Allied Warships

HNMS K XIV (N 22)

Submarine of the K XIV class

NavyThe Royal Dutch Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassK XIV 
PennantN 22 
Built byRotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij, (Rotterdam , Holland) 
Ordered30 May 1929 
Laid down31 May 1930 
Launched11 Jul 1931 
Commissioned6 Jul 1933 
End service23 Apr 1946 
History

Decommissioned on 23 April 1946. 

Commands listed for HNMS K XIV (N 22)

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Frederik Johan Adolf Knoops, RNN2 Sep 193913 Dec 1939
2luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Pieter Andréa Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN16 Dec 19392 Jan 1940

3luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Pieter Andréa Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN11 May 194015 Dec 1941
4luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Carel Adrianus Johannes van Well Groeneveld, DSO, RNN15 Dec 19414 Jan 1942
5luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) Theodoor Brunsting, RNN4 Jan 194212 Feb 1942
6luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Pieter Andréa Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN12 Feb 194231 Mar 1942
7luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) Johan Hendrik Geijs, RNN31 Mar 194220 Jul 1943
8luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Jacob Frans Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN20 Jul 194316 Dec 1944
9luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Jan Smith, RNN(R)16 Dec 194428 Feb 1946

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Notable events involving K XIV include:


No logbooks of this submarine are available at the Dutch archives, therefore no maps are displayed on this page except one for her 8th war patrol.

This page was last updated in August 2017.

18 Nov 1941
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) departed Surabaya for Tarakan together with HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) and HrMs K XVI (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Jarman, RNN) (this is the 3rd Dutch submarine division). They arrived in the Tarakan area on 22 November 1941.

8 Dec 1941
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) and the other submarines of the 3rd Dutch submarine division HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) and HrMs K XVI (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Jarman, RNN)) patrolled in the Northern entrance to the Makassar Strait.

K XIV was however ordered to patrol off Manado, Celebes. This patrol now had become HrMs K XIV's 1st war patrol.

9 Dec 1941
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) arrived at Manado but nothing was sighted.

11 Dec 1941
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) and the other submarines of the 3rd Dutch submarine division HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) and HrMs K XVI (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Jarman, RNN)) are ordered to proceed towards the Java Sea. This was later changed to the South China Sea.

13 Dec 1941
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) and the other submarines of the 3rd Dutch submarine division HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) and HrMs K XVI (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Jarman, RNN)) are ordered to return to Surabaya first for fuel and supplies (and small repairs if needed).

15 Dec 1941
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) ended her 1st war patrol at Surabaya. The Commanding Officer was sick and was replaced by Lt.Cdr. C.A.J. van Well Groeneveld, RNN as his own boat was still refitting. Also fuel and provisions were taken on board and small defects were made good.

She departed Surabaya later the same day for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.

23 Dec 1941
In the morning a Dutch scout plane had spotted a Japanese convoy about 150 nautical miles to the North of Kuching, Borneo. HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. C.A.J. van Well Groeneveld, RNN) was then guided to this convoy by the aircraft.

In the evening K XIV attacked the transport ships, that were now at anchor off Kuching, in multiple attacks expending all her torpedoes and torpedo reloads. Four ships were hit Hie Maru (4943 GRT, built 1941, offsite link), Katori Maru (10513 GRT, built 1913), Hokkai Maru (8416 GRT, built 1933), Tonan Maru No.3 (19210 GRT, built 1938). The last ship was damaged. The other three were sunk (although Hokkai Maru was salvaged in September 1942 and repaired). A torpedo had also been fired against a destroyer but this missed its target. During the attack a destroyer dropped two depth charges near to K XIV but she was not damaged.

Out of torpedoes K XIV then set course to return to Surabaya.

27 Dec 1941
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. C.A.J. van Well Groeneveld, RNN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Surabaya. It seems likely that K XIV was docked at Surabaya for repairs as she had touched ground during the attacks on the Japanese convoy on the 23th.

6 Jan 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. T. Brunsting, RNN) departed Surabaya for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Western part of the Java Sea.

9 Jan 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. T. Brunsting, RNN) was ordered to patrol in Strait Karimata.

13 Jan 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. T. Brunsting, RNN) is ordered to return to the western part of the Java Sea. The next day orders were received to patrol off Balikpapan, Borneo.

18 Jan 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. T. Brunsting, RNN) arrived in her patrol area in the Makassar Strait.

1 Feb 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. T. Brunsting, RNN) was bombed by a Japanese aicraft while running on the surface near the southern end of the Makassar Strait. Moderate damage to K XIV was inflicted. The bridge and superstructure was damaged by bomb splinters. The deck torpedo tubes were damaged as was the gun.

As fuel supply was also very low by now course was set to return to Surabaya.

6 Feb 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. T. Brunsting, RNN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Surabaya.

14 Feb 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) departed Surabaya for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol to the north of Banka Strait.

21 Feb 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) was ordered to patrol off the Anambas Islands.

25 Feb 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) was ordered to proceed to Strait Karimata.

26 Feb 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) was ordered to proceed to the western part of the Java Sea.

28 Feb 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) was ordered to patrol off the Sunda Stait but to proceed to Tandjong Priok (now Batavia) first to fuel and take on board provisions.

In the evening K XIV was en-route to Tandjong Priok as ordered when a signal was received about Japanese landings to the east of the place. Course was then set towards Eretan Bay.

1 Mar 1942
Around noon HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) sighted a Japanese light cruiser patrolling the area. As the range was to great an attack was not possible at that moment.

Around 1430 hours the cruiser was again sighted and an attack was started in which two torpedoes were fired from a range of about 2500 meters. Both missed and were possibly seen and evaded by the Japanese in the flat calm sea. The target was the Japanese light cruiser Yura (offsite link).

Following this attack K XIV was depth charged but no serious damage was done to her.

3 Mar 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) sent out a signal requisting to arrive at Tandjong Priok in the evening for fuel, provisions and repairs. A reply was received that this was no longer possible and orders were received to proceed to Colombo. Course was then set towards Sunda Strait which was succesfully passed during the night of 3/4 March 1942.

13 Mar 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Mulock van der Vlies Bik, RNN) ended her 4th war patrol at Colombo, Ceylon.

K XIV was in a bad state of repair and unfit for patrol.

31 Mar 1942
Due to expected Japanese air attacks on Colombo HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Colombo for the Gulf of Mannar to shelter there. (1)

31 Mar 1942
Around 1030F/31, HrMs Colombia (Capt. J.L.K. Hoeke, RNN) departed Colombo for the Gulf of Mannar. She is to proceed there as it is expected the Japanese are going to attack Ceylon and to do not get caught in Colombo harbour during the expected air attacks. With her were also HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Küller, RNN), HrMs K XI (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Deketh, RNN), HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) and HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN).

They remained there at anchor until shortly after midnight during the night of 6/7 April 1942 when they set course to return to Colombo where they arrived around mid-afternoon on 7 April 1942. (2)

7 Apr 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) returned to Colombo. (1)

22 Apr 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Colombo for Bombay. She was escorted by the Dutch minelayer / sloop HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Küller, RNN). (1)

26 Apr 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Bombay where she was to undergo repairs at the Royal Dockyard. (1)

20 May 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) was docked at Bombay. (1)

11 Jun 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) was undocked. (1)

5 Jul 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Bombay for Colombo. She makes the passage together with HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN). They were escorted by the Australian minesweeper HMAS Lismore (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Crawford, RANR(S)).

Because of defects HrMs K XIV returned to Bombay the next day. (1)

6 Jul 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) returned to Bombay with defects.

17 Jul 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) was docked at Bombay. (1)

24 Jul 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) was undocked. (1)

25 Jul 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) conducted trials off Bombay. (1)

29 Jul 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Bombay for Colombo. She was escorted by the Dutch minelayer / sloop HrMs Willem van der Zaan (Lt.Cdr. G.P. Küller, RNN). The Dutch merchant Meerkerk (7995 GRT, built 1919) also made this passage together with both warships.

2 Aug 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Colombo.

5 Aug 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Colombo for Diego Suarez, Madagascar.

K XIV had to proceed to the USA where whe was to refit at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

16 Aug 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Diego Suarez.

18 Aug 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Diego Suarez for East London, South Africa.

27 Aug 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at East London.

10 Sep 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed East London for Simonstown.

14 Sep 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Simonstown.

17 Sep 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Simonstown for Freetown.

27 Sep 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) returned to Simonstown with defects to her diesel engines.

23 Oct 1942
After repairs to her diesel engines HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Simonstown for Freetown.

31 Oct 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) makes a rendezvous with British submarine HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) in position 11°00'S, 07°00'E. Both submarines proceeded together towards Freetown.

8 Nov 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Freetown.

13 Nov 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Freetown for Bermuda. K XIV departed Freetown together with HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) that was en-route to the U.K. to refit.

14 Nov 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) returned to Freetown with defects.

17 Nov 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Freetown for Bermuda.

20 Nov 1942
While en route to the USA to be refitted at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) attacked German U-boat U-552 south of the Cape Verde Islands in position 13°05'N, 25°50'W.
At a distance of around 900 meters K XIV launched four torpedoes. The old torpedoes from the Netherlands East Indies ran close to the surface and were detected by the Germans an missed their target as the U-boat turned away.

23 Nov 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) had an encounter with the Dutch merchant vessel Kota Tjandi in position 17°28'N, 34°13'W. The crew of the submarine thought the merchant vessel was a German blockade breaker and the crew of the merchant vessel thought the submarine was a German u-boat. Neither ship was damaged in the encounter.

2 Dec 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Bermuda.

8 Dec 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Bermuda for Philadelphia.

12 Dec 1942
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she was to refit and undergo a modernization programme.

20 May 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) started to make trial runs on the Delaware river.

30 May 1943
With her refit and trials completed HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Philadelphia for the submarine base at New London, Connecticut.

2 Jun 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at New London for a period of trials and training.

12 Jun 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) is put on the slipway at New London, Connecticut, USA.

25 Jun 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed New London for Dundee.

8 Jul 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Scapa Flow.

9 Jul 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) departed Scapa Flow for Dundee. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

10 Jul 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Dundee.

At Dundee British types radar and Asdic were installed. Also the battery was exchanged.

18 Oct 1943
HMS Uther (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN), HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) and HMS H 43 (Lt. C.A.J. Nicoll, RN) departed Dundee for Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (3)

1 Nov 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) commenced a short period of trials off Dundee.

9 Nov 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) departed Dundee for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HrMs O 15 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) that was to proceed to Scapa Flow.

They were escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR) took over the escort of K XIV near Scapa Flow. They then proceeded south through the Minches towards Holy Loch.

13 Nov 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Holy Loch to commence a training period.

27 Nov 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) was docked at Holy Loch for repairs to her forward hydroplanes. (1)

7 Dec 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) was undocked. (1)

23 Dec 1943
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) and HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area during which they served as targets for each other. (4)

27 Dec 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) departed Holy Loch for passage to Gibraltar. This was the first leg of the trip to the Far East.

Passage towards Bishops Rock was made together with the British submarines HMS Viking (Lt. Rawdon Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) and HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR). They were escorted by the British armed yacht HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

31 Dec 1943
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) was ordered to search for survivors from a crashed aircraft, they were however not found and shortly before midnight K XIV continued on her passage to Gibraltar.

4 Jan 1944

Combined convoy OS 64 / KMS 38.

This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 4 January 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Anna N. Goulandris (Greek, 4358 GRT, built 1921), Antilochus (British, 9082 GRT, built 1906), Atlantic City (British, 5133 GRT, built 1941), Baron Douglas (British, 3899 GRT, built 1932), Biafra (British, 5405 GRT, built 1933), Bosphorus (Norwegian, 2111 GRT, built 1934), City of Leicester (British, 3351 GRT, built 1926), Coulbeg (British, 5237 GRT, built 1940), Danae II (British, 2660 GRT, built 1936), Edam (Dutch, 8871 GRT, built 1921), Empire Caxton (British, 2873 GRT, built 1942), Empire Cormorant (British, 5760 GRT, built 1918), Empire Geraint (British, 6991 GRT, built 1942), Empire Grange (British, 6981 GRT, built 1943), Empire Melody (British, 2283 GRT, built 1942), Empire Opossum (British, 5644 GRT, built 1918), Empire Peacock (British, 6098 GRT, built 1919), Empire Stronghold (British, 7064 GRT, built 1943), Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942), Empire Wolfe (British, 2888 GRT, built 1941), Eskdalegate (British, 4250 GRT, built 1930), Fort Norman (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Governor (British, 5571 GRT, built 1918), Hartbridge (British, 5080 GRT, built 1927), Kyklades (Greek, 7157 GRT, built 1941), Laguna (British, 6466 GRT, built 1923), Lornaston (British, 4934 GRT, built 1925), Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918), Marsdale (British, 4890 GRT, built 1940), Merchant Royal (British, 5008 GRT, built 1928), North Devon (British, 3658 GRT, built 1924), Ocean Gallant (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Vulcan (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Palacio (British, 1346 GRT, built 1927), Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914), Scottish American (British (tanker / escort oiler), 6999 GRT, built 1920), Sreca (Yugoslavian, 5248 GRT, built 1918), Telesfora de Larrinaga (British, 5780 GRT, built 1920), Theomitor (Greek, 4427 GRT, built 1910) and Van Honthorst (Dutch, 6140 GRT, built 1943).

The rescue ship Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) was also with the convoy as was the Greek LST RHS Chios.

Of the transports the following had to return after departure; Empire Cormorant, Empire Thackeray- and Merchant Royal.

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Winchelsea (Lt. C.T. Shuttleworth, RNVR), frigates HMS Bayntun (Lt.Cdr. L.P. Bourke, RNZNR), HMS Helmsdale (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, RN), corvettes HMS Abelia (A/Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR), HMS Burdock (T/Lt. F.R.M. Greasley, RNR), HMS Clover (Lt. T.E. Fanshawe, DSC, RNR), HMS Crocus (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.R. Mackay, RNZNVR) and A/S trawler HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. B. James, RNVR). The rescue tug HMRT Stormking was also with the convoy.

On 6 January 1944, the frigate HMS Foley (A/Lt.Cdr. C.A.H. Bird, RNVR) departed Londonderry to overtake and join the convoy. She had been unable to departed earlier as her new Commanding Officer had not yet arrived to take over command.

On 6/7 January 1944, the frigate HMCS Waskesiu (T/A/Cdr. J.H.S. MacDonald, RCNR) and the corvettes HMCS Camrose (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.R. Pavillard, RCNR), HMCS Edmundston (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.D. Barrett, RCNR), HMCS Lunenburg (T/Lt. D.L. Miller, RCNVR) and HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. J.A. Dunn, RCNVR) joined from convoy SL 143. They parted company on 12 January 1944 to join northbound convoy SL 144.

On 7 January 1944, the frigate HMS Avon (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, DSC, RD, RNR) departed Londonderry to overtake and join the convoy. She had been unable to departed earlier due to defects.

In the evening of 8 January 1944, HMS Bayntun and HMCS Camrose sank the German submarine U-757 in position 50°33'N, 18°03'W.

On 9 January 1944, the corvette HMS Abelia sustained damage to her rudder. The damage was possibly due to a T-5 acoustic torpedo fired by a German submarine but might also have been inflicted due to one of her own depth charges exploding prematurely. She was able to steam under her own power but could not steer. HMRT Stormking then took her in tow towards Cardiff where they arrived on 13 January 1944. They had been escorted by HMS Vizalma which subsequently proceeded to Liverpool arriving on the 14th.

On 11 January 1944, the destroyers HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, RN), HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. G.H.D. Williams, RN), sloop HMS Woodpecker (Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and frigates HMS Glenarm (Lt.Cdr. W.R.B. Noall, DSO, RNR) joined from convoy SL 144. They parted company again the following day to rejoin convoy SL 144 taking HMS Burdock also with them.

In the late afternoon of 11 January 1944, the German submarine U-953 attacked the corvette HMCS Lunenburg with a T-5 homing torpedo but it missed. The submarine was then hunted for hours by the Lunenburg herself as well as HMS Foley, HMCS Waskesiu and HMCS Edmundston. The U-boat was damaged but was able to remain on patrol.

On 17 January 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 64 and KMS 38.

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Convoy OS 64, towards Freetown, was made up of the following merchant vessels; Biafra, Bosphorus, Danae II, Empire Geraint and Port Melboune.

On 15 January 1944, the frigate HMS Ballinderry (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Aikman, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Aubretia (Lt. G.D. Fowler, RNR) and HMS Cyclamen (T/Lt. W.S. Joliffe, RNR) had departed Gibraltar escorting convoy OS 64G (the Gibraltar section of convoy OS 64) which was made up of the following transports; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), Dalhanna (British, 5571 GRT, built 1930), Empire Meteor (British, 7457 GRT, built 1940), Empire Newton (British, 7037 GRT, built 1942), Empire Sunbeam (British, 6711 GRT, built 1941), Fort Lac la Ronge (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Fort McLoughlin (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Houston City (British, 7262 GRT, built 1942), Nairung (British, 5414 GRT, built 1942), Nyanza (British, 4974 GRT, built 1928), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938), Vera Radcliffe (British, 5587 GRT, built 1925) and Vinriver (British, 3881 GRT, built 1917).

On these ships arriving at the rendezvous on the 17th the convoy split. The original escort of the combined convoy then proceeded with convoy KMS 38 towards the Mediterranean.

On 16 January 1944, the transport/ tanker Hoggar (French, 5146 GRT, built 1923) and Ninella (British (tanker), 8134 GRT, built 1943) had departed Casablanca to join the convoy. They were escorted to the rendezvous by the corvette Commandant Detroyant and the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez. These escorts did not join the convoy but returned to Casablanca on the 17th.

On 23 January 1944, the and arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy while the transport Arcturus (French, 2514 GRT, built 1914) joined the convoy coming from Dakar.

Convoy OS 64 arrived at Freetown 26 January 1944. Some ships from the convoy did not enter Freetown but continued on to their destinations independently.

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Convoy KMS 38, made up of the remaining ships, proceeded towards the Mediterranean with the original escort of the combined convoy.

On 17 January 1944, the following transports / tanker arrived at Gibraltar; City of Leicester, Copeland, Empire Caxton, Empire Melody, Empire Wolfe, Laguna, North Devon and Scottish American. The Greek LST RHS Chios also arrived at Gibraltar.

The original escort, made up of HMS Helmsdale, HMS Bayntun, HMS Avon, HMS Foley, HMS Winchelsea, HMS Asphodel, HMS Clover and HMS Crocus also arrived at Gibraltar.

On the convoy passing Gibraltar on the 17th, the transports Cragpool (British 5133 GRT, built 1928) and Empire Daring (British 7059 GRT, built 1943) joined.

Also a new escort joined, this was made up of the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), frigate HMS Inver (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR), corvettes HMS Delphinium (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), RHS Sakhtouris, RHS Apostolis, A/S whaler HMSAS Southern Sea and the M/S trawler HMS Filla (T/Lt. G.H. Syrett, RNVR).

The submarines HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) and HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) also joined the convoy for passage to Port Said.

On 18 January 1944, the transport Lornaston was detached to Oran while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Oran; Cartago (American, 4732 GRT, built 1908), Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943), George G. Meade (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Irvin MacDowell (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), James R. Randall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John P. Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John S. Pillsbury (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph E. Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Mount Othrys (Greek, 6527 GRT, built 1919), P.L.M. 13 (British, 3754 GRT, built 1921), Tabitha Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ville de Djidjelli (French, 1132 GRT, built 1907) and William Mulholland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 19 January 1944, the transports / tanker Atlantic City, Baron Douglas, Hartbridge, Mount Othrys, Ocean Gallant and Telesfora de Larrinaga were detached to Algiers as was the M/S trawler HMS Filla while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Amberton (British, 5377 GRT, built 1928), Djebel Aures (French, 2835 GRT, built 1929), Edward P. Costigan (American, 7194, built 1943), Fort Fairford (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Gouverneur General Lepine (French, 3509 GRT, built 1923), Guinean (British, 5205 GRT, built 1936), Joseph N. Teal (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Pan-Maryland (American (tanker), 7701 GRT, built 1938), Silvester Gardiner (American, 7176, built 1943), Srbin (Yugoslavian, 928 GRT, built 1913), Temple Inn (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940) and Thomas Pickney (American, 7177, built 1942).

On 20 January 1944, the transport Benjamin Tay (British, 1814 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Bougie.

On 20 January 1944, the transport Ville de Djidjelli arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.

On 20 January 1944, the transports / tanker , Anna N. Goulandris, Empire Harbour, George G. Meade, Gouverneur General Lepine and Srbin arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Bone; Brighton (British, 7345 GRT, built 1943), Cyrus H.K. Curtis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Destro (British, 3553 GRT, built 1920), Dornoch (British, 5186 GRT, built 1939), Dux (Norwegian, 1590 GRT, built 1934), Empire Brook (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941) and Senga (Yugoslavian, 5140 GRT, built 1913). The RFA tanker Prestol (2629 GRT, built 1917) also joined the convoy.

On 21 January 1944, the transports Cartago, James R. Randall, Senga, Sreca, Theomitor and the RFA tanker Prestol arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; George Matthews (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), George W. McCrary (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and John A. Campbell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943). HMS Colombo also arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy.

On 21 January 1944, the transports Eskdalegate and Joseph N. Teal arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.

On 22 January 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Anglo-African (British, 5601 GRT, built 1929), Blairclova (British, 5083 GRT, built 1938), Comliebank (British, 5149 GRT, built 1924), Empire Ballad (British, 6700 GRT, built 1942), Empire Cedar (British (tug), 129 GRT, built 1941), Empire Daring (British, 7059 GRT, built 1943), Empire Raja (British, 6224 GRT, built 1922), Empire Rock (British, 7061 GRT, built 1943), Fort Capot River (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Clatsop (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Fort Nashwaak (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort St. Francois (British, 7125 GRT, built 1942), Lublin (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932), Nolisement (British, 5084 GRT, built 1928), Ocean Trader (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Samaritan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samnebra (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsylvan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Tide Water (American (tanker), 8886 GRT, built 1930) and Trevelyan (British, 7292 GRT, built 1943).

On 23 January 1944, the transports Amberton, Benjamin Tay, Brighton, Coulbeg, Craigpool, Cyrus H.K. Curtis, Destro, Djebel Aures, Dornoch, Dux, Edward P. Costigan, Empire Brook, Empire Grange, Empire Opossum, Empire Peacock, Empire Stronghold, Fort Fairford, Fort Norman, Fort Reliance, George Matthews, George W. McCrary, Guinean, Irvin MacDowell, John A. Campbell, John P. Mitchell, John S. Pillsbury, Joseph E. Brown , Kyklades, Manchester Exporter, Ocean Vulcan, P.L.M. 13, Pan-Maryland , Silvester Gardiner, Tabitha Brown, Temple Inn, Thomas Pinckney, Van Honthorst and William Mulholland arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.

On 26 January 1944, the following transports arrived at Alexandria after having parted company with the convoy. Blairclova, Edam, Fort Capot River, Fort Nashwaak, Fort St. Francois, Lublin, Marsdale, Ocean Trader, Samaritan, Samnebra, Samsylvan and Trevelyan. Also the following escort vessels arrived at Alexandria; HMS Inver, HMS Delphinium and RHS Apostolis.

On 27 January 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Port Said; Anglo-African, Antilochus, Comliebank, Empire Ballad, Empire Cedar, Empire Daring, Empire Raja, Empire Rock, Fort Clatsop, Governor, Nolisement and Tide Water. Also the following escort vessels arrived at Port Said; RHS Sakhtouris, HMSAS Southern Sea

7 Jan 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Gibraltar.

14 Jan 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar.

17 Jan 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Gibraltar for Port Said. She made the passage in convoy KMS-38.

27 Jan 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Port Said.

2 Feb 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Port Said for Aden. (1)

8 Feb 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Aden. (1)

10 Feb 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Aden for Colombo. (1)

19 Feb 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Colombo. (1)

1 Mar 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) was docked at Colombo. (1)

7 Mar 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) was undocked. (1)

17 Mar 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Colombo for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the westcoast of Sumatra and to proceed to Fremantle afterwards.

29 Mar 1944
In the morning HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) bombarded oil storage tanks off Padang, Sumatra. Thirteen rounds were fired from 4300 yards before the action had to be broken off due to fire from shore batteries. The oil storage tanks were on fire and at least one was seen to have collapsed.

2 Apr 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) reconnoitred Christmas Island.

7 Apr 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf, Australia to take on board additional fuel and some provisions.

8 Apr 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Exmouth Gulf for Fremantle.

13 Apr 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) ended her 5th war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.

3 May 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) is put on the slipway at Fremantle. (1)

10 May 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) is put back in the water. (1)

25 May 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) conducted exercises off Fremantle together with HMAS Horsham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)). (1)

29 May 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) conducted exercises off Fremantle together with HMAS Horsham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.H. Newby, RANR(S)). (1)

1 Jun 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Fremantle for Darwin. (1)

11 Jun 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Darwin. (1)

14 Jun 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Darwin for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to perform a special operation and to patrol off the Soela Islands, Netherlands East Indies.

20 Jun 1944
In the evening HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) landed an Australian party on Salawati Island.

21 Jun 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese minelayer Tsugaru (4400 tons, offsite link) off Sanana, Soela islands in position 01°00'S, 130°35'E.

(All times are zone -9)
0831 hours - In position 01°00'S, 130°35'E sighted the same warship that had been sighted about 2 hours before and what was thought to be a Katori-class cruiser. Range on sighting was 5700 yards. Enemy course 288°, speed 20 knots. Started attack.

0835 hours - Fired two stern torpedoes from 3800 yards. 2m 40s after firing a torpedo explosion was heard. Soon afterwards the target was seen to be down by the bow.

0845 hours - Fired two bow torpedoes (a full salvo of four torpedoes was intended) from 4600 yards. Enemy course was now 360°, speed 8 knots. No hits were obtained. K XIV now went deep and retired from the area.

23 Jun 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) sank a Japanese landing craft with gunfire off the strait between Pulau Taliabu and Pulau Mangoli.

(All times are zone -9)
0800 hours - Sighted a Japanese landing vessel near position 01°56'S, 125°20'E. Closed to attack.

0828 hours - Surfaced and continued to close. The target meanwhile made off to the west.

0846 hours - Opened fire with the Oerlikon and Vickers machine guns from a range of 4000 yards. The target beached herself and was abandoned by her crew. Range had by now decreased to 2000 yards. Fire was opened with the deck gun and the target was sunk after 12 rounds.

0857 hours - The target exploded and sank.

29 Jun 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) ended her 6th war patrol at Darwin.

8 Jul 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Darwin for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to perform a special operation and to patrol in the Morotai area afterwards.

15 Jul 1944
During the night of 15/16 July 1944 HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) took of the 'Prawn' party from New Guinea.

This party had been landed on 23 April 1944 by HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN).

19 Jul 1944
At 0806 hours (zone -9) HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) was attacked by a Japanese aircraft in position 02.15'S, 129.33'E. K XIV sustained no damage.

23 Jul 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) ended her 7th war patrol at Darwin.

26 Jul 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Darwin for Fremantle.

5 Aug 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Fremantle.

K XIV suffered from many defects and needed a long repair period.

9 Nov 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) departed Fremantle for Melbourne where she was to dock.

20 Nov 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) arrived at Melbourne. As shee could not be docked immediately K XIV was used for several days of A/S exercises.

27 Dec 1944
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout van Hooff, RNN) was docked at Melbourne.

22 Jan 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) was undocked.

24 Jan 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) departed Melbourne for Fremantle.

2 Feb 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) arrived at Fremantle.

4 Feb 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) departed Fremantle for Exmouth Gulf.

11 Feb 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) departed Exmouth Gulf to return to Fremantle.

It had been intended to sent K XIV on a special operation off the south coast of Java. However due to defects to the battery of K XIV the operation had to be cancelled.

15 Feb 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) arrived at Fremantle.

3 Apr 1945
With the repairs to her battery completed HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) conducted exercises off Fremantle.

6 Apr 1945
During 6 and 7 April 1945, HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) conducted exercises off Fremantle. These included night exercises.

12 Apr 1945
During 12 and 13 April 1945, HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) conducted exercises off Fremantle. These included night exercises.

16 Apr 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) departed Fremantle for Darwin.

26 Apr 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) arrived at Darwin.

28 Apr 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) departed Darwin for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to perform several special operations.

For the daily positions of HrMS K XIV during this patrol see the map below. No positions are available for 8 and 9 May 1945.

6 May 1945
During the evening HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) landed supplies on one of the Timoer Islands.

7 May 1945
During the evening HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) landed supplies and a party on Keririan.

10 May 1945
In the morning HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) sank a small sailing vessel with a demolition charge near Bawean. The crew and papers had meanwhile been taken off.

16 May 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) ended her 8th war patrol at Darwin. She was escorted in by HMAS ML 813 (T/Lt. A.E.P. Prince, RANVR).

30 May 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) departed Darwin for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to perform several special operations.

7 Jun 1945
In the evening HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) landed a party and supplies on Satengar Island.

9 Jun 1945
In the morning HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) sank a sailing vessel with a demolition charge Pulau Tanahjampea. In the afternoon another sailing vessel was sunk, also with a demolition charge. The crews of both vessels had been taken off before they were sunk.

14 Jun 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) ended her 9th war patrol at Darwin.

19 Jun 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) departed Darwin for Fremantle.

28 Jun 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) arrived at Fremantle. Another period of repairs was needed before K XIV could be operational again.

20 Aug 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) was put on the slipway at Fremantle.

26 Aug 1945
HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J. Smith, RNN(R)) was put back in the water.

Sources

  1. File 2.12.37.205 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  2. ADM 53/116181 + File 2.12.03.6053 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands) + File 2.12.03.7071 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
  3. ADM 173/18397
  4. ADM 173/18094

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


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