Ashmore, RN), HMS Warspite (Capt. H.A. Packer, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. G. Grantham, CB, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, RN). They were escorted by destroyers the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMS Quail (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Jenks, RN), HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, DSO, RN), HMS Fury (Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Arrow (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Fitzroy, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) (these last four remained with the Home Fleet) and escort destroyers HMS Viceroy (Lt. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMS Woolston (Lt. F.W. Hawkins, RN). [It is likely that even more destroyers / escort destroyers participated in these exercises. The Home Fleet cruisers HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN), HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN), screened by the Home Fleet destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN) and HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) simulated an enemy fleet. The exercises included night encounter exercises.

Battleship HMS King George V: Around 1015B/15, the battleship HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN), destroyer HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN), HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN), HMS Puckeridge (Lt. J.C. Cartwright, DSC, RN) and HMS Tynedale (Lt. J.J.S. Yorke, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Mers-el-Kebir.

Battleship HMS Anson: HMS Anson (Commodore H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN) is undocked.

Destroyer HMCS Iroquois: Around 1445B/15, HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. W.B.L. Holms, RCN) returned to Plymouth from operations.

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: HMAS Nizam (Lt. W.F. Cook, RAN) departed Simonstown to make rendezvous with convoy WS 30 approaching Capetown from the north. Rendezvous was affected later the same day and the convoy arrived at Capetown also later on the same day. [For more info on covoy WS 30 see the event ' Combined convoy WS 30 / KMS 15 ' for 19 May 1943.]

Submarine USS S-41: USS S-41 (Lt. I.S. Hartman) ended her 6th war patrol at Dutch Harbour.

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

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

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

Submarine USS R-18: USS R-18 arrived at Bermuda from New London, Connecticut.

Submarine USSR L-23: The German barge F 121 hits a mine and is sunk off Feodosia, Crimea in position 44°57'N, 35°26'E. The mine was laid on 4 October 1942 by the Soviet submarine L-23.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): Around 2200H/15, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) departed Fremantle to make rendezvous with the USN Cargo ship USS Gold Star (4871 GRT, built 1920, Lt.Cdr. T.J. Schultz, USN). Rendezvous was affected around 1400H/16. They arrived at Fremantle around 2200H/17.

Destroyer HMAS Norman: HMAS Norman (Cdr. H.M. Burrell, RAN), HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown with convoy WS 30.

Submarine USS S-12: USS S-12 departed the Panama Canal Zone for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Submarine FR Argo: Argo conducted A/S exercises off Freetown with HMHDML 1076, HMHDML 1089, HMHDML 1137 and HMHDML 1147.

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

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Altair (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.R.T. Clements, RNR).

Destroyer RHS Aetos: Aetos picks up 47 survivors from the British tanker Athelmonarch that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-97 north-west of Jaffa, Palestine in position 32°20'N, 34°39'E.

1944

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: In the morning, HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), conducted gunnery exercises off Bizerta.

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: Around 1845B/15, HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Bizerta to join convoy MKS 52. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy MKS 52 ' for 8 June 1944.]

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: During 15/16 June, HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN), conducted exercises off Methil. These included night exercises. On completion of the exercises they proceeded to Rosyth.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: Around 1410B/15, HMS Hawkins (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Juno Beach where she anchored around 1935B/15. She then assumed her new role as depot ship. At 2000B/15, the Commodore Depot Ships Eastern Task Force, Commodore H.T. England, DSO, RNR, hoisted his broad pendant in her.

Light cruiser HMS Glasgow: At 0725B/15, HMS Glasgow (Capt. C.P. Clarke, DSO, RN) opened fire for two minutes on an enemy troop concentration. At 2057B/15, HMS Glasgow weighed anchor. She anchored in another position at 2128B/15.

Escort carrier USS Solomons: German U-boat U-860 was sunk in the South Atlantic south of St. Helena, in position 25°27'S, 05°30'W, by depth charges and rockets from 7 Avenger and Wildcat aircraft (Task Group 22.10) of the US escort carrier USS Solomons.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR) and HMS Ambuscade (Lt. H. Hutchinson, RN).

Submarine USS Swordfish: USS Swordfish (Lt.Cdr. K.E. Montross, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ship Kanseishi Maru (4804 GRT, built 1929) about 150 nautical miles north-north-west of Chichi Jima in position 29°30'N, 141°11'E. Two earlier attacks on the convoy Knseishi Maru was part had failed. Besides Kanseishi Maru, the convoy attacked was made up of Miho Maru (4667 GRT, built 1943), Toyokawa Maru (5123 GRT, built 1911) and Awaji Maru (2045 GRT, built 1906). They were escorted by the destroyer Satsuki, the frigates Oki, Amakusa and Nomi and the auxiliary minesweepers Showa Maru No.7 and Showa Maru No.8 (all links are offsite links). (All times are zone -9) 14 June 1944 1410 hours - Sighted smoke. 1500 hours - In position 28°13'N, 140°55'E sighted a convoy consisting of four ships and five escorts. Range was about 20000 yards. Decided to trail the convoy and make a night surface attack. 1715 hours - Lost sight contact with the convoy. 1815 hours - Surfaced and commenced chase. 2048 hours - Regained radar contact with the convoy. 2120 hours - Commenced approach from the port beam of the convoy. 2135 hours - Broke off this approach as we would get to close to one of the escorts. Worked over to the other side of the convoy and commenced approach from the starboard bow. 2255 hours - Swordfish was detected by one of the escorts. 2256 hours - In position 29°21'N, 141°05'E fired four bow tubes at one of the transports from 1975 yards. All missed. 2258 hours - Sighted a small escort 20° on the starboard bow, range 500 yards. This quickly closed to 200 yards before Swordfish was able to maneuver to avoid. The escort dropped no depth charges. The convoy now seemed to disperse so commenced trailing one unidentified which seemed to be separated from the rest. 15 June 1944 0006 hours - Commenced approach on a single ship with one escort ahead and one small escort astern. 0025 hours - In position 29°28'N, 141°04'E fired four bow tubes from a range of 1500 yards. Again all torpedoes missed. 0029 hours - Commenced another approach on the same target. 0104 hours - Again fired four bow torpedoes from 1000 yards. Position was 29°30'N, 141°11'E. Three hits were obtained. The target began to settle by the bow. 0118 hours - The radar pip of the target disappeared. An escort dropped a few depth charges but then started to pick up survivors. 0154 hours - Abandoned the chase of the remainder of the convoy.

Submarine USS Flying Fish: USS Flying Fish (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Risser) spots a Japanese carrier force emerging from the San Bernardino Strait bound westward. She immediately reports this sighting.

Submarine USS Peto: USS Peto (Lt.Cdr. Paul Van Leunen, Jr.) calls at Midway.

Submarine USS Seahorse: At 1845K/15, USS Seahorse (T/Cdr. S.D. Cutter, USN), east of Mindanao, in position 09°30'N, 128°49'E, the periscope watch sighted smoke bearing 337°. USS Seahorse closed and the tops of four large men-of-war were seen at an estimated range of 19 nautical miles. Six other sources of smoke were in sight. At 1855K/15, contact was lost in the growing darkness. At 1936K/15, Obtained radar contact on three ships bearing 031° at a range of 27000 yards. Commenced tracking at maximum speed. Tracking revealed six large ships and two smaller ones on a base course of 045° at 16.5 knots zigging 20° either side of their base course. USS Seahorse was on their starboard flank and the minimum range obtained on the starboard screening vessel was 19000 yards. 2300K/15, Speed limitations imposed by main motor sparking made it impossible to reach an attack position so commenced sending a contact report. 0000K/15, Main motor sparking became so bad that speed had to be reduced to 14.5 knots. Contact was lost soon afterwards. 0300K/15, Cleared contact report after much difficulty had been experienced due to very persistent jamming by the enemy. 0535K/15, Dived to effect repairs to the main motors. The Japanese force encountered by USS Seahorse was made up of the battleships Yamato, Musashi, heavy cruisers Haguro, Myoko, light cruiser Noshiro and the destroyers Asagumo, Shimakaze and Okinami (all links are offsite links).

Submarine USS Apogon: USS Apogon (Cdr. W.P. Schoeni, USN) conducted exercises off Majuro.

Submarine USS Barbero: USS Barbero (Cdr. I.S. Hartman, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Bang: USS Bang (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Gallaher, USN) attacked but missed an unidentified tanker south-east of Iwo Jima in position 23°15'N, 143°15'E. (All times are zone -10) 0508 hours - Just as dawn was breaking, made simultaneous bridge and SJ radar contact on a lone tanker, range 10000 yards, angle on the bow 60° starboard. Came right to put target astern and open out, and commenced tracking while gaining position ahead. Kept the targets tops in sight through high periscope. 0829 hours - Submerged with target bearing 187°(T), angle on the bow 3° port, range 20000 yards. Target was tracked at 11 knots, zigzagging 30° to right and left of base course 10°(T) on thirty minute legs. She was unescorted by either planes or surface ships. 0855 hours - Target on right leg, angle on the bow 30° port. Range 7500 yards. Course 040°(T). 0903 hours - Target obscured by heavy rain. There were numerous rain squalls all around the horizon, which soon closed in until periscope visibility was practically zero. Planed up to radar depth, but there was no pip. 0919 hours - Surfaced in a heavy downpour of rain. Opened out to gain position ahead for another approach when the target could be located. Ran out of the rain storm at about 0940 hours. 0945 hours - Sighted the target coming out of the rain, angle on the bow 30° port. range 14000 yards, on a base course 010°(T). Submerged. Went to 120 feet and for 25 minutes ran at full speed, 8 knots. 1018 hours - Came to periscope depth and slowed. Target range 9000 yards, angle on the bow 90° port. Her course 080°, was further to the right that she had steered all moring. Most likely she had sighted us before we dived. Waited for a while, hoping the target would zig back but the angle on the bow continued to increase. Opened out and at ..... 1140 hours - Surfaced and commenced end-around. Sent out a contact report. 1525 hours - Received new patrol assignment from ComSubPac. Bang had almost gained a position ahead of the target and it was decided to continue for two more hours and then approach the target and then we would still be on time in the new patrol position. 1549 hours - Submerged to 150 feet and for 45 minutes ran at standard speed, 6 knots on course 070°(T), to close base course, hoping the target would zig back soon. 1639 hours - Came to periscope depth and slowed. Target range 6500 yards, angle on the bow 30° port, course 010°(T). Closed for 10 minutes at full speed. At the next look the target had zigged away to 45°(T). With a nearly flat battery and no more time available, decided to accept an unfavourable position and at ..... 1701 hours - In position 23°15'N, 143°15'E fired three bow torpedoes from 3600 yards. Angle on the bow 120° port. The third torpedo hit just forward of the stack with a run of 2 minutes and 54 seconds. After more then 5 minutes two more explosions were heard, these were end of run explosions for the other torpedoes. The target took a 15° port list and commenced to settle by the stern. She also rigged out her lifeboats. It was thought she would sink but she continued on at 7 knots, zigzagging. Eventually the target righted herself to about 7° port list and down by the stern about 5°. The tanker was in ballast. 1730 hours - Heard a muffled explosion in the direction of the target. 1735 hours - Surfaced and proceeded in the direction of our new station. When last seen the target had her bow up at a 8° angle. It was hard to give up this target but there was no more time to finish her off.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Formidable: HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, CBE, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Irish Sea.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Unicorn: The aircraft maintenance carrier HMS Unicorn (Capt. H.L.St.J. Fancourt, DSO, RN) conducted flying exercises off Trincomalee during which she was escorted by the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. R.G. Onslow, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, DSO, DSC, RN).

Submarine HMS Porpoise: HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN) was docked in AFD 26 at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted gunnery exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area with HMS PC 74 (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Richardson, RNR) and HMS Kingfisher (T/Lt. F.D. Betts, RNR).

Submarine HMS Satyr: German U-boat U-987 was sunk in the Norwegian Sea west of Narvik, in position 68°01'N, 05°08'E, by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, RN). (All times are zone -1) 0907 hours - In position 68°00'N, 05°02'E sighted a u-boat bearing 107°, range 4500 yards. Started attack. 0915 hours - In position 68°01'N, 05°08'E fired 6 torpedoes from 3000 yards. Nearly two minutes after firing two almost simultaneous explosions were heard. These were two torpedoes that prematured. 2 Minutes and 20 seconds after firing another two explosions were heard and two hits were observed on the target. The first hit was just abaft the stem and the other underneath the conning tower. Two great columns of water rose up and both the bown and the stern of the u-boat lifted out of the water, and she appeared to break in half. The stern sank back almost immediately while the bow remained at an angle of about 60 degrees bow up for a few seconds giving many people in the control room time to see it through the periscope. Breaking up noises were clearly heard. No survivors were seen.

Submarine HMS Shakespeare: HMS Shakespeare (Lt. D. Swanston, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted night attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Vindex (Capt. H.T.T. Bayliss, RN) served as the target. Following these attack exercises HMS Shakespeare proceeded to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Shalimar: HMS Shalimar (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

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

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Tantivy: HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) tries to intercept a small merchant vessel off Phuket. She is not able to attack. (All times are zone -6,5) 0522 hours - Dived and started approaching Phuket harbour 1112 hours - Sighted a small diesel merchant ship of about 1500 to 2000 tons leaving Phuket harbour. Tantivy turned to intercept. Immediately after three A/S vessels were seen making a direct attack impossible. Cdr. Rimington decided to try to intercept the ship off Go Lantar Yai about 25 nautical miles away. The target was however not seen again 1900 hours - Surfaced and proceeded to the vicinity of Goh Beng light

Submarine HMS Tiptoe: HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Trenchant: HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) transits the Suez Canal and afterwards departed from for Aden.

Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) departed Malta for Bone, Algeria. No log of this period is available so her exact movements are uncertain. She sailed to join convoy M.K.S.52 on passage from Port Said to Gibraltar. She received orders to leave the convoy off Bone on the 16th and proceed to La Maddalena but it appears that she went to Bone instead, perhaps to remedy to some defects.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. D.S. Brown, RNVR) conducted exercises off Stornoway with HMS Kingston Peridot (A/Skr.Lt. J.T. Denoon, RNR) and HMS Neil Mackay (Skr. T. Normandale, RNR).

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) departed La Maddalena for Algiers.

Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. R.A.A.C. Ward, DSC, RN) was undocked at Kames Bay. She then immediately returned to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Vampire: HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) departed Malta for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Vampire during his patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Venturer: HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSC, RN) participated in exercises off Larne.

Submarine HMS Voracious: HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises.

Submarine HMS Vulpine: HMS Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil.

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Hutley, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H.T. Pitt, RN).

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. F.R. Lawrence, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. E.A. Hobson, DSC, RN) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 0800FG/15, the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. C.E. Lambe, CB, CVO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN) departed Trincomalee for exercises off that port. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN), HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Lt.Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC, RAN). Around 1550FG/15, the escort carrier HMS Atheling (Capt. R.I. Agnew, OBE, RCN) and the destroyers HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN) departed Trincomalee to join the exercises. Around 1750FG/15, the light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) departed Trincomalee also to join the exercises. All ships involved in the exercise returned to Trincomalee around 1800FG/16.

Light cruiser HMS Scylla: At 0015B/15, flares were seen bearing 330°. Two minutes later HMS Scylla (Capt. T.M. Brownrigg, CBE, RN, flying the flag of R.Adm. P.L. Vian, CB, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) opened fire but this was ceased a minute later. At 0040B/15, a surface action took place bearing 270°. Four minutes later HMS Scylla opened fire with her aft 4.5" guns on enemy aircraft. At 0233B/15, HMS Scylla opened fire with her forward 4.5" guns on enemy aircraft. At 0239B/15, a bomb was dropped near HMS Scylla. At 0245B/15, HMS Scylla opened fire with her aft 4.5" guns on enemy aircraft. At 0905B/15, HMS Scylla weighed anchor and got underway to proceed to the 'Juno Area'. At 0938B/15, HMS Scylla dropped anchor in the 'Juno Area'. At 2235B/15, HMS Scylla weighed anchor and got underway to proceed to the 'Sword area'. At 2318B/15, HMS Scylla anchored in her night position in the 'Sword area'.

Light cruiser HMS Bellona: In the morning, HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, RN) conducted a bombardment in the Omaha assault area.

Light cruiser HMS Diadem: Around 1400B/15, HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) commenced her first bombardment of the day. Two more bombardments were carried out in the evening.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: HMS Kenya (Capt. C.L. Robertson, RN) conducted an underway refueling exercise during which she fuelled from the RFA tanker Echodale (8150 GRT, built 1941).

Light cruiser HMS Mauritius: At 0020B/15, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN) weighed anchor to return to the Sword Area where she anchored around 0140B/15. At 1021B/15, fire was opened on enemy troops. A total of 31 rounds were fired. At 1205B/15, fire was opened. This was an area bombardment in which 36 rounds were fired. At 1345B/15, Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, temporary transferred to HMS Ajax (Capt. J.J. Weld, MVO, RN). At 1400B/15, HMS Mauritius departed the Sword Area for Spithead where she arrived around 1830B/15 to re-ammunition which was completed by 0700B/16. She also fuelled.

Light cruiser HMS Swiftsure: HMS Swiftsure (Capt. R.D. Oliver, CBE, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off North Shields.

Battleship HMS Ramillies: HMS Ramillies (Capt. G.B. Middleton, CBE, RN) conducted one bombardment on this day. Between 1710B/15 and 1800B/15 she bombarded enemy positions.

Battleship HMS Nelson: HMS Nelson (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) carried out several bombardments of enemy targets on shore. The 16" battery was in action from 2201B/15 to 2215B/15. The 6" battery was not in action on this day.

Battleship HMS Howe: HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) and HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.la T. Bisset, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: Around 0815FG/15 HMS Ameer (Capt. G.D. Yates, RN), HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) and HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) arrive off Colombo from Cochin. The destroyers then left for the Seychelles later the same day.

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

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

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

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

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

Submarine USSR L-20: L-20 lays a minefield off Rolvs?y, northern Norway.

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

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. A.G. Prideaux, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.

Light cruiser HMNZS Gambia: Around 1100FG/15, HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN) arrived at Madras from Trincomalee.

Patrol craft USS PCS-1461: Participated on the invasion of Saipan. A few days later, the ship was hit during an air alert. Several casualties one officer died. The ship suffered some damage and returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

Tank landing ship USS LST 280: USS LST-280 was damaged by a torpedo while returning from the Normandy in the English Channel. For a long time it was thought that the landing ship had been torpedoed by the German U-boat U-621, but the attack was probably made by a German Ju 88 torpedo bomber (KG 77 or KG 26). The vessel was towed to the UK and was taken over by the Royal Navy after being repaired.

1945

Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire: HMS Devonshire (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN) arrived at Plymouth where she is to be fitted out for trooping duties by the Devonport Dockyard.

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 Leith to Rosyth.

Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: Around 0725B/15, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) arrived at Rosyth from Portree.

Submarine HNMS O 24: At 0200I/15, HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. P.J.S. de Jong, RNN) received orders to proceed to Darwin for fuel on provisions after which she was to resume her patrol. At 0304I/15, a radar contact was obtained and a plot was started. At 0314I/15, a second radar contact was obtained which was also plotted. At 0355I/15 an attack was started on the port contact which was thought to be the bigger one. All torpedo tubes were brought to the ready. At 0410I/15, a low silhouette was sighted at a range, according to the radar, of 4000 yards. It was thought to be a submarine chaser turning towards. At 0413I/15, O 24 turned away to increase the distance. Meanwhile contact was lost on the starboard contact. At 0445I/15, the attack was broken off and course was set for Darwin.

Submarine USS Sailfish: During 15/16 June 1945, USS Sailfish (T/Lt.Cdr. L. Marcy, USN) conducted exercises off Guantanamo Bay. These included night exercises.

Submarine USS Seadragon: USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. L.L. Davis, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Guantanamo Bay.

Submarine USS Flying Fish: USS Flying Fish (Cdr. R.D. Risser) destroys 10 Japanese sailing vessels with gunfire off north-western Korea, in position 41°50'N, 129°55'E.

Submarine USS Whale: Her refit and trials completed USS Whale (Lt.Cdr. Freeland Henry Carde, Jr.) left Pearl Harbor for her 11th war patrol, and was ordered to patrol off Bungo Suido on lifeguard duty.

Submarine USS Muskallunge: USS Muskallunge (Cdr. W.H. Lawrence) ended her 6th war patrol at Midway.

Submarine USS Chivo: USS Chivo (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Crutcher, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Sea Dog: USS Sea Dog (Cdr. E.T. Hydeman) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Koan Maru (661 GRT) off the east coast of Honshu in position 39°53'N, 139°40'E.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Colossus: Around 0945FG/15, HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Venerable: Around 0900FG/15, HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Madras.

Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted night attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area during which HMS Milford (Cdr.(Retd.) G.G. Slade, RN) served as target. Upon completion of these night exercises HMS Safari proceeded to Rothesay.

Submarine HMS Sportsman: HMS Sportsman (Lt. P.L. Langley-Smith, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included gunnery exercises off Arran.

Submarine HMS Strongbow: HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) departed Port Said for Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (T/Lt. T.D. Wood, RNVR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) served as the target.

Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS Trident: At 1136FG/15, HMS Trident (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) sighed a P-class destroyer bearing 112° at a range of 14000 yards. At 1202FG/15, HMS Trident surfaced in position 00°29'S, 97°55'E and identified herself to HMS Paladin (Lt. H.R. Hewlett, RN). They then closed and a message containing instructions for a special operation (Caprice IV) was then passed from the destroyer to the submarine following which they parted company. HMS Trident was to search for and pick up the ' Caprice party ' which had requisted an emergency pick up after they had been detected by the Japanese. The destroyers HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Diack, DSC, RN) and HMS Paladin had been sent to evacuate this party but they had failed to find it. Therefore this tast was now assigned to HMS Trident.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Telemachus: HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Totem: HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for Port Said.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Llandudno.

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

Submarine HMS Unruly: During the night of 15/16 June 1945, HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR), conducted night exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (T/Lt. J.D. Tweedie, RNVR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. R.W. Garson, RN) conducted exercises off Larne with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Untamed: HMS Vitality (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) participated in exercises off Campbeltown.

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

Submarine HMS Viking: HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth training a class off new submariners.

Submarine HMS Virulent: HMS Virulent (Lt. F.E. Ashmead-Bartlett, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS Voracious: HMS Voracious (Lt. D.R. Wilson, DSC, RANVR) departed Sydney for Brisbane. She was escorted by HMAS Maryborough (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) M.W. Lancaster, RAN).

Submarine HMS Amphion: HMS Amphion (Cdr. R.H. Dewhurst, DSO, RN) conducted minelaying trials off Arrochar.

Light cruiser HMS Bellona: HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery and fighter direction exercises at Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMCS Ontario: HMCS Ontario (Capt. H.T.W. Grant, DSO, RCN) is docked in No.3 Graving Dock at Birkenhead.

Battleship HMS Howe: HMS Howe (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, DSO, RN) departed Fremantle for Durban.

Destroyer HMS Kelvin: HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. R.M.W. MacFarlan, RN) is undocked.

Destroyer HMS Paladin: HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Diack, DSC, RN) and HMS Paladin (Lt. H.R. Hewlett, RN) intercept a Japanese landing craft and sink it with gunfire off the north-west coast of Sumatra.

Destroyer HMS Armada: She was adopted by the town of Brentwood, Essex, UK.

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

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. D.C. Bowman, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt. R.G. Black, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS Diablo: USS Diablo (Lt.Cdr. G.G. Matherson, USN) departed Key West, Florida for the Panama Canal Zone.

Submarine USS Diablo: USS Diablo (Lt.Cdr. G.G. Matherson, USN) departed Key West, Florida for the Panama Canal Zone.

Tank landing ship HMS LST 4: HMS LST 4 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.T. Wood, RNR) is docked in AFD 27 at Alexandria.

1965

Destroyer USS Herndon (ii): Towed from Philadelphia Reserve Fleet to Orange, Texas under Officer-in-Charge LT Robert M. Mead, USN.