Allied Warships

HMS Thule (P 325)

Submarine of the T class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassT 
PennantP 325 
ModThird Group 
Built byDevonport Dockyard (Plymouth, U.K.) 
Ordered6 Jun 1941 
Laid down20 Sep 1941 
Launched22 Oct 1942 
Commissioned13 May 1944 
End service 
History

Scrapped at Inverkeithing on 14 September 1962.

 

Commands listed for HMS Thule (P 325)

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

CommanderFromTo
1Lt. Alastair Campbell Gillespie Mars, DSO, DSC, RN15 Dec 194324 Aug 1945
2Lt. Anthony Stuart Melville-Ross, DSC, RN24 Aug 1945mid 1946

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Notable events involving Thule include:


The history of HMS Thule as compiled on this page is extracted from the patrol reports and logbooks (unfortunately only two months are available) of this submarine. 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 November 2018.

9 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Plymouth for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (1)

10 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of trials and training. (1)

12 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area. (1)

13 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (1)

16 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

17 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

18 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (1)

21 May 1944
HHMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN shifted from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she was to conduct her torpedo discharge trials. (1)

22 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo disharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

23 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo disharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

24 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo disharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

25 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo disharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

26 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo disharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

27 May 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted torpedo disharge trials off Arrochar. (1)

29 May 1944
Having completed her torpedo discharge trials, HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN), shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch.

[No logs are available for HMS Thule after May 1944, therefore no further details can be given other then currently listed.] (1)

7 Jun 1944
HMS Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) and HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with each other.

Also attacks were made during which HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN) and HMS Cutty Sark served as the targets. These also included night exercises. (2)

2 Aug 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol (work-up patrol). She is to patrol in the North Atlantic. Main purpose of this patrol is to test new equipment for submarines, LORAN (Long Range Navigation, a radio navigation system) and radar decoy balloons.

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

(3)

13 Aug 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Holy Loch. (3)

4 Sep 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her passage to the Far East. The first leg of this trip is to Gibraltar.

No logs are available for HMS Thule so no map of this passage can be displayed. (4)

12 Sep 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (4)

18 Sep 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Gibraltar bound for Malta. (4)

23 Sep 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Malta. (4)

1 Oct 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Malta bound for Port Said. (4)

2 Oct 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Port Said bound for Aden. She transits the Suez Canal on this day. (4)

7 Oct 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. (4)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Aden bound for Trincomalee. (4)

20 Oct 1944
HMS Thule (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Trincomalee. Before she proceeded on patrol she was docked for a propeller change (dates unknown to us for the moment). (4)

7 Nov 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She is to patrol off the West coast of Siam and Malaya. She is also to perform a special operation in the Langkawi area.

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

(3)

12 Nov 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) receives a signal that the special operation is cancelled. (3)

16 Nov 1944
On board HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) stoker Thomas Acton died of heat exhaustion. His body was committed to the deep after sunset. (3)

19 Nov 1944
On board HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) the Chief Stoker had fallen ill with similar symptoms than the late stoker Acton (see 16 November). Lt. Mars now suspected a contagious or infectious disease, possibly cholera. A signal was made to base about the situation. (3)

20 Nov 1944
In the early morning hours HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) was ordered to abandon her patrol and to return to Trincomalee. (3)

21 Nov 1944
Shortly after 1400 hours, HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN), makes a rendezvous with HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) in position 07°04'N, 91°00'E. A doctor as transferred to Thule. He concludes that there is no cholera on board but due to the large number of sick men aboard Thule it is decided to proceed to Trincomalee. (3)

23 Nov 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee. Bofore she proceeded on her next patrol Thule was docked (dates unknown to us for the moment). (3)

11 Dec 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East). She is to patrol in the Northern Malacca Straits. She is also ordered to lay a minefield.

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

(3)

16 Dec 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) lays 12 mines to the North of Terutan Island.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1830 hours - An hour after sunset surfaced in position 319° Pulo Lela light 5.6 nautical miles. The light was not burning. Set course to reach a position in 7 fathoms of water between Pulo Lela and Goh Tama to lay the minefield.

1938 hours - Laid the first row of 4 mines. 600 feet apart in a line bearing 150° from position 044° Pulo Lela light 19 cables in 7 fathoms of water.

2010 hours - Laid the second row of 4 mines. 600 feet apart in a line bearing 260°from position 050° Pulo Lela light 14 cables in 8.5 fathoms of water.

2049 hours - Laid the third and last row of 4 mines. 600 feet apart in a line bearing 280°from position 030 Pulo Lela light 15 cables in 9 fathoms of water.

2054 hours - Finished mine laying. Set course to clear the area. (3)

17 Dec 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank a sampan in position 06°17'N, 99°06'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1610 hours - Surfaced in position 06°24'N, 98°55'E to look for junks.

1720 hours - Chased what was thought to be a small junk. By the time it had been identified as a large sampan Thule had been seen by the crew. To avoid compromise sank the sampan in position 06°17'N, 99°06'E and took the crew of four Chinese crew prisoner. (3)

19 Dec 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank 4 sailing vessels with gunfire in position 06°02'N, 98°43'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0743 hours - Surfaced in position 06°02'N, 98°42'E and chased a junk.

0800 to 0900 hours - In position 06°02'N, 98°43'E sank three Chinese twakows and one Trengganu sailing vessel with gunfire. Picked up 13 survivors. One of the Twakows was unladen. The other vessels carried; Coconut oil and sugar, Rice, Unknown but the vessel was very low in the water and her deck was stacked with white sacks.

0908 hours - Withdrew from the islands on the surface.

1120 hours - Dived in position 05°52'N, 99°27'E.

1715 hours - Surfaced in position 05°45'N, 99°35'E and searched for craft to which some of the survivors could be transferred, but without success.

2000 hours - One of the survivors died of his wounds. He was buried at sea. (3)

21 Dec 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) destroyed 8 twakows and a lighter with ramming and gunfire around position 04°50'N, 100°20'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0300 hours - Transferred 6 survivors to a fishing sampan.

0550 hours - Obtained a fix in position 04°23'N, 100°20'E. Decided to make a sweep up the coast towards Penang sinking junks.

0623 hours - Sank a Chinese twakow with gunfire, no survivors taken as they took to their boat.

0626 hours - Dived in position 04°24'N, 100°22'E for seaplanes patrolling to the Eastward.

0640 hours - Surfaced to attack a junk.

0646 hours - Sank a Chinese twakow with gunfire and took survivors.

0707 hours - Left a Chinese twakow dismasted and waterlogged having fired 19 rounds at it. She would not sink despite being very low in the water. The crew took to a boat.

Decided that ramming would be more economical.

0731 hours - Sank a Chinese twakow by ramming, took survivors.

0744 hours - Sank a Chinese twakow by ramming, took survivors.

0812 hours - Transferred 12 of the survivors to another twakow. Mutilated her riggings to delay her arrival in Dindings.

0815 hours - Dived in position 04°25'N, 100°23'E for a single seaplane to the South.

1017 hours - Surfaced and sank Chinese twakow by ramming, rescued survivors.

1144 hours - Sank another twakow by ramming, rescued survivors.

1156 hours - Sighted a lighter making for shallow water.

1212 hours - Sank the lighter from 3000 yards with gunfire. 37 rounds were fired.

1219 hours - Dived in position 04°45'N, 100°18'E for an aircraft to the Eastward.

1236 hours - Surfaced and closed a twakow.

1251 hours - Sank this twakow through ramming. Rescued survivors. One of these died soon after being picked up. Gave him a hasty burial.

1300 hours - Made to the Westward with the idea of closing a twakow to transfer survivors.

1338 hours - Sighted smoke in the Southern entrance to Penang and smoke and a mast approaching from the North-West. The game was up. Dived in position 04°53'N, 100°08'E. The mast developed into a submarine chaser. When astern he stopped and pointed towards. He had detected Thule.

1422 hours - The enemy was using Asdic. Went to 90 feet and changed course.

1434 hours - The first pattern of four depth charges were dropped quite close. Some minor damage was caused.

1545 hours - The submarine chaser passed over the control room and dropped a pattern of three depth charges rather late. One again very close causing some more minor damage. The enemy however had enough and HE soon faded.

1745 hours - Came to periscope depth. Only a distant junk was sighted.

1817 hours - Surfaced in position 04°53'N, 99°54'E and steered towards Pulo Perak to clear the area.

2000 hours - Stopped a fishing sampan and transferred 12 survivors. After the depth charging they were extremely glad to go. (3)

24 Dec 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank 5 sampans through ramming around position 04°30'N, 100°12'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0530 hours - Dived in position 04°45N, 99°51E and closed the coast to the South-East for another run against the coastal traffic between Dindings and Penang.

1330 hours - Surfaced in position 04°37'N, 100°05'E and chased 2 junks. These however turned out to be large seagoing sampans.

1412 hours - Sank sampan through ramming, rescued the crew.

1426 hours - Sank sampan through ramming, rescued the crew.

1510 hours - Dived in position 04°30N, 100°12E for an aircraft approaching from the North-East.

1527 hours - Surfaced and continued the hunt.

1733 hours - Sank sampan through ramming, rescued the crew.

1800 hours - Sank sampan through ramming, rescued the crew.

1812 hours - Nothing in sight. Retired to the seaward to find a suitable craft to transfer 14 of the survivors.

2015 hours - Closed two large sampans and sank one by ramming. Ditched a ton of rice from the second and took her in tow to increase her distance from the harbour.

2315 hours - The tow parted. Transferred 18 survivors to the sampan with a supply of water. Cut her rigging to delay her arrival in harbour giving Thule time to operate in the same area tomorrow. In the end nothing would come of this as the area was heavily patrolled by aircraft the next day. (3)

28 Dec 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) attacks the Japanese submarine RO-113 (offsite link) about 20 nautical miles North-North-West of Penang in position 05°50'N, 100°04'E . Lt.Cdr. Mars claims a kill but the torpedoes have exploded prematurely so the submarine escapes unharmed.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0825 hours - Sighted a seaplane circling on a bearing of 310° and approaching gradually. Altered course to investigate.

0851 hours - Although nothing could be seen or heard it was clear that this floatplane was escorting something. Prepared to attack.

0909 hours - Heard HE on the Starboard beam drawing aft. Changed course to attack.

0912 hours - Sighted a Japanese RO-100 class submarine on a course of 135°, distance 1000 yards. Had to fire a stern shot.

0913 hours - In position 05°50'N, 100°04'E fired three stern torpedoes.

0914 hours - A torpedo was seen to explode and the target was enveloped in the explosion and a cloud of spray. The HE ceased and was not heard again.

Meanwhile the aircraft was seen closing so Thule went to 60 feet and altered course. No counter attack followed. (3)

29 Dec 1944
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank a Twakow through ramming in position 06°18'N, 98°28'E.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1008 hours - Surfaced in position 06°18'N, 98°28'E to attack a junk.

1016 hours - Rammed and capsized a Chinese twakow which was Northbound and unladen. Picked up 4 survivors. (3)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (2nd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. Bofore she proceeded on her next patrol Thule was docked (dates unknown to us for the moment). (3)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Far East). She is to carry out a special operation and to patrol in the South China Sea.

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

(3)

6 Feb 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out special operation Carpenter II. A party was landed on the East coast of Malaya.

(All times are zone -8)
2000 hours - Surfaced in position 01°37'N, 104°19'E 4.5 nautical miles bearing 076° from the fire on the beach that became visible immediately upon surfacing. Steered slowly towards the fire on motors.

2033 hours - Stopped in the selected spot and made preparations for the launching of the party.

2240 hours - Completed the operation when three members of a previous party were picked up.

2245 hours - Proceeded to seaward.

11 Feb 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) fires 6 torpedoes against a merchant vessel in the South China Sea in position 00°01'N, 106°48'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target.

(All times are zone -8)
1200 hours - Smoke was sighted bearing 256°. Started to close.

1355 hours - Started attack.

1438 hours - Fired 6 torpedoes against the merchant vessel. This was an old type single funnel, three island merchant vessel of about 2000 tons. It was escorted by an old destroyer, a modern looking trawler and another unidentified vessel. Torpedoes were fired from 4000 yards. All missed maybe due to the first torpedo running on the surface for 400 yards quite near the closest escort.

1441 hours - At 90 feet.

1448 hours - Two depth charges were dropped but were not close.

1524 hours - One depth charge was dropped, way off.

1540 hours - Came to periscope depth. Only smoke could be sighted. The intention to surface and chase was abandoned when a seaplane arrived and patrolled the area. (3)

24 Feb 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (3rd in the Far East) at Trincomalee. Bofore she proceeded on her next patrol Thule was docked (dates unknown to us for the moment). (3)

23 Mar 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 5th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She is to perform a special operation (eventually the special operation was abandoned, details to follow) and to patrol off the West coast of Siam and Malaya.

Upon completion of this patrol Thule was to proceed to Fremantle, Australia but this order was cancelled on 15 April 1945 and she was ordered to return to Trincomalee instead.

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

(3)

28 Mar 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank two junks with demolition charges off the west coast of Siam.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1224 hours - Sighted a junk. Altered course to close.

1336 hours - Sunk a 5 ton junk with demolition charges in position 06°29'N, 98°12'E. She was empty but the crew and the papers were taken on board for investigation.

1532 hours - Altered course to close when 2 junks were sighted.

1634 hours - Sank a 5 ton junk with demolition charges in position 06°13'N, 98°21'E after searching the vessel. The crew was taken on boars for investigation.

1640 hours - Searched the second vessel and questioned the crew.

1656 hours - Placed the crew and the crew of the vessel sunk at 1634 hours on this vessel and released them. (3)

1 Apr 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire of the west coast of Siam.

(All times are zone -6.5)
0940 hours - Examined and subsequently sank a 3 ton sampan in position 04°26'N, 100°18'E. The cargo was about 3 tons of rice. Examined a second sampan of similar size. Ditched 2.5 tons of rice from her and set her free having put the crew of the first sampan on board with sufficiently rice and water.
(3)

3 Apr 1945
HMS Thule (A/Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire of the west coast of Siam.

(All times are zone -6.5)
1813 hours - Surfaced in position 04°25'N, 100°15'E and closed a small junk. This turned out to be a seagoing sampan of 3 tons carrying some 2 tons of rice. This vessel was examined and found unsuitable for the special operation so was sunk with a demolition charge after her crew of two had been taken on board HMS Thule.

2051 hours - Sank a two masted junk by ramming in position 04°23'N, 100°15'E. Her estimated size was 8 tons with a cargo of 5 tons of rice. (3)

16 Apr 1945
On board HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) one rating collapsed from heat stroke. He had to be revived by artificial respiration. A signal was sent requesting medical aid being sent towards Thule. (3)

18 Apr 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Terpsichore (Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) in position 07°25'N, 83°18'E. The sick rating was transferred. (3)

19 Apr 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (4th in the Far East) at Trincomalee. (3)

15 May 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Trincomalee for her 6th war patrol (5th in the Far East). She was ordered to perform a special operation (Carpenter III) and to patrol in the South China Sea.

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

(3)

30 May 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) carries out operation Carpenter III off the East coast of Malaya.

(All times are zone -9)
2127 hours - Surfaced five miles from the rendezvous position. Closed to 2.5 nautical miles.

2213 hours - Started the landing operations.

0130 hours (31 May) - Completed the operations. Proceeded clear of the coast. In all 19 persons were landed and 11 taken on board. 8000 Lbs of stores were also landed. (3)

14 Jun 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (5th in the Far East) at Fremantle, Australia. Bofore she proceeded on her next patrol Thule was either docked or put on the slipway (dates unknown to us for the moment). (3)

5 Jul 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Fremantle for her 7th war patrol (1st in the Pacific area). She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea.

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

(3)

9 Jul 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) enters Onslow, Australia to disembark a wounded crewmember and to make some minor repairs. She departed again after a few hours. (3)

14 Jul 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) destroys a Japanese coaster with gunfire North of Bali in position 07°50'S, 114°30'E. Upon diving after this action Thule is bombed by a Japanese aircraft but sustains no damage.

(All times are zone -9)
1426 hours - Surfaced in position 07°50'S, 114°30'E to gun a small Southbound coaster of 150 tons. Range was 6000 yards. The enemy sighted Thule immediately upon surfacing and opened fire with his light automatic guns. The range of these was however only 5000 yards. Thule closed and the enemy made off to the shore. The target was difficult to see against the shore. After about 100 rounds of 4" for a few hits the fire of the enemy was silenced. Thule then checked her fire while closing. A further 70 rounds were fired from 2000 to 1500 yards, about 50% were hits. The enemy was left burning on the beach and was considered a total loss.

1612 hours - Dived in position 07°55'S, 114°36'E.

1614 hours - Bombed by a Japanese aircraft that came out of the sun. It was not seen before. No damage was sustained. (3)

17 Jul 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) destroys a coaster, on a slip, with gunfire off Pekalongan, Java, Netherlands East Indies near position 06°50'S, 109°43'E.

(All times are zone -9)
1946 hours - Surfaced in position 06°50'S, 109°43'E and closed the slip with the coaster on it to 2000 yards.

1957 hours - Opened fire with the 4" gun.

2005 hours - Ceased fire after obtaining about 40 hits out of 57 rounds fired. The ship on the slip was considered a total loss. Some near misses most likely damaged the slipway as well. There was no opposition from the shore at all. (3)

19 Jul 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank a lugger with gunfire off the north coast of Java, Netherlands East Indies in position 06°11'S, 108°14'E.

(All times are zone -9)
1511 hours - Surfaced in position 06°11'S, 108°14'E. Gunned and sank a 100 tons wooden lugger. Her cargo was oil and it was still burning on the surface 5 hours later. 39 round of 4" were fired for 20 hits.
(3)

20 Jul 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) sank a coaster with gunfire of the north coast of Java, Netherlands East Indies in position 06°13'45"S, 108°16'25"E.

(All times are zone -9)
1335 hours - Surfaced in position 06°12'S, 108°16'E. Closed the coast and gunned a 150 ton coaster, which was unladen and Westbound. The enemy made for the beach. She was hit about 25 times (for 42 rounds expended) and sank at 1346 hours until the hatches were awash. The wreck is in position 06°13'45"S, 108°16'25"E.

1353 hours - Bombed by a Japanese aircraft. Two bombs were dropped that landed 200 yards astern. Dived. The aircraft was not picked up on radar that was blanketed by shore and mountain echoes. (3)

31 Jul 1945
HMS Thule (Lt.Cdr. A.C.G. Mars, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (1st in the Pacific area) at Fremantle. This was Thule's last war patrol. After VJ-day she made some visits to Australian ports. She left Australia mid-October for Hong Kong. Early November she departed for the U.K. She arrived in the U.K. for refit late December 1945. (4)

Media links


The T-class Submarine

Kemp, Paul J.

Sources

  1. ADM 173/19025
  2. ADM 173/19296
  3. ADM 199/1867
  4. ADM 199/2572

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


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