Allied Warships

HMS Truant (N 68)

Submarine of the T class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassT 
PennantN 68 
ModFirst Group 
Built byVickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) 
Ordered8 Dec 1937 
Laid down24 Mar 1938 
Launched5 May 1939 
Commissioned30 Oct 1939 
End service 
History

Sold to be broken up for scrap on 19 December 1945. Wrecked in December 1946 while en-route to the shipbreakers.

 

Commands listed for HMS Truant (N 68)

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
1Lt.Cdr. Robert Witherington Peers, RN17 Jul 193911 Feb 1940
2Lt.Cdr. Christopher Haynes Hutchinson, RN11 Feb 194028 Apr 1940
3Lt.Cdr. Hugh Alfred Vernon Haggard, RN28 Apr 194019 Mar 1942
4Lt.Cdr. Edward Francis Balston, DSO, RN19 Mar 194224 Apr 1942
5Lt.Cdr. Hugh Alfred Vernon Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN24 Apr 194222 Mar 1943
6Lt.Cdr. Jack Gethin Hopkins, RN22 Mar 194325 Nov 1943
7Lt. Edmund Charles Croswell, DSC, RN25 Nov 194322 Nov 1944
8Lt. Charles Alexander Jacomb Nicoll, RN22 Nov 19446 Feb 1945
9Lt.Cdr. Russell Stanhope Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN6 Feb 1945late 1945

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Notable events involving Truant include:


The history of HMS Truant as compiled on this page is extracted from Truant's patrol reports and logbooks. Corrections and details regarding information from the enemy's side (for instance the composition of convoys attacked) is kindly provided by Mr. Platon Alexiades, a naval researcher from Canada.

This page was last updated in August 2018.

31 Oct 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Shikari (Cdr. J.H. Lewis, RN). (1)

2 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) arrived at Portsmouth for a period of trails and training. (2)

3 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

4 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

5 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

6 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

7 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

8 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

12 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Portland. She was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) K.A. Beattie, DSO, RN). (2)

13 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo firing discharge trials off Portland. (2)

14 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo firing discharge trials off Portland. (2)

15 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo firing discharge trials off Portland. (2)

17 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo firing discharge trials off Portland. (2)

18 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo firing discharge trials off Portland. (2)

21 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) shifted from Portland to Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) K.A. Beattie, DSO, RN). (2)

24 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (2)

26 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) departed from Portsmouth for her 1st war patrol. She is to patrol off the Southern coast of Norway, near Lista.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

12 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Rosyth. (3)

15 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) is docked in a floating dock at Rosyth. (4)

25 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) left dock and departed from Rosyth for post repair trails in the North Sea. (5)

28 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) returns to Rosyth from trails in the North Sea and is docked again in a floating dock. (5)

30 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) is undocked. (5)

31 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 2nd war patrol. She is to patrol in the Skagerrak.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

14 Jan 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Rosyth. (3)

26 Jan 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 3rd war patrol. She is to patrol in the Skagerrak. Later patrol area is shifted to a position South-West of Kristiansand, Norway to intercept German ore ships coming from Narvik, Norway. It was considered unlikely that these ships would pass through the Skagerrak due to the heavy ice there.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

8 Feb 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Rosyth. (3)

16 Feb 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth together with HMS Triton (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, RN). (6)

17 Feb 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth together with HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. G.P.S. Davies, RN). Practice attacks are made on HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN). (6)

18 Feb 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the South coast of Norway.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

3 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Rosyth. (3)

5 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is docked at Rosyth. (7)

7 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is undocked. (7)

12 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 5th war patrol. She is ordered to a waiting position patrol in the Kattegat North Sea off the West coast of Denmark for Operation R-3. This is an intervention in Scandinavia to help the Finns in their war with the Soviet Union but with the occupation of the Swedish iron ore fields by an Anglo-French force as the true objective. Within a few hours the operation is cancelled following the Finnish armistice which deprives the Allies from their pretext.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

23 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant Edmund Hugo Stinnes 4 (2189 GRT, built 1921) off Jylland, Denmark in position 56°42'N, 08°04'E.

(All times zone 0)
2200 hours - Sighted a merchant ship steering 180°, speed 7 knots. She was burning her navigation lights but was otherwise darkened. The ship was in territorial waters. Truant followed astern of this ship.

2300 hours - The ship altered course and by doing so got outside territorial waters.

2330 hours - After a careful fix had been taken the ship was found to be 0.5 mile outside territorial waters. She was now closed at speed.

When Truant was 2 cables of the contacts Port quarter the stern of the contact was illuminated with an Aldis lamp. Edmund Hugo Stinnes 4 / Hamburg was read and the Nazi ensign was sighted. A signal was made in plain English " Stop - do not radio ". The enemy proceeded and did not answer. One blank round was now fired followed by a repetition of the initial signal followed by " Sent boat ". The enemy altered course towards the land, increased speed and was signalling an SOS. 2 Rounds of 4" were fired into her bridge superstructure resulting in the enemy to stop. She did however sent another SOS mentioning that she was being attacked by a submarine. 5 More rounds of 4" silenced her radio.

Meanwhile, due to the change of course towards the land, she was in territorial waters. 3 Minutes after Truant ceased firing the enemy was seen listing and settling while her crew abandoned ship in two boats. These boats were seen to make off for the land. The boats were closed and the master taken prisoner.

It was learnt that all crew had abandoned ship and as the ship was sinking very slowly 2 torpedoes were put in her sinking her much quicker. (3)

26 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Rosyth. (3)

6 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Kristiansand, Norway.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

9 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) torpedoed and damaged the German light cruiser Karlsruhe (8350 tons) off Kristiansand, Norway in position 57°55'N, 08°14'E. At 2150 hours the Karlsruhe was scuttled with two torpedoes by the German torpedo boat Greif. The other two torpedo boats that were escorting Karlsruhe were Luchs and Seeadler.

(All times are zone 0)
1833 hours - Sighted a cruiser hull down bearing 326°. Enemy course was 146°.

1852 hours - The cruiser was a 'Koln-class'. She was escorted by 3 'Maass-class' destroyers (In fact the Karlsruhe was escorted by three torpedo boats; Luchs, Seeadler and Greif). Range was now 4500 yards.

1856 hours - Fired a salvo of 10 torpedoes. 3 torpedo explosions were heard thought to be hits (In fact one torpedo hit Karlsruhe in the stern wrecking it and leaving her immobile).

1900 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Saw one of the escorts approach at high speed. Went to 60 feet and altered course to 90° from the firing course.

1902 hours - 2 Depth charges exploded close. Went to 150 feet. Between this time and 2330 hours Truant was hunted by 2 of the escorts. In all 31 depth charges were dropped. Most of them unpleasantly close. Truant even went to 300 feet to escape damage. (3)

12 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Rosyth. She is immediately put into a floating dock. (3)

20 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is undocked. (8)

24 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 7th war patrol. She is to carry out operation Knife, supply Norwegian forces in the Sondefjord, North of Bergen with arms and ammunition. She is to land a small party to blow up a viaduct on the Bergen-Oslo railway and help extricate the Norwegian submarine B-6. This is to be the first special operation conducted by H.M. Submarines during this war. (3)

25 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is damaged when a mine detonates nearby. She returns to Rosyth where she is immediately put into a floating dock. (3)

26 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is undocked. (8)

14 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for exercises in the Firth of Forth. She returns later the same day. (9)

16 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 8th war patrol. She is to proceed to Harstad, Norway for further orders. She carries a prize crew (Lt. Storey, RN, six ratings and Norwegian merchant navy officer Li Haug).

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

18 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) receives orders to proceed to Tromsø instead of Harstad. (3)

20 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Tromsø, Norway for orders. (3)

21 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Tromsø. She is to patrol off Northern Norway. (3)

23 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) fires two torpedoes against the British merchant Alster (8514 GRT, built 1928) off the Breidsundet, Norway in position 71°03'N, 24°26'E. Alster was under escort of the British anti-submarine trawler HMS Ullswater (Lt. O.R. Moore, RN).

The German merchant Alster was captured in the Vestfjord, north of Bodo, Norway on 11 April 1940 by the British destroyer HMS Icarus (Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC, RN). Lt.Cdr. Haggard was unaware of this but fortunately both torpedoes missed their target.

(All times are zone 0)
0910 hours - In position 71°12'N, 26°50'E sighted smoke to the North and moving West.

0930 hours - Sighted a merchant ship, four masts and one funnel visible. She was steering about 270°. Several puffs of smoke were sometimes seen near the merchant ship. These were most likely from an escort.

1010 hours - Sent a report of this sighting. Experienced great difficulty in getting this signal through.

1120 hours - Receipt of signal was acknowledged by Tromso. The ship was thought to be enemy.

1300 hours - The enemy altered course to port and appeared to be making for the Porsanger Fjord steering an erratic course.

Meanwhile Lt.Cdr. Haggard was informed by one of his officers that he heard in Troms? that the German ship Alster was in British hands and in this vicinity. Various ratings in the crew had also heard this. Lt.Cdr. Haggard decided that he would only fire torpedoes if he was unable to identify the escort as friendly, considering it would be more important to prevent an enemy landing then to spare a British merchant ship.

1350 hours - Enemy course remained to be erratic. It was therefore impossible to be sure where she was making for. Sighted the escort but was unable to identify her. She was a small ship and appeared to be camouflaged.

1400 hours - Entered Rolvsoy Sund keeping to the West. The enemy entered on the Eastern side. Range was approximately 12000 yards. The escort could still not be identified.

1415 hours - Dived.

1429 hours - Saw sharp sloping bows and high bow wave of escort. Lt.Cdr. Haggard decided it was neither British nor Norwegian.

1430 hours - Fired 2 torpedoes from 6000 yards.

1439 hours - Heard 2 distant explosions.

1500 hours - Saw the escort bows on, range 1000 yards. She was hunting. Went to 80 feet.

1715 hours - Sounds of the escort vessel getting faint.

1729 hours - Surfaced. (3)

26 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Harstad. (3)

27 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Harstad for Rosyth.

At 1105 hours she boards the Norwegian merchant Profit on passage from Bodo to Tromso which is allowed to proceed upon examination of her papers.

At 2115 hours she stops the steamer 'BLAIRGOWIE' supposedly on passage to Murmansk, she is also allowed to proceed. In fact this is the Q-ship HMS Cape Howe and she does not reveal her disguise. (3)

1 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Rosyth. (3)

12 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for exercises in the Firth of Forth together with HMS Trident. (10)

16 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for exercises in the Firth of Forth together with ORP Wilk. Truant also makes several dummy attacks on HMS Vivien. After the exercises Truant departed from for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Trondheim area. Later patrol is shifted to the Stavanger area.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

27 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Rosyth. (3)

8 Jul 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 10th war patrol. She is to patrol off the Norwegian coast near Bergen.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

22 Jul 1940
At 2355 hours (time zone 0), HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is attacked (in error) in position 58°25'N, 02°40'E with 6 torpedoes by the British submarine HMS Clyde (Cdr. D.C. Ingram, RN). HMS Truant was supposed to have vacated this area earlier that day but was delayed. HMS Clyde rightfully attacked the submarine contact as enemy submarine were expected to operate in this area. (3)

24 Jul 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Rosyth. (3)

9 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for Blyth where she is to dock before her deployment to the Mediterranean. (11)

10 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Blyth. She is docked in No. 5 dock for a short refit. (11)

23 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (11)

26 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Blyth for Rosyth where she arrived later the same day. (11)

29 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for the passage to Gibraltar with HMS Triad .

The submarines were escorted by HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RNR) until 1930/31 when HMS Arab (Lt. R.B. Stannard, RNR) took over escort duties until 0900/2.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(3)

3 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) intercepts the German merchant Tropic Sea (5781 GRT, built 1920, former Norwegian Tropic Sea (offsite link) captured by the German armed merchant cruiser Orion in the South Pacific on 18 June 1940). The Tropic Sea is scuttled by the German prize crew in the Bay of Biscay about 235 nautical miles north-west of Cape Finisterre, Spain in position 46°30'N, 11°30'W.

(All times are zone -1)
0650 hours - Sighted a merchantman to the Eastward steering approximately 070°. Funnels and masts only were visible. It appears likely that she was making for Bordeaux. Altered course towards, speed 14 knots.

The ship could not be identified but she appeared very similar to the Norwegian MV Benjamin Franklin. She was heavily laden. No armament was visible.

W/T Watch was set on Commercial Wave. No transmissions were heard throughout the upcoming incident.

Signals were sent ordering her to stop, not to transmit and to sent a boat with the Captain and the ships papers.

The signals to stop engines was obeyed almost immediately and Truant remained stopped about 4 cables on the Port quarter. The gun was manned and trained on the bridge.

There appeared to be a large number of men aboard and it soon became evident that the ship was being abandoned. This took quite a long time. In the end all boats were lowered and lay off. As no boat approached Truant she proceeded towards them to find the Captain. The crews gave no assistance and it took some time before the Captain was located in a rubber boat. At this time 2 explosions were heard aboard the ship. 2 Large holes were made on the waterline.

Meanwhile the Captain came on board and told that the ship was the Norwegian merchant Tropic Sea that had been captured by a German armed merchant cruiser and was on passage to Bordeaux. He also told that the survivors of the British merchant Haxby had also been on board. The cargo was 8000 tons of wheat. According to the Captain 4 more bombs were to explode on the ship.

The Captain, 22 survivors from the Haxby and the Norwegian Captain and his wife were taken aboard. Meanwhile Tropic Sea made no signs of sinking and the Norwegian Captain was ordered to return to her and get her under way. He said there was only fuel on board for 400 miles, 4 more bombs were set to explode and that he thought she would sink anyhow, but that he was prepared to try to save her. While the matter was being discussed Tropic Sea took a list bow down to Port and sank in 2 minutes.

1023 hours - Proceeded to the Westward. (3)

6 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (3)

8 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No. 2 dock at Gibraltar. She was undocked after a few hours. (12)

12 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 11th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Northern part of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(13)

22 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Provvidenza (8459 GRT, built 1913) about 4 nautical miles south-east of Ischia Island, Italy.

(All times zone -1)
0826 hours - In position 170° Imperatore Point 4.0 nautical miles sighted an escorted merchant approaching from the North-East. Started attack. The escort was about 5 cables fine on the merchants far bow.

0839 hours - Fired 2 torpedoes from 900 yards. After 40 seconds a loud explosion was heard followed by another one 12 seconds later. Depth control was lost on firing the torpedoes and when Truant regained periscope depth the merchant was sighted to be stopped and slightly bow down but did not appear to be sinking. The escort was stopped near her. Truant turned to attack the escort but before she could do so the escort got underway and stopped about 4000 yards away.

0924 hours - Fired another torpedo at the merchant vessel from 2200 yards. The explosion was observed abreast the bridge and the ship was seen to be sinking by the bow in position 40°38'40"N, 13°51'40"E.

1210 to 1220 hours - Truant was shaken by 6 distant explosions in groups of 3 while making off to the South-West at 130 feet.

According to Italian sources Provvidenza was in ballast when hit and five torpedo tracks (not three!) were seen, the whole crew was rescued. There is no mention of an escort when she was hit and perhaps the escort sighted was incidental. (13)

26 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacks the Italian auxiliary Petrarca (3329 GRT, built 1910) with 4 torpedoes. All torpedoes missed their target.

(All times are zone -1)
0720 hours - In position 41°19'N, 09°55'E (about 20 nautical miles East-North-East of La Maddalena, Sardinia) sighted what was thought to be a ship of the Panigaglia class about 6000 yards. Started attack.

0820 hours - Fired four torpedoes but one of the torpedoes broke surface and must have been seen as the enemy altered course to avoid and opened fire with her after gun.

According to Italian sources this was the auxiliary Petrarca (3329 GRT, built 1910). Two torpedo tracks were sighted. Torpedo boats and MAS from La Maddalena were ordered to hunt the enemy submarine but no contact appears to have been made. (13)

3 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

7 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No.1 Dock at Malta. (14)

10 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (14)

12 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 12th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She is to proceed to Alexandria and en-route make a patrol in the Gulf of Sirte and off Benghazi.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(13)

21 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (13)

7 Nov 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 13th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off Tripoli, Libya.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(13)

24 Nov 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (13)

25 Nov 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No.2 dock at Malta. (15)

1 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (16)

8 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 14th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol of the coast of Calabria, Italy.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

13 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Sebastiano Bianchi (1546 GRT, built 1920) south of Calabria, Italy in position 37°58'N, 16°15'E.

(All times are zone -1)
2140 hours - In position 38°05'N, 15°47'E sighted ships on Port bow. On approaching them 2 ships could be distinguished, 1 large and 1 small. The rear ship was a merchant of 4000 tons and heavily laden. Started attack.

2158 hours - Fired 6 torpedoes from 2000 yards. All torpedoes however missed ahead.

2203 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes from 1500 yards.

2204 hours - Dived. Shortly afterwards 2 loud explosions were heard, followed by sinking noises. No HE was heard afterwards.

2215 hours - Saw the escort laying stopped. reloaded on torpedo tube. The escort however got underway before the reload was completed.

According to Italian sources these ships were the above mentioned Sebastiano Bianchi and Pertusola (1504 GRT, built 1882) on passage from Sant'Antioco to Taranto. The latter rescued the survivors. No escort appears to have been present and the explosion was attributed to a mine. (3)

16 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Bonzo (8177 GRT, built 1931) east of Punta Stilo in position 38°28'N, 16°44'E.

(All times are zone -1)
15 December 1940
2240 hours - Sighted a passenger liner on the Starboard bow. Course 180°, range 10000 yards. Closed to attack. Shortly afterwards the liner made a large alteration of course to Starboard leaving Truant almost astern. The liner proceeded South-West down the coast. What looked like a destroyer followed the liner a mile or so on her Port quarter.

2330 hours - Altered course to follow the liner keeping clear of the supposed destroyer. Increased to full speed and came to full buoyancy. Even if it was not possible to attack the liner it might be possible to find the point where enemy shipping for Africa leaves the Italian coast.

16 December 1940
0030 hours - It was now observed that what was thought to be a destroyer was a large tanker that was heavily laden. Switched target to the tanker.

0126 hours - Fired 3 torpedoes from 2000 yards. The first torpedo was seen to break surface. The second torpedo missed ahead and the third torpedo hit the tanker aft.

0128 hours - Fired 2 more torpedoes from very close range. Both hit and the tanker sank very quickly.

0140 hours - Altered course to close the liner. The Italian Caralis was heard making a signal to Taranto. It was considered possible that this liner was an armed merchant cruiser and was the escort of the tanker.

According to Italian sources the Bonzo was indeed escorted by the armed merchant cruiser Caralis and they were proceeding from Taranto to Augusta. Three torpedo-boats and MAS were ordered to hunt the enemy submarine but without success. (3)

18 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (3)

28 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 15th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol of Tripoli first, then shift patrol to the Gulf of Sirte. She is to end her patrol at Alexandria.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

31 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is detected and depth charged by, most likely, the Italian torpedo-boat Alcione about 30 nautical miles North of Tripoli, Libya.

(All times are zone -1)
1917 hours - In position 33°22'N, 13°12'E sighted a destroyer approaching from fine on the bow. Visibility was poor and it was very dark. Dived. The destroyer was doing 240 revolutions, passed close down the starboard side and dropped 4 depth charges very close that did no damage but shook HMS Truant considerably.

2320 hours - Nothing in sight, surfaced.

According to Italian sources this 'destroyer' was most probably the torpedo-boat Alcione escorting the freighter Caffaro proceeding from Tripoli to Palermo. An Italian seaplane from 145^ Squadriglia also sighted the submarine and an aerial search was done the next day in a rectangle between 33°02'N and 33°19'N / 12°59'E and 13°29'E but yielded no result. (3)

15 Jan 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (3)

28 Jan 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 16th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off Benghazi, Libya. Later she is to patrol off Tripoli, Libya. She is to end this patrol at Malta.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

3 Feb 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacks the Italian merchant Calino (5186 GRT, built 1940) north-west of Benghazi, Libya in position 32°18'N, 19°51'E. Three torpedoes were fired but these all missed ahead.

(All times are zone -2)
0730 hours - Sighted masts and funnel of a liner steering for Benghazi. Course of ship was 131°. This ship turned out to be a hospital ship.

0735 hours - Sighted masts and funnel of a liner steering 035°. Started attack.

0745 hours - The enemy altered course to 095°. 2 Aircraft was seen to patrol in the area. When the range was 2500 yards the enemy alter course again to enter the swept channel. Truant meanwhile slowed down to give way to the hospital ship. The hospital ship then passed between Truant and the target and by doing so fouled the range at the moment torpedoes should have been fired.

When the hospital ship was clear 3 torpedoes were fired at the liner. Owning to the noise made by the hospital ship it was not possible to tell by Asdic how much the liner had slowed down. All torpedoes are presumed to have missed ahead.

6 And 8 minutes after firing the first torpedo Truant was shaken by heavy explosions. (3)

4 Feb 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacks an Italian convoy near Benghazi, Libya with 3 torpedoes. The Italian merchants Utilitas (5310 GRT, built 1918) and Silvia Tripcovich (2365 BRT, built 1925) were part of this convoy. They were escorted by the torpedo boat Giuseppe La Farina No torpedo hits were obtained. Truant was damaged by the premature explosion of one of her own torpedoes.

(All times are zone -2)
1315 hours - Proceeded up channel to attack shipping leaving the harbour at sunset.

1615 hours - The ship attacked yesterday was seen leaving the harbour with the escort of one destroyer and possibly two destroyers. The were proceeding to the South-West along the coastal route.

1700 hours - A medium seized cargo ship and a small tanker in ballast left the harbour, turning down the coastal route when range was 5000 yards.

1730 hours - Started attack on the medium seized merchant ship.

1752 hours - Range was now 2500 yards.

1800 hours - Fired 3 torpedoes. All torpedoes were heard to run normal on Asdic. 15 seconds after firing the last torpedo Truant was badly shaken by a heavy explosion causing the fore hydroplanes to remain at 30 degrees of rise till changed to telemotor control. Breaking surface was narrowly avoided. The Asdic was out of action for the remainder of the patrol. Also some 50 lights were smashed. 11 And 12 minutes after firing faint explosions were heard. These were most likely the torpedoes exploding on the bottom at the ended of their run. (3)

9 Feb 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacks an Italian convoy about 60 nautical miles North-East of Tripoli. Six torpedoes were fired in this attack but none finds its target.

(All times are zone -2)
2220 hours - In position 33°41'N, 13°51'E sighted enemy ships to the Southward steering 350°, range between 7 and 8 nautical miles.

2230 hours - Two liners and two escorts could easily be distinguished. There were probably more, possibly another liner and another escort. Dived to attack.

2300 hours - Fired six torpedoes, three at each liner. All missed, no explosions were heard and the convoy continued on its course.

2325 hours - Surfaced to find no ships in sight.

According to Italian sources this convoy was made up of the troop transports Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920), Conte Rosso (17897 GRT, built 1922) and Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912). They were escorted by the destroyers Luca Tarigo, Freccia, Saetta and the torpedo boat Aldebaran. The attack appears to be unobserved. (3)

11 Feb 1941
At 1415 hours, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN), attacks the Italian merchant Bainsizza (7933 GRT, built 1930) with gunfire about 45 nautical miles north-north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°32'N, 12°56'E. The target was not hit and Truant was forced to dive by the escort.

At 1634 hours HMS Truant attacked the same ship with 3 torpedoes about 60 nautical miles north-north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°46'N, 12°57'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

(All times are zone -2)
1310 hours - Came to periscope depth in position 33°36'N, 12°53'E and sighted a convoy of 2 ships and 1 escort. Range 12000 yards, course 330°. The convoy was made up of a armed merchant cruiser as escort and two merchants one of 4000 tons and one of 1500 tons. Started attack.

1411 hours - As the range could not be closed further then 4500 yards surfaced for gun action against the 4000 tons merchant. After the 5th round the merchant turned away and the smaller merchant followed her thereby presenting a much better target. Target was therefore shifted to this ship. The 8th and 9th rounds fired were hits. Meanwhile the escort closed and had opened fire.

1416 hours - After Truant had fired 12 rounds the escort was finding the range so order was given to dive. Started a torpedo attack on the escort but she came no closer.

1426 hours - Abandoned the attack.

1630 hours - In position 33°46'N, 12°57'E heard ships propellers on the hydrophones.

1634 hours - Sighted the 3 ships that were attacked 2 hours earlier, bearing 300°, course 118°, range 6500 yards. The escort was well clear on the Starboard side and the other 2 ships were zig-zagging. There was an air escort of 2 seaplanes. Started attack on the largest merchant.

1709 hours - Fired 3 torpedoes from 2000 yards. 1min 46sec after firing the first torpedo heard an explosion followed by crackling noises and small explosions.

1717 hours - Sighted the merchant sinking by the stern (This is stated in Truants patrol report but no ship was sunk in this attack according to Italian sources !!!). Saw the escort bows on, range 800 yards.

1720 hours - The escort passed close dropping 6 depth charges. Some lights were knocked out. Went to 150 feet. No further depth charges were dropped.

This convoy was made up of the Italian armed merchant cruiser Attilio Deffenu (3510 GRT, built 1929) and the merchants Bainsizza and Sabaudia (1703 GRT, built 1911) (3)

13 Feb 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. Truant is immediately docked in No.1 dock for repairs. (3)

19 Feb 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (17)

5 Mar 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Malta for her 17th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte. She is to end her patrol at Alexandria.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

19 Mar 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacks the Italian Costanza (548 GRT, built 1902) off Buerat, Libya. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

(All times are zone -2)
0445 hours - In position 024° Buerat lighthouse 10 nautical miles. Dived and bottomed.

0715 hours - Closed the anchorage for reconnaissance. Saw that there were only 2 small ships present, a small steamer and a small tanker. The tanker was heavily laden and deep in the water. It was considered likely that the tanker was carrying petrol and it was considered that it would be worth entering the anchorage after dark to sink her. Closed the anchorage to wait there till after dark.

1944 hours - Surfaced to attack the tanker.

2000 hours - Closed the anchorage further.

2025 hours - Fired 2 torpedoes at the tanker. Both ran under. It was soon noticed that the ship was high out of the water and in ballast. She must have unloaded her cargo during the afternoon. (3)

23 Mar 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (3)

13 Apr 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 18th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off the Libyan coast. She is to end this patrol at Malta.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

16 Apr 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 62 / Vanna (279 GRT) with gunfire off Apollonia, Libya in position 33°00'N, 22°00'E. She was carrying bombs from Benghazi to Derna.

(All times are zone -2)
1624 hours - Sighted a heavily laden barque approaching from the West.

1640 hours - Surfaced and opened fire with the 4" gun.

1655 hours - The target was now well ablaze, broke off the attack.

1700 hours - The target blew up and sank.

1705 hours - Dived in position 32°58'N, 21°58'E. (3)

18 Apr 1941

Operations MD 2 and MD 3, convoy movements to and from Malta and bombardment of Tripoli.


Timespan 18 to 23 April 1941.

18 April 1941.

Around 0700 hours (zone -3) the Mediterranean Fleet departed Alexandria for these operations. The Fleet was made up of the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Admiral Sir A.B. Cunningham, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN, flying the flag of A/Rear-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.la T. Bisset, RN, flying the flag of A/Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN), light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Juno (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN), HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. Munn, RN) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN). Destroyer HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) joined later at sea having overtaken the fleet after being delayed on leaving Alexandria as she fouled her mooring buoy. The Fleet was to proceed to Suda Bay where the destroyers would be refuelled. Also HMS Warspite was to land salvage equipment there that was to be used in the attempt to salvage the heavily damaged heavy cruiser HMS York. Initially the Fleet set course to pass through the Kithera Channel but this was later changed to pass through the Kaso Strait.

At dusk (around 1935B/18) the British transport HMS Breconshire (9776 GRT, built 1939) departed Alexandria for Malta. She was loaded with petrol and ammunition. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN), and the destroyer HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) which was relieved early on the 19th by the destroyer HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN) which had departed Alexandria around 2300B/18 to overtake. They were to make rendezvous with the Fleet south-west of Kithera at daybreak on the 20th. HMAS Waterhen set course to make rendezvous with a raiding force against Bardia.

19 April 1941.

The Battlefleet passed through the Kaso Strait during the night and arrived at Suda Bay around noon to refuel the destroyers and disembark the salvage gear embarked in Warspite.

In the morning the light cruiser HMS Phoebe and the AA-cruiser HMS Calcutta were detached from the Fleet to join a convoy coming from Pireaus. They remained with the convoy until after dark and then proceeded to join the convoy of empty freighters that was to be sailed from Malta (see below).

The Fleet sailed around 1530 hours and set course to pass through the Kithera Channel and then set course to the south-west. Enemy reconnaissance aircraft reported the Fleet leaving the harbour.

At dark a convoy of empty merchant vessels (Convoy ME 7) departed Malta for Alexandria. It was made up of four merchant vessels; City of Lincoln (8039 GRT, built 1938), City of Manchester (8917 GRT, built 1935), Clan Ferguson (7347 GRT, built 1938) and Perthshire (10496 GRT, built 1936). Escort was provided by four destroyers; HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), and HMS Diamond (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Cartwright, RN). This last destroyer had just completed a refit a Malta.

20 April 1941.

At 0800 hours, the Battlefleet made rendes-vous with the force of the Vice-Admiral light forces; the light cruisers HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN), HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN) and the destroyers HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN) and HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN). Rendez-vous was also made with HMS Breconshire, HMAS Perth and HMS Hotspur. Breconshire joined the battleship line. The cruisers formed round the Battlefleet and the destroyers joined the screen. Course was westwards to meet convoy ME 7.

Convoy ME 7 was met around noon and HMS Jervis and HMS Janus joined the Battlefleet. The convoy then continued on to Alexandria escorted by HMS Phoebe, HMS Calcutta, HMS Nubian and HMS Diamond.

The Fleet was not attacked by aircraft despite being sighted by enemy aircraft in the forenoon.

At dark several of the destroyers streamed their T.S.D.S. (minesweeping gear) and the Vice-Admiral Light Forces was detached in HMS Orion with HMS Formidable, HMS Ajax, HMAS Perth, and the destroyers HMS Griffin, HMS Kingston and HMS Kimberley for independent flying operations. Also HMS Breconshire was detached for Malta escorted by HMS Encounter.

21 April 1941.

Between 0500 and 0545 hours, the Battlefleet bombarded Tripoli at ranges from 11000 to 14000 yards. HMS Warspite, HMS Barham, HMS Valiant and HMS Gloucester were in line ahead with destroyers screening, these were; HMS Jervis, HMS Jaguar, HMS Janus, HMS Juno, HMS Hasty, HMS Havock, HMS Hereward, HMS Hero and HMS Hotspur.

The submarine HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) served as navigational beacon during the approach and aircraft from HMS Formidable provided illumination of the target area by dropping flares. The night was clear but dust and smoke made it difficult to see the results of the bombardment. The spotting aircraft later reported much damage in the harbour area including to fuel tanks. Also five ships were thought to have been sunk. A coast defence battery opened fire after 25 (sic !) minutes but without result.

[According to Italian sources the following damage was inflicted;
The torpedo-boat Partenope was damaged by shells of medium calibre. The bridge was hit and her commander, Capitano di Corvetta Guglielmo Durantini was hit in the head by a shell and killed instantly. The ship was temporarily disabled. In all two were killed and five slightly wounded.
It is not clear if the destroyer Geniere was also hit (Supermarina does not list her as damaged) but she had three of her crew killed, thirteen wounded (they may have been ashore at the time). Unfortunately, the report of Geniere could not be found in her file.
The torpedo-boat Pleiadi had one wounded (again he might have been wounded ashore as no mention of damage to the warship in her file).
The transports Assiria (2705 GRT, built 1928) and Marocchino (1524 GRT, built 1920, one wounded) were sunk in shallow water, the Custom (Guardi di Finanza) motor boat Cicconetti (61 tons) was also sunk (all three had not returned to service when the British occupied Tripoli in 1943). The transport Sabbia (5788 GRT, built 1926) was damaged.
We currently do not have any data on civilian casualties but the Italians mentioned that several of the enemy 381mm shells failed to explode. The Tripoli 190mm coastal battery fired 88 rounds and claimed an enemy vessel probably hit but this was not the case.]

On completion of the bombardment the fleet withdrew at maximum speed to the north-east and at daylight made contact with the Vice-Admiral Light Forces ships. Air attacks were expected on the Fleet but none followed.

At dark the cruisers were detached to make a sweep to the north of the Fleet and HMS Jervis, HMS Jaguar, HMS Janus and HMS Juno were detached to Malta arriving there the following day.

22 April 1941.

Convoy ME 7 safely arrived at Alexandria at 0700 hours this day.

At daylight the cruisers rejoined the Fleet which then continued eastwards without any attacks on it or any other delay. Enemy shadowers reported the Fleet throughout the day and at 1800 hours an attack by three Ju-88’s was developing but Fulmars from HMS Formidable intercepted them and shot down two of them.

Around noon HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, DSO, RN) joined the Fleet coming from Alexandria, having sailed on 21 April, and HMS Griffin then parted company and proceeded to Suda Bay for fueling and then escort duty in the Aegean.

At 1600 hours HMS Gloucester was detached to Suda Bay to fuel and from there onwards to Malta where she arrived on April 24th. HMAS Perth was to join HMS Phoebe in the Aegean. Having arrived at Alexandria with convoy ME 7, Phoebe and Calcutta departed Alexandria in the afternoon to join a convoy towards the Aegean.

23 April 1941.

The Fleet arrived at Alexandria without further incident at 1030 hours.

HMS Defender went to Tobruk instead of Alexandria. (18)

21 Apr 1941
Submarine HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) acts as beacon for the Mediterranean Fleet during a bombardment of Tripoli. The bombardment was carried out by the battleships HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN), HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN), and HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, RN), light cruiser HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN), and destroyers HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Havock (Lt. G.R.G. Watkins, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt. W.J. Munn, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), and HMS Juno (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, RN). The Italian torpedo boat Partenope and six freighters were damaged in the bombardment. According to Italian sources the steamers Assiria (2705 GRT, built 1928) and Marocchino (1524 GRT, built 1920) sank in shallow waters, the motorboat Ciconetti sank in deep waters and the steamer Sabbia (5787 GRT, built 1926) was damaged.

Later on this day Truant attacks what is believed to be the small Italian tanker V 52/ Rosa (246 GRT, 1922) with 2 torpedoes off Tripoli, Libya. Both torpedoes missed their target. Italian sources cannot confirm the identity of the ship attacked.

(All times are zone -2)
In position 033° Tajura 3.5 nautical miles sighted an Italian Auxiliary to the Southward. Closed to attack.

1410 hours - In only 50 feet of water fired 2 torpedoes from 2000 yards. The torpedoes were sighted by the enemy which altered course to avoid.

1430 hours - Surfaced and proceeded to deeper water on the main engines.

1520 hours - Dived. (3)

1 May 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. Later this day she departed from Malta again for her 19th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She is to proceed to Gibraltar (and then onwards to the United States for a refit). While en-route to Gibraltar she is to patrol off Sardinia for 2 days.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

6 May 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed sank the Italian passenger/cargo ship Bengasi (1716 GRT, built 1912) about 3 nautical miles south-east off the Cavoli lighthouse, Sardinia, Italy.

(All times are zone -2)
0520 hours - Dived and proceeded towards Tavoli.

0700 hours - Sighted masts and funnel of a ship to the East.

0710 hours - The enemy altered 90° to Starboard to steer for Cavoli. Closed to attack.

0735 hours - Fired 2 torpedoes. Obtained 1 hit just before the funnel. The enemy sank in a few minutes in position 090° Cavoli Lighthouse 1.0 nautical miles (131° Cavoli Lighthouse 3.0 nautical miles according to Italian sources).

Set course to clear the coast. (3)

8 May 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) intercepts the French merchant Gallium (1775 GRT, built 1924) South-East of Mallorca, Spain in position 38°50'N, 04°16'E. The Gallium ordered to proceed to Gibraltar escorted by Truant.

(All times are zone -2)
1428 hours - in position 38°50'N, 04°16'E sighted masts and funnel of a ship bearing 310°. The estimated course of this ship was North. Set course to intercept.

1800 hours - The ship was seen to be the Vichy French Gallium. Ordered her to heave to, not to signal and to sent her master over with the ships papers. She did not stop at first and only after a round of 4" across her bows she did so.

1830 hours - The master arrived with the ships papers. She was carrying sulphate and was en-route from Bone, Algeria (now Annaba) to S?te, France. He was informed that his cargo was contraband and that he was to proceed to Gibraltar for examination. The master was then returned to his ship and both Truant and Gallium now proceeded to Gibraltar at 6 knots. Gallium in the meantime had signalled that she was intercepted despite being ordered not to do so. This resulted in Vichy French warships sailing from Oran to intercept. (3)

11 May 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) and the French merchant Gallium are intercepted by a Vichy French force of 1 destroyer and 4 submarines. Gallium contacted the destroyer and then set course to follow the French force.

(All times are zone -1)
0150 hours - In position 36°50'N, 00°45'W, sighted a French destroyer and 4 submarines in line ahead. (This was the Vichy French torpedo boat La Bayonnaise and the submarines Diane, Eurydice, Thetis and Antiope.)

0158 hours - Gallium signalled the destroyer that she had been seized by the British submarine.

0200 hours - The French destroyer ordered Gallium to follow her. Gallium proceeded accordingly.

0220 hours - Truant signalled a protest to the French destroyer that Gallium had been ordered to proceed to Gibraltar for examination. The destroyer replied that she had been ordered to escort Gallium to France. (3)

12 May 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (3)

20 May 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for the U.S.A. where she is to refit.

Following the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck, Truant was ordered patrol an area centred on 41°34'N, 39°37'W then on 30 May, she was patrol on a line from 44°00'N, 41°00'W to 41°00'N, 44°00'W but sighted nothing.

On 1 June, Truant sighted an unidentified ship and gave chase at 14 knots but then gave up when she was informed by the Admiralty that it was unlikely the ship was hostile.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(3)

8 Jun 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (3)

9 Jun 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from New London for the Rhode Island Navy Yard at Newport to disembark her torpedoes. Later she departed from Newport for the Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire, U.S.A. (19)

10 Jun 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at the Portsmouth Navy Yard for a refit. (19)

31 Aug 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from the Portsmouth Navy Yard for the Rhode Island Navy Yard at Newport to embark her torpedoes. She arrived at Newport late on this date. (20)

1 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Newport for New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. (21)

5 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from New London for St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(21)

9 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at St. John's for a short period of training. (21)

11 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. These included practice attacks on HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN). (21)

12 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. (21)

14 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. (21)

16 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. (21)

17 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. (21)

19 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada for Gibraltar.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(22)

29 Sep 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (22)

3 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. (23)

10 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Malta.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(22)

16 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (22)

17 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is docked in No.2 dock at Malta. (23)

18 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) left dock. Later this day she departed from Malta again for her 20th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Adriatic and to proceed to Alexandria upon completion of this patrol.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(22)

19 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) was ordered to join a patrol line with HMS Thorn and HMS Trusty in the Ionian Sea before proceeding into the Adriatic. (22)

23 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed sank the German merchant Virginia S. (former Greek, 3885 GRT, built 1905) in the Otranto Strait about 30 nautical miles east of Capo Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy in position 39°52'N, 19°00'E. The Italian Arborea (4959 GRT, built 1929) was missed during the same attack despite the British claim of a hit.

(All times are zone -1)
0825 hours - Sighted a convoy at a range of 12000 yards. The convoy consisted of a medium seized liner, and two cargo ships, both laden and of about 3500 tons. They were escorted by an armed merchant cruiser that proceeded ahead of the convoy.

0835 hours - Started attack on the escort.

0900 hours - Forced to abandon the attack on the escort owning to the very large and frequent alterations of course. Started attack on the leading merchant vessel. It was intended to attack the liner that was further astern afterwards.

0914 hours - Fired two torpedoes and obtained one hit. The merchant ship was seen to sink in a few minutes. The remaining two ships of the convoy turned away and gave no opportunity to attack. The escort, though out of range and continually under helm, remained in the vicinity.

0942 hours - Fired one torpedo at the Armed Merchant Cruiser from 2000 yards and obtained one hit but to little effect. The AMC was thought to be slightly down by the stern after the hit. Some 4 or 5 depth charges were dropped after the attack most likely by the Armed Merchant Cruiser.

According to Italian sources the convoy consisted of the German Virfinia S., with Rumanian Balcic (3600 GRT, built 1940) and Bulgarian Balkan (3823 GRT, built 1914) escorted by Armed Merchant Cruiser Arborea. The were on passage from Patras to Brindisi. The Virginia S. sank in four minutes. 35 survivors were picked up by Arborea and landed at Bari. (22)

24 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) damaged the Italian merchant Padenna (1589 GRT, built 1904 hours) with gunfire off Bari, Italy. The Italian ship is damaged by fire but was salvaged.

(All times are zone -1)
0655 hours - Sighted a 3500 tons cargo ship in ballast proceeding to the South East along the coast. Started attack.

0725 hours - Fired one torpedo but it missed.

0735 hours - Surfaced in position 41°07'N, 17°00'E and engaged with gunfire until the ship was on fire.

0800 hours - Sighted an aircraft. Dived.

According to Italian sources Padenna was hit in the stern and had some casualties. She landed her wounded at Mola di Bari and her crew abandoned ship at 1110/24 but the tug Marittimo and water tanker Meteor (which was sunk a week later by Truant) were sent to her assistance and she was towed to Bari. The coastal battery from Mola di Bari opened fire forcing the submarine to submerge. MAS and aircraft were sent to hunt the enemy submarine. (22)

27 Oct 1941
Near Ancona, Italy, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN), lands a team in a folbot to blow up a train. They were successful in doing so and all returned safely to Truant.

31 Oct 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed sank the Italian water tanker Meteor (1685 GRT, built 1925) 2 nautical miles south-east of Punta Penna, Ortona, Italy.

(All times are zone -1)
1500 hours - In position 080° Punta Penna, 4.5 nautical miles sighted a convoy approaching from the South keeping close to the shore. The convoy consisted of two small tankers (1500-2000 tons) leading followed by a medium seized tanker (5000 tons). They were all laden and escorted by a Generali-class torpedo boat. The escort was steaming up and down the convoy to the seaward side of it.

1559 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes at the destroyer just when it overlapped with the leading tanker. Both ships were covered with the salvo. After firing Truant made for deeper water. 1 Min, 36 Sec after firing there was a torpedo explosion. A few seconds later the torpedo boat was overhead. Almost as soon as the destroyer had passed overhead Truant hit the bottom, bounced off and went to 26 feet. She could then be held from surfacing and went down again hitting bottom at 42 feet. The torpedo boat continued to steam up and down in the area sometimes coming very close. Luckily no depth charges were dropped.

1630 hours - Started to make efforts to get to deeper water by going astern. This was however soon abandoned as the torpedo boat came nearer.

1652 hours - Sunset.

1711 hours - The torpedo boat passed directly overhead.

1715 hours - Got underway again, going slowly astern.

1745 hours - Went ahead, turned, and proceeded to seaward.

1825 hours - Surfaced. There was a strong smell of oil in the area.

According to Italian sources the convoy consisted of the above mentioned Meteor as well as the Italian tanker Luisiano (2631 GRT, built 1917) and Italian tanker Devoli (3177 GRT, built 1939, former Yugoslavian). They were escorted by torpedo-boat Rosolino Pilo. The Pilo was missed but Meteor was hit and sunk. 14 Of the crew were killed and 7 survivors were picked up. (22)

8 Nov 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (22)

30 Nov 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 21th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol in the Aegean. Later patrol area is shift to the West coast of Greece.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(22)

7 Dec 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) fires three torpedoes against the German merchant Bellona (1297 GRT, built 1929) off Suda Bay, Crete, Greece. All torpedoes missed their target despite the claim of one hit.

(All times are zone -2)
0826 hours - While on patrol off Cape Drepano sighted a cargo ship, preceded 3 cables ahead by a Turbine-class destroyer. A seaplane was also seen to be overhead. They were proceeding East, heading out of Suda Bay. Decided to attack the cargo ship.

0847 hours - In position 084°, Suda Island, 3.8 nautical miles fired three torpedoes from 1500 yards. After 52 seconds there was a loud explosion. Presumed to be a torpedo hitting. Two smaller explosions heard about 5 minutes later were presumed to be the other torpedoes hitting the shore.

0853 hours - Came to periscope depth. Saw the merchant ship laying stopped, beam on.

0857 hours - The destroyer started dropping depth charges. All were close but not very close. Some minor damage was caused.

0928 hours - The twentieth and last depth charge was dropped.

According to Italian sources the escorting destroyer was the Turbine. Both ships arrived at Suda at 0930 (Rome time). (22)

11 Dec 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed and heavy damaged the Italian torpedo boat Alcione north of Crete in position 35°29'N, 24°11'E. The Alcione is beached and declared a total loss.

(All times are zone -2)
1320 hours - In position 012° Cape Drepano 9.0 nautical miles sighted the masts and funnels of a tanker and a destroyer approaching the harbour from seaward. A seaplane was patrolling ahead of this convoy. Started attack on this tanker.

1432 hours - In position 344°, Cape Drepano, 4.8 nautical miles. Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards. 2 Min., 30 Sec. after firing there was a double explosion which was very loud.

1450 hours - Came to periscope depth and observed the tanker beam on and sinking on an even keel. Clouds of smoke were seen rising from the waterline amidships near the bridge. The destroyer was standing by the stricken ship. Two seaplanes were in the air so went to 120 feet and retired to seaward.

This convoy was made up of the Italian tanker Elli (Former Greek Ismini, 314 GRT, built 1878) and the Italian tanker Arca (2222 GRT, built 1885), they were escorted by the Alcione. The torpedoes missed the Arca but the second torpedo hit the Alcione in the stern (20 killed). The Elli attempted to take her in tow but she appeared to be sinking and was beached between Manati Island and Proto Point. Alcione was a total loss and beyond salvage. (22)

24 Dec 1941
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 21th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (22)

4 Jan 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for Port Said. Truant is to proceed to Singapore to fight the Japanese. (24)

5 Jan 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Suez. (24)

7 Jan 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is docked in the Suez Canal Company's floating dock at Port Said. (24)

11 Jan 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) left dock and departed from Port Said, transits the Suez Canal and arrived at Ismalia. (24)

12 Jan 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) continues her passage through the Suez Canal. She departed from Ismalia and proceeded towards Aden.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(24)

17 Jan 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) makes a short call at Aden. After a few hours she departed from for Colombo. (24)

25 Jan 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (24)

1 Feb 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo bound for Batavia, Java, Netherlands East Indies.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(25)

8 Feb 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Batavia, Netherlands East Indies. (25)

9 Feb 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Batavia for Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies. (25)

11 Feb 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Surabaya. (25)

18 Feb 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies for her 22th war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Bali.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

24 Feb 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) fires 6 torpedoes against the Japanese light cruiser Nagara (offsite link) north of Bali, Netherlands East Indies. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

(All times are zone -7.5)
2045 hours - While on patrol to the North-West of Bali, in position 354°, Pulau Terawangan, 22 nautical miles sighted smoke of several ships ahead bearing 020°.

2100 hours - Distinguished 6 ships. 3 Were thought to be merchants, the other cruisers of destroyers.

2105 hours - Dived to attack. The port wing ship of the convoy was soon identified as a cruiser. It was followed by a destroyer. Decided to attack this cruiser.

2148 hours - Fired 6 torpedoes from 1200 yards. Enemy speed was 12 knots. Two hits were obtained (2 dull thuds were heard) but both torpedoes failed to explode. Truant was now depth charged. Two were very close and rocked the submarine.

2348 hours - Asdic transmissions of the destroyers died away. Came to periscope depth and saw two destroyers leaving the area. (3)

27 Feb 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 22th war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Surabaya. She was ordered to proceed to Colombo. After embarking her spare gear and several members of the spare submarine crew she departed from Surabaya later this day.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(3)

8 Mar 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo. (26)

22 Mar 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) carries out exercises off Colombo together with HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN), HMS Shoreham (Cdr. G.P. Claridge, RN) and HMS Aster (Lt. W.L. Smith, RNR). (27)

23 Mar 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 23th war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

1 Apr 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ships Yae Maru (6780 GRT, built 1919) and Shunsei Maru (4939 GRT, built 1911) in the Malacca Strait about 80 nautical miles west-north-west of Penang, Malaya in position 05°42'N, 98°57'E.

(All times are zone -6)
1940 hours - Sighted three ships bearing 285°, steering South-East. Dived and started attack.

2013 hours - Fired six torpedoes at one of the merchant ships from 2700 yards. It was intended to fire three at this ship and then three at the other leading ship. A failure in drill resulted in the firing of all six torpedoes of the salvo at only one of the ships. One hit was obtained. The target immediately took a heavy list to port and began to settle to the stern. The third ship altered course towards and Truant went deep to evade.

Upon returning to periscope depth it was found the torpedoed ship was still afloat and that the other two were steering erratic courses in her vicinity. Another opportunity for attack was awaited. Eventually one of the other two ships went alongside the damaged one.

2113 hours - Fired 2 torpedoes from 5400 yards. One of them was heard to hit Truants main ballast tank after firing. The other torpedo hit the stern of the second ship, which sank after only a few minutes. The first ship sank four minutes later.

2127 hours - Surfaced and set off in pursuit of the third ship that had left the scene steering North-East. The chase was abandoned within the hour. (3)

12 Apr 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 23th war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Colombo. (3)

4 May 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (28)

12 May 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (28)

18 May 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises with HMIS Jumna (Cdr. J.E.N. Coope, RIN) off Colombo. (28)

19 May 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 24th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

28 May 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) fired four torpedoes at an unidentified convoy at the Northern entrance to the Malacca Straits near position 06°34'N, 99°00'E. All missed.

(All times are zone -6)
27 May 1942
1030 hours - While Truant was 4 nautical miles to the West of Salang Island sighted smoke bearing 295°. Altered course towards.

1130 hours - Sighted masts of a convoy of several ships. The convoy was in approximate position 07°44'N, 98°05'E and proceeding in a Southerly direction.

1150 hours - Surfaced and proceeded ahead of the convoy to attack. The convoy was seen to consist of four merchant vessels. They were in line ahead. A whaler type escort was leading them. There were two medium seized merchant ships, a small tanker and a liner in this convoy. The liner was selected as target she was thought to be the Taiyo Maru. (Taiyo Maru was sunk earlier the same month so it could not have been her).

1207 hours - Dived. But the position was found to be unfavourable to attack so surfaced nearly 1,5 hours after diving.

1357 hours - Dived again as the nearest ship came closer. The convoy was seen to circle for a while.

1615 hours - The convoy proceeded in a South-Westerly direction. Meanwhile Truants battery power was getting rather low.

1658 hours - Surfaced and proceeded to get ahead of the convoy.

1755 hours - Sunset.

1805 hours - Increased to full speed. There were a few light clouds and the moon being nearly full visibility was good but none the less the enemy was soon lost and were not picked up again until 1920 hours.

2300 hours - Visibility was now deteriorating. The sky was cloudy and the horizon could not be seen through the mist. The wind had dropped and the sea was glassy calm.

2310 hours - Passed close to a small steam craft on opposite course.

2315 hours - Dived in position 06°34'N, 99°00'E, 12000 yards on the bow of the convoy. The convoy could only be seen from time to time and was on various courses.

28 May 1942
0005 hours - The convoy was seen approaching in line ahead. The target was the rear ship. Just before firing torpedoes it was seen that the target was a hospital ship, a red cross was visible on a white background, despite this the ship was painted dark gray and not illuminated.

0036 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the remainder of the convoy. No hits were obtained. Another torpedo was fired at a one of the other ships that was seen to leave the line. This ship returned to her former position after the torpedo was fired so this one also missed. It appeared the action was not observed by the enemy.

0146 hours - Surfaced. (3)

6 Jun 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 24th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Colombo. (3)

22 Jun 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out exercises off Colombo with HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN) and HMS Lightning (Cdr. H.G. Walters, DSC, RN). (29)

26 Jun 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 25th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

3 Jul 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) damaged the Japanese army cargo ship Tamon Maru No.1 (3019 GRT, built 1917) with gunfire in the Straits of Malacca in position 03°14'N, 99°48'E. Two torpedoes were fired before the gun action but both missed.

(All times are zone -6)
1700 hours - In position 320°, Jemur (Aroa Islands), 20 nautical miles sighted smoke to the Southward.

1707 hours - Surfaced and sighted masts and funnel of a merchant vessel.

1738 hours - Sunset. Started attack, distance was still over 10 nautical miles.

2145 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 700 yards. Both missed. The target was then engaged with the deck gun. 18 Rounds were fired for at least 5 hits. (3)

5 Jul 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) attacked a small escorted merchant vessel in the Malacca Straits in position 03°04'N, 100°33'E. Three torpedoes were fired but these all missed. Following this attack Truant is depth charged but sustains no damage.

(All times are zone -6)
1530 hours - Sighted the smoke of two ships to the South East. Surfaced and closed to attack at high speed.

1540 hours - Dived, the ships were not yet in sight.

1650 hours - Sighted masts and funnels of two small ships. The enemy was later seen to be a small merchant of about 2000 tons escorted by a trawler.

1742 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 1500 yards, all missed. Both ships continued on their course5it appeared the attack was not observed.

1820 hours - Surfaced and chased the enemy at high speed to attack them again.

1924 hours - Sighted the bow wave of a small craft coming up from astern. This vessel was going quite fast.

1926 hours - A searchlight was put directly on Truant, Dived.

1928 hours - The first of eleven depth charges was dropped. All were quite close. Soon after the attack HE of the enemy faded out. Truant stayed down until early next day. (3)

15 Jul 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 25th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Colombo. She was delayed after having suffered from engine trouble on the return trip from this patrol. This was Truants last patrol before being sent home to refit. Truant is suffering from various defects that need to be resolved before she can proceed back to the U.K.). (3)

27 Jul 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (30)

8 Aug 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (31)

29 Aug 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked again in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (31)

31 Aug 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (31)

1 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her trip to the U.K. where she is to refit. The first leg of the trip is to Kilindini, Kenya.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(3)

8 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a short call at Port Victoria, Seychelles for fuel. She departed from after a few hours to continue her trip to Kilindini. (3)

12 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini. (3)

18 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out exercises off Kilindini with HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR) and aircraft. (3)

19 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out exercises off Kilindini with HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN). (3)

23 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Kilindini for Diego Suarez, Madagascar. (3)

26 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez. (3)

27 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out exercises off Diego Suarez with HMS Pladda (T/Lt. P.T. Lovelock, DSC, RNVR). (3)

28 Sep 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out exercises off Diego Suarez with HMS Shapinsay (A/Skr.Lt. W.S. Flowers, RNR) and HMS Hildasay (T/Lt. H.C. Doman, RNVR). Later on the day exercises were carried out with HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN), HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN).

After the exercises were completed HMS Truant sets course for East London, South Africa while HMS Gambia, HMS Dauntless and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes remained out for night encounter exercises during the night of 28/29 September. On completion of these exercises HMS Dauntless and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes returned to Diego Suarez. (32)

6 Oct 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at East London. (3)

14 Oct 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from East London for Simonstown. (3)

15 Oct 1942
Due to the bad weather encountered while en-route to Simonstown, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN), puts into Port Elizabeth. (3)

16 Oct 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Port Elizabeth for Simonstown. She was escorted by Commandant Duboc. (3)

18 Oct 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) and Commandant Duboc. arrived at Simonstown from Port Elizabeth. (3)

21 Oct 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Simonstown for Freetown. En route Truant is to patrol off Novo Redondo, Portuguese East Africa (Now Sumbe, Angola). A German U-boat was reported in that area. (3)

31 Oct 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) makes a rendezvous with Dutch submarine HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) in position 11°00'S, 07°00'E. Both submarines proceeded together towards Freetown. (3)

8 Nov 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Freetown. (3)

13 Nov 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Freetown for Holy Loch, Scotland. Dutch submarine HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) was in company. Early the next morning K XIV had to return to Freetown due to technical problems. (3)

28 Nov 1942
At 0720 hours, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN), made rendes-vous with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr. (Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (33)

29 Nov 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (3)

5 Dec 1942
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Troon to start a much needed refit. (34)

17 May 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) ended her refit at Troon. She proceeded to Holy Loch to start a period of trials and training. (35)

20 May 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (35)

21 May 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (35)

22 May 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (35)

23 May 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) shifted from the Clyde area to Port HHX to participate in trials off that port. During her passage there she was escorted by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (35)

2 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed Port HHX for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN). (36)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (36)

3 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS White Bear (Cdr. J.F. Drake, RNR). Upon completion of these exercises HMS Truant proceeded to Campbeltown. (36)

4 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR).

Upon completion of these exercises HMS Truant proceeded to Larne. (36)

5 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (36)

7 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area. HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) served as target during one of the runs. (36)

8 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises off Larne with HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN) and an Escort Group. (36)

10 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar. (36)

11 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar. (36)

12 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo firing trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these HMS Truant proceeded to Holy Loch. (36)

14 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Holy Loch for Scapa Flow where she is to participate in A/S exercises. She made the passage together with HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, RNR). They were escorted by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (36)

15 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises off Larne with HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN) and other A/S vessels. (36)

16 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (36)

17 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carries out A/S exercises with HMIS Narbada (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN) and HMS Newark (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN). (36)

18 Jun 1943
During the morning HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) carries out A/S exercises with HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN) and HMCS Athabascan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN). (36)

19 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carries out A/S exercises with HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN). (36)

21 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carries out A/S exercises with HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and HMS Talybont (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN). (36)

22 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carries out A/S exercises with HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) and HMIS Narbada (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN) and HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN). (36)

23 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carries out A/S exercises with HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMIS Narbada (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN). (36)

24 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carries out A/S exercises with HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO and Bar, RN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN) and HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN). (36)

25 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carries out A/S exercises with HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) and HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN).

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with local small craft. (36)

26 Jun 1943
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), A/S exercises were carried out with local small craft.

During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN) and HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN). (36)

27 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Scapa Flow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN). (37)

29 Jun 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (36)

1 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Holy Loch for exercises in Bute Sound. She makes several practice attacks on HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN) during the day before returning to Holy Loch.

During the next weeks more exercises followed with ships and aircraft. (38)

5 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne together with aircraft. (38)

7 Jul 1943
HMS Proteus (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne with HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN). (39)

9 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (38)

12 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Mourne (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Holland, RD, RNR). (36)

13 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted convoy attack exercises off Larne. (38)

13 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted convoy attack exercises off Larne.

14 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rodgers, RN), HMS Clematis (T/Lt. R.H. Farrands, DSC, RNR) and later with HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Godetia (T/Lt. M.A.F. Larose, RNR). (38)

16 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (38)

17 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is docked in floating dock AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (38)

19 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is undocked. (38)

24 Jul 1943
HMS Proteus (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN) and HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN). (39)

25 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (38)

28 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Holy Loch bound for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (38)

30 Jul 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Lerwick. After topping off with fuel she departed from on her 26th war patrol. This is a work-up patrol in the Norwegian Sea.

No logbook is available for this period and the patrol report does not mentioned noon positions. Therefore no map can be displayed. (3)

17 Aug 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) ended her 26th war patrol at Lerwick. (3)

18 Aug 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Lerwick for Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (37)

20 Aug 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. She departed from again later this day for Portsmouth where she is to embark a new battery.

Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR), FFS Curie (Lt. P.M. Sonneville) and FFS Minerve (Lt. H.F.D. Simon-Dubuisson). They were escorted by HMS Kingston Amber (T/Lt. Richard Adams, RNR). (37)

23 Aug 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Portland. (40)

24 Aug 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Portland for Portsmouth where she arrived later this day. She made the passage together with FFS Minerve (Lt. H.F.D. Simon-Dubuisson). (37)

17 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Plymouth where she arrived later this day. (41)

18 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Plymouth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (41)

20 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for another period of trials, training and exercises. (41)

24 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Larne. (41)

25 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted practice off Larne with HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN) serving as target. This ship was escorted by eight A/S ships. (41)

26 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (41)

27 Oct 1943
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN), HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Unswerving (Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR). (42)

28 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of exercises. (41)

29 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (41)

30 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (41)

31 Oct 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (41)

11 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (43)

12 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (43)

13 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (43)

14 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (43)

15 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (43)

18 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (43)

21 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted A/S exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Portchester Castle (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR). (43)

26 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (43)

30 Nov 1943
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft from HMS Striker (Capt. F.M. Walton, RN). (43)

15 Dec 1943
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) and HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). (37)

17 Dec 1943
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (40)

18 Dec 1943
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR). (37)

20 Dec 1943
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth. She was assigned to training new submarine crews. (40)

8 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (44)

9 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is docked in No.1 drydock at Blyth. (44)

11 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is undocked. (44)

13 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Blyth. (44)

14 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (44)

16 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Blyth for Lerwick from where she is to patrol of the Norwegian coast to intercept the damaged German battleship Tirpitz that is reported to return to Germany for repairs. (45)

17 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick to top off with fuel. (45)

18 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 27th war patrol. She is forced to abandon this patrol and head back to Lerwick after only a few hours due to mechanical problems. (45)

24 Mar 1944
As it by now had become clear to the British high command that Tirpitz was not proceeding towards Germany, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) was ordered to leave Lerwick and proceed to Holy Loch. She made the passage together with HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN), HMS Una (Lt. C.A.J. Nicholl, RN), HMS Vivid. (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN) and HrMs Zeehond (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN). They were escorted by the British minesweepers HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.M. Norman, RN). (45)

27 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. A period of more exercises followed to work up to a 'front submarine' as Truant will be sent to the Far East in the future. (45)

29 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (44)

30 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (44)

31 Mar 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (44)

1 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (46)

5 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to the Campbeltown area where she participated in A/S exercises. (46)

6 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (46)

8 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (46)

9 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her exercises. (46)

10 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (46)

11 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (46)

12 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) serving as target. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Truant proceeded to Campbeltown. (46)

13 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (46)

14 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (46)

15 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (46)

16 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) shifted from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (46)

17 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Larne. En-route exercises were carried out with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (46)

18 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Larne. (46)

19 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

20 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

21 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

22 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

23 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

24 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

25 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

26 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

27 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

28 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

29 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

30 Apr 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (46)

1 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

2 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

3 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (47)

5 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included a practice atack on HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC. RN). (47)

6 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (47)

7 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch. (47)

15 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is docked in floating dock AFD 7 at Holy Loch. (48)

16 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is undocked. (48)

19 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Larne. (47)

20 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Larne. (47)

21 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

22 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

25 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

27 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

28 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

29 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

31 May 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (47)

2 Jun 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (49)

4 Jun 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) shifted from Larne to Holy Loch. (49)

22 Jun 1944
After another period with more exercises HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for the Far East. She is to join the Eastern Fleet. She made the passage to Gibraltar in convoy KMS 55.

For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.

(50)

4 Jul 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. Before she can continue to Malta some repairs to both main engines are required. (51)

29 Jul 1944
With the repairs to both main engines completed, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN), departed from Gibraltar for Malta. (51)

3 Aug 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. While at Malta more engine defects were discovered. (52)

21 Aug 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is docked in No.1 Dock at Malta. (52)

1 Sep 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) left dock. (53)

17 Sep 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Malta with convoy GUS-52 for Gibraltar. She was ordered to return to the U.K. due to the nature of her recent engine defects. Her deployment to the Far East being cancelled. (53)

22 Sep 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (53)

29 Sep 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Portsmouth. She makes this trip with convoy MKS-62. (3)

7 Oct 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Falmouth. She was escorted in by HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, DSC, RN). (3)

8 Oct 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Falmouth for Portland where she arrived later this day. (3)

9 Oct 1944
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Portland for Portsmouth where she arrived later this day.

Truant will remain at Portsmouth for engine repairs and refit until early March 1945. (3)

16 Jan 1945
HMS Truant (Lt. C.A.J. Nicoll, RN) is docked in AFD 2 at Portsmouth. (54)

24 Jan 1945
HMS Truant (Lt. C.A.J. Nicoll, RN) is undocked. (54)

17 Feb 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted engine trials off Portsmouth. (55)

20 Feb 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Portland. (55)

21 Feb 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Portland. (55)

22 Feb 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Portland. (55)

23 Feb 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Portland. Upon completion HMS Truant proceeded to Portsmouth. (55)

3 Mar 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Barrow-in-Furness. She was escorted by HMS Kingston Turquoise (A/Ch.Skr. J. Flett, RNR). (56)

5 Mar 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Barrow-in-Furness for the fitting of a Snorkel. (56)

15 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Barrow-in-Furness for Rothesay. (57)

16 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (57)

17 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Rothesay. (57)

18 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Rothesay. (57)

19 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Rothesay. (57)

20 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Rothesay. (57)

22 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (57)

23 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (57)

26 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (57)

27 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (57)

29 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (57)

30 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (57)

31 May 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (57)

2 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Rothesay for Tobermory. She was escorted by HMS Peterhead (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (58)

3 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Tobermory. (58)

5 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Tobermory. (58)

6 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Tobermory. (58)

8 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Tobermory. (58)

9 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted from Tobermory to Rothesay. (58)

22 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (58)

23 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (58)

26 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (58)

29 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (58)

30 Jun 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (58)

4 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (59)

5 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (59)

6 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (59)

11 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (59)

14 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Leith. (59)

16 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Leith. (59)

17 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith. (59)

18 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith. (59)

19 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith. (59)

20 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith. (59)

21 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith. (59)

23 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Leith for Rothesay. (59)

25 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay. (59)

27 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (59)

29 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (59)

30 Jul 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (59)

3 Aug 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (60)

8 Aug 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (60)

30 Aug 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (60)

31 Aug 1945
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area.

Post-war, HMS Truant, briefly continued her current role. In mid/late November 1945 she proceeded to Portsmouth to be decommissioned there. (60)

Media links


The T-class Submarine

Kemp, Paul J.


Discharged Dead

Hart, Sydney

Sources

  1. ADM 173/16224
  2. ADM 173/16225
  3. ADM 199/1861
  4. ADM 199/373
  5. ADM 173/16226
  6. ADM 173/16663
  7. ADM 173/16664
  8. ADM 173/16665
  9. ADM 173/16666
  10. ADM 173/16667
  11. ADM 173/16669
  12. ADM 173/16670
  13. ADM 199/283
  14. ADM 173/16671
  15. ADM 173/16672
  16. ADM 173/16673
  17. ADM 173/17091
  18. ADM 199/414
  19. ADM 173/17095
  20. ADM 173/17097
  21. ADM 173/17098
  22. ADM 199/1153
  23. ADM 173/17099
  24. ADM 173/17658
  25. ADM 173/17659
  26. ADM 173/17660
  27. ADM 173/17660
  28. ADM 173/17662
  29. ADM 173/17663
  30. ADM 173/17664
  31. ADM 173/17665
  32. ADM 53/115733 + ADM 199/1861
  33. ADM 173/17668
  34. ADM 173/17669
  35. ADM 173/18283
  36. ADM 173/18284
  37. ADM 199/627
  38. ADM 173/18285
  39. ADM 173/17891
  40. ADM 199/2572
  41. ADM 173/18286
  42. ADM 173/18179
  43. ADM 173/18287
  44. ADM 173/19093
  45. ADM 173/18093
  46. ADM 173/19094
  47. ADM 173/19095
  48. ADM 173/18095
  49. ADM 173/19096
  50. ADM 199/1385
  51. ADM 173/18097
  52. ADM 173/18098
  53. ADM 173/18099
  54. ADM 173/19994
  55. ADM 173/19995
  56. ADM 173/19996
  57. ADM 173/19997
  58. ADM 173/19998
  59. ADM 173/19999
  60. ADM 173/20000

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


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