| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | T |
| Pennant | N 68 |
| Mod | First Group |
| Built by | Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) |
| Ordered | 8 Dec 1937 |
| Laid down | 24 Mar 1938 |
| Launched | 5 May 1939 |
| Commissioned | 30 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.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Lt.Cdr. Robert Witherington Peers, RN | 17 Jul 1939 | 11 Feb 1940 |
| 2 | Lt.Cdr. Christopher Haynes Hutchinson, RN | 11 Feb 1940 | 28 Apr 1940 |
| 3 | Lt.Cdr. Hugh Alfred Vernon Haggard, RN | 28 Apr 1940 | 19 Mar 1942 |
| 4 | Lt.Cdr. Edward Francis Balston, DSO, RN | 19 Mar 1942 | 24 Apr 1942 |
| 5 | Lt.Cdr. Hugh Alfred Vernon Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN | 24 Apr 1942 | 22 Mar 1943 |
| 6 | Lt.Cdr. Jack Gethin Hopkins, RN | 22 Mar 1943 | 25 Nov 1943 |
| 7 | Lt. Edmund Charles Croswell, DSC, RN | 25 Nov 1943 | 22 Nov 1944 |
| 8 | Lt. Charles Alexander Jacomb Nicoll, RN | 22 Nov 1944 | 6 Feb 1945 |
| 9 | Lt.Cdr. Russell Stanhope Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN | 6 Feb 1945 | late 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.
14 Oct 1939
Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted a basis dive at her builders yard at Barrow-in-Furness. (1)
18 Oct 1939
Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Barrow-in-Furness. (1)
19 Oct 1939
Around 0345A/19, Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) departed Barrow-in-Furness for the Clyde. She arrived at Greenock around 1830A/19. She was escorted by HMS Widgeon (Lt.Cdr. R. Frederick, RN). (2)
20 Oct 1939
Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted trials in Gare Loch during which she was escorted by HMS Widgeon (Lt.Cdr. R. Frederick, RN). (2)
21 Oct 1939
Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. These included full power trials. On completion of these trials she departed the Clyde to return to her builders yard at Barrow-in-Furness. She was escorted, during the entire day, by HMS Widgeon (Lt.Cdr. R. Frederick, RN). (2)
22 Oct 1939
Around 0810A/22, Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) arrived back at her builders yard at Barrow-in-Furness from trials in the Clyde area. Her escort, HMS Widgeon (Lt.Cdr. R. Frederick, RN), had parted company around 0610A/22 off the Lightning Knoll buoy. HMS Widgeon then proceeded to Belfast where she arrived around 1245A/22. (2)
30 Oct 1939
At her builders yard at Barrow-in-Furness, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) is accepted from the shipyard and placed in full commission. (1)
31 Oct 1939
Around 1215A/31, 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
Around 1000A/2, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) arrived at Portsmouth (Fort Blockhouse) from Barrow-in-Furness. (3)
3 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises in Spithead. (3)
4 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises in Spithead. (3)
5 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises in Spithead. (3)
6 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises in Spithead. (3)
7 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises in Spithead. (3)
8 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises in Spithead. (3)
12 Nov 1939
Around 1200A/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) shifted from Portsmouth to Portland where she arrived around 1645A/12. She was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) K.A. Beattie, DSO, RN). (3)
13 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)
14 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)
15 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)
17 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)
18 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Portland. (3)
21 Nov 1939
Around 0815Z/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) departed Portland to Portsmouth (Fort Blockhouse) where she arrived around 1345Z/21. She was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) K.A. Beattie, DSO, RN). (3)
24 Nov 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) conducted exercises in Spithead. These included pracice attacks on HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) K.A. Beattie, DSO, RN). (3)
26 Nov 1939
Around 2045Z/26, 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.
On departure from Portsmouth she was escorted by HMS Warrior II (Capt.(Retd.) K.A. Beattie, DSO, RN). The escort parted company around 0945Z/27 near the North Goodwin light vessel.
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
10 Dec 1939
Around 1520Z/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) left patrol to proceed to Rosyth in accordance with Capt. S 2's signal timed 1343Z/9. (5)
12 Dec 1939
Around 1520A/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) ended her 1st war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Rosyth. (4)
15 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard for inspection and repairs of the after hydroplanes and the Asdic dome. (6)
25 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) is undocked and departed from Rosyth (around 1440Z/25) for post repair trails in the North Sea. (7)
28 Dec 1939
Around 1310Z/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) returns to Rosyth from trails in the North Sea and is docked again in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard. (7)
30 Dec 1939
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) is undocked. (7)
31 Dec 1939
Around 1415Z/31, 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.
(4)
12 Jan 1940
Around 1815Z/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth. (8)
14 Jan 1940
Around 1630Z/14, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol, which had been uneventful, at Rosyth. (4)
26 Jan 1940
Around 1400Z/26, 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.
(4)
6 Feb 1940
Around 1900Z/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth. (9)
8 Feb 1940
Around 1125Z/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Peers, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol, which once again had been uneventful, at Rosyth. (4)
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). These included gunnery exercises. (10)
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) which last submarine was also conducting engine trials. Practice attacks are made by both submarines on HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN). (10)
18 Feb 1940
Around 1130Z/18, 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.
Around 1240Z/18, she had to evade destroyers hunting a supposed enemy submarine in the Firth of Forth. At 1038Z/18, an indicator loop detected a crossing and the destroyers HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, RN) and HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. P.H. Hadow, RN) had been sent to hunt for the suspected enemy submarine. They were later reinforced by HMS Valorous (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, RN). No enemy submarine was in the area though. (4)
18 Feb 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during her 4th war patrol see the map below.
1 Mar 1940
At 2000A/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth. (4)
3 Mar 1940
Around 1145A/3, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Rosyth. (4)
5 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard. (11)
7 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is undocked. (11)
12 Mar 1940
Around 2040A/12, 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.
(4)
15 Mar 1940
At 2125A/15, in position 56°35'N, 07°41'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) sighted a dimly illuminated ship. HMS Truant closed to investigate as it was first thought this vessel was a big one and thus unlikely to have sailed from a Danish west coast port. The ship was ordered to stop which she did not do. A blank round was then fired across her bow which gave the desired result. The ship was then illuminated and a boarding party was made ready. The ship signalled, in English, ' from Bremerhaven ' possibly thinking she had been stopped by a German U-boat.
The ship was identified as the Danish Skodsborg (1450 GRT, built 1919). She was properly marked as Danish. Sea conditions did not permit sending the boarding party.
At 2230A/15, it was decided to release the ship. (4)
20 Mar 1940
At 2245A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) sighted a dimly lit small merchant vessel 9 nautical miles to the south-west of Lynvig. Closed to investigate but the ship was faster than HMS Truant. She later disappeared to the south-east. It was thought to have been a German ship. (4)
23 Mar 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant vessel Edmund Hugo Stinnes 4 (2189 GRT, built 1921) off Jylland, Denmark in position 56°24'N, 08°04'E.
The Danes claimed that the ship had been sunk in position 56°23'N, 08°07'E, within Danish territorial waters and therefore the Danish Government instructed the Danish Minister in London to make representations to the British Government.
2200A/23 - Sighted a merchant ship steering 180°, speed 7 knots, 0.6 nautical miles from the Bovbjerg lighthouse. She was burning her navigation lights but was otherwise darkened. The ship was in territorial waters. Truant followed astern of this ship.
2300A/23 - The ship altered course and by doing so got outside territorial waters.
2330A/23 - 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 two torpedoes were put in her resulting in the ship sinking much quicker. (4)
24 Mar 1940
At 1949A/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol. She then set course to return to Rosyth as ordered in Capt. S 2's signal timed 0136A/24. (4)
26 Mar 1940
Around 1000A/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) ended her 5th war patrol at Rosyth. (4)
3 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (12)
6 Apr 1940
Around 1130A/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, 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.
(4)
8 Apr 1940
At 1653A/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) surfaced near Kristiansand in thick fog.
At 2023A/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) received an enemy report from HMS Triton (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, RN) timed 1800A/8. Due to the thick fog a good listening watch had been set to listen for the expected enemy.
At 2140A/8, HMS Truant dived so as to be able to keep a better listening watch.
At 2143A/8, HE was picked up which developed into five ships steering east and passing close to HMS Truant. They were not seen in the thick fog though.
At 2230A/8, HE was picked up to the north-east. This contact developed into at least seven ships steering westwards. Two of these ships appeared to have reciprocating engines. No ships could be seen due to the thick fog.
The HE picked up was most likely from the German 'Group IV' which were to land troops at Kristiansand. It was made up of the light cruiser Karlsruhe, torpedo boats Luchs, Greif, Seeadler, motor torpedo boat tender Tsingtau and the motor torpedo boats S 9, S 14, S 16, S 30, S 31, S 32, S 33. The transports Wiegand (5869 GRT, built 1922), Westsee (5911 GRT, built 1914), Kreta (2359 GRT, built 1923), August Leonhardt (2593 GRT, built 1922) were also part of the force that were to land at Kristiansand.
At 2312A/8, HMS Truant surfaced but found that the visibility had still not improved. HE was now heard on both sides but nothing could be seen.
At 2318A/8, HMS Truant dived again so as not to be caught by surprise on the surface.
At 2345A/8, A/S impulses were picked up.
[Continued on 9 April 1940.] (4)
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. In the evening the Karlsruhe, which was beyond salvage, was scuttled with two torpedoes by the German torpedo boat Greif. The other two torpedo boats that were escorting Karlsruhe were Luchs and Seeadler.
0045A/9 - Lost contact and surfaced. Thick fog still all around.
0120A/9 - The fog commenced to lift.
0440A/9 - Dived.
During the day two aircraft, flying low, had been seen. Also a few explosions had been heard but no ships were sighted until .....
1723A/9 - Sighted three torpedo boats 4 nautical miles tot the north-west. Their course was 160°. Started attack.
1730A/9 - The targets altered course to 220°. Their speed was estimated to be 22 knots. The torpedo boats were thought to be Norwegian Sleipner-class vessels [This could not be the case, and they were most likely the three German torpedo boats mentioned above.]
1833A/9 - Sighted a cruiser hull down bearing 326°. Enemy course was 146°. Turned towards to attack.
1852A/9 - The cruiser was seen to be a 'Koln-class'. She was escorted by 3 'Maass-class' destroyers (In fact these were the torpedo boats mentioned above). Range was now 4500 yards.
1856A/9 - Fired a full bow salvo of ten torpedoes. Three torpedo explosions were heard thought to be hits (In fact one torpedo hit Karlsruhe in the stern wrecking it and leaving her immobile).
1900A/9 - 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.
1902A/9 - Two depth charges exploded close. Went to 150 feet. Between this time and 2330 hours Truant was hunted by two of the escorts. In all 31 depth charges were dropped. Most of them unpleasantly close and some damage was sustained. Truant even went to 300 feet to to try to escape further damage.
2325A/9 - Truant was finally able to surface as there was now nothing in sight. A few hours later Lt.Cdr. Hutchinson decided that due to the damage sustained his submarine was no longer fit for operations and course was set to return to Rosyth. (4)
12 Apr 1940
Around 0930A/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Rosyth. She was docked in afternoon in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard. (4)
20 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is undocked. (12)
22 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (12)
24 Apr 1940
Around 1700A/24, 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 HNoMS B-6. This is to be the first special operation conducted by H.M. Submarines during this war. (4)
25 Apr 1940
At 0340A/25, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is damaged when a mine detonates nearby. A second, more distant, explosion followed two minutes later.
It was thought that HMS Truant was attacked by an enemy submarine but none were in the area.
She returns to Rosyth at 1740A/25, where she is immediately docked in the floating dock (AFD 3) at the Rosyth Dockyard. (4)
26 Apr 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Hutchinson, RN) is undocked. It had been found that the battery had been damaged and that it was to be replaced. (12)
14 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted independent exercises off the Firth of Forth. (13)
16 May 1940
Around 0920A/16, 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).
Earlier that morning, before departure, compass adjustment trials had been carried out.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4)
18 May 1940
At 2330A/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) receives orders to proceed to Tromso instead of Harstad. (4)
20 May 1940
Around 0830A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Tromso, Norway for orders. (4)
21 May 1940
Around 1930A/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Tromsø. She is to patrol off Northern Norway. (4)
23 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) fires two torpedoes against the British merchant vessel 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.
0910A/23 - In position 71°12'N, 26°50'E sighted smoke to the north and moving west.
0930A/23 - Sighted a merchant vessel, four masts and one funnel were visible. She was steering about 270°. Several puffs of smoke were sometimes seen near the merchant ship. These were most likely from an escort.
1010A/23 - Sent a report of this sighting. Experienced great difficulty in getting this signal through.
1120A/23 - Receipt of signal was acknowledged by Tromso. The ship was thought to be enemy.
1300A/23 - 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 Tromso 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.
1350A/23 - 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.
1400A/23 - 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.
1415A/23 - Dived.
1429A/23 - Saw sharp sloping bows and high bow wave of escort. Lt.Cdr. Haggard decided it was neither British nor Norwegian.
1430A/23 - Fired two torpedoes from 6000 yards.
1439A/23 - Heard two distant explosions.
1500A/23 - Saw the escort bows on, range 1000 yards. She was hunting. Went to 80 feet.
1715A/23 - Sounds of the escort vessel getting faint.
1729A/23 - Surfaced. (4)
26 May 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Harstad. (4)
26 May 1940
At 1650A/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived off Hammerfest.
At 1900A/26, she departed Hammerfest for Harstadt. HMS Ullswater (Lt. O.R. Moore, RN) was in company until around 1200A/27 when they lost company with each other.
Around 1925A/27, HMS Truant arrived at Harstadt. (4)
28 May 1940
Around 0345A/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Harstad for Rosyth. She was escorted until 0535A/27, by HMS Ullswater (Lt. O.R. Moore, RN) which then parted company to return to Harstadt.
At 1105A/28, HMS Truant boarded the Norwegian merchant vessel Profit (2613 GRT, built 1918) on passage from Bodo to Tromso which was allowed to proceed upon examination of her papers.
At 1630A/28, the destroyer HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN) was passed.
At 2115A/28, HMS Truant stopped the merchant vessel Blairgowie supposedly on passage to Murmansk, she is also allowed to proceed. In fact this is the Q-ship HMS Cape Howe (A/Cdr. E.L. Woodhall, DSO, MVO, RN) and she does not reveal her disguise. (4)
1 Jun 1940
Around 0615A/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 8th war patrol at Rosyth. (4)
2 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (14)
3 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (14)
12 Jun 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) and HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) both conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth including practice attacks on each other. Also gunnery exercises were carried out. (15)
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 HMS Truant anchored in Largo Bay around 1800A/16 from where she departed around 2100A/16 for her 9th war patrol. She was initially ordered to patrol in the Trondheim area. Later patrol was shifted to the Stavanger area. (4)
16 Jun 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during her 9th war patrol see the map below.
26 Jun 1940
At 0030A/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth as ordered in Capt. S 2's signal timed 2146A/25. (4)
27 Jun 1940
Around 0640A/27, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 9th war patrol at Rosyth. (4)
5 Jul 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is wiped (degaussed) and also conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (16)
6 Jul 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth with HMS Londonderry (Cdr. T.L. Beevor, RN).
HMS Truant also carried out D/G trials. (16)
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.
On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) and HMS Wolfhound ( Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Wolfhound. (4)
8 Jul 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during her 10th war patrol see the map below.
21 Jul 1940
At 1210A/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) left patrol to return to Rosyth as ordered in the Vice Admiral Submarines signal timed 1039A/21. (4)
22 Jul 1940
At 2355A/22, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is attacked (in error) in position 58°25'N, 02°40'E with a full bow salvo of six 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. (4)
24 Jul 1940
Around 0745A/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 10th war patrol at Rosyth. (4)
2 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Rosyth. (17)
6 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth during which several practice attacks were made on HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RD, RNR). Also gunnery exercises were carried out. (17)
8 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) proceeded from Rosyth to the Methil anchorage. (17)
9 Aug 1940
Around 0600A/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Methil for Blyth where she is to dock before her deployment to the Mediterranean. She arrived at Blyth around 1610A/9. (17)
10 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No.5 graving dock at Blyth for a short refit. (17)
23 Aug 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (17)
26 Aug 1940
Around 0810A/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Blyth for Rosyth where she arrived around 2115A/26. (17)
29 Aug 1940
Around 1910A/29, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for the passage to Gibraltar. HMS Triad
was in company until they left U.K. waters.
The submarines were escorted by HMS White Bear (Capt. R. Gill, RNR) until 1930A/31 when HMS Arab (Lt. R.B. Stannard, RNR) took over escort duties until 0900A/2. (4)
29 Aug 1940
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during the passage from Rosyth to Gibraltar see the map below.
3 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) intercepted the German merchant vessel Tropic Sea (5781 GRT, built 1920, former Norwegian Tropic Sea (offsite link) captured by the German armed merchant cruiser Orion in the southern Pacific on 18 June 1940). The Tropic Sea was then 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.
0650A/3 - 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 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 two explosions were heard aboard the ship. Two 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.
1023A/3 - Proceeded to the westward. (4)
6 Sep 1940
Around 1200A/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Rosyth. (4)
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. (18)
12 Sep 1940
Around 2030A/12, 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.
(19)
20 Sep 1940
At 0930A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) two small auxiliary naval craft, thought to be minesweepers, were sighted passing through the Bocca Piccola in line ahead steering southwards. They came to within 3000 yards and then remained stopped. Later in the morning they returned the same way they had come.
P.M. two coasters were seen to leave and one to enter Naples Bay through the Bocca Piccola all keeping very close to the coast. (4)
21 Sep 1940
At 0900A/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a coaster of about 1000 tons entering Naples Bay through the Bocca Piccola from the eastward. She was keeping close inshore.
1030A/21, two small naval auxiliary vessels with a sweep between them passed close to Galli Island on course 075°.
P.M. a laden coaster passed close inshore going eastwards. (4)
22 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant vessel Provvidenza (8459 GRT, built 1913) about 4 nautical miles south-east of Ischia Island, Italy.
According to Italian sources Provvidenza was in ballast when hit and five torpedo tracks (not three!) were seen. The entire crew was rescued. There is no mention of an escort when and perhaps the escort sighted just happened to be in the area as well.
0826A/22 - 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.
0839A/22 - Fired two 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.
0924A/22 - 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 1220A/22 - Truant was shaken by six distant explosions in groups of three while making off to the South-West at 130 feet. (19)
26 Sep 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked the Italian naval auxiliary Petrarca (3329 GRT, built 1910) with four torpedoes. All torpedoes missed their target.
According to Italian sources two torpedo tracks were sighted. Torpedo boats and MAS boats from La Maddalena were ordered to hunt the enemy submarine but no contact appears to have been made.
0720A/26 - 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.
0820A/26 - 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.
1800A/26 - Sighted a MAS boat at a range of 4000 yards. She appeared to be hunting. She disappeared towards Bonifacio twenty minutes later.
1910A/26 - Truant surfaced to find two desroyers / torpedo boats 1500 yards away apparently laying stopped or proceeding very slowly. Truant immediately dived again and retired to the southward apparently not having been detected. (19)
29 Sep 1940
Around 0030A/29, in position 39°59'N, 14°47'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a hospital ship proceeding on a course of 190° at a speed of 6 knots. (4)
3 Oct 1940
Around 0745A/3, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (19)
7 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No.1 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (20)
10 Oct 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (20)
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.
Before departure compass adjustment and D/G trials were carried out.
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(19)
21 Oct 1940
Around 0730A/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean), which had been uneventful, at Alexandria.
(19)
7 Nov 1940
Around 1700B/7, 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.
(19)
14 Nov 1940
Around 1230B/14, when north-north-east of Tripoli, in approximate position 33°10'N, 13°17'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted three minesweepers bearing 180°. They were in line abreast and closed to 1000 yards before turning back. (21)
15 Nov 1940
Around 0900B/15, when north-north-east of Tripoli, in approximate position 33°10'N, 13°19'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted three sailing schooners in line ahead proceeding on a course of 175°. They were not attacked so as not to give away the submarines position an wait for bigger pray. (4)
19 Nov 1940
Around 1300B/19, when north-north-east of Tripoli, in approximate position 33°10'N, 13°20'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted three minesweepers approaching from the south. Carried out a dummy attack on them and than followed them up the swept channel. On closing Tripoli no shipping was seen outside and inside the harbour. (4)
20 Nov 1940
Around 0700B/20, when north of Tripoli, in approximate position 33°13'N, 13°07'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted two merchant vessels of about 5000 tons approaching from the westward at a range of about 5 nautical miles. They were in line ahead. It was just getting light.
Truant altered course towards and increased to full speed to close.
By 0710A/20, the enemy course was estimated as being 340°. As it got lighter the mast and funnel of smaller ship, most likely an escort vessel, could be seen ahead of them.
At 0730A/20, HMS Truant dived. Tee range could not be sufficiently closed to start an attack.'
At 1855A/20, a large two-funnelled ship was seen which turned out to be a fully illuminated merchant vessel. She was steering 075° at a speed of 5 to 6 knots. HMS Truant dived when the range was 3000 yards. The hospital ship passed at a range of 1000 yards. (4)
22 Nov 1940
At 1825B/22, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) surfaced after a day of submerged patrol to the north-north-east of Tripoli. She then set course to proceed to position 35°00'N, 12°00'E as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1410B/21. (4)
23 Nov 1940
At 0655B/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) dived in position 35°00'N, 12°00'E. Nothing was sighted all day.
At 1615B/23, HMS Truant surfaced and left patrol to proceed to Malta as ordered in the Vice-Admiral Malta's signal timed 1715B/21. (4)
24 Nov 1940
Around 0745B/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
(19)
25 Nov 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (22)
1 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (23)
8 Dec 1940
Around 1715A/8, 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.
(4)
11 Dec 1940
At 2332A/11, in position 38°43'N, 16°39'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a ship almost dead ahead. This was soon seen to be a destroyer. Range was 4000 yards. Main engines were stopped. It was intended to attack with four torpedoes but this idea was abandoned when the destroyer turned towards and HMS Truant dived. (24)
12 Dec 1940
At 0005A/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) picked up HE from a destroyer. The enemy remained in the vicinity for about half an hour. (4)
13 Dec 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant vessel Sebastiano Bianchi (1546 GRT, built 1920) south of Calabria, Italy in position 37°58'N, 16°15'E.
The other ship was however not an escort vessel but the According to Italian merchant vessel Pertusola (1504 GRT, built 1882) on passage from Sant'Antioco to Taranto. She picked up the survivors of the Sebastiano Bianchi. No escort appears to have been present. The Italians attributed the sinking to a mine.
2140A/13 - In position 38°05'N, 15°47'E sighted ships on port bow. On approaching them two ships could be distinguished, 1 large and 1 small. The rear ship was a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons and heavily laden. Started attack.
2158A/13 - Fired six torpedoes from 2000 yards. All torpedoes however missed ahead.
2203A/13 - Fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards.
2204A/13 - Dived. Shortly afterwards two loud explosions were heard, followed by sinking noises. No HE was heard afterwards.
2215A/13 - Saw the escort laying stopped. reloaded on torpedo tube. The escort however got underway before the reload was completed. (4)
16 Dec 1940 2216A/15 - While patrolling of Cape Colonne, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed what looked like two destroyers laying stopped ahead at a range of 8000 yards. Closed at 8 knots. After half an hour the range had not decreased so apparently the enemy was not laying stopped after all.
2240A/15 - 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.
2330A/15 - 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.
0030A/16 - 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.
0126A/16 - Fired three 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.
0128A/16 - Fired two more torpedoes from very close range. Both hit and the tanker sank very quickly.
0140A/16 - 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.
HMS Truant then left patrol to return to Malta. (4) 17 Dec 1940 17 Dec 1940 18 Dec 1940 28 Dec 1940 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 30 Dec 1940 At 1720A/28, HMS Truant sighted two large two-funnelled passenger liners (most likely troopships) to the south-west at a range of about 6 nautical miles. Their course was estimated to be 280°. HMS Truant closed at full submerged speed on course 210°.
At 1730A/28, a third liner (troopship) was sighted forming up astern of the other two. Their course was now estimated as being 320°. No escort was visible but it was rapidly getting dark. HMS Truant was not in a position to launch torpedoes.
At 1748A/28, HMS Truant surfaced and proceeded at full speed on a parallel course. Ahead of the convoy flashing lights were seen which came from escort vessels.
At 1815A/28, two destroyers were sighted on Truant's port quarter and she had to dive to avoid being sighted. All hopes of attacking the convoy were now gone.
The convoy sighted by HMS Truant had just left Tripoli for Naples where it arrived on 1 January 1941. The convoy was made up of the Italian liners (troopships) Conte Rosso (17897 GRT, built 1922), Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920) and Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912). They were escorted by the destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi (S.O. of the escort), Antonio Da Noli, Luca Tarigo, Lanzerotto Malocello (parted company later and proceeded to Trapani) and the torpedo boat Sirio. (25) 31 Dec 1940 Later that day HMS Truant is detected and depth charged by, most likely, the Alcione about 30 nautical miles north of Tripoli, Libya.
Italian sources give the following; at 2015B/31, Alcione sighted a submerging submarine at a distance of 800-900 metres and attacked, dropping four 100-kg depth charges set at depths from 50 to 75 metres and a single 50-kg depth charge set at 50 metres.
An Italian seaplane from the 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.
0925A/31, in position 33°12'N, 13°03'E, Truant sighted a 5000 tons merchant vessel with an escort ahead hull down. They were proceeding on course 280°. Truant closed at speed but when the range was still 5000 yards the enemy altered course to 320° and the attack had to be abandoned.
1917A/31 - 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.
2320A/31 - Nothing in sight, surfaced. (4) 5 Jan 1941 At 1912A/5, HMS Truant left the area off Tobruk to patrol off Khoms and Misurata.
At 2050A/5, when in position 33°17'N, 13°30'E, HMS Truant sighed a small craft ahead closing on a bearing of approximately 290°. It was believed to be a patrol vessel. HMS Truant dived to 150 feet. HE was picked up from reciprocating engines.
At 2135A/5, HMS Truant surfaced in position 33°18'N, 13°30'E and commenced to chase the enemy vessel. The pursuit was abandoned after an hour as it was not possible to catch up with the enemy. Course was then set to resume the passage eastwards. (4) 9 Jan 1941 11 Jan 1941 15 Jan 1941 28 Jan 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 29 Jan 1941 31 Jan 1941 1 Feb 1941 HMS Truant then proceeded down the swept channel to conduct a periscope reconnaissance of the harbour which showed the hospital ship and at least five medium seized merchant vessels to be present. Aircraft were patrolling in the area throughout.
At 1715A/1, HMS Truant was in position 311° - Benghazi Lighthouse - 13 miles smoke was sighted bearing 130°.
At 1805A/1, a convoy was sighted made up of a small tanker in ballast and a 4000 tons cargo ship. An escort was seen ahead and probably there was also one astern. They were proceeding to the southwest down the coastal route.
At 1927A/1, HMS Truant surfaced to attempt to intercept the convoy while keeping outside the 100 fathom line but the convoy was not seen again and shortly after midnight HMS Truant turned back towards Benghazi.
The convoy sighted was most likely the one made up of the transports Giovinezza (Italian, 2362 GRT, built 1925), Multedo (Italian, 1143 GRT, built 1884) and the tanker Utilitas (Italian, 5310 GRT, built 1918). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Cigno and Centauro which had departed Bengazi around 1700B/1 for Tripoli. (25) 2 Feb 1941 3 Feb 1941 0730B/3 - Sighted masts and funnel of a liner steering for Benghazi. Course of ship was 131°. This ship turned out to be a hospital ship.
0735B/3 - Sighted masts and funnel of a liner steering 035°. Started attack.
0745B/3 - The enemy altered course to 095°. Two 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 three 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.
Around 6 and around 8 minutes after firing the first torpedo Truant was shaken by heavy explosions. (4) 4 Feb 1941 1315B/4 - Proceeded up channel to attack shipping leaving the harbour at sunset.
1615B/4 - The ship attacked yesterday [this was the tranport Calino (Italian, 5186 GRT, built 1940)] was seen leaving the harbour with the escort of a destroyer and possibly even two [Giuseppe La Farina apparently escort her very briefly and then joined the convoy]. They 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 three 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 / 12 minutes after firing faint explosions were heard. These were most likely the remaining torpedoes exploding on the bottom at the ended of their run.
Later Capt. S.1 sent a signal (timed 2311B/4) ordering Truant to patrol off Tripoli. (4) 7 Feb 1941 9 Feb 1941 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 Italian destroyers Luca Tarigo (Senior Officer of the escort), Freccia, Saetta and the Italian torpedo boat Aldebaran. The attack appears not to have been observed by the Italians.
2220B/9 - In position 33°41'N, 13°51'E sighted enemy ships to the southward steering 350°, range was between 7 and 8 nautical miles.
2230B/9 - Two liners and two escorts could easily be distinguished. There were probably more, possibly another liner and another escort. Dived to attack.
2300B/9 - Fired six torpedoes, three at each liner. All missed, no explosions were heard and the convoy continued on its course.
2325B/9 - Surfaced to find no ships at all in sight. (4) 11 Feb 1941 At 1634B/11 HMS Truant attacked the same ship with three 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 although Lt.Cdr. Haggard claimed to have sunk the ship.
The convoy sighed was made up of the above mentioned transport Bainsizza and the transport Attilio Deffenu (Italian, 3510 GRT, built 1929). They were escorted by the italian armed merchant cruiser Attilio Deffenu (3510 GRT, built 1929).
1310B/11 - 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.
1411B/11 - 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.
1416B/11 - 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.
1426B/11 - Abandoned the attack.
1630B/11 - In position 33°46'N, 12°57'E heard ships propellers on the hydrophones.
1634 hours - Sighted the three ships that were attacked two hours earlier, bearing 300°, course 118°, range 6500 yards. The escort was well clear on the Starboard side and the other two ships were zig-zagging. There was an air escort of two seaplanes. Started attack on the largest merchant.
1709 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 2000 yards. 1 min. and 46 sec. after firing the first torpedo heard an explosion followed by crackling noises and small explosions.
1717B/11 - 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.
1720B/11 - The escort passed close dropping 6 depth charges. Some lights were knocked out. Went to 150 feet. No further depth charges were dropped.
2140B/11 - Surfaced and left patrol to proceed to Malta. (4) 13 Feb 1941 In the afternoon, Truant proceeded to the Malta dockyard where she was docked in No.1 dock for repairs. (4) 19 Feb 1941 4 Mar 1941 5 Mar 1941 On departure a practice attack was made on the A/S trawler HMS Coral. (4) 5 Mar 1941 8 Mar 1941 The ship sighted must have been the transport Silvio Scaroni (Italian, 1394 GRT, built 1920). (25) 9 Mar 1941 10 Mar 1941 The situation was the same in the evening of the 11th and 12th. (4) 13 Mar 1941 Truant patrolled off Buerat during the day. It was intended to enter the harbour by moonlight and attack the cargo ship at anchor but by 1830B/13 a sandstorm had reduced visibility to 3 cables and the idea had to be abandoned.
At 1850B/13, HMS Truant surfaced and proceeded to patrol off Khoms. (4) 14 Mar 1941 Lt.Cdr. Haggard at once ordered HMS Truant to return to Buerat.
At 0520B/14, HMS Truant dived off Buerat. Visibility was now good.
At 1000B/14, HE was heard and soon afterwards a destroyer was sighted which left the harbour and was now proceeding making up the coast on a course of 320° while keeping inside the 100 fathom line. [perhaps this was the torpedo boat Castore.]
The destroyer passed with 5000 yards and was scarcely seen as it was very difficult to maintain periscope depth due to the heavy swell in water this shallow. At the same time a schooner was seen entering the harbour. HMS Truant eventually had to retire into deeper water as she kept on grounding.
Subsequent reconnaissance of the anchorage / harbour showed probably one and possibly two destroyers present as well as two schooners and a cargo ship at anchor.
At 1800A/14, HMS Truant and proceeded towards Khoms to patrol there. (25) 16 Mar 1941 18 Mar 1941 19 Mar 1941 Costanza was an engine-aft ship and looked like a tanker. The other ship present was the transport / refrigeration ship Amba Alagi (talian, 450 GRT, built 1932).
0445B/19 - In position 024° Buerat lighthouse 10 nautical miles. Dived and bottomed.
0715B/19 - Closed the anchorage for reconnaissance. Saw that there were only two 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.
1944B/19 - Surfaced to attack the tanker.
2000B/19 - Closed the anchorage further.
2025B/19 - Fired two 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.
2040B/19 - HMS Truant left patrol and set course to proceed to Alexandria. (4) 23 Mar 1941 10 Apr 1941 13 Apr 1941 On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS KOS XIX (Lt. L.H. Davies, RNR). Also a practice attack was made on this A/S whaler. (4) 13 Apr 1941 15 Apr 1941 HMS Truant was also informed that a vessel had left Benghazi for Derna in the afternoon. HMS Truant then continued her passage westwards keeping close to the coast to thy to intercept this vessel. (4) 16 Apr 1941 1624B/16 - Sighted a heavily laden barque approaching from the West.
1640B/16 - Surfaced and opened fire with the 4" gun.
1655B/16 - The target was now well ablaze, broke off the attack.
1700B/16 - The target blew up and sank.
1705B/16 - Dived in position 32°58'N, 21°58'E.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1920B/16 - Heard HE approaching from the eastward. Altered course to the south to close. It was rapidly getting dark and by now periscope visibility was only 4000 yards.
1936B/16 - Surfaced in position 33.04'N, 21.59'E on the quarters of a destroyer thought to be a V&W-class proceeding to the south-west. As the destroyer appeared to turn towards Truant dived again and made the submerged recognition signal. Then surfaced again and made the recognition signal twice with the Aldis lamp. The destroyer proceeded to the west. She was signalling with a lamp too dim to read.
The destroyers HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall-A'Deane, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) had departed Tobruk at 1430B/16 for an anti-shipping raid along the coast towards Tolmeita. Most likely the destroyer sighted was thus HMAS Vendetta.
2004B/16 - Set course to patrol off Tolmeita.
2230B/16 - Received Capt. S 1's signal 1705B/16 instructing HMS Truant not to operate to the east of Benghazi so as to keep clear of destroyer patrols. It was not possible to comply with this signal as Truant was still too far to the east of Benghazi. (30) 18 Apr 1941 At 0335A/18, course was altered to the west to comply. Truant remained on the surface during daylight hours but had to dive twice for approaching low flying aircraft. (4) 18 Apr 1941 Timespan 18 to 23 April 1941. (All times are zone C/-3)
18 April 1941.
Around 0700 hours 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 1935C/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.
(31) 20 Apr 1941 At 1100B/20, three trawlers approached from the west steering 100°. They were sweeping in line abreast. They were followed by a large barque and about five miles astern of her a small tanker, probably Cerere (Italian, 1267 GRT, built 1915) followed. No escort was seen.
The 'tanker' sighted must have been the transport Costanza (Italian, 548 GRT, built 1902) that had left Tripoli around 0830B/20 for Benghazi. [Costanza was an engine-aft ship and looked like a tanker.]
Reluctantly no attack was made so as to not give the submarines position away.
At 1830B/20, HMS Truant bottomed 4 miles to the north of Ras Tajura. (28) 21 Apr 1941 Later on this day Truant attacks a Italian naval auxiliary with two torpedoes off Tripoli, Libya. Both torpedoes missed their target. The Italian transport Rosa (Italian, 559 GRT, built 1913) reported being attacked by a submarine 10 miles to the east of Tripoli.
0250B/21 - Surfaced to act as a navigational beacon for the Battlefleet.
0345B/21 -The Battlefleet was seen to pass close astern. Truant now proceeded eastwards at speed to clear the area.
0415B/21 - The bombardment of Tripoli started.
0545B/21 - HMS Truant dived and closed the coast.
1330B/21 - In position 033° - Ras Tajura - 3.5 nautical miles sighted an Italian auxiliary to the southward. Closed to attack.
1410 hours - In only 50 feet of water fired two torpedoes from 2000 yards. The torpedoes were sighted by the enemy which altered course to avoid and it looked like she was beaching herself.
1430B/21 - HMS Truant surfaced in position 32°54'N, 13°38'E to retire to the seaward at speed on the surface
1457B/21 - Shore batteries opened fire. They fell around 4000 yards short. 15 minutes later more salvoes followed but these too fell 4000 yards short.
1520B/21 - An aircraft was sighted in the distance flying along the coast. HMS Truant dived in position 33°00'N, 13°38'E. (32) 22 Apr 1941 After 12 minutes when the range was 2500 yards the destroyer altered course 110° away leaving Truant astern. She subsequently proceeded along the coast on course 270°. (28) 26 Apr 1941 Course was set accordingly. (4) 30 Apr 1941 1 May 1941 Around 2015B/1, 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 two days.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 5 May 1941 During the remainder of the morning three small vessels were sighted proceeding to the south-west close inshore.
Also an armed tug with a diesel fishing vessel in company passed close by proceeding to the north-east. They returned to the south-west about two hours later. (4) 6 May 1941 0520B/6 - Dived and proceeded towards Tavoli.
0700B/6 - Sighted masts and funnel of a ship to the East.
0710B/6 - The enemy altered 90° to Starboard to steer for Cavoli. Closed to attack.
0735B/6 - Fired two torpedoes. Obtained one hit just before the funnel. The enemy sank in a few minutes in position 090° - Cavoli Lighthouse - 1.0 nautical mile [131° - Cavoli Lighthouse - 3.0 nautical miles according to Italian sources].
Set course to clear the coast. (4) 7 May 1941 At 2006B/7, HMS Truant surfaced in position 38°45'N, 08°53'E and left patrol to proceed to Gibraltar. (4) 8 May 1941 1428B/8 - 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.
1800B/8 - 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 Sete, 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. (4) 11 May 1941 0150A/11 - In position 36°50'N, 00°45'W, sighted a French destroyer and four submarines in line ahead. (This was the Vichy French torpedo boat La Bayonnaise and the submarines Antiope, Diane, Eurydice and Thetis.)
0158A/11 - Gallium signalled the destroyer that she had been seized by the British submarine.
0200A/11 - The French destroyer ordered Gallium to follow her. Gallium proceeded accordingly.
0220A/11 - 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. (4) 12 May 1941 20 May 1941 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.
(4) 28 May 1941 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. (4) 1 Jun 1941 At 1200P/1, HMS Truant was in position 41°47'N, 44°45'W.
By 1400P/1, it was obvious the contact could not be overtaken. The estimated course of the contact was 210°. The chase was broken off and a signal was sent to the Admiralty regarding the possible enemy supply vessel in the area (HMS Truant's signal timed 1626Z/1).
The Admiralty considered it unlikely the ship was enemy. (4) 6 Jun 1941 7 Jun 1941 8 Jun 1941 Later that day she departed Newport for Portsmouth Navy Yard via the Cape Cod Canal. (4) 9 Jun 1941 17 Jun 1941 17 Jul 1941 17 Aug 1941 28 Aug 1941 31 Aug 1941 1 Sep 1941 5 Sep 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(36) 9 Sep 1941 11 Sep 1941 12 Sep 1941 14 Sep 1941 Around the same time two corvettes also departed the harbour and were most likely also taking part in the exercises, these were; HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR).
Later in the day HMS Truant also made a practice attack on a merchant vessel. (37) 16 Sep 1941 In the evening, she also conducted gunnery exercises off St. John's firing on a target that was being towed by HMRT Prudent. (37) 17 Sep 1941 Later HMS Truant also carried out gunnery exerices. (37) 19 Sep 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(38) 29 Sep 1941 3 Oct 1941 8 Oct 1941 10 Oct 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(38) 12 Oct 1941 16 Oct 1941 17 Oct 1941 18 Oct 1941 Later this day, around 1930A/18, she departed from Malta 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.
(38) 19 Oct 1941 22 Oct 1941 23 Oct 1941 The convoy attacked was made up, besides of the two ships mentioned above, of the transports Balcic (Rumanian, 3600 GRT, built 1940) and Balkan (Bulgarian, 3823 GRT, built 1914). The convoy was on passage from Patras to Brindisi. The Virginia S. sank in four minutes. 35 survivors were picked up by the Arborea and landed at Bari.
0825A/23 - 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.
0835A/23 - Started attack on the escort.
0900A/23 - 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.
0914A/23 - 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.
0942A/23 - 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. Four or five depth charges were dropped after the attack most likely by the armed merchant cruiser. (38) 24 Oct 1941 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 ship is damaged by fire but was salvaged.. The coastal battery from Mola di Bari opened fire forcing the submarine to submerge. MAS boats and aircraft were sent to hunt the enemy submarine.
0655A/24 - Sighted a 3500 tons cargo ship in ballast proceeding to the South East along the coast. Started attack.
0725A/24 - Fired one torpedo but it missed.
0735A/24 - Surfaced in position 41°07'N, 17°00'E and engaged with gunfire until the ship was on fire.
0800A/24 - Sighted an aircraft. Dived.
1200A/24 - Sighted three motor A/S boats approaching the burning ship from the south-east. (38) 27 Oct 1941 Later a transport ship in ballast was seen leaving Ancona but the range could not be closed sufficiently to attack.
0050A/27 - Stopped 2500 yards from the shore 3.5 nautical miles to the south-east of Senigallia.
0100A/27 - The party left the submarine in their Folbot.
A northbound electric train passed soon after the Folbot had left and at 0145A/27 a steam and electric train were seen crossing on the train tracks ahead of the submarine.
0210A/27 - Saw the lights of a southbound electric train at Senigallia about half a mile from where the Folbot had landed. The train was seen to slow down and sounding its whistle. Then two shots were heard and it looked like the train would be able to stop in time.
0230A/27 - A large yellow flash was seen just behind the trains engine followed by the sound of a massive explosion.
0240A/27 - The Folbot came alongside. Truant had meanwhile closed to 1400 yards from the shore. While disembarking the gear the Folbot capsized and some of the gear was lost.
0240A/27 - HMS Truant left the area.
0715A/27 - Sighted a merchant vessel of about 2500 tons and in ballast leaving Ancona. The range could not be closed to less than 3500 yards so no torpedoes were fired. 29 Oct 1941 Between 1050A/29 and 1242A/29 sound transmissions were heard near the Galiola lighthouse. It was thought these were enemy submarines communicating with each other during exercises.
At 2330A/29, Capt. S 1's signal timed 1821B/29 was received recalling HMS Truant from patrol. Course was then set to leave patrol and proceed to Alexandria. (38) 31 Oct 1941 The convoy consisted of the above mentioned Meteor as well as the tankers Luisiano (Italian, 2631 GRT, built 1917) and Italian Devoli (Italian former Yugoslavian, 3177 GRT, built 1939). 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.
1500A/31 - 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.
1559A/31 - Fired four 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.
1630A/31 - Started to make efforts to get to deeper water by going astern. This was however soon abandoned as the torpedo boat came nearer.
1652A/31 - Sunset.
1711A/31 - The torpedo boat passed directly overhead.
1715A/31 - Got underway again, going slowly astern.
1745A/31 - Went ahead, turned, and proceeded to seaward.
1825A/31 - Surfaced. There was a strong smell of oil in the area. (38) 8 Nov 1941 23 Nov 1941 24 Nov 1941 She however has to turn back towards Alexandria the following day due to defects.
She arrived back at Alexandria around 0730B/26. (40) 30 Nov 1941 Shortly after noon she participated in A/S exercises, possibly with HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Jackal (Lt.Cdr. R.McC.P. Jonas, DSC, RN) and HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St.Clair Ford, RN) which also departed Alexandria shortly after noon. (38) 30 Nov 1941 4 Dec 1941 Two small merchant vessels could be seen inside Suda Bay.
At 0900B/4, four small two-masted boats were seen leaving the harbour. They were all flying the Greek ensign. (41) 6 Dec 1941 7 Dec 1941 0826B/7 - 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.
0847B/7 - 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.
0853B/7 - Came to periscope depth. Saw the merchant ship laying stopped, beam on.
0857B/7 - The destroyer started dropping depth charges. All were close but not very close. Some minor damage was caused.
0928B/7 - The twentieth and last depth charge was dropped. (38) 11 Dec 1941 This convoy was made up of the tankers Elli (Italian, former Greek Ismini, 314 GRT, built 1878) and 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.
1320B/11 - 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.
1432B/11 - 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.
1450B/11 - 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. (38) 13 Dec 1941 14 Dec 1941 16 Dec 1941 16 Dec 1941 18 Dec 1941 24 Dec 1941 4 Jan 1942 5 Jan 1942 7 Jan 1942 11 Jan 1942 12 Jan 1942 Around 1605B/12, she departed Suez for Aden.
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(42) 17 Jan 1942 25 Jan 1942 1 Feb 1942 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(43) 5 Feb 1942 At 1345FG/5, an aircraft was launched to investigate the object and if needed to attack it.
At 1347FG/5, the submarine dived, obviously having sighted the aircraft. USS Boise meanwhile went to battle stations.
At 1407FG/5, USS Boise sent a signal to ComSoWesPac reporting a submarine contact in position 03°00'S, 96°10'E at 1345FG/5.
At 1420FG/5, the submarine surfaced and exchanged recognition signals with the aircraft. The submarine was subsequently identified as being HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) on passage from Colombo to Batavia.
At 1457FG/5, a signal was sent to ComSoWesPac that the submarine was friendly. (44) 8 Feb 1942 9 Feb 1942 11 Feb 1942 18 Feb 1942 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 20 Feb 1942 At 0432GH/20, HMS Truant surfaced and proceeded.
At 0500FG/20, a destroyer was sighted ahead and HMS Truant again dived. The destroyer passed to the northward and at dawn, half an hour later she could not be seen through the periscope. HMS Truant than proceeded towards Ampenan [now called Mataram] on the west coast of Lombok Island where landings had been reported.
During the forenoon a total of four destroyers were sighted to thee south-west probably guarding the northern entrance to Badung Strait.
At 1200GH/20, an air attack on these destroyers was observed. The bombing appeared to be very accurate with the destroyers being completely hidden by large splashes. Not more then two destroyers were seen at the same time again.
In the afternoon the Ampenan anchorage was examined. No enemy shipping was sighted. A building, probably a storehouse, was seen burning throughout the night.
At 1900GH/20, HMS Truant surfaced and charged close to Ampenan to keep clear of the destroyer patrols.
The following Japanese warships were in the area on this day; light cruiser Nagara (Capt T. Naoi, flagship of Rear-Admiral K. Kubo) and the destroyers Hatsushimo (Lt.Cdr. S. Kohama), Nenohi (Lt.Cdr. T. Chihagi), Wakaba (Lt.Cdr. M. Kuroki), Asashio (Lt.Cdr. G. Yoshii), Oshio (Cdr. K. Kikkawa) Arashio (Cdr. H. Kuboki) and Michishio (Lt.Cdr. M. Ogura) (all offsite links). And the ships seen by HMS Truant mustt thus have been out of the above. (4) 24 Feb 1942 On 23 February 1942 a troop convoy had departed Makassar for Bali. It was made up of the transports Okitsu Maru, Rakuto Maru, Taito Maru, Toyosaka Maru and Hino Maru No.3. The convoy was escorted by the destroyers Harusame (Lt.Cdr. S. Tomita), Murasame (Lt.Cdr. N. Suenaga), Yudachi (Lt.Cdr. H. Ishii) and Samidare (Cdr. T. Matsubara) (all offsite links). Cover for this convoy was provided by the above mentioned Nagara and other warships, most likely other destroyers so these were possibly again the Hatsushimo (Lt.Cdr. S. Kohama), Nenohi (Lt.Cdr. T. Chihagi) and Wakaba (Lt.Cdr. M. Kuroki) (all offsite links).
HMS Truant claimed to have attacked the cruiser out of a group of six ships, three of which were thought to the transports with a cruiser and two destroyers escorting.
2045GH/24 - While on patrol to north of Lombok Strait, in position 354°, Pulau Terawangan, 22 nautical miles sighted smoke of several ships ahead bearing 020°.
2100GH/24 - Distinguished six ships. Three were thought to be transports, the other cruisers or destroyers.
2105GH/24 - 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.
2148GH/24 - Fired six torpedoes from 1200 yards. Enemy speed was 12 knots. Two hits were obtained (two dull thuds were heard) but both torpedoes failed to explode. Truant was now depth charged. Two were very close and rocked the submarine.
2348GH/24 - Asdic transmissions of the destroyers died away. Came to periscope depth and saw two destroyers leaving the area. (4) 25 Feb 1942 At 0500GH/25, HMS Truant dived at the entrance to Badung Strait and proceeded up the Strait on course 280°. At daylight no shipping was in sight.
At 0735GH/25, Lembongang Island was abeam. Still there was no sign of the enemy transports or other landing vessels but three destroyers now could be sighted approaching from the north-east and a small fast A/S craft from the north.
At 0740FG/25, HMS Truant turned 180° towards the destroyers to retire from the area as the convoy could still not be seen.
At 0754FG/25, three heavy explosions were heard thought to be depth charges from the destroyers which were now seen passing to the northwards. They later disappeared to the west while proceeding in line ahead.
The small A/S craft remained in close proximity moving up and down the port side transmitting on Asdic. She never seemed to be in contact though.
By 1200FG/25 enough progress had been made to reduce speed. The A/S craft was still close and may have heard the motors.
At 1400FG/25, the A/S craft's A/S transmissions, which had ceased for some time, resumed.
At 1500FG/25, the A/S craft was close astern. HMS Truant had now been followed for seven hours so altered course 30° to port, went deep and increased speed.
At 1800FG/25, HMS Truant returned to periscope depth. There was nothing in sight.
At 2000FG/25, Truant surfaced in position 08°30'S, 115°45'E to return to Surabaya as meanwhile had been ordered by the Dutch C.Z.M. [C-in-C]. (4) 26 Feb 1942 27 Feb 1942 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(4) 28 Feb 1942 1 Mar 1942 Truant altered course to close the range but an attack would not be possible unless the enemy would turn towards. When the range was about 5 nautical miles the destroyer turned towards while the cruisers maintained their course. HMS Truant dived. It was not expected at first that HMS Truant had been sighted but as the destroyer came to within 1000 yards and then started circling while transmitting on Asdics she may have been.
The destroyer was definitely recognised as Japanese and would have been attacked as she turned short of Truant if the submarine had been able to turn in time but duo to only one shaft being available she could not.
At 0210FG/2, when no more A/S transmissions had been heard for half an hour HMS Truant surfaced.
At 0215FG/2, one of two destroyers in sight on the port side altered course towards so HMS Truant dived again.
At 0218FG/2, there were four loud, clear, metallic, double bangs as though the hull was being hit by a hammer. This must have been depth charges. Both destroyers were heard transmitting on Asdics for a short period but were never in contact.
At 0330FG/2, it was hoped that a little more miles could be made on the surface and preparations were made to do so but than more A/S transmissions were picked up.
At 1200FG/2, when in position 070° - Krakatau - 7 nautical miles a destroyer appeared and she closed HMS Truant and she then remained close. Stopping several times while transmitting on Asdics. She remained in close company until 1600FG/2.
At 1943FG/2, HMS Truant surfaced in position 06°22'S, 105°09'E and proceeded on her one operational engine.
At 2230FG/2, it was found possible to start up the second engine. (4) 8 Mar 1942 22 Mar 1942 23 Mar 1942 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 1 Apr 1942 1940F/1 - Sighted three ships bearing 285°, steering south-east. Dived and started attack.
2013F/1 - 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.
2113F/1 - Fired two 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.
2127F/1 - Surfaced and set off in pursuit of the third ship that had left the scene steering north-eeast. The chase was abandoned within the hour. (4) 10 Apr 1942 12 Apr 1942 4 May 1942 12 May 1942 18 May 1942 19 May 1942 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 28 May 1942 1030F/27 - While Truant was 4 nautical miles to the west of Salang Island sighted smoke bearing 295°. Altered course towards.
1130F/27 - 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.
1150F/27 - 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].
1207F/27 - Dived. But the position was found to be unfavourable to attack so surfaced nearly 1.5 hours after diving.
1357F/27 - Dived again as the nearest ship came closer. The convoy was seen to circle for a while.
1615F/27 - The convoy proceeded in a South-Westerly direction. Meanwhile Truants battery power was getting rather low.
1658F/27 - Surfaced and proceeded to get ahead of the convoy.
1755F/27 - Sunset.
1805F/27 - 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 1920F/27.
2300F/27 - 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.
2310F/27 - Passed close to a small steam craft on opposite course.
2315F/27 - 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.
0005F/28 - 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.
0036F/28 - 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.
0146F/28 - Surfaced. (4) 6 Jun 1942 22 Jun 1942 23 Jun 1942 On her return to harbour, HMS Truant made four runs over the D/G range. (48) 26 Jun 1942 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
(4) 3 Jul 1942 1700F/3 - In position 320°, Jemur (Aroa Islands), 20 nautical miles sighted smoke to the southward.
1707F/3 - Surfaced and sighted masts and funnel of a merchant vessel.
1738F/3 - Sunset. Started attack, distance was still over 10 nautical miles.
2145F/3 - 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. (4) 5 Jul 1942 1530F/5 - Sighted the smoke of two ships to the south East. Surfaced and closed to attack at high speed.
1540F/5 - Dived, the ships were not yet in sight.
1650F/5 - 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.
1742F/5 - Fired three torpedoes from 1500 yards, all missed. Both ships continued on their course and it appeared the attack was not observed.
1820F/5 - Surfaced and chased the enemy at high speed to attack them again.
1924F/5 - Sighted the bow wave of a small craft coming up from astern. This vessel was going quite fast.
1926F/5 - A searchlight was put directly on Truant which subsequently dived.
1928F/5 - 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. (4) 15 Jul 1942 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. (4) 27 Jul 1942 8 Aug 1942 12 Aug 1942 24 Aug 1942 29 Aug 1942 31 Aug 1942 1 Sep 1942 For the daily positions of HMS Truant during this passage see the map below.
(4) 8 Sep 1942 HMS Truant departed around 1600D/8 to continue her passage to Kilindini / Mombasa. (4) 12 Sep 1942 18 Sep 1942 19 Sep 1942 23 Sep 1942 26 Sep 1942 27 Sep 1942 28 Sep 1942 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. (52) 6 Oct 1942 14 Oct 1942 15 Oct 1942 16 Oct 1942 18 Oct 1942 21 Oct 1942 HMS Truant had now been ordered to patrol off Novo Redondo, Portuguese East Africa (Now Sumbe, Angola). A German U-boat was reported in that area by the lighthouse keeper. Also D/F bearings were picked up on latitude 11°S.
[We can't place an Axis submarine in this location on this day though.] (4) 31 Oct 1942 8 Nov 1942 13 Nov 1942 Early the next morning, around 0140Z/14, HrMs K XIV had to return to Freetown due to technical problems. (4) 28 Nov 1942 29 Nov 1942 4 Dec 1942 5 Dec 1942 14 May 1943 17 May 1943 20 May 1943 21 May 1943 22 May 1943 23 May 1943 2 Jun 1943 5 Jun 1943 7 Jun 1943 8 Jun 1943 10 Jun 1943 11 Jun 1943 12 Jun 1943 14 Jun 1943 16 Jun 1943 17 Jun 1943 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). (56) 18 Jun 1943 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). (56) 19 Jun 1943 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). (56) 21 Jun 1943 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). (56) 22 Jun 1943 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). (56) 23 Jun 1943 During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMIS Narbada (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN). (56) 24 Jun 1943 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). (56) 25 Jun 1943 During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with A/S vessels from the local defence. (56) 26 Jun 1943 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). (56) 27 Jun 1943 29 Jun 1943 1 Jul 1943 3 Jul 1943 4 Jul 1943 Upon completion of these exercises HMS Truant proceeded to Larne. (58) 5 Jul 1943 7 Jul 1943 8 Jul 1943 9 Jul 1943 12 Jul 1943 13 Jul 1943 14 Jul 1943 15 Jul 1943 16 Jul 1943 17 Jul 1943 19 Jul 1943 24 Jul 1943 25 Jul 1943 28 Jul 1943 30 Jul 1943 [No logbook is available for this period and the patrol report does not mentioned noon positions. Therefore no map can be displayed.] (4) 15 Aug 1943 17 Aug 1943 18 Aug 1943 20 Aug 1943 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). (57) 23 Aug 1943 24 Aug 1943 14 Oct 1943 17 Oct 1943 18 Oct 1943 20 Oct 1943 24 Oct 1943 25 Oct 1943 26 Oct 1943 27 Oct 1943 28 Oct 1943 29 Oct 1943 30 Oct 1943 31 Oct 1943 11 Nov 1943 12 Nov 1943 13 Nov 1943 14 Nov 1943 15 Nov 1943 18 Nov 1943 21 Nov 1943 26 Nov 1943 30 Nov 1943 [No logbooks are available for HMS Truant for the months of December 1943, January 1944 and February 1944. Therefore some details for these months will be missing.] (67) 15 Dec 1943 17 Dec 1943 18 Dec 1943 20 Dec 1943 8 Mar 1944 9 Mar 1944 11 Mar 1944 13 Mar 1944 14 Mar 1944 16 Mar 1944 17 Mar 1944 18 Mar 1944 She is forced to abandon this patrol and head back to Lerwick at 0935A/18 due to mechanical problem with leaking muffler valves.
Around 1630A/18, HMS Truant arrived back at Lerwick. (69) 24 Mar 1944 27 Mar 1944 29 Mar 1944 30 Mar 1944 31 Mar 1944 1 Apr 1944 3 Apr 1944 5 Apr 1944 On completion of these exercises she entered Campbeltown harbour. (70) 6 Apr 1944 8 Apr 1944 9 Apr 1944 10 Apr 1944 11 Apr 1944 12 Apr 1944 13 Apr 1944 14 Apr 1944 15 Apr 1944 16 Apr 1944 17 Apr 1944 18 Apr 1944 19 Apr 1944 20 Apr 1944 22 Apr 1944 23 Apr 1944 24 Apr 1944 25 Apr 1944 26 Apr 1944 27 Apr 1944 28 Apr 1944 29 Apr 1944 30 Apr 1944 1 May 1944 2 May 1944 3 May 1944 5 May 1944 6 May 1944 7 May 1944 9 May 1944 15 May 1944 16 May 1944 19 May 1944 20 May 1944 21 May 1944 22 May 1944 25 May 1944 27 May 1944 28 May 1944 29 May 1944 31 May 1944 2 Jun 1944 HMS Truant also made a practice attack on HMS Starling. (73) 4 Jun 1944 12 Jun 1944 22 Jun 1944 She anchored off the Iron Rock Ledges, off the south-west coast of Arran, at 2140B/22. En-route there exercises had been carried out in the Clyde area which included a practice attack on HMS Shikari (Lt. E.H.U. Cautley, RNVR).
She weighed anchor around 0830B/23 and joined the convoy off Oversay around 1500B/23.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy OS 81 / KMS 55 for 23 June 1944.] (74) 22 Jun 1944 23 Jun 1944 This combined convoy assembled off Oversay on 23 June 1944.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arosa (Norwegian, 5043 GRT, built 1924),
Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930),
Belgian Veteran (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Berwickshire (British, 7464 GRT, built 1912),
Bosphorus (Norwegian, 2111 GRT, built 1934),
Caduceus (British, 4364 GRT, built 1927),
City of Delhi (British, 7443 GRT, built 1925),
Cochrane (British, 7203 GRT, built 1923),
Condesa (British, 10367 GRT, built 1944),
Elizabeth Massey (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929),
Empire Chamois (British, 5684 GRT, built 1918),
Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Planet (British, 4290 GRT, built 1923),
Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927),
Fairwater (British, 4108 GRT, built 1928),
Fort Bourbon (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Colville (British, 7153 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Dauphin (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Frederick (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Jasper (British, 7125 GRT, built 1943),
Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929),
Katanga (Belgian, 5183 GRT, built 1917),
Kindat (British, 4358 GRT, built 1938),
Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917),
Lieutenant de la Tour (French, 5844 GRT, built 1917),
Lorca (British, 4875 GRT, built 1931),
Nijkerk (Dutch, 5843 GRT, built 1915),
Oksywie (Polish, 766 GRT, built 1938),
Pilar de Larrinaga (British, 7352 GRT, built 1918),
Taxiarchis (Greek, 4221 GRT, built 1913),
Teucer (British, 9079 GRT, built 1906),
Van Ruysdael (Dutch, 7862 GRT, built 1938) and
Westbank Park (Canadian 7161 GRT, built 1944).
The French armed merchant cruiser Quercy, submarine HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) and the rescue vessel Dundee (British, 1541 GRT, built 1934) were also part of the convoy.
On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Activity (Capt. C. Wauchope, DSC, RN), destroyer RHN Salamis, frigates HMS Towy (Cdr. H.V. King, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR), HMS Antigua (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR), HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Tintagel Castle (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC and Bar, RNR).
On 24 June 1944, the Arosa arrived at Belfast after having been forced to return to the U.K.
On 26 June 1944, the escort oiler Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) joined the convoy coming from the combined convoy SL 161 / MKS 51.
On 1 July 1944, the Empire Chamois arrived at Fayal, Azores. She was escorted there by the A/S trawler HMS Kingston Amber (T/Lt. R. Adams, RNR).
Around 2345A/1, HMS Activity parted company with the convoy to join the northbound combined convoy SL 162 / MKS 53 which she joined around 0730A/2. She was escorted by HMS Antigua and HMS Knaresborough Castle which returned to convoy OS 81 / KMS 55 after HMS Activity had made rendezvous.
Around 0900A/3, the convoy split in position 35°11'N, 08°44'W.
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Convoy OS 81, towards Freetown, was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Belgian Veteran,
Berwickshire,
Bosphorus,
Condesa,
Katanga,
Oksywie,
Pilar de Larrinaga,
Taxiarchis and
Westbank Park.
On the convoys splitting the Gibraltar section of convoy OS 81 joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Empire Mariott (British, 5970 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Scott (British, 6150 GRT, built 1941),
Finisterre (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909),
Fort de Troyon (French, 5131 GRT, built 1919),
Fort Panmure (French, 7155 GRT, built 1943),
Hilversum (Dutch, 3717 GRT, built 1920) and
Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922).
They had left Gibraltar on 2 July 1944 and were escorted by the sloop HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and the patrol vessels HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR) and HMS Kilmartin (T/Lt. E.H.G. Hope, RNVR) which now formed the escort of convoy OS 81.
Around the same time the Casablanca section also joined. It was made up of the merchant vessels
Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922) and
Sandown Castle (British, 7607 GRT, built 1921).
The escort carrier HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN) (in an aircraft ferry role) was also part of the Casablanca section.
They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the mineweeeping sloop La Gracieuse, Commandant Delage and the patrol vessel L'Indiscret and Le Resolve. These French escorts did not join the convoy but returned to Casablanca taking the Taxiarchis with them.
Around 1400Z/9, the Dakar section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Bosphorus,
Medie II,
Oksywie,
Sandown Castle and
Westbank Park.
The convoy arrived at Freetown on 12 July 1944. Som ships did not enter harbour but proceeded direct to their respective destinations.
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Convoy KMS 55 proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Napier,
Caduceus,
City of Delhi,
Cochrane,
Elizabeth Massey,
Empire Copperfield,
Empire Planet,
Empire Trent,
Fairwater,
Fort Bourbon,
Fort Colville,
Fort Dauphin,
Fort Frederick,
Fort Jasper,
Glaisdale,
Kindat,
Lagarto,
Lieutenant de la Tour,
Lorca,
Nijkerk,
Teucer and
Van Ruisdael.
Also part of convoy KMS 55 were the;
Quercy,
HMS Truant,
Scottish American and
Dundee.
The original escort of the combined convoy OS 81 / KMS 55 went with it to Gibraltar.
On the combined convoy splitting the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Casablanca;
Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938),
Samconon (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Samshire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and
Smith Thompson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
On 4 July 1944, off Gibraltar, the following merchant vessels parted company and entered Gibraltar;
Baron Napier,
Clausina,
Fairwater and
Teucer.
Also HMS Truant and the Scottish American and Dundee entered Gibraltar.
The original escort also entered Gibraltar.
The following merchant vessels Lorraine (French (tanker), 9512 GRT, built 1937) and Samcrest (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy off Gibraltar.
Also a new escort joined the convoy which was made up of the sloops HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN), HMS Amethyst (?), frigate HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau (Cdr. A. de Booy, RNethN) and the corvettes HrMs Friso (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNethN) and Nada.
On 5 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Oran; Fort Frederick, Smith Thompson and the Quercy while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran;
Betty Zane (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Cape Brenton (British, 6044 GRT, built 1940),
Cartago (American, 4732 GRT, built 1908),
Daniel H. Hill (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
George E. Hale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Henry L. Benning (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943),
John B. Gordon (American, 7201 GRT, built 1943),
John Murray Forbes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
John S. Casement (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Joseph Alston (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Lawrence J. Brengle (American, 7209 GRT, built 1944),
Sarah Orne Jewett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944),
Simon Willard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Solomon Juneau (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Van Honthorst (Dutch, 6140 GRT, built 1943) and
William M. Eastland (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944).
On 6 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Fort Colville, Glaisdale, Lieutenant de la Tour, Lorraine, Samshire and Van Honthorst while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
Empire Damsel (British (tanker), 784 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Michipicoten (British, 7152 GRT, 1943),
Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943),
Ocean Glory (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942),
Thistlemuir (British, 7237 GRT, built 1942) and
Thomas F. Cunningham (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943).
On 7 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Bone; Empire Damsel and Empire Trent while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone;
Abbazia (Italian, 3706 GRT, built 1912),
Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938),
Empire Candida (British, 2908 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Titania (British (tug), 258 GRT, built 1943) and
Kola (British, 1538 GRT, built 1924).
On 8 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Bizerta; Cartago, Empire Harbour and Empire Planet while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Edward F. Johnson (British (tanker), 10452 GRT, built 1937), Furnifold M. Simmons (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943) and Josiah Bartlett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
On 9 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Malta; Cape Brenton, Cochrane, Thomas F. Cunningham and the Empire Titania. The Nada also parted company with the convoy.
On 10 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Augusta;
Abbazia,
Beaconsfield,
Betty Zane,
Clausina,
Daniel H. Hill,
Elizabeth Massey,
Empire Candia,
Empire Copperfied,
Fort Bourbon,
Fort Dauphin,
Fort Jasper,
Fort Michipicoten,
Furnifold M. Simmons,
George E. Hale,
Henry L. Benning,
John B. Gordon,
John Murray Forbes,
John S. Casement,
Joseph Alston,
Josiah Bartlett,
Kola,
Lawrence J. Brengle,
Norman Monarch,
Ocean Glory,
Samconon,
Samcrest,
Sarah Orne Jewett,
Simon Willard,
Solomon Juneau,
Thistlemuir and
William M. Eastland while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Augusta;
British Resolution (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937),
Empire Lionel (British, 7030 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Lord (British, 7359 GRT, built 1944),
Fort Astoria (British, 7189 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Kepong (British, 1874 GRT, built 1916),
Lech (Polish, 1568 GRT, built 1934),
Luminetta (British (tanker), 6159 GRT, built 1927),
Meline (Norwegian (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1918),
Ocean Liberty (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Samfeugh (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
San Cirilo (British (tanker), 8012 GRT, built 1937) and
William E. Pendleton (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943).
On 13 July 1944, the following ships were detached to Alexandria;
Caduceus,
Empire Lionel,
Fort Astoria,
Fort Meductic,
Kepong,
Kindat,
Lagarto and
Lech.
Ocean Liberty
All escorts except HrMs Friso also proceeded to Alexandria.
The remaining ships of the convoy arrived at Port Said on the 14th escorted by HrMs Friso. 4 Jul 1944 4 Jul 1944 14 Jul 1944 This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 14 July 1944.
It was made up of the following transports / tankers;
Alexander Martin (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Andrew Furuseth (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Athelvictor (British (tanker), 8320 GRT, built 1941),
Augustin Stahl (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944),
British Harmony (British (tanker), 8453 GRT, built 1941),
British Pride (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931),
British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943),
Calvin Coolidge (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941),
Carole Lombard (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944),
Charles W. Wooster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944),
Colin P. Kelly Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 12223 GRT, built 1933),
David Lubin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Donacilla (British (tanker), 8113 GRT, built 1939),
Edward Livingston (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Egda (Norwegian (tanker), 10050 GRT, built 1939),
Empire Emerald (British (tanker), 8032 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Nerissa (British, 7096 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Rangoon (British, 6988 GRT, built 1944),
Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943),
Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
Esso Concord (American (tanker), 7698 GRT, built 1940),
Finley Peter Dunne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
George H. Dern (American, 7181 GRT, built 1943),
George Read (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
George Uhler (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Henry George (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
James McCosh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
James Turner (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
John Banvard (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
John Barton Payne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
John Dickinson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
John Morton (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
John P. Holland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
John Stevens (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Jose Bonifacio (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Joseph N. Teal (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Joshua A. Leach (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943),
Leland Stanford (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Leopold Damrosch (American, 7207 GRT, built 1943),
Levi Woodbury (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
Linn Boyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944),
M. Michael Edelstein (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944),
Maria Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Nueva Granada (Norwegian (tanker), 9968 GRT, built 1937),
Oliver Loving (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944),
Oscar S. Straus (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1944),
Park Holland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Rachel Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Rivercrest (British, 7008 GRT, built 1944),
Samgallion (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Samsylarna (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Sidney Sherman (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943),
Thomas B. Reed (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Thomas Cresap (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943),
Thomas Heyward (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Thomas W. Owen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Tweedsmuir Park (Canadian, 7143 GRT, built 1943),
Vacport (British (tanker), 6774 GRT, built 1930),
Walt Whitman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
William R. Day (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943) and
Zachary Taylor (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942).
On departure from Hampton Roads the convoy was escorted by the destroyer USS Moffett (T/Cdr. G.H. Richards, Jr., USN, with COMTASKFOR 62, T/Capt. C.M.E. Hoffman, USN on board) and the escort destroyers USS Amick (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Barsumian, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 15, T/Cdr. F.C.B. McCune, USN, on board), USS Atherton (T/Lt.Cdr. M. Kelly, Jr., USN), USS Booth (Lt. F.O. Moorman, USNR), USS Carroll (T/Lt.Cdr. F.W. Kuhn, USN), USS Cooner Lt.Cdr. T.L. Bergen, USNR), USS Eldridge (Lt. W.K. Vanallen, USNR), USS William T. Powell (Lt. J.L. Davenport, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 66, Cdr. G.F. Adams, USNR, on board), USS Buckley (Lt.Cdr. B.M. Abel, USNR), USS Reuben James (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Isaacs, USNR), USS Spangenberg (T.H.P. Whitney, USNR), USS Alexander J. Luke (T/Lt.Cdr. J.V. Cameron, USN), USS Robert I. Paine (Lt.Cdr. D. Cochran, USNR).
The naval stores ships USS Yukon (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Barnhart, USNR) and USS Merak (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Cawthon, USN) were also part of the convoy as were the naval tankers USS Maumee (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Ballard, USNR), USS Winooski (Lt.Cdr. T.B. Christenson, USNR), USS Chiwawa (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Goza, USNR) and USS Cowanesque (Cdr. L.S. McKenzie, USNR).
On 18 July 1944, the six destroyer escorts of CortDiv 66 fuelled from USS Maumee.
On 21 July 1944, USS Moffett fuelled from USS Maumee.
On 22 July 1944, the six destroyer escorts of CortDiv 66 fuelled from USS Maumee.
On 23 July 1944, the six destroyer escorts of CortDiv 15 fuelled from USS Maumee.
On 27 July 1944, USS Moffett and the six destroyer escorts of CortDiv 66 fuelled from USS Maumee.
On 28 July 1944, the following ships parted company with the convoy to proceed to Casablanca; Calvin Coolidge, John Barton Payne and Samgallion while the French naval tanker Var joined the convoy coming from Casablanca. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessels L'Emporté and L'Enjoue which then returned to Casablanca with the three ships that had parted company with the convoy.
Around noon on 29 July 1944, the merchant vessel Pacheco (British, 1405 GRT, built 1927), submarines HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) and HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) as well as the rescue tug HMRT Vagrant joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar.
Around 1945A/29, the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. G.R. Waymouth, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1845B/30, the following ships were detached to Oran;
Andrew Furuseth,
John Banvard,
John Stevens,
Oscar S. Strauss,
USS Yukon,
USS Merak,
USS Winooski,
USS Chiwawa and
USS Cowanesque while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran;
Andrew Hamilton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
Christopher Gale (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943),
Henry W. Longfellow (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Jonathan Elmer (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Robert Treat Paine (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and
Will R. Wood (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943).
Around 1700B/31, the following ships were detached to Algiers;
Andrew Hamilton,
British Pride,
Empire Nerissa,
Jonathan Elmer,
Joseph Warren,
Thomas B. Reed,
Thomas Heyward and
Will R. Wood while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
Alexandre Andre (Belgian (tanker), 5261 GRT, built 1928),
Empire Highway (British, 7166 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Carlton (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Columbia (British, 7155 GRT, built 1942),
Hardingham (British, 7269 GRT, built 1942),
Narva (British, 1575 GRT, built 1937),
Samlamu (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Samuel V. Shreve (British, 1813 GRT, built 1943),
Stanhill (British, 5969 GRT, built 1942) and
Van Honthorst (Dutch, 6140 GRT, built 1943) as did the landing ship HMS LST 322 (Lt.Cdr. L.H. Howard, RNR).
During the night of 31 July / 1 August 1944, the convoy was attacked by enemy aircraft but no damage was sustained.
Around 2000B/1, the Esso Concord and HMRT Vagrant were detached to Bone while the Vito (Norwegian, 5181 GRT, built 1937) and the rescue tug HMRT Charon joined coming from Bone.
Around 0645B/2, the following ships were detached to Benghazi;
British Harmony,
British Respect,
Colin P. Kelly Jr.,
Donacilla,
George H. Dern,
James McCosh,
John Morton,
Levi Woodbury,
Narva,
Samuel V. Shreve,
Thomas Cresap,
Walt Whitman,
William R. Day and
Zachary Taylor as well as LST 322 while the merchant vessel Mirabeau B. Lamar (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Bizerta.
Also, HMS Delhi and all American escort vessels as well as the naval tanker USS Maumee arrived at Bizerta after having been relieved by a group of British escort vessels, these were the following; sloops HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN), HMS Amethyst (?), corvette HMS Campion (Lt. T.F. Alderman, RNR) and the A/S whaler HMSAS Southern Maid (?).
On 3 August the following ships were detached to Malta;
Empire Highway and Pacheco. Also detached to Malta were HMS Truant and HMS Visigoth. They were escorted there by HMS Campion which afterwards rejoined the convoy.
On 4 August the following ships were detached to Augusta;
Alexandre Andre,
Athelvictor,
Christopher Gale,
Cornelius Harnett,
D.L. Harper,
David Lubin,
Egda,
Empire Emerald,
Empire Stalwart,
Esek Hopkins,
Finley Peter Dunne,
Fort Carlton,
Fort Columbia,
Hardingham,
Henry George,
Henry W. Longfellow,
James Turner,
John Dickinson,
John P. Holland,
Joseph N. Teal,
Leland Stanford,
Maria Mitchell,
Mirabeau B. Lamar,
Nueva Granada,
Robert Treat Paine,
Stanhill,
Van Honthorst and
Var while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Augusta;
Empire Splendour (British, 7335 GRT, built 1942) and
Trevanion (British, 7371 GRT, built 1944).
On 4 August 1944, the convoy was attacked by one or two enemy torpedo bombers which hit and heavily damaged the Samsylarna in position 33°05'N, 20°16'E. HMSAS Southern Maid remained behind to assist and she also took off the crew. The derelict ship was later towed to Benghazi.
On 7 August 1944, the following ships were detached to Alexandria; Cape Hawke, Carola Lombard, Empire Splendour and Rachel Jackson. They took HMS Deptford with them.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 8 August 1944 escorted by HMS Amethyst and HMS Campion. 29 Jul 1944 She took passage in convoy UGS 48.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy UGS 48 ' of 14 July 1944.] (75) 3 Aug 1944 21 Aug 1944 1 Sep 1944 9 Sep 1944 12 Sep 1944 This convoy departed Port Said on 11 September 1944.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arthur St. Clair (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944),
Banff Park (Canadian, 7133 GRT, built 1943),
Fort St. Antoine (British, 7165 GRT, built 1943),
Havprins (Norwegian (tanker), 8066 GRT, built 1935),
Matheran (British, 7653 GRT, built 1919),
Oscar S. Straus (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1944),
Pan-Delaware (American (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1918),
Rhesus (British, 6530 GRT, built 1911),
San Veronico (British (tanker), 8189 GRT, built 1942) and
Varand (British (tanker), 6023 GRT, built 1927).
They were escorted by HMS Coltsfoot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.W. Rayner, RNVR), HMS Convolvulus (A/Lt.Cdr. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR) and HMS Vetch (Lt. K.M.B. Menzies, RNR).
On 12 September 1944 they were joined by the following merchant vessels coming from Alexandria;
Adinda (Dutch, 3359 GRT, built 1939),
Ethan A. Hitchcock (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Astoria (British, 7189 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Clatsop (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Marin (British, 7159 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Richelieu (British, 7130 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Stager (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943),
Henry Gilbert Costin (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943),
Lewant (Polish, 1942 GRT, built 1930),
Ocean Valour (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Vulcan (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Samuel V. Shreve (British, 1813 GRT, built 1943) and
Sunetta (Dutch, 7987 GRT, built 1935).
They were escorted by the destroyer
HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. I.M. Clegg, RN) and the minesweeper HMS Hazard (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Crawford, RNVR) which also joined the convoy.
On 17 September 1944, the following ships parted company with the convoy;
Fort Astoria,
Fort Clatsop,
Fort Marin,
Fort Meductic,
Fort Richelieu,
Fort Stager
Havprins,
Lewant,
Ocean Valour,
Ocean Vulcan,
Samuel V. Shreve and
Sunetta while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Augusta;
Abel Stearns (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Ambrose E. Burnside (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Carole Lombard (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944),
Citta di Alessandria (Italian, 2498 GRT, built 1930),
Empire Darwin (British, 6765 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Emerald (British (tanker), 8032 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Wordsworth (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942),
Fanad Head (British, 5038 GRT, built 1941),
Fort Abitibi (British, 7122 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Massac (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943),
George Berkeley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Gouverneur General Lepine (French, 3509 GRT, built 1923),
Henry Dundas (British (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1937),
Henry Wilson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Homer Lea (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Jacob Thompson (American (tanker), 7128 GRT, built 1943),
James B. Eads (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
John Wise (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Jonathan Grout (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Joseph H. Martin (American, 7199 GRT, built 1943),
Linn Boyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944),
Morris Sheppard (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944),
Norheim (Norwegian (tanker), 9816 GRT, built 1941),
Pontfield (British (tanker), 8319 GRT, built 1940),
Rachel Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Russell H. Chittenden (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944),
Samuel Adams (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Samwater (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Sidi Brahim (British (former French), 2427 GRT, built 1910),
Stevenson Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and
William Paca (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942).
Also on 17 September 1944, HMS Wolverine was detached to Malta while the merchant vessel Fort Bell (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943) and the submarine HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) joined from Malta.
On 18 September 1944, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Bizerta;
British Restraint (British (tanker), 8448 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Cobbett (British (tanker), 9811 GRT, built 1942) and
Sun (American (tanker), 9002 GRT, built 1928).
Also the British escort vessels were relieved by an American escort group made up of the following vessels;
cutter USCGC Taney (Cdr. H.J. Wuensch, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 66, T/Capt. W.H. Duvall, USN, on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Joseph E. Campbell (Lt. J.M. Robertson, 2nd, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 21, T/Capt. L.M. Markham, Jr., USN, on board), USS Chase (Lt.Cdr. G.O. Knapp, 2nd, USNR), USS Laning (Lt.Cdr. Shuman, Jr., USNR), USS Loy (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Pond, Jr., USNR), USS Barber (Lt. E.T.B. Sullivan, USNR), USS Pride (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Buxton, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 46, Cdr. R.H. French, USCG, on board), USS Mosley (Lt.Cdr. E.P. MacBryde, Jr., USCGR), USS Newell (Cdr. R.J. Roberts, USCG), USS Falgout (Cdr. H.A. Meyer, USCG), USS Lowe (Cdr. J.A. Alger, Jr., USCG) and two more destroyer escorts from CORTDIV 44; USS Stern (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Hinton, Jr., USNR) and USS O'Neill (T/Lt.Cdr. D.S. Bill, Jr., USN).
Around 0400A/19 the following ship were detached to Bone;
Fort St. Antoine and
Sidi Brahim while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone;
James W. Cannon (American, 7200 GRT, built 1944),
Maria Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and
William Eaton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
Around 0645A/20, the following merchant vessels were detached to Algiers;
Banff Park,
Carole Lombard,
Empire Emerald,
Gouverneur General Lepine,
James W. Cannon,
Rachel Jackson,
San Veronico and
William Eaton.
Around 0800A/20, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
British Character (British (tanker), 8453 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Cavalier (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942),
Fauzon (French, 4376 GRT, built 1938),
Fort Bourbon (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Jasper (British, 7125 GRT, built 1943),
Francis Lewis (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Henry Jocelyn (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
John E. Schmeltzer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Louis D. Brandeis (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943) and
Ville de Amiens (British (former French), 6975 GRT, built 1924).
Around 0830A/21, the following merchant vessels were detached to Oran;
Citta di Alessandria and Fort Massac.
Around 0845A/21, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran;
Algonquin (British, 7229 GRT, built 1920),
Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940),
Empire Coleridge (British (tanker), 9798 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Lord (British, 7359 GRT, built 1944),
Finley Peter Dunne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Drew (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Frederick (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942),
Ima (Norwegian (tanker), 6842 GRT, built 1930),
John Lawson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Loch Dee (British, 5252 GRT, built 1937),
Moses Austin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943) and
William H. Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943). Also the naval tanker USS Mattaponi (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Banks, USNR) and naval stores ship USS Tarazed (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Jackson, USNR) joined the convoy.
Around 1610A/21 the merchant vessel Henry Baldwin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) joined coming from Oran. She had apparently sailed late.
Around 1100A/22, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar;
Horace H. Harvey (American (tanker) 7218 GRT, built 1943),
Polartank (Norwegian (tanker), 6356 GRT, built 1930) and
San Tirso (British (tanker), 6266 GRT, built 1913).
Around 11200A/22, the following ships were detached to Gibraltar;
Empire Darwin and
Matheran.
Also HMS Truant was detached to Gibraltar.
At 2000A/22, the Empire Stalwart parted company to return to Gibraltar.
Around 1130A/23, the following ships parted company to proceed to Casablanca;
Fanad Head,
Fauzon,
Fort Abitibi,
Fort Bell and
Fort Drew while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Casablanca;
City of Dunkirk (British, 5861 GRT, built 1912),
John Barton Payne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
John Dockweiler (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944),
Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940),
Phrontis (Dutch, 6616 GRT, built 1926),
Samderry (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944),
Samfairy (British, 7255 GRT, built 1944),
Samhope (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Samlea (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944) and
Samluzon (British, 7210, built 1944). They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the French patrol vessels L'Indiscret, L'Effronté and L'Enjoue which then returned to Casablanca with the ships that had left the convoy.
Around 1830N/24, the John Lawson and William Jackson straggled from the convoy. USS Lowe was ordered to escort them.
Around 0610N/25, the Fort Bourbon straggled from the convoy. USS Falgout was ordered to escort her.
Also on 25 September the five escort destroyers of CortDiv 21 fuelled from USS Mattaponi.
On 26 September the stragglers were ordered to form a group and USS Lowe and USS Falgout were ordered to escort them.
Around 0815O/27, the merchant vessel Nicholas D. Labadie (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from Horta, Azores.
Around 0830O/27, USS Tarazed parted company with the convoy to proceed to Horta, Azores. She was escorted by USS Laning. They both subsequently rejoined the convoy around 1700P/30.
Around 0600O/28, the convoy was diverted to a more southern route to avoid a U-boat operating on the planned route.
At 0630O/28, USS Pride was detached to join the group off stragglers to relieve USS Lowe which was to rejoin the convoy which she did around 0700P/29.
On 29 September, USCGC Taney/i>, USS Joseph E. Campbell, USS Loy, USS Barber and USS Chase fuelled from USS Mattaponi.
Around 1010P/30, the Henry Jocelyn could not maintain the convoys speed and straggled from the convoy.
Around 0245Q/3, the Empire Coleridge developed engine trouble. She was ordered to proceed to Bermuda. USS Newell was ordered to escort her. They however later joined the group of stragglers.
Around 1530Q/4, the Ambrose Burnside and Ville de Amiens were ordered to proceed to Bermuda independently due to fuel shortages.
Around 0500Q/5, five merchant vessels were detached to proceed independently to New Orleans and one to proceed idependently to Corpus Christi. [Their names were not given in the report but most likely these were tankers.]
Around 1400Q/6, the Hampton Roads section parted company. It was made up of 17 merchant vessels plus USS Mattaponi. It was escorted by USS Joseph E. Campbell, USS Chase, USS Laning and USS Barber. They arrived in Chesapeake Bay on the 8th. The Sun had however parted company before entering to proceed to Philadelphia instead escorted by USS Barber.
Around 2300Q/6, the Madras City was detached to proceed independently to Philadelphia.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at New York on 7 October 1944. Before entering the harbour, the San Tirso had been ordered to proceed independently to Galvaston though.
The stragglers arrived at either New York of Chesapeake Bay a day after the bulk of the convoy had arrived there. 17 Sep 1944 She joined convoy GUS 52 for the passage to Gibraltar.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy GUS 52 ' for 12 September 1944.] (78) 18 Sep 1944 This convoy departed Freetown on 18 September 1944.
On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Adrastus (British, 7905 GRT, built 1923),
Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930),
Basil (British, 4913 GRT, built 1928),
Custodian (British, 5881 GRT, built 1928),
Eemland (Dutch, 4188 GRT, built 1906),
Empire Flame (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Friendship (British, 7058 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Mariott (British, 5970 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Stronghold (British, 7064 GRT, built 1943)),
Hilversum (Dutch, 3717 GRT, built 1920),
Rajahstan (British, 6391 GRT, built 1929),
Silverteak (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930),
Slesvig (British, 3098 GRT, built 1938),
Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937),
Souliotis (Greek, 4299 GRT, built 1917) and
Thurland Castle (British, 6372 GRT, built 1929).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the frigates HMS Odzani (Lt.Cdr. L.A. Sayers, RD, RNR), HMS Aire
(A/Lt.Cdr. N.K. Boyd, DSC and Bar, RNR) and the patrol vessel HMS Kilham (?).
Around 0830Z/20, in position 10°09'N, 18°12'W, the Souliotis was ordered to leave the convoy and proceed to Bathurst as she was unable to keep up with the convoy. She arrived at Bathurst on 22 September but later went on to Dakar where she arrived on 24 September.
Around 2330Z/20, in position 11°38'N, 18°00'W, the Rajahstan left the convoy to proceed to Dakar for engine repairs. She arrived at Dakar on 23 September.
Around 0830Z/21, in position 12°54'N, 17°50'W, the Adrastus and Silverteak were detached to proceed independently to the U.K. They both arrived at Liverpool on 30 September 1944.
Around 1800Z/21, in position 14°05'N, 17°59'W, the minesweeping sloop Gazelle and the corvettes Lobelia and Commandant Drogou joined. They parted company around 1900Z/24 in position 23°00'N, 18°04'W. Most likely on these ships joining on 21 September HMS Kilham parted company as she arrived back at Freetown on 25 September. Perhaps she escorted the Slesvig which parted company around 2000Z/21, in position 14°20'N, 18°00'W, to Dakar.
Around 1300A/29, in position 34°18'N, 09°53'W, the following merchant vessels joined coming from Casablanca;
Brighton (British, 7345 GRT, built 1943),
Dalcross (British, 4557 GRT, built 1930) and
Fort Drew (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943). They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessels L'Ardent and L'Effronté.
Around 1000A/30, in position 36°16'N, 09°14'W, convoy MKS 62G coming from Gibraltar merged with the convoy which now became the combined convoy SL 171 / KMS 62.
The ships that joined, and thus made up convoy KMS 62G, were the following;
Alex (British, 3932 GRT, built 1914),
Baron Renfrew (British, 3635 GRT, built 1935),
Caduceus (British, 4364 GRT, built 1927),
Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937),
Empire Spey (British, 4292 GRT, built 1929),
Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943),
Fairwater (British, 4108 GRT, built 1928),
Fort St. Antoine (British, 7165 GRT, built 1943),
Gloucester City (British, 3071 GRT, built 1919),
Matheran (British, 8007 GRT, built 1942),
Novelist (British, 6133 GRT, built 1940),
Ocean Valley (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Pencarrow (British, 4841 GRT, built 1921),
Samettrick (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samothrace (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samson (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samsylvan (British, 7219 grt, built 1943),
Samvigna (British, 7255 GRT, built 1944) and
Thistleford (British, 4781 GRT, built 1928).
Also with them was the rescue ship Melrose Abbey (British, 1924 GRT, built 1929), depot ship HMS Vienna (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.J. Holland, RNR) and submarine HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN).
They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR), HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC, RNVR), HMS Oxlip (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR) and the minesweeper HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, DSC, RN). On these ships joining HMS Odzani and HMS Aire parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.
On 30 September 1944, the merchant vessel Bothnia (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928) departed Lisbon to join the convoy.
Around 1045A/6, in approximate position 49°00'N, 07°15'W, the convoy split into a section bound for Plymouth and a section bound for Irish Sea ports.
During the passage from the Gibraltar area to the point the convoy split into two sections, four of the merchant vessels had straggled from the convoy. All arrived safely at their destinations though. The four ships in question were;
Dalcross,
Empire Mariott,
Empire Spey and
Thistleford.
The Irish Sea section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alex,
Basil,
Bothnia,
Brighton,
Caduceus,
Custodian,
Dunera,
Empire Friendship,
Empire Stronghold,
Gloucester City,
Novelist,
Ocean Valley,
Samettrick,
Samphire,
Samsylvan,
Samvigna and
Thurland Castle as well as the
Melrose Abbey and
HMS Vienna. They were escorted by HMS Knaresborough Castle, HMS Leeds Castle and HMS Oxlip.
The Channel (Falmouth) section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Napier,
Baron Renfrew,
Eemland,
Empire Flame,
Empire Stalwart,
Fairwater,
Fort Drew,
Fort St. Antoine,
Hilversum,
Matheran,
Pencarrow,
Samothrace,
Samson and
Sobo as well as HMS Truant.
They were escorted by the frigates HMS Affleck (Cdr.(Retd.) C. Gwinner, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Garlies (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Calpe, DSC, RN), HMS Gore (Lt. J.V. Reeves-Brown, DSC, RN), corvette HMS Aubretia (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Fowler, RNR), minesweeper HMS Sharpshooter and armed yacht HMS Conqueror (T/Lt. T.W. Craig, RNR). They had all just joined the convoy. The three frigates parted company with the Channel / Falmouth section off the Lizard.
The Channel / Falmouth section arrived at Falmouth on 7 October 1944. 22 Sep 1944 29 Sep 1944 [For more info see the event ' Convoy SL 171 ' for 18 September 1944.] (4) 7 Oct 1944 8 Oct 1944 9 Oct 1944 HMS Truant was then taken in hand at Portsmouth for engine repairs and refit which would last until early March 1945. (4) 16 Jan 1945 24 Jan 1945 14 Feb 1945 17 Feb 1945 20 Feb 1945 21 Feb 1945 22 Feb 1945 23 Feb 1945 3 Mar 1945 Around 0615A/4, north-west of the Godrevy Lighthouse, HMS Inman (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Petre, RNR) took over the escort duties. (81) 5 Mar 1945 At Barrow she was then taken in hand for the fitting of an experimental snorkel. (81) 15 May 1945 16 May 1945 17 May 1945 18 May 1945 19 May 1945 20 May 1945 22 May 1945 23 May 1945 26 May 1945 27 May 1945 29 May 1945 30 May 1945 31 May 1945 2 Jun 1945 3 Jun 1945 5 Jun 1945 6 Jun 1945 8 Jun 1945 9 Jun 1945 22 Jun 1945 23 Jun 1945 26 Jun 1945 29 Jun 1945 30 Jun 1945 4 Jul 1945 5 Jul 1945 6 Jul 1945 11 Jul 1945 14 Jul 1945 16 Jul 1945 She left Rosyth around 1740A/16 for Leith where she arrived around 2025A/16. (84) 17 Jul 1945 18 Jul 1945 19 Jul 1945 20 Jul 1945 23 Jul 1945 25 Jul 1945 27 Jul 1945 29 Jul 1945 30 Jul 1945 3 Aug 1945 8 Aug 1945 30 Aug 1945 31 Aug 1945 Post-war, HMS Truant, briefly continued her current role. In mid/late November 1945 she proceeded to Portsmouth to be decommissioned there. (85) Sources ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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.
At 2350A/17, in position 36°22'N, 16°50'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a hospital ship proceeding on course 155° presumably proceeding to Benghazi. (4)
At 1700A/17, to the east-south-east of Malta, in position 35°34'N, 15°27'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a destroyer which was subsequently identified as HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN) which was on passage from Malta to join the Mediterranean Fleet which was at sea. (4)
Around 0745A/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (4)
Around 1715A/28, 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.
At 1710A/28, to the north of Tripoli, in position 33°15'N, 13°10'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed two patrol vessels to the south-west proceeding on course 020°.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed an escorted merchant vessel that had just left Tripoli. This must have been the Caffaro (Italian, 6476 GRT, built 1924) that had left Tripoli around 0745B/31 for Palermo. She was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Alcione. Due to the bad weather conditions Alcione was forced to return to Tripoli around 1620B/31.
At 0900A/5, north of Tripoli, in position 33°10'N, 13°13'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a destroyer or other type of patrol craft steering a course of 280°.
At 1810A/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed her patrol area to proceed to the Benghazi area. (4)
At 1800A/11, after having patrolled off Benghazi for a day, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed the Benghazi area to proceed to Alexandria. (4)
Around 0730B/15, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (4)
Around 1345B/28, 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.
At 0715B/29, to the north of Mersa Matruh, in approximate position 32°03'N, 27°05'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a eastbound merchant vessel and escorting destroyer. This turned out to be HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) escorting the transport Cingalese Prince (British, 8474 GRT, built 1929) from Tobruk to Alexandria. (4)
At 0233B/31, to the north of Benghazi, in approximate position 32°44'N, 20°04'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a hospital ship proceeding to the north-east. (4)
At 0800B/1, off Benghazi, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a hospital ship entering the harbour through the swept channel. It was though possible that this was the same hospital ship that had been sighted the day before.
In the afternoon, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted another periscope reconnaissance of Benghazi harbour. Only the mast of one medium seized merchant vessel were sighted along with the masts of various small vessels. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked the tranport Calino (Italian, 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. Calino was on passage from Derna to Benghazi.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked an Italian convoy near Benghazi, Libya with three torpedoes. The transport Silvia Tripcovich (Italian, 2365 BRT, built 1925) and the tanker Utilitas (Italian, 5310 GRT, built 1918) made up 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.
At 2125B/7, in position 33°35'N, 12°51'E [the patrol report gives position 12°51'N, 33°35'E but this is a mistake], HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a large liner and a destroyer at a range of 4 nautical miles bearing 070°. Enemy course was 330°. Commenced to chase but the chase was abandoned at 2150B/7 as it was not possible to close in the heavy seas. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked an Italian convoy about 60 nautical miles north-east of Tripoli. Six torpedoes were fired in this attack but none found its target.
At 1415B/11, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN), attacked the transport Bainsizza (Italian, 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.
Around 0630B/13, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is undocked. (26)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted compass adjustment trials at Malta. (27)
Around 1840B/5, 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 her 17th war patrol see the map below.
In the evening, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) carried out a periscope reconnaissance of the harbour / anchorage at Buerat. A merchant vessel of about 3000 to 4000 tons was sighted at anchor bearing 040° from the lighthouse and about 2500 yards from the shore.
At 1800B/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a sailing barque approaching the Buerat anchorage from the north-west keeping closer to the coast then the suspected shipping route. She then entered the anchorage / harbour by the main channel. (4)
In the early evening, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) carried out a periscope reconnaissance of the harbour / anchorage at Buerat. The barque seen approaching the previous evening was seen at anchor between the transport that had been sighted on the 8th, and the lighthouse.
At 0230B/13, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a coaster of about 400 to 500 tons, thought to be a water boat, approaching the Buerat anchorage / harbour from the north.
At 0100B/14, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) received a signal from Capt. S 1 informing her that at 1645B/13, three small ships had been sighted of Misurata steering to the south-east.
At 0815B/16, while patrolling of Khoms, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a barque proceeding eastwards hugging the coast. (4)
At 1945B/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) surfaced and then left the Khoms area to patrol off Buerat. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) attacked the transport Costanza (Italian, 548 GRT, built 1902) off Buerat, Libya. All torpedoes fired missed their target.
Around 0745B/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (28)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Alexandria. She then made three trial runs over the D/G range. (29)
Around 0900B/13, 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 her 18th war patrol see the map below.
At 0510B/15, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) dived in position 040° - Derna lighthouse - 17 miles and then commenced to close Derna until 3000 yards from the lighthouse for a periscope reconnaissance. The funnel and masts of a small steamer secured to a buoy at the entrance to the harbour were visible. The height of the mole and the nature of the harbour precluded either a gun or torpedo attack. Considerable traffic of lorries was sighted on the road to the west of Derna. They were mainly going east. A line of some 40 lorries and two cars were closely parked by the side of the road and may have been abandoned.
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 en-route from Benghazi (departed around 1500B/15) to Derna.
Around 0300A/18, a signal was received which ordered HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) to proceed toward the Tripoli area with despatch as she was to act as a navigational beacon off Ras Tajura (10 miles to the east of Tripoli) for British surface forces.
Operations MD 2 and MD 3, convoy movements to and from Malta and bombardment of Tripoli.
At 0300B/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) dived in position 32°52'N, 13°41'E and proceeded to the north-west.
The submarine HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) acted 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 transports Assiria (2705 GRT, built 1928) and Marocchino (1524 GRT, built 1920) sank in shallow waters, the motorboat Ciconetti sank in deep waters and the transport Sabbia (5787 GRT, built 1926) was damaged. The German transports Duisburg (7389 GRT, built 1928) and Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937) were also damaged.
At 1045B/22, north-west of Khoms, in approximate position 32°47'N, 14°12'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted a destroyer, thought to be of the Italian Folgore-class. She was proceeding in the direction of Khoms on a course of 160° at 24 knots. Closed to attack.
At 2140B/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) received a signal from the Cdr. (S) Malta timed 1254B/26 ordering her to operate in a patrol line to the east of Kerkenah together with HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN), HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) and HMS Upright (Lt. R.S. Brookes, DSC, RN).
At 0300B/30, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) left patrol to proceed to Malta. (4)
Around 0800B/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
At 0615B/5, east-south-east of Cavoli Island, in approximate position 39°04'N, 09°37'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons, in ballast, approaching from the north-east keeping close outside Serpentara Island. HMS Truant was too far off to attack.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) torpedoed sank the passenger/cargo ship Bengasi (Italian, 1716 GRT, built 1912) about 3 nautical miles south-east off the Cavoli lighthouse, Sardinia, Italy.
At 1000B/7, 38°48'N, 08°50'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighed a merchant vessel of about 4000 tons proceeding westwards close inshore. An attack was not possible due to HMS Truant being out of range.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) intercepted the Vichy-French merchant vessel Gallium (1775 GRT, built 1924) south-east of Mallorca, Spain in position 38°50'N, 04°16'E. The Gallium was ordered to proceed to Gibraltar escorted by HMS Truant.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) and the Vichy-French merchant Gallium (1775 GRT, built 1924) are intercepted by a Vichy French force of one destroyer and four submarines. Gallium contacted the destroyer and then set course to follow the French force.
Around 0800A/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar. (4)
Around 1945A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for the U.S.A. where she is to refit.
At 1645O/28, following the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) received a signal from the Admiralty, timed 1702B/28, ordering her to patrol an area centred on 41°34'N, 39°37'W. This was to search for German supply vessel. Also the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen was still at large.
At 0600P/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) sighted smoke bearing 270°. HMS Truant altered course towards as it was thought possible enemy supply vessel may be in the area.
At 1710R/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) dropped anchor in Gardiners Bay, Long Island. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted noise trials in Gardiner Bay on completion of which she proceeded to New London, Connecticut. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) proceeded from New London, Connecticut, U.S.A. to Newport, Rhode Island where she disembarked her torpedoes.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) arrived at the Portsmouth Navy Yard where she is to refit. (33)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is docked at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. (33)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is undocked. (34)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted basin trials at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. (35)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted post refit trials off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. (35)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) proceeded from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Newport, Rhode Island via the Cape Cod Canal. (35)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) proceeded Newport, Rhode Island to New London, Connecticut. (36)
Around 0630Q/5, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from New London for St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Around 0750OP/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at St. John's for a short period of training. (36)
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). (36)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. These included practice attacks on two destroyers. Most likely these were HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN) and HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR). (37)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off St. John's. A practice attack was made on a corvette and also A/S exercises were carried out.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is wiped.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off St. John's with HMS Dianthus (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) C.E. Bridgman, RNR) and HMCS Collingwood (T/Lt. W. Woods, RCNR).
Around 1515OP/19, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada for Gibraltar.
Around 1530A/29, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from St. John's, Newfoundland. (38)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Gibraltar. Dummy attack were made on two destroyers. Also gunnery exercises were carried out as well as noise trials. (39)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials at Gibraltar. (39)
Around 1930A/10, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Malta.
At 0944A/12, north of Algiers, in position 37°45'N, 03°10'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) had to dive for a merchant vessel approaching from the south which turned out to be the Vichy-French Augustin le Borgne (1115 GRT, built 1918). She was seen to have deck cargo of large wooden barrels. her course was 105°. (38)
Around 0700A/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (38)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (39)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is undocked.
At 2230A/19, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1731B/19, ordering her join a patrol line in the Ionian Sea which was further made up of HMS Thorn and HMS Trusty. (38)
At 2100A/22, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) received Capt. S 1's signal timed 1643B/22 ordering her to patrol in the Adriatic as originally planned. (38)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed sank the transport Virginia S. (German, 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 armed merchant cruiser, the convoy's escort, Arborea (4959 GRT, built 1929) was missed during the same attack despite the British claim of a hit.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) damaged the transport Padenna (Italian, 1589 GRT, built 1904 hours) with gunfire off Bari, Italy.
Near Senigallia, Italy, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN), lands a party of two in a Folbot to blow up a train. They were successful in doing so and all returned safely to HMS Truant.
At 1000A/29, in approximate position 44°39'N, 14°04'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a medium seized tanker, in ballast, but she was too far off to be attacked. Enemy course was approximately 305°.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed sank the water tanker Meteor (Italian, 1685 GRT, built 1925) two nautical miles south-east of Punta Penna, Ortona, Italy.
Around 1145B/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (38)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Alexandria. (40)
Around 1600B/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 21th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean).
Around 1015B/30, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria to resume her 21st 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 her 21st war patrol see the map below.
At 0730B/4, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a small coaster leaving Suda Bay hugging the coast of Akrotiri passing well out of range. This was possibly the small Spanish transport (in German service) San Juan II (538 GRT, built 1919) which departed Suda Bay for Piraeus around this time.
At 0930A/6, while patrolling in the Anti-Kithera Channel in approximate position 35°43'N, 23°29'E, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a small destroyer passing out of range on a course of 045° at 12 knots. (38)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) fires three torpedoes at the transport Bellona (German, 1297 GRT, built 1929) off Suda Bay, Crete, Greece. All torpedoes missed their target despite the claim of one hit. The escorting destroyer was the Italian Turbine.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) torpedoed and heavy damaged the Italian torpedo boat Alcione north of Crete in position 344° - Cape Drepano - 4.8 nautical miles. The Alcione is beached and declared a total loss.
At 1500B/13, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a hospital ship laying stopped south of Zakynthos in position 37°12'N, 20°40'E. (38)
At 0700B/14, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighed two merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer approaching Argostoli from the west and subsequently entering harbour. Range could not be closed to less than 4000 yards so the attack was broken off. (38)
At 1415B/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a Dardo-class destroyer leaving Argostoli and proceeding on course 250° at speed. She passed out of range and thus could not be attacked. This must have been the Italian destroyer Strale. (38)
At 1415B/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a Dardo-class destroyer leaving Argostoli and proceeding on course 250° at speed. She passed out of range and thus could not be attacked. This must have been the Italian destroyer Strale. (38)
At 1820B/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) left patrol to return to Alexandria as ordered in Capt. S 1's signal timed 1531B/17. (38)
Around 0830B/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 21st war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (38)
Around 1430B/4, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Alexandria for Port Said. HMS Truant is to proceed to Singapore to fight the Japanese. (42)
Around 1000B/5, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Said from Alexandria. (42)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) is docked in the Suez Canal Company's floating dock at Port Said. (42)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) left dock and departed from Port Said, partially transited the Suez Canal southbound and arrived at Ismalia. (42)
Around 0630B/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) continues her passage through the Suez Canal. She departed from Ismalia and arrived at Suez around 1110B/12.
Around 0905C/17, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez. Around 1805C/17 she departed Aden for Colombo. (42)
Around 0800F/25, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Aden. (42)
Around 1610F/1, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo bound for Batavia, Java, Netherlands East Indies. Singapore was considered no longer a good base for the submarines sent to the China Station due to the frequent air attacks and the Japanese advance on land in Malaya.
At 1336FG/5, a lookout on board USS Boise (Capt. S.B. Robinson, USN) reported seeing an object bearing 230° at a range of 26000 yards. It was thought to be a surfaced submarine.
Around 1050GH/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Batavia, Netherlands East Indies from Colombo. (43)
Around 1715GH/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Batavia for Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies. (43)
Around 1425GH/11, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Surabaya from Batavia. (43)
Around 1710GH/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) departed from Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies for her 22nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Bali as a Japanese landing was expected on that Island.
At 0400GH/20, while entering Lombok Strait, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer bows on ahead. Truant dived. The destroyer passed to the northward.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) fires six torpedoes against the Japanese light cruiser Nagara (Capt T. Naoi, flagship of Rear-Admiral K. Kubo) (offsite link) north of Bali, Netherlands East Indies. Two torpedo hits were claimed but they were duds.
At 0100GH/25, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) surfaced and proceeded toward Badung Strait to try to attack the convoy again.
At 2230GH/26, at the eastern entrance to the Madura Strait, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a small craft at a range of about 6000 yards probably laying stopped. Truant dived to investigate and the craft was identified though the periscope as a submarine. No attack was made as Truant was not aware of the positions of Allied submarines and it was considered very likely that this was an Allied submarine placed on a defensive position. (4)
Around 1030GH/27, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) ended her 22nd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Surabaya. There she received orders to proceed to Colombo. After embarking her spare gear and several members of the spare submarine crew she departed from Surabaya around 1930GH/27. Due to a defect to the starboard main engine clutch only the port main engine was available during the passage to Colombo.
At 2300GH/27, near the Karimunjawa Islands, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted a destroyer ahead at a range of 8000 yards. The destroyer was transmitting on Asdic. It was thought possible it was a British destroyer, either HMS Electra or HMS Encounter [this was not the case, HMS Electra had already been sunk and HMS Encounter would meet her end the following morning to the south of Borneo.] The destroyer must have been Japanese. (4)
At 2320GH/1, while approaching the northern end of the Sunda Strait, in position 020° - Nicholas Point - 18 nautical miles, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) sighted three ships on the starboard bow at a range of 8 nautical miles on approximately the reciprocal course. They appeared to be two cruisers with a destroyer on their starboard bow.
At 1640F/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSC, RN) arrived at Colombo from Surabaya. (45)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trails at Colombo following which she conducted attack exercises during which HMS Express (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Cartwright, RN) acted as target. Later A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Shoreham (Cdr. G.P. Claridge, RN) and HMS Aster (Lt. W.L. Smith, RNR). (46)
Around 2225F/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Colombo for her 23rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transports 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.
At 1830F/10, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) left patrol to return to Colombo. (4)
Around 1215F/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Balston, DSO, RN) ended her 23rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Colombo. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (47)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (47)
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. Also two practice attacks were made by the submarine on the sloop. (47)
Around 0800F/19, 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. On departure Asdic trials were carried out but the set was not working correctly and could not be repaired. HMS Truant proceeded on patrol nonetheless.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) fired four torpedoes at a so far unidentified convoy in the northern part of the Malacca Straits near position 06°34'N, 99°00'E. All torpedoes missed.
Around 0600F/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 24th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Colombo. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises off Colombo with HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN) and HMS Lightning (Cdr. H.G. Walters, DSC, RN). (48)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) conduced exercises off Colombo with aircraft from HMS Illustrious (Capt. A.G. Talbot, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D.W. Boyd, CBE, DSC, RN) and HMS Formidable (Capt. A.W.LaT. Bisset, RN). During these exercises HMS Truant was escorted by HMS Overdale Wyke (?).
Around 1730F/26, 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.
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 had been fired before the gun action but both had missed.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) attacked a, so far unidentified, small escorted transport 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 by the escort but sustains no damage.
Around 1600F/15, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 25th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Colombo.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (49)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (50)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) both conducted special (dehumidifying) trials off Colombo. (51)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted engine trials off Colombo. (48)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is docked again in the Walker & Sons dry dock at Colombo. (50)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) is undocked. (50)
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 / Mombasa, Kenya.
Around 0830D/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles to fuel from the chartered tanker Nyholm (Norwegian, 5843 GRT, built 1927). She was escorted in by HMS Rosalind (Skr. E.G. Littler, DSC, RD, RNR) which had joined at 0700D/8.
Around 1030C/12, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises off Kilindini with HMS Fritillary (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Barker, RD, RNR) and aircraft. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out exercises off Kilindini with HMS Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN). The submarine also made a practice attack on the escort destroyer and also carried out gunnery exercises. (4)
Around 0615C/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Kilindini / Mombasa for Diego Suarez, Madagascar. (4)
Around 1025D/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Diego Suarez from Kilindini / Mombasa. She was escorted in by HMS Pladda (T/Lt. P.T. Lovelock, DSC, RNVR) which had joined around 0720D/26. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S exercises off Diego Suarez with HMS Pladda (T/Lt. P.T. Lovelock, DSC, RNVR). (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out A/S 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 attack exercises were carried out during which 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) acted as targets.
Around 1345C/6, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at East London. (4)
Around 1300C/14, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from East London for Simonstown. She was escorted by Commandant Duboc. They however soon lost company in the bad weather conditions. (4)
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 around 0915C/15 and await her escort there. (4)
Around 1230C/16 HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Port Elizabeth for Simonstown. She was escorted by Commandant Duboc. (4)
Around 0945C/18, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) and Commandant Duboc arrived at Simonstown from Port Elizabeth. (4)
Around 1800C/21, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Simonstown for Freetown. She was escorted until 2250C/22 by HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR).
Around 1045B/31, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) makes rendezvous with HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) in position 11°00'S, 07°00'E. Both submarines proceeded together towards Freetown. (4)
Around 1030Z/8, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) and HrMs K XIV (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Geijs, RNN) arrived at Freetown. (4)
Around 1630Z/13, 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), which was to proceed to Bermuda, was in company.
Around 0720Z/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN), made rendezvous to thee south of Bishops Rock with her escort towards Holy Loch, HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr. (Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (53)
Around 2200Z/29, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Freetown. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Ardrossan. (54)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) proceeded from Ardrossan to Troon where she is taken in hand for refit (Job Nr. ER 1569). (54)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) proceeded from Troon to Holy Loch where she underwent a submerged inclination experiment on completion of which she returned to Troon. During the passages from and back to Troon she was escorted by HMS Andre et Louise (T/Lt. T.H. Stewart, RNVR). (55)
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. During the passage she was escorted by an auxiliary trawler. (55)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (55)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (55)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (55)
Around 0630B/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed Holy Loch for Port HHX (Loch a' Choire) where she arrived around 2030B/23.
At Port HHX she was to participate in special trials. During her passage there she was escorted by HMS Jan van Gelder (Lt. P.D. O'Driscoll, RNR). (55)
Around 1600B/2, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed Port HHX for Holy Loch where she arrived around 0850B/3. She was escorted by HMS Alecto (Lt.Cdr. H.A.L. Marsham, OBE, RN). (56)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. She returned to Holy Loch around 0100B/6. (56)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Otus (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) served as target. (56)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to the Arrochar torpedo range in Loch Long where torpedo discharge trials were carried out on completion of which she returned to Holy Loch. (56)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) proceedeed from Holy Loch to Arrochar (Loch Long). (56)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (56)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these HMS Truant proceeded to Holy Loch. (56)
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) which joined off Rothesay. They were escorted by HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (56)
Around 1230B/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Holy Loch. (56)
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carried out A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMIS Narbada (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN) and HMS Newark (Lt.Cdr. D.F. Townsend, RN).
During the morning HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) carried out A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, DSC, RN) and HMCS Athabascan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN).
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carried out A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN).
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carried out A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and HMS Talybont (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN).
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carried out A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) and HMIS Narbada (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN).
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carried out A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN).
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) carried out gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. She then returned to Scapa Flow and carried out A/S exercises at Scapa Flow 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 morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), carried out A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Grenville (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, RN) and HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN).
During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) carried out A/S exercises with A/S vessels from the local defence.
Around 2200B/27, 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). (57)
Around 1300B/29, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Scapa Flow. Shortly before arrival she ran over the D/G range at Helensburg. (56)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Holy Loch for exercises in Bute Sound. She made several practice attacks on HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN) during the day before returning to Holy Loch after also have carried out gunnery exercises. (58)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS White Bear (Cdr. J.F. Drake, RNR) and aircraft. Upon completion of these exercises HMS Truant proceeded to Campbeltown. (58)
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).
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises with aircraft off Larne. (58)
HMS Proteus (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN), HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne with each other. (59)
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. (58)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises off Larne. (58)
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). (56)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted convoy attack exercises off Larne. (58)
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). (58)
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. (58)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) proceeded from Larne to Holy Loch. (58)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 7) at Holy Loch. (58)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) is undocked. (58)
HMS Proteus (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) and HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS La Flore (Lt. F.W. Hayden, RN). (60)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (58)
Around 1630B/28, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (58)
Around 1000B/30, 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.
Around 2330B/15, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) left patrol to return to Lerwick. (4)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) ended her 26th war patrol at Lerwick. (4)
Around 2000A/18, 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). (57)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. She departed again later this day for Portsmouth where she is to embark a new battery.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and FFS Minerve (Lt. H.F.D. Simon-Dubuisson) arrived at Portland. (61)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and FFS Minerve (Lt. H.F.D. Simon-Dubuisson) proceeded from Portland to Portsmouth. They were escorted by FFS Chasseur 41. (62)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted a trial dive in The Solent. (63)
Around 0630A/17, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Plymouth where she arrived around 2000A/17. She was escorted by FFS Chasseur 41. (64)
Around 1000A/18, 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). (64)
Around 0600A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Holy Loch from Plymouth. (64)
Around 1400A/24, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed Holy Loch for Larne where she arrived around 2100A/24. Around 1845A/24, on leaving the Clyde she was joined by HMS RML 546 (T.S.Lt. K.R. Pawle, RNVR) which then escorted her to Larne. (64)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises off Larne with HMS Philante (Capt. A.J. Baker-Cresswell, DSO, RN) serving as target. This ship was escorted by the destroyers USS Davison (T/Cdr. J.D. Collett, USN, with COMDESRON 15, T/Capt. C.C. Hartman, USN on board), USS Mervine (T/Cdr. D.R. Frakes, USN), USS Boyle (T/Cdr. B.P. Field, Jr., USN), USS Champlin (T/Cdr. C.L. Melson, USN), USS Nields (T/Cdr. A.R. Heckey, USN), USS Ordronaux (T/Cdr. R. Brodie, Jr., USN), USS Beatty (T/Cdr. W. Outerson, USN) and USS Tillman (T/Cdr. C.S. Hutchings, USN). (65)
Around 0630A/26, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) departed Larne for Holy Loch where she arrived around 1515A/26. Before entering Holy Loch she first carried out D/G trials on the D/G range off Helensburg. (64)
HMS Taku (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, RN), HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Unswerving (Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) acted as target. (66)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of the exercises. (64)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted independent exercises in Loch Long. (64)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (64)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. She then returned to Holy Loch but with defects to her starboard main engine. (64)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (67)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft. (67)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. These included gunnery exercises. (67)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft from HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN). (67)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft from HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSO, DSC, RN). (67)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. (67)
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). (67)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. These included gunnery exercises. (67)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft from HMS Striker (Capt. F.M. Walton, RN).
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). (57)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (61)
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). (57)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Crosswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Blyth. She was assigned to training new submarine crews. (61)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (68)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is docked in No.1 graving dock at Blyth. (68)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is undocked. (68)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Blyth. (68)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth. (68)
Around 1530A/16, 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. (69)
Around 2145A/17, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick to top off with fuel. (69)
Around 0330A/18, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Lerwick for her 27th war patrol.
As it by now had become clear to the British high command that the 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). (69)
Around 0245A/27, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. A period of more exercises now followed to work up to a 'front submarine' as it is intended to sent HMS Truant will be sent to the Far East in the future. (69)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil. (68)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted independent exercises in the Clyde area. These included a bombardment exercise. (68)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with aircraft from HMS Biter (Capt. L.A.K. Boswell, DSO, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Biter. (68)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. Also a practice attack was made on HMS Wolfe (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Helensburg. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to the Campbeltown area where she participated in A/S exercises. En-route from Holy Loch to the Campbeltown area radar exercises were to be carried out with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) but these were cancelled.
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) proceeded from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included gunnery and night exercises. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of her exercises. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included gunnery exercises and a practice attack on HMS Vivid (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN). (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. A dawn practice attack was made on HMS Vivid (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN). (70)
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. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted radar trials and exercises off Campbeltown. Also a practice attack was made on HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) proceeded from Campbeltown to Holy Loch. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) carried out exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). On completion of the exercises HMS Truant set course to proceed to Larne. (70)
Around 0900B/18, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
During 20/21 April 1944, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (70)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) proceeded from Larne to Holy Loch. (71)
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). (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included night exercises. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last nights exercises. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials at Holy Loch. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is docked in the floating dock (AFD 7) at Holy Loch. (72)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is undocked. (72)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Larne. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Larne from Holy Loch. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne with aircraft. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships of the 5th Escort Group which was made up of the frigates HMS Bickerton (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Aylmer (Lt. A.D.P. Campbell, RN), HMS Bligh (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.W. Cooper, RNR), HMS Goodson (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.W. Cooper, RNR), HMS Keats (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.F. Israel, RNR) and HMS Kempthorne (Lt.Cdr. A. Brown, RD, RNR). (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships of the 5th Escort Group which was made up of the frigates HMS Bickerton (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Aylmer (Lt. A.D.P. Campbell, RN), HMS Bligh (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.W. Cooper, RNR), HMS Goodson (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.W. Cooper, RNR), HMS Keats (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.F. Israel, RNR) and HMS Kempthorne (Lt.Cdr. A. Brown, RD, RNR). (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships of the 5th Escort Group which was made up of the frigates HMS Bickerton (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Aylmer (Lt. A.D.P. Campbell, RN), HMS Bligh (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.W. Cooper, RNR), HMS Goodson (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.W. Cooper, RNR), HMS Keats (T/A/Lt.Cdr. N.F. Israel, RNR) and HMS Kempthorne (Lt.Cdr. A. Brown, RD, RNR). (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Larne. (71)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne, most likely with ships of the 2nd Escort Group which was made up of the sloops HMS Starling (Capt. F.J. Walker, CB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Wild Goose (Lt.Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) and the frigates HMS Dominica (Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Loch Fada (Lt.Cdr. B.A. Rogers, RD, RNR) and HMS Lochy (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Roberts, RNR). [HMS Loch Killin (Lt.Cdr. S. Darling, RANVR), which was also part of this group seems not to have been present as she was at Liverpool.]
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) proceeded from Larne to Holy Loch. (73)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil. (73)
Around 1430B/22, 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 the combined convoy OS 81 / KMS 55.
For the daily positions of HMS Truant during the passage from Holy Loch to Malta and subsequent passage back to the U.K. see the map below.
Combined convoy OS 81 / KMS 55.
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. (75)
Around 0845A/4, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Holy Loch. (76)Convoy UGS 48.
With the repairs to both main engines completed, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN), departed from Gibraltar around 1500B/29 for Malta.
Around 1215B/3, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. While at Malta more engine defects were discovered for which she was taken in hand. (77)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is docked in No.1 Dock at Malta. (77)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) is undocked. (78)
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) conduced engine trials off Malta. (78)Convoy GUS 52.
HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Malta 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.
Convoy SL 171.
Around 1420B/22, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (78)
Around 0800B/29, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Portsmouth. She departed Gibraltar with convoy MKS 62G which subsquently merged with convoy SL 171 to form the combined convoy SL 171 / MKS 62.
Around 1015A/7, 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). They had parted company with the Channel / Falmouth section of the convoy around 0800A/7. (4)
Around 0715A/8, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from Falmouth for Portland where she arrived around 1730A/8. (4)
Around 0715A/9, HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) departed from
Portland for Portsmouth (Gosport) where she arrived around 1230A/9.
HMS Truant (Lt. C.A.J. Nicoll, RN) is docked in AFD 2 at Fort Blockhouse (Gosport). (79)
HMS Truant (Lt. C.A.J. Nicoll, RN) is undocked. (79)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) is wiped (degaussed) at Portsmouth. (80)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted engine and diving trials off Portsmouth. Also compass adjustment trials were carried out. (80)
Around 1050A/20, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed the Solent for Portland where she arrived around 1845A/20. She was escorted by HMS Reboundo (Skr. S.F. Cleveland, RNR). (80)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials off Portland. On entering harbour D/G trials were carried out. (80)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted D/G trials off Portland. (80)
Around 0800A/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Portland for Portsmouth (Gosport) where she arrived around 1530A/23. (80)
Around 1000A/3, 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).
Around 0855A/5, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) anchored off Barrow-in-Furness. She entered harbour in the afternoon.
Around 1500B/15, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Barrow-in-Furness for Rothesay. (82)
Around 1220B/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay from Barrow-in-Furness. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Rothesay. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Rothesay. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Rothesay. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Rothesay. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (82)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (82)
Around 0600B/2, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) shifted proceeded from Rothesay to Tobermory where she arrived around 2130B/2. She was escorted by HMS Peterhead (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR) which subsequently returned to Rothesay. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Tobermory. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Tobermory. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Tobermory. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials off Tobermory. These included an exercise with HMS Veryan Bay (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Brownrigg, DSC, RN). (83)
Around 0600B/9, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Tobermory for Rothesay where she arrived around 2130B/9. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. Also practice attacks were made on HMS Peterhead (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.T. Wenlock, RNR). (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (83)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials and noise trials in the Clyde area. (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials and noise trials in the Clyde area. (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials and noise trials in the Clyde area. (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (84)
Around 1200B/14, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Rothesay for Leith. (84)
Around 1000A/16, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at the Rosyth Dockyard.
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith during which she was escorted by HMS HDML 1070 (T/Skr. J. Clark, RNR). (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith during which she was escorted by HMS HDML 1075 (T/A/Ch.Skr. P. Reid, RNR). (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith during which she was escorted by HMS HDML 1075 (T/A/Ch.Skr. P. Reid, RNR). (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted night snort trials off Leith during which she was escorted by HMS HDML 1070 (T/Skr. J. Clark, RNR). (84)
Around 1415A/23, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Leith for Rothesay. (84)
Around 1445A/25, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Rothesay from Leith. (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (84)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (85)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (85)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area. (85)
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area.
Media links
The T-class Submarine
Kemp, Paul J.
Discharged Dead
Hart, Sydney
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