| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | U |
| Pennant | N 95 |
| Mod | Second Group |
| Built by | Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) |
| Ordered | 4 Sep 1939 |
| Laid down | 30 Oct 1939 |
| Launched | 6 Jun 1940 |
| Commissioned | 27 Sep 1940 |
| Lost | 24 Oct 1942 |
| History | After a refit in the UK HMS Unique (Lt. Robert Evelyn Boddington, RN) left Holy loch on 7 October 1942. She was ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay while on passage from Britain to Gibraltar. She left her escorts off Lands End on the 9th and was not heard from again. The cause of her loss is unknown. She was reported overdue on 24 October 1942 when she failed to arrive at Gibraltar. Possibly lost on 13 October 1942 during a failed attack on the German tanker Spichern in the Bay of Biscay in position 46°54'N, 06°03'W after being damaged by a premature explosion of one of her own torpedoes (see events below for more details). |
Commands listed for HMS Unique (N 95)
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. Anthony Foster Collett, RN | 19 Sep 1940 | 16 Aug 1941 |
| 2 | Lt. Arthur Richard Hezlet, RN | 16 Aug 1941 | 24 Aug 1941 |
| 3 | Lt. Anthony Foster Collett, RN | 24 Aug 1941 | 18 Jun 1942 |
| 4 | Lt. Robert Evelyn Boddington, RN | 18 Jun 1942 | 24 Oct 1942 |
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Notable events involving Unique include:
The history of HMS Unique as compiled on this page is extracted from the patrol reports and logbooks 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 May 2021.
27 Sep 1940
Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed her builders yard at Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Troubadour (Cdr.(Retd.) D.H. Milward, DSO, RNR).
En-route, Unique carried out acceptance trials followign which she was formally taken over from the shipyard and placed in full commission at Holy Loch. (1)
28 Sep 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) commeced a period of trials and training. (2)
1 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted D/G tests at Holy Loch. (3)
2 Oct 1940
HMS Porpoise (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) and HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with an A/S yacht. (3)
4 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) condcuted D/G (degaussing) trials in Gare Loch. (3)
6 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (3)
7 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)
8 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)
9 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Holy Loch. (3)
10 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Rothesay. (3)
11 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Govan. (3)
12 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at Govan to have her propeller changed. While she was in dock her bottom was also cleaned and painted. (3)
14 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is undocked at Govan. She then proceeded to the torpedo firing range at Arrochar. (3)
15 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. (3)
16 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) proceeded from Arrochar to Holy Loch. (3)
18 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted noise trials in the Clyde area. Upon completion of these trials she proceeded to Rothesay. (3)
19 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Jennie Deans (A/Cdr. L.C. Windsor, RN). These included night exercises during the night of 19/20 October 1940. (3)
20 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of the night exercises. (3)
23 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Campbeltown. En-route exercises were carried out. (3)
24 Oct 1940
With her trials and training completed, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), departed Campbeltown around 1830A/24 for Portsmouth. She was escorted by HMS Haarlem (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR) until 1508A/26 when they parted company near the Lizard.
Before departure HMS Unique had carried out A/S exercises with HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) N.T.B. Holt, RN).
At Portsmouth HMS Unique was to be taken in hand to remedy the problems with the 'singing propellers' of the new U-class submarines. (3)
27 Oct 1940
Around 1545 HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Portsmouth (Haslar Creek, Fort Blockhouse / HMS Dolphin). She had been joined by a trawler (unidentified) wihch escorted her in around 1215A/27. (3)
28 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted noise trials off Portsmouth following which she is docked in the floating dock (AFD 2) at Haslar Creek (Fort Blockhouse / HMS Dolphin). (3)
30 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is undocked. She then conducted noise trials off Portsmouth. (3)
31 Oct 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is docked again in AFD 2 at Haslar Creek (Fort Blockhouse / HMS Dolphin. She was undocked after a few hours for main motor trails in Haslar Creek. Upon completion of these, apparently unsatisfactory, trials she was docked once more. (3)
2 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is undocked. After trials off Portsmouth she was docked once more in AFD 2. (4)
5 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is undocked following motor trials were carried out. (4)
6 Nov 1940
Around 1500A/6, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel.
She was escorted out until 1740A/6, by HMS Kingston Amber (Skr. J. Flett, RNR). (5)
6 Nov 1940
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during her 1st war patrol see the map below.
7 Nov 1940
In a signal timed, 1354A/7, the Vice Admiral Submarines, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was informed that at 1210A/7, 3 enemy merchant vessels had been sighted 30 nautical miles to the south of the Needles.
The signal was received at 1608A/7, when HMS Unique was in position 50°05'N, 01°19'W. She was unable to act on this signal as it was too late to do so.
[We have been unable to identify these three enemy merchant vessels.] (5)
15 Nov 1940
At 0100A/15, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) left patrol to return to Portsmouth.
At 1245A/15, she ended her 1st war patrol at Portsmouth. On arrival D/G trials were carried out.
She was escorted in by HMS Kingston Ceylonite (Ch.Skr. J.S. Garnham, RNR) which had joined around 0745A/15. (6)
22 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth. (4)
26 Nov 1940
Around 1400A/26, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dartmouth.
Before departure exercises were carried out.
She was escorted out until 1640A/26, by HMS Kingston Ceylonite (Ch.Skr. J.S. Garnham, RNR). (4)
27 Nov 1940
Around 1020A/27, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Dartmouth to participate in A/S exercises.
She was escorted in by HMS St. Cathan (T/Lt. F. Twomey, RNR) which had joined around 0845A/27. (4)
28 Nov 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Dartmouth with HMS Kipling (Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN). (3)
29 Nov 1940
Around 1800A/29, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Dartmouth for Portsmouth. (4)
30 Nov 1940
Around 1310A/30, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. She was escorted in by HMS Cape Palliser (T/Lt. D.C. Hayes, RNVR). (7)
11 Dec 1940
Around 1430A/11, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. She was to proceed towards Malta to join the Mediterranean Fleet.
HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. P.R. Ward, RN) was in company, as was also a trawler escort [so far unidentified] until around 1745A/11.
On her way she was ordered, together with HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN), HMS Usk and HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, RN), to patrol off the Gironde estuary to intercept U-boats expected there on 14/15 December but nothing was sighted.
The passage to Gibraltar therefore became her 2nd war patrol.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(8)
17 Dec 1940
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) and HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. P.R. Ward, RN) are ordered to leave patrol and continue their passage to Gibraltar.
23 Dec 1940
Around 0900A/23, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), HMS Upholder (Lt. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) and HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. P.R. Ward, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Haarlem (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR). They then set course for Gibraltar.
They all arrived at Gibraltar around 1530A/23. (9)
28 Dec 1940
Around 1830A/28, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. Initially she was to cover the passage of the Excess convoy but it occurred after her passage.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this passage see the map below.
(8)
6 Jan 1941
Around 0800A/6, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (10)
8 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is docked in No.4 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (10)
10 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is undocked. (10)
16 Jan 1941
Around 1730A/16, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the approaches to Tripoli, Libya.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(5)
21 Jan 1941
At 1340A/21, while close inshore to the west of Tripoli, in approximate position 32°51'N, 12°35'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted two westbound transports of approximately 2500 tons escorted by two auxiliary schooners bearing 035°. Enemy course was 290° at 12 knots. An attack was started but after an hour the attack was abandoned due to the long range and broad track angle (140°).
This must have been the transports Marocchino (Italian, 1524 GRT, built 1920) and Prospero (Italian, 971 GRT, built 1904) and the Italian auxiliary schooners V 87 / Aosta (562 GRT, built 1913) and V 39/Giovanna (158 GRT, built 1910) which had departed Tripoli for Trapani around 0945A/21. (5)
22 Jan 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a merchant vessel with one torpedo about 10 nautical miles west of Tripoli, Libya. The torpedo missed and the target fled back towards Tripoli.
According to Italian sources this was the transport Dielpi (Italian, 1520 GRT, built 1912) who was missed astern but she reported turning back to Tripoli because of the bad weather.
Before this attack an attack on a large transport had to be broken off.
1300A/22 - In position 32°55'N, 13°00'E sighted a large transport bearing 260°. Enemy course was 095° at a speed of 14 knots. Range was 13000 yards. A Cant Z501 flying boat was overhead. Started attack.
1342A/22 - The attack had to be broken off when the enemy changed course, a pity as the target appeared to be 7000 to 10000 tons in size. A second ship was now spotted and the attack was shifted to this vessel which was of about 2000 tons. enemy course was 250° at a speed of 9 knots.
1356A/22 - Fired one torpedo from 700 yards aimed just forward of the funnel. Upon firing Unique went to 75 feet. The torpedo was not heard to explode.
1417A/22 - Returned to periscope depth and saw the target returning towards Tripoli with signals flying. (5)
23 Jan 1941
At 1630A/23, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) received the Cdr. S.1's signal timed 1213A/23 which ordered her to leave patrol P.M./25 and proceed through positions 33°05'N, 13°00'E and 35°31'N, 14°14'E to arrive off Marsamxett harbour at 0700A/27. She was also to make a short area report when considered safe to do so after crossing
Latitude 35°N. (11)
24 Jan 1941
At 0320A/24, while patrolling to the west of Tripoli, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted two destroyers in line ahead bearing 150° at a range of 2 miles. Enemy course was 080° at 10 knots. HMS Unique altered course away to avoid. (5)
25 Jan 1941
At 1900A/25, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) left patrol to return to Malta. (5)
27 Jan 1941
Around 0700A/27, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
(5)
7 Feb 1941
Around 1745A/7, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol near the Kerkennah Bank, Tunisia.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(5)
8 Feb 1941
At 2319A/8, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) received HMS Ursula's (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) signal timed 1940A/8 which gave the following;
Unsuccessfully attacked convoy 3 merchant
ships escorted by 2 torpedo boats in position 35°15'N, 11°30'E. Course 135° at 11 knots.
HMS Unique was not in a position to intercept the enemy. (12)
10 Feb 1941
At 0320A/10, east-north-east of Kerkennah, in position 34°54'N, 11°55'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted three large merchant vessels bearing 245° at 14000 yards. Enemy course was 350° at 14 knots. Due to the flat calm sea and bright moonlight it was declined to attack dived at 5.5 knots on course 300°.
At 0530A/10, the enemy appeared to alter course to 320° round No.4 Kerkennah Bank buoy. HMS Unique was still 6000 yards from the enemy on a very broad track and the attack was broken off. On surfacing at 0415A/10, seven ships had been visible. The additional four vessels are thought to have been escorts. At 0435A/10, an enemy report had been made.
This convoy was most likely the one made up of the (troop) transports Conte Rosso (Italian, 12567 GRT, built 1912), Esperia (Italian, 11398 GRT, built 1920), Marco Polo (Italian, 12567 GRT, built 1912) and the transport Calitea (Italian, 4013 GRT, built 1933). They had departed Tripoli around 1830B/9 for Naples. They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Luca Tarigo, Lanzerotto Malocello, Freccia and Saetta. (5)
11 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a large transport east of Kerkennah. This was the German Arcturus (2576 GRT, built 1937) in company with German transports Alicante (2140 GRT, built 1934) and Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937). The convoy was escorted by the Italian destroyer Turbine and the Italian torpedo boat Orsa on their way to Tripoli from Naples which they had departed around 0930B/8. Arcturus reported three underwater explosions which were probably caused by torpedoes hitting the bottom.
0110A/11 - In position 34°41'N, 11°50'E sighted a large transport and a tanker apparently unescorted, bearing 010°. Enemy course was 160°. Started attack.
0211A/11 - Fired four torpedoes from 2500 yards at the transport. No hits were obtained as the speed was most likely higher then was estimated. After 14 minutes three torpedoes were heard exoloding on the bottom at theend of their run. The 4th torpedo had a gyro failure and was heard to pass over the after casing shortly after it was fired.
0330A/11 - Surfaced. Nothing in sight. (5)
12 Feb 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) attacked a transport in a convoy east of Kerkennah with two torpedoes which both missed.
This convoy was probably the one made up of the Italian transports Florida II (3100 GRT, built 1905), Audace (1446 GRT, built 1892) and Pegli (1673 GRT, built 1910) escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Calliope. Thus convoy had departed Palermo around 1000B/11. Initially the convoy had been escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Alcione until the vicinity of Trapani where Calliope took over.
2340A/11 – In position 34°43'N, 11°50'E sighted four vessels bearing 110 degrees in open formation.
2346A/11 - Dived and closed the enemy.
0021A/12 - Fired two torpedoes from 3500 yards. No hits were obtained although two hits were claimed.
0105A/12 - Surfaced, nothing in sight.
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1210A/12 - East-north-east of Kerkennah, in position 34°55'N, 11°50'E, two transports were sighted bearing 270°. Enemy course was 160°. Closed at full speed on a 115° track for 15 minutes. The track was then broadened to 130° and the chase was continued for a further 10 minutes but it was found impossible to close the range which was never less than 8000 yards. The targets finally altered course away apparently running into Sfax Bay. The ships were identified as a large tanker of about 6000 tons and a small tramp. They were not escorted and most probably Vichy-French.
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1950A/12 - In position 34°50'N, 11°49'E, two small vessels were seen bearing 210°, range 10000 yards. They were at first believed to be trawlers but they may have been small coasters. Unique altered course to 030 and ran away at 8 knots until the ships appeared to round Kerkennah Bank proceeding northwards. (5)
13 Feb 1941
At 0300A/13, east-north-east of Kerkennah, in position 34°49'N, 11°52'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted a small merchant vessel bearing 290° bull down on course 220°. Decided that a chase was hopeless as HMS Unique was abaft the contacts beam.
At 0356A/13, three small ships were sighted bearing 150° thought to be probably destroyers. The came straight towards at high speed. HMS Unique dived and ran out to the north and east keeping HE end on and astern. Revs. of the enemy were 220 decreasing to 130. No A/S transmissions were heard.
At 0800A/13, in position 34°49'N, 11°50'E, sighted a 6000 tons merchant vessel in ballast bearing 290°. Range was 10000 yards. Course 200°. Closed to attack but the target was subsequently identified as a French 'San Antonio-class' vessel.
At 0830A/13, another merchant vessel was sighted bearing 230°, range 6000 yards. Course of the contact was 030° at 7 knots. The vessel was heavily laden and approximately 4500 tons. Closed to 1000 yards but just then the ship was identified as Vichy-French.
At 1740A/13, in position 34°51'N, 11°49'E, two merchant vessels were sighted. They were less then 2000 tons in size. Range was 14000 yards. Course of the vessels was 040°. They are believed to have been Vichy-French.
At 1908A/13, the Cdr. S'1's signal timed 1755A/13, was received which ordered HMS Unique to retire to the south-west as Swordfish aircraft were operating in her area. She was to remain west of 11°30'E. (5)
14 Feb 1941
At 0230A/14, when south-east of Kerkennah, in position 34°26'N, 11°31'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted four aircraft flares bearing 055°. HMS Unique set course to return to her patrol area.
At 0345A/14, in position 34°35'N, 11°37'E, a small merchant vessel was seen bearing 045° at a range of 14000 yards. Course of the vessel was 350°. A chase was hopeless. (5)
15 Feb 1941 In an earlier signal, timed 1216A/15, the Cdr. S'1 had ordered HMS Unique to leave patrol so as to arrive off Marsamxett
at 0630A/18. She was to proceed through positions 34°30'N, 12°16'E and 35°32'N, 14°12'E. She was also informed that Mine(s) of unknown type had been laid by enemy aircraft off the harbour entrance. (5) 16 Feb 1941 At 0310A/16, in position 34°25'N, 11°32'E, a transport escorted by a destroyer was sighted bearing 060° at a range of 12000 yards. Enemy course was 180°. Closed on a 100° track and later a 140° track at full speed but the range could not be closed further than 6000 yards.
At 1400A/16, east of Kerkennah, in approximate position 34°38'N, 11°44'E, a merchant vessels was seen bearing 280° at a range of 12000 yards. HMS Unique altered course to close at full submerged speed but after 20 minutes the range had not decreased. A second merchant vessel was just visible hull down beyond the first. They appeared to be ships of approximately 6000 tons each and were probably Vichy-French.
At 1755A/16, east-north-east of Kerkennah, in position 34°50'N, 11°52'E, four vessels were seen bearing 295° at a range of 10000 yards. HMS Unique closed to investigate.
At 1812A/16, the targets were identified as three small minesweepers in quarter line on course 180° at 8 knots. HMS Unique altered course to 080° and kept stern on.
At 1850A/16, HE faded on bearing 220°. (5) 17 Feb 1941 18 Feb 1941 27 Feb 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(5) 1 Mar 1941 4 Mar 1941 This signal must have referred to the convoy made up of the transports Adana (German, 4176 GRT, built 1922), Aegina (German, 2453 GRT, built 1922), Arta (German, 2452 GRT, built 1922) and Sabaudia (Italian, 1703 GRT, built 1911). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Luca Tarigo, Freccia and the Italian torpedo boat Castore. The convoy had departed Naples around 1800B/3 for Tripoli. (13) 5 Mar 1941 At 1330B/5, when in position 33°08'N, 12°02'E, they altered course to 350°. (5) 6 Mar 1941 On closing it was seen that that there were eight in number. Five were thought to be minesweepers and three others were thought to be torpedo boats. They were steering 130°. Ten minutes later two destroyers were sighted bearing 170° at a range of 4 miles. Their approximate course was 280°. Very shortly afterwards they turned eastwards again to a course of about 100°. Asdic gave their revs as 230-240. As far as could be seen they were of the Folgore-class.
During this time four aircraft were flying over the area. At 1212B/6, two of the aircraft, seen to be Savioa's were seen coming straight towards and it was deemed wise to go deep.
From 1235B/6 to 1300B/6, several vessels doing 90 revs were heard to pass to the southward moving east. Others were presumably the sweepers still steering 130°.
At 1245B/6, HE of 140 revs was heard bearing 180° drawing west.
At 1315B/6, HE of 140 revs was heard bearing 180° drawing east.
By 1330B/6, all was quiet.
At 1415B/6, on coming to periscope depth the mast and funnel of a large merchant vessel was seen bearing 140°, astern of a cloud of smoke from presumably the minesweepers. Enemy course was approximately 090°. (5) 7 Mar 1941 7 Mar 1941 The target was soon identified as two torpedo boats of the Spica-class. They were in line ahead proceeding on course 170° at 24 knots (240 revs.). The second torpedo boat was belching forth thick black smoke. (5) 10 Mar 1941 Her escort, the armed merchant cruiser Attilio Deffenu (3510 GRT, built 1929), picked up 14 survivors and four corpses. The destroyer Baleno, escorting a nearby convoy, was detached to hunt the submarine and dropped ten depth charges in the area but without result.
0645B/10 - In position 34°25'N, 12°40'E heard HE bearing 360°. Came to periscope depth and sighted an armed merchant cruiser escorting a laden merchant vessel of about 3500 tons. Started attack.
0659B/10 - Fired three torpedoes at the merchant vessel from 2000 yards. 2 Minutes 15 seconds after firing the first torpedo an explosion was heard. HE ceased immediately. Unique meanwhile went to 150 feet. During the next hour 12 depth charges were dropped but these were not close. No more HE was heard after 0815 hours. (5) 11 Mar 1941 HMS Unique returned to Malta with a defective starboard main engine. This could not be repaired at sea and required a period of repairs at Malta. (5) 28 Mar 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(5) 31 Mar 1941 At 0845B/31, in position 36°24'N, 10°57'E a merchant vessel was seen bearing 265° at a range of 7 miles. The vessel was northbound. HMS Unique closed at speed for three quarters of an hour. Vessel was a fully laden tramp of about 4000 tons showing no identification marks or flag. Course of the vessel was 020° at 7-8 knots. Two tubes were blown up, but at the last moment (0943B/31) it was decided not to fire as the vessel was inside French territorial waters. (5) 2 Apr 1941 At 1910B/2, in position 36°36'N, 11°10'E, a small fishing vessel was sighted bearing 285° at a range of 8 miles. Course of the vessel was 020°. (5) 4 Apr 1941 6 Apr 1941 The unknown vessel passed within 4 miles of HMS Unique steering along the coast northwards towards Kelibia at a speed of 7-8 knots. It was a merchant vessel of 5000-6000 tons, well lit, but carrying no visibile identification marks. As the vessel was within French territorial waters she was left unmolested.
At 2030B/6, HMS Unique surfaced. She left patrol at 2200B/6 as ordered in Cdr. S.1's signal timed 1216B/4. (5) 8 Apr 1941 9 Apr 1941 She had only been in harbour for a little over a day but was ordered to sea to intercept and attack an important enemy convoy.
The convoy in question would proceed from Naples to Tripoli and was made up of the transports Andrea Gritti (Italian, 6338 GRT, built 1939),
Barbarigo (Italian, 5293 GRT, built 1930),
Birmania (Italian, 5305 GRT, built 1930)
Rialto (Italian, 6099 GRT, built 1927) and
Sebastiano Venier (Italian, 6311 GRT, built 1940). It was escorted by the Italian destroyer Dardo and the Italian torpedo boats Clio, Enrico Cosenz and Generale Achille Papa.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(5) 10 Apr 1941 At 2009B/10, the Cdr. S.1's signal timed 1540B/10, was received which stated that the convoy was in position 36°10'N, 11°58'E (south of Pantelleria) at 1540B/10 and that Swordfish torpedo aircraft would be operating against it after 2200B/10.
At 2200B/10, HMS Unique arrived in 'Area K' (between Latitudes 34°35'N and 35°25'N and Longitudes 11°00'E and 12°00'E). (14) 11 Apr 1941 2048B/11, Surfaced in position 34°58'N, 11°52'E and sighted three merchant ships and three destroyers bearing 260° at a range of 6 nautical miles. Two were fairly large transports and the other one was a tanker. All were fully laden. A destroyer was ahead of the convoy and two more were bringing up the rear. Enemy course was 160° at 9 knots. The moon was very bright and visibility excellent. HMS Unique closed at 10 knots for 15 minutes on a 110° track.
2110B/11, One of the destroyers was observed flashing a light towards the submarine and was thought to be challenging.
2111B/11- Dived. The range was then about 4 nautical miles and there was a good chance of getting in an attack on the surface.
Before diving (at 2103B/11) the Cdr. S.1's signal timed 1930B/11 had been received stating that a convoy of four merchant vessels and four destroyers had been in positopn 35°26'N, 11.43'E proceeding on course 160° at 12 knots at 1700B/11. Swordfish and destroyers had left Malta to intercept this convoy south of the Kerkennah shallows.
The destroyers in question were 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 Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN).
It was thought the convoy referred to was the same one sighted by HMS Unique and an amplifying report was coded up ready for transmission on surfacing.
2200B/11 - The convoy was now out of sight. It was last seen on bearing 160° steering a course of approximately 130°.
2222B/11 - Commenced attempting to pass the enemy report but it could not be cleared. [HMS Nubian had received it though.]
2345B/11 - In position 34°58'N, 11°48'E sighted a 3000 ton merchant ship in ballast and two small destroyers bearing 180° at a range of 6 nautical miles. Enemy course was 330° at 6-7 knots. HMS Unique closed on a 60° track at 6 knots for half an hour.
2315B/11 - Ceased transmitting. Dived to complete the attack submerged. The attack was progressing favourable, distance off track being 2500 yards on diving but at 2340B/11 the target made a drastic alteration away and the attack had to be broken off.
0010B/12 - The target altered back to course 330° but by this time it was too far away. One destroyer was observed to be lagging behind and at 0020B/12 altered course towards. HMS Unique dived to 50 feet and ran out to the eastward. (5) 12 Apr 1941 In a signal timed 1928B/12, the Cdr. S.1, ordered HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) to patrol in the south of her patrol area. A convoy of five escorted merchant ships had been in
position 36°32'N, 11°12'E proceeding on course 190° at a speed
of 13 knots at 1730B/12. Swordfish hope to attack
at 2200B/12 subsequently shadowing. Destroyers attacking near Kerkennah after midnight. The destroyers in question were 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 Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN).
The convoy reported was made up of the German transports Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937), Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937), Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936) and the Italian transport Calitea (4013 GRT, 1933). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Antonio da Noli and Lanzerotto Malocello.
By the time HMS Unique received the signal she was in the north-east corner of her patrol area, proceeding east. The move to the south would have meant a probable encounter with the own destroyer coming from Malta and it was decided to continue towards Lampedusa. This decision was reinforced by an enemy report received at 2217B/12 that the southbound convoy had turned to the north-east. (14) 13 Apr 1941 At 1200B/13, course was altered to the westward to get on to the direct convoy route from the Pantelleria area to Tripoli. (5) 14 Apr 1941 15 Apr 1941 18 Apr 1941 21 Apr 1941 2 May 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(5) 3 May 1941 4 May 1941 The ship sighted was one of the cruisers of a cover force for a south and later a northbound convoy to and from Tripoli. This cover force was made up of the light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia, Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta and Muzio Attendolo. These were escorted by the destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Nicolo Zeno, Nicoloso da Recco, Alvise da Mosto and Giovanni da Verrazzano. (5) 5 May 1941 At 1655B/5, in position 37°52'N, 15°34'E, a fishing vessel was sighted bearing 250° at a range of 5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 050°. (5) 6 May 1941 0900B/6 - Land fixes were taken and it became evident that Unique was more than 25 nautical miles out of position to the south-east. Set course to return to the intended patrol position.
1226B/6 - In position 37°34'N, 15°27'E sighted a party of warships bearing 080°. (These were the Italian light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia, Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta, Muzio Attendolo. These were escorted by the Italian destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Nicolo Zeno, Nicoloso da Recco, Alvise da Mosto and Giovanni da Verrazzano ). They were proceeding at a speed of 18 knots. Distance was about 9 nautical miles so an attack was out of the question.
1325B/6 - In position 37°36'N, 15°28'E sighted five large merchant vessels bearing 070°. Distance was about 10 nautical miles. If Unique had been in her intended position shw could have attacked these two enemy forces.
(This convoy was made up of the German transports Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937), Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936)
and the Italian transports Marco Polo (12567 GRT, built 1912) and Rialto (6099 GRT, built 1927). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Fulmine, Euro and the Italian torpedo boats Procione, Orsa, Centauro, Cigno and Perseo.
2315B/6 - In position 37°50'N, 15°36'E sighted a small puff of smoke bearing 045° and a faint white light close to it. Course was altered towards to investigate.
2320B/6 - Cape dell'Armi light extinguished.
2330B/6 - HMS Unique was 6.5 miles from the land and as the moon was high and very light it was thought that a ship of any size would have been seen by this time but all that could be seen was an occasional faint white light bearing 055° and then a bright light which flashed twice right ahead. Lights were judged to be a party of fishing boats, or possibly motor torpedo boats.
2335B/6 - Dived to avoid detection. (5) 7 May 1941 9 May 1941 11 May 1941 12 May 1941 14 May 1941 25 May 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(16) 26 May 1941 27 May 1941 At 1415B/27, the HE faded out on bearing 005°. (16) 30 May 1941 At 1700B/30, course was altered to 070° to close to investigate.
At 1710B/30, on coming to periscope depth again to have another look nothing could be seen. (16) 3 Jun 1941 According to Italian sources Arsia was hit astern and cut in two with only the bow part protruding. The crew of 11 suffered no casualties but the nearby Egusa (275 GRT, built 1913) was damaged by the explosion and the motor fishing vessel Giuseppe Padre had two wounded from splinters.
(All times are zone -2)
2 June 1941
1825 hours - Spotted a small Italian convoy. The convoy entered Lampedusa harbour nearly an hour later.
3 June 1941
Unique closed the harbour submerged to investigate and found one of the ships in an exposed position, provided that the boom defences were not effective against torpedoes.
0753 hours - A torpedo was fired that struck the shore just astern of the ship. Indeed the boom defences were not torpedo proof, so another torpedo was fired at 0822 hours. This was a hit amidships. A big column of water and debris was thrown in the air followed by white smoke.
1650 hours - In 35°16.5'N, 12°38'E, Unique sighted a cruiser squadron (probably Duca Degli Abruzzi and Garibaldi escorted by four destroyers) but they were too far to intercept. (16) 3 Jun 1941 This must have referred to a cover force made up of the Italian light cruisers Luigi di Savoia Duca Degli Abruzzi, Giuseppe Garibaldi and the destroyers Granatiere, Fuciliere, Bersagliere and Alpino.
They were covering a convoy made up of the Italian transports Aquitania (4971 GRT, built 1924), Beatrice C. (7015 GRT, built 1920), Caffaro (6476 GRT, built 1924), Montello (6117 GRT, built 1927), Nirvo (5270 GRT, built 1919) and the Italian tanker Poza Rica (7799 GRT, built 1940). The close escort of this convoy was made up of the destroyers Aviere, Camicia Nera, Geniere and Dardo. The torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori sailed from Tripoli at 1215B/2 to meet the convoy and reinforce the escort.
The convoy was attacked in the afternoon by British aircraft during which the Montello was sunk and the Beatrice C. was heavily damaged and later scuttled as she could not be salvaged.
The convoy had sailed from Naples 1730B/1 - 1930B/1 and arrived at Tripoli at 1145B/4 - 1237B/4 (except the two transports which were sunk and Camicia Nera who returned to Naples after finishing off Beatrice C.). (17) 5 Jun 1941 15 Jun 1941 For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(18) 20 Jun 1941 This was probably the Caffaro convoy on passage from Tripoli to Naples.
(All times are zone -2)
1230 hours - In position 35°33'N, 12°21'E sighted a Northbound convoy of three merchant vessels in ballast. The convoy was escorted by three destroyers and three aircraft. The convoy was sighted bearing 125°, range 11000 yards, enemy course was 040°. The convoy soon altered oourse to 010°. The speed of the convoy was estimated at 6 to 7 knots. Closed at speed to attack.
1303 hours - The convoy altered course to 055°. Two of the escorting destroyers came towards Unique. As the sea was flat calm it is thought that aircraft had spotted Unique while submerged at periscope depth. Between looks Unique went to 50 feet to speed up but non the less it appeared she was detected.
1317 hours - The attack was broken off and Unique went deep. the convoy meanwhile had altered course to 340°.
1330 hours - The first depth charge was dropped. 12 Were dropped during the next 20 minutes. One pattern of five was fairly close.
1400 hours - HE faded out on bearing 320°. Unique meanwhile retired to the North-East at 90 feet. (18) 22 Jun 1941 The convoy attacked was made up of the Italian merchants Tembien (5584 GRT, built 1914), Col di Lana (5891 GRT, built 1926), Giulia (5921 GRT, built 1926), Ernesto (7399 GRT, built 1914), the German merchants Amsterdam (8673 GRT, built 1921) and Wachtfels (8467 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the Italian destroyer Lanzerotto Malocello and the Italian torpedo-boats Procione, Orsa and Pegaso. The convoy was on passage from Tripoli to Naples. The submarine was first located by
an aircraft and it was the torpedo-boat Pegaso which was detached to hunt the
submarine and carried out the depth-charge attack. She claimed the submarine at
least severely damaged but this was not the case.
(All times are zone -2)
1055 hours - While in position 35°41'N, 12°15'E heard distant depth charges being dropped to the Southward. Looks like the reported convoy was approaching.
1120 hours - Sighted smoke and one aircraft bearing 140°.
1125 hours - Sighted one merchant vessel of 6000 tons followed by others that could not yet be identified. Range was about 14000 yards. Three destroyers were seen to be escorting as well as two aircraft.
1203 hours - The convoy was seen to alter course from 320° to 265°. Destroyers were seen to be closing Unique.
1207 hours - An aircraft was seen at 1000 feet 3000 yards away. The attack was broken off and Unique went deep.
1210 hours - Five explosions were heard, most likely the aircraft had dropped bombs or depth charges.
1237 hours - The first of a group of single depth charges was dropped fairly close. The attack was intensified at 1250, 1255 and 1314 hours when up to 17 depth charges were dropped at a time.
1335 hours - The 52th depth charge was dropped, this was the last one that was fairly close.
1351 hours - The last depth charges were dropped. A total of about 80 had been dropped. (18) 28 Jun 1941 As Unique had still all her torpedoes on board she was sent out again to intercept vichy-French re-inforcements proceeding towards Syria. This was her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol near position 37°50'N, 16°02'E but no target came within range.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(16) 3 Jul 1941 19 Jul 1941 20 Jul 1941 For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(16) 21 Jul 1941
At 1905A/15, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) received the Cdr. S.1's signal timed 1713A/15 ordering her to retire once more to the south-west as Swordfish aircraft were operating in her area. Once again
At 0012A/16, south-east of Kerkennah, in position 34°21'N, 11°28'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted three destroyers bearing 180° at a range of 10000 yards. They were proceeding northwards. HMS Unique altered course to 030°. HE was not heard until 0055A/16 when it was faint and muffled.
At 0001A/17, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) left patrol to return to Malta. (5)
Around 0630A/18, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)
Around 1745A/27, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the west of Tripoli, Libya. (Area 'Y', south of 34°00'N and west of 12°20'E.)
Around 1235A/1, south-east of Kerkennah, in position 34°21'N, 11°24'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted a merchant vessel bearing 235°. Range was about 8 nautical miles. Enemy course was 060°. It was not possible to close to attack. (5)
In a signal timed 1845B/4, the Cdr. S.1, informed HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) and HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) that at 1530B/4 a convoy of 5 merchant ships escorted by two
destroyers sighted 20 miles north-east of
Marifctinio Island on course 260° at a speed 6 knots.
At 1247B/5, north-west of Zuara, Libya in position 33°04'N, 11°59'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted six small vessels bearing 096° at a range of 7 nautical miles. They were later identified as one trawler, four auxiliary schooners and a tug in line ahead. Their speed was 11 knots. When first observed they were steering 320°.
At 1140B/6, north of Zuara, Libya in position 33°04'N, 12°05'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted a party of small vessels bearing 310°.
A signal was supposed to be sent by Malta on 5 March ordering HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) to leave patrol after dark on the 7th. Due to a mistake this signal was not sent and it was feared HMS Unique had been lost when she failed to arrive at Malta. When she sank an Italian ship on the 10th, this ship sent out an SOS message and it became clear HMS Unique was not lost but returning to Malta as originally ordered in her sailing orders. (5)
At 1655B/7, in position 33°20'N, 12°01'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), sighted a large amount of smoke bearing 330°. Course was altered to close to investigate.
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian passenger/cargo ship Fenicia (2584 GRT, built 1919) about 95 nautical miles north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 34°19'N, 12°40'E.
Around 2000B/11, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 5th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
At 1845B/28, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in / off the Gulf of Hammamet, Tunisia.
At 0130B/31, in position 36°10'N, 10°57'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted a steady light bearing 270° which, on drawing ahead and closer, was identified as a small steamship proceeding northwards along the coast. Although this vessel was two or three miles outside French territorial waters no attempt was made to close as HMS Unique was north of the 'sink without warning' area and the vessel was considered to be Vichy-French.
At 1520B/2, in position 36°39'N, 11°10'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted a small schooner bearing 120° at a range of 6 nautical miles. Course of the vessel was 360°.
At 0020B/4, north of the Gulf of Hammamet, in position 36°33'N, 11°03'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted a dark object bearing 226°. HMS Unique ran in until the range was around 6000 yards. The target appeared to be very small, possibly a destroyer or torpedo boat coming straight towards. No bow wave was seen. HMS Unique dived and altered course to southward. No HE was picked up at all and it is not known what HMS Unique now dived for. (5)
At 0330B/6, off the Gulf of Hammamet, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted the streaming light of a ship bearing 240°. It was growing brighter.
Around 0700B/8, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)
At 1300B/9, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Kerkennah, Tunisia.
At 1358B/10, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) received the Cdr. S.1's signal timed 1315B/10, which stated that at 1030B/10, a medium merchant ship passed Kelibia proceeding southwards.
While trying to attack an enemy convoy north-west of Kerkennah, in position 34°58'N, 11°52'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was spotted and challenged by one of the escorts. The attack had to be broken off and Unique dived.
In a signal timed 1110B/12 the Cdr. S.1, ordered HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) to patrol south of Lampedusa.
In the morning, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted a periscope reconnaissance of Lampedusa harbour. No target worth firing at was seen. A small steamer of about 1000 tons with a gun mounted on the forecastle left harbour at 0700B/13 and went round the eastern end of the island returning to harbour at 0830B/13.
On surfacing at 2020B/14, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) set course to return to Malta. (5)
Around 0700B/15, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 7th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is docked in No.1 graving dock at the Malta Dockyard. (15)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) is undocked. (15)
Around 1930B/2, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the east coast of Sicily south of the Straits of Messina. En-route to the patrol area she was to pass through position 35°51'N, 15°15'E.
At 2100B/3, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) entered 'Area M' (between Latitudes 36°40'N / 38°00'N and Longtidues 15°10'E and 16°13'E.) (5)
At 1655B/4, south of the toe of Italy, in position 37°35'N, 15°45'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted the upperworks of a warship bearing 295°. It was identified as a Duca d'Aosta or Montecuccoli-class light cruiser at a range of 12 nautical miles. Enemy course was 180°-200°. When sighted HMS Unique was already on the enemy's beam and no attempt was made to close. The only parts of the ship visible were half her funnels, the mainmast and the fore superstructure. As far as could be seen she had no surface escort.
At 0800B/5, south of Cape dell'Armi, in position 37°53'N, 15°40'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted two MAS (motor torpedo boats) bearing 080° at a range of 4 nautical miles. The were moving fast to the south-south-west.
While on patrol to the east of Sicily guarding the southern approach to the Straits of Messina, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was unable to attack an Italian cruiser force and a convoy due to the fact she was out of position due to a navigational error.
At 1030B/7, in position 37°54'N, 15°39'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) a small tug was seen bearing 325° at a range of 4 nautical miles. Enemy course was 150°. (5)
At 0708B/9, in position 37°33'N, 15°41'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted a Soldati-class destroyer bearing 010° at a range of 6 miles. Enemy course was 280° at an estimated speed of 18 knots. The destroyer altered course to the northward around 0720B/9. (5)
At 1615B/11, in position 37°52'N, 15°38'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted smoke bearing 320° which resolved itself into a small coastal steamer which passed 6 miles off going up the straits. Approximate course of the enemy was 020°. (5)
At 2054B/12, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) received the Cdr. S.1's signal timed 1141B/12 ordering her to return to Malta. Course was set accordingly shortly afterwards. (5)
At 0600B/14, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (5)
Around 2000B/25, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkennah Bank and Lampedusa Island.
At 1400B/26, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) entered area 'N', a rectangle with it's south-west corner in position 34°40'N, 11°50'E and it's sides running 342° for 40 miles and 072° for 70 miles. (16)
At 1355B/27, in position 35°14'N, 11°58'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) picked up faint HE due north, bearing 000°. Nothing was in sight though despite the excellent visibility.
At 1657B/30, in position 35°18'N, 11°56'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) sighted a puff of smoke bearing 108°.
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) torpedoed and damaged (total loss) the Italian cargo ship Arsia (736 GRT, built 1900) inside Lampedusa harbour.
In a signal timed 1110B/3, the Cdr. S.1 informed HMS Ursula (Lt. I.L.M. McGeoch, RN), HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) and HMS Urge (Lt. E.P. Tomkinson, RN) that at 0920B/3 three cruisers and four destroyers had been spotted in position 36°20'N, 12°10'E proceeding on course 030° at 15 knots and at 0930B/3 six merchant vessels and six destroyers had been sighted in position 36°15'N, 12°15'E proceeding on course 190° at 12 knots.
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between the Kerkennah Bank and Lampedusa Island.
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) tries to attack an enemy convoy East of Lampion Island. She is detected by the escort and depth charged so the attack had to be broken off.
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) again tries to attack an enemy convoy East of Lampion Island. Yet again she is detected by the escort and depth charged so the attack had to be broken off.
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (18)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Malta with HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St.J. Morgan, RN) and and HMS Beryl (Mid. H.W. du Boisson, RNR) (19)
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of the Strait of Messina.
Operation Substance, convoys to and from Malta
Passage through the Straits of Gibraltar of the eastbound convoy and sailing from Gibraltar of the remaining ships involved in the operation.
Around 0130B/21 convoy WS 9C passed the Straits of Gibraltar. The convoy at that moment consisted of six merchant ships; City of Pretoria (8049 GRT, built 1937), Deucalion (7516 GRT, built 1930), Durham (10893 GRT, built 1934), Melbourne Star (11076 GRT, built 1936), Port Chalmers (8535 GRT, built 1933) and Sydney Star (11095 GRT, built 1936).
At the time they passed through the Straits they were escorted by HMS Nelson (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN), HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, RN), HMS Manxman (Capt. R.K. Dickson, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. R.G. Stewart, RN), HMAS Nestor (Cdr. A.S. Rosenthal, RAN), HMS Avon Vale (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, RN), HMS Eridge (Lt.Cdr. W.F.N. Gregory-Smith, RN) and HMS Farndale (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN).
HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. A.C. Chapman, RN), HMS Cossack (Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Maori (Cdr. R.E. Courage, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Sikh (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN) departed Gibraltar around 0200B/21 escorting troopship Leinster (4302 GRT, built 1937) which was to join the convoy. However Leinster grounded while leaving Gibraltar and had to left behind. The small fleet tanker RFA Brown Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941, master D.B.C. Ralph) left Gibraltar around the same time escorted by the destroyer HMS Beverley (Lt.Cdr. J. Grant, RN).
About one hour later, around 0300B/21, HMS Renown (Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, RN), HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Foresight (Cdr. J.S.C. Salter, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Foxhound (Cdr. G.H. Peters, DSC, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) and HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) departed Gibraltar to give convoy for the convoy during the passage to Malta.
At sea the forces were redistributed; Force H, the cover force HMS Renown, HMS Nelson, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Hermione, HMS Faulknor, HMS Foresight, HMS Forester, HMS Fury, HMS Lightning and HMS Duncan.
Force X, the close escort for the convoy HMS Edinburgh, HMS Manchester, HMS Arethusa, HMS Manxman, HMS Cossack, HMS Maori, HMS Sikh, HMAS Nestor, HMS Fearless, HMS Firedrake, HMS Foxhound, HMS Avon Vale, HMS Eridge and HMS Farndale.
Plan for the operation
Force H was to cover the convoy until it reached the narrows between Sicily and Tunisia. Force X was to escort the convoy all the way to Malta. Ships of Force X also had troops for Malta on board that had been taken to Gibraltar by troopship Pasteur. On 23 July 1941, the day the eastbound convoy would reach ‘the narrows’ five empty transports and two tankers would depart Malta for Gibraltar (Convoy MG 1) The seven empty transports were; Group 1 (speed 17 knots) HMS Breconshire (9776 GRT, built 1939), Talabot (6798 GRT, built 1936),
Group 2 (speed 14 knots) Thermopylae (6655 GRT, built 1930), Amerika (10218 GRT, built 1930),
Group 3 (speed 12 knots) Settler (6202 GRT, built 1939), Tanker Svenor (7616 GRT, built 1931) and Tanker Hoegh Hood (9351 GRT, built 1936) These were escorted by the destroyer HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN) which had been repairing and refitting at Malta.
Through intelligence it was known that the Italian Navy had five battleships operational (three of them at Taranto) and about ten cruisers divided between Taranto, Palermo and Messina. The Italian Air Force had about 50 torpedo planes and 150 bombers (30 of which were dive bombers) stationed in Sardinia and Sicily, roughly half of each type on both islands.
The Royal Air Force was able to be of more help than during the previous convoy trip from Gibraltar to Malta last January. Aircraft from Gibraltar conducted A/S patrols for the fleet during the first two days of the passage to the east. Also patrols were flown between Sardinia and the coast of Africa, while aircraft from Malta conducted reconnaissance between Sardinia and Sicily, besides watching the Italian ports. Malta would also provide fighter escort for Force X and the convoy after Force H would part with them and HMS Ark Royal could no longer provide fighter cover for them.
During the operation eight submarines (HMS Olympus (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Dymott, RN), HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN), HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN), HMS Upright (Lt. J.S. Wraith, DSC, RN), HMS Urge (Lt. E.P. Tomkinson, RN), HMS Utmost (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Cayley, DSO, RN), HMS P 32 (Lt. D.A.B. Abdy, RN) and HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN)) were on patrol to report and attack Italian warships that might be sailed to intercept the convoy.
The passage East, 22 July 1941
On 22 July the destroyers from Force X oiled from the Brown Ranger two at a time. A task that took about 10 hours. Having completed the oiling of the destroyers the Brown Ranger and her escort returned to Gibraltar. An Italian aircraft had reported Force H in the morning but the convoy and Force X, at that moment about 100 nautical miles to the south-westward, appeared not to have been sighed. At 2317B/22 the Italian submarine Diaspro missed HMS Renown with torpedoes. HMAS Nestor sighted the torpedo tracks and was able to warn HMS Renown which was then able to avoid the torpedoes by doing an emergency turn to port.
The passage East and attacks by the Italian Air Force, 23 July 1941
Force H rejoined the convoy around 0800B/23 as the British were now approaching the danger area. Shadowing aircraft had already reported the position of the fleet that morning and heavy air attacks soon followed.
The first came at 0945 hours, a well times combination of nine high level bombers and six or seven torpedo planes approaching from the north-east. HMS Ark Royal had eleven fighters up, which met the bombers about 20 miles from the fleet. They managed to down two of the nine bombers but unfortunately three Fulmars were shot down by the enemy. The other seven bombers came on working round the head of the screen of destroyers to attack the convoy from the starboard beam at a height of 10000 feet. Their bombs fell harmlessly amongst the leading ships as they altered course to avoid the attack. The torpedo planes however were more successful. They came from ahead out of the sun, flying low, and as the destroyers opened fire they divided into groups of two or three and to attack the convoy on both sides. Two aircraft attacked HMS Fearless, stationed ahead in the screen, dropping their torpedoes at ranges of 1500 and 800 yards from a height of 70 feet. The destroyer avoided the first torpedo, but was hit by the second, set on fire, and completely disabled. Other aircraft went to press on their attacks on the convoy itself. One of them, dropping its torpedo between two merchant vessels hit HMS Manchester as she was turning to regain her station after avoiding two torpedoes fired earlier. She reversed helm once more but to no avail. During the attacks three enemy torpedo bombers were shot down by AA fire from the ships.
HMS Manchester was badly damaged and could only use one engine out of four. At first she could steam only 8 knots. She was ordered to make for Gibraltar with HMS Avon Vale as escort. That evening, further to the westward, they were attacked again by three enemy torpedo planes but their AA gunfire kept the enemy at a distance. Both ships successfully reached Gibraltar on the 26th.
At 1010B/23 five more bombers tried to attack the convoy crossing this time from north to south. Fighters from HMS Ark Royal forced them to drop their bombs from great height and mostly outside the screen.
At 1645B/23 five more torpedo planes led by a seaplane came in from the northward. Three Fulmars caught them about 20 miles away. They managed to shoot down two planes and drove the remainder away.
Soon afterwards the fleet arrived off the entrance to the Skerki Channel. There HMS Hermione was transferred to Force X to take the place of HMS Manchester. Six destroyers were assigned to Force H and eight to Force X. At 1713 hours Vice-Admiral Somerville hauled round to the westward. HMS Ark Royal kept her Fulmars up until RAF Beaufighters had arrived from Malta to take over.
The convoy was attacked again around 1900B/23. Four torpedo planes arrived from the eastward, flying low and and working round from ahead to the starboard side of the convoy. They approached in pairs in line abreast. They kept HMS Sikh (on the starboard bow of the screen) between them and their target until nearly the moment for attack, thereby hampering the AA fire from the other ships. They dropped their torpedoes from long range from a height of 50 feet and nearly hit HMS Hermione, sternmost ship in the starboard column. To avoid the attack each column of the convoy turned 90° outwards and all warships opened barrage fire from all guns that would bear. The barrage however fell short but it caused the Italians to drop their torpedoes early. Also one of the enemy was possibly shot down.
This attack scattered the convoy and it took some time to reform. At 1945B/23 about seven bombers appeared from ahead at a height of about 14000 feet to attack the convoy from the port side. The convoy altered 40° to port together and the escort opened up a controlled fire with some hesitation as the Italian aircraft looked a lot like Beaufighters. The bombing was extremely accurate. Several bombs fell near HMS Edinburgh which was leading the port column, and a near miss abreast a boiler room disabled HMS Firedrake which had been sweeping ahead of the convoy. She could no longer steam so Rear-Admiral Syfret ordered her back to Gibraltar in tow of HMS Eridge. They had an anxious passage, being shadowed by aircraft continuously during daylight hours, but were not again attacked. On the 25th HMS Firedrake managed to lit one boiler so the tow was slipped. Both destroyers entered Gibraltar harbour on the 27th.
Soon after leaving the Skerki Channel in the evening of the 23th the convoy hauled up to the north-east towards the coast of Sicily. This was to lessen the danger of mines. The Italians did not shadow the convoy after the attack at 1945 hours and missed this alteration of course which they clearly did not expect. Around 2100 hours, as it was getting dark, enemy aircraft were seen searching along its old line of advance. During the evening the convoy sighted flares several times about 20 miles to the south.
Continued passage to the east and enemy attacks, 24 July 1941
Between 0250 and 0315 hours the convoy was however attacked by the Italian MAS boats MAS 532 and MAS 533. The managed to torpedo and damaged the Sydney Star. HMAS Nestor went alongside and took off almost 500 soldiers. Sydney Star was however able to continue her passage as staggler escorted initially by HMAS Nestor. Admiral Syfret however sent back HMS Hermione. At 1000B/24 eight German dive bombers and two high level bombers attacked. Their bombs fell close the escorting ships. HMS Hermione shot down one dive bomber. The three ships arrived at Malta early in the afternoon.
The main body of the convoy meanwhile continued on its way unhindered after the attacks of the motor torpedo boats except for an attempt by three torpedo planes around 0700 hours. They dropped their torpedoes at a safe distance when fired on by the destroyers in the screen ahead. According to the orders Rear-Admiral Syfret was to leave the convoy now, if there was no threat from Italian surface forces, and go on to Malta with the cruisers and some of the destroyers. They were to land the passengers and stores, complete with fuel and return to Force H as soon as possible. The remaining destroyers were to accompany the transports to Malta. They too were to join Force H as soon as possible. Rear-Admiral Syfret felt easy about the surface danger as all Italian ships were reported in harbour the day before, but he was anxious about the threat to the convoy from the air. He decided to go ahead with the cruiser but leave all destroyers with the convoy so at 0745B/24, HMS Edinburgh, HMS Arethusa and HMS Manxman left the convoy and pressed ahead at high speed to Malta where they arrived at noon the same day. The transports and the destroyers arrived about four hours later. They had been attacked only once by a torpedo plane since the cruisers separated.
Return passage of the warships of force X to make rendez-vous with Force H.
In the evening HMS Edinburgh, HMS Arethusa, HMS Hermione and HMS Manxman sailed together followed by five destroyers; HMS Cossack, HMS Maori, HMS Sikh, HMAS Nestor, HMS Foxhound, later the same evening. The destroyers overtook the cruisers in the morning of the 25th. The sixth destroyer, HMS Farndale, had to be left at Malta due to defects (condenser problems). All ships made rendez-vous with Force H to the north-west of Galita Island at 0800B/25.
Movements of Force H after it parted from the convoy.
After parting with the convoy in the evening of the 23rd, Vice-Admiral Somerville had taken force H westward at 18 knots until the afternoon of the 24th going as far west as 03°30’E. He then turned back to meet Admiral Syfret, also sending from HMS Ark Royal six Swordfish aircraft which left her in position 37°42’N, 07°17’E at 1000B/25. After their junction Forces H and X made the best of way towards Gibraltar. Fighter patrols of HMS Ark Royal shot down a shadowing aircraft soon after the fleet had shaped course to the westward, losing a Fulmar in doing so. However another aircraft had meanwhile reported the fleet.
High level bombers appeared from the east and torpedo bombers from the north at 1100 hours. HMS Ark Royal at that moment had four fighters in the air and sent up six more. They prevented the bombing attack shooting down three aircraft out of eight at a cost of two Fulmars, while the ships watched the enemy jettison their bombs 15 miles away. The torpedo attack came to nothing too for the enemy gave up the attempt and retired while still several miles from the fleet. Two days later, on the 27th, the fleet reached Gibraltar.
The movements of the seven empty ships coming from Malta.
Six of the transports / tankers left Malta for Gibraltar in the morning of the 23rd, escorted by HMS Encounter. The seventh ship, tanker Svenor grounded while leaving harbour and was held up for some hours. At dusk, when a few miles from Pantelleria, the six ships devided into pairs according to their speed. HMS Encounter initially escorted the middle pair but joined the leading ships in the evening of the 24th when past the Galita Bank.
Italian aircraft, both high level bombers and torpedo planes, attacked all these ships on the 24th to the southward of Sardinia. They made their first attempt on the second pair of transports and HMS Encounter. Four torpedo planes attacked at 1230B/24 and four bombers at 1250B/24. No ships were hit though the bombs fell close. Next came the turn for the leading pair, which were attacked further westwards by two bombers that came singly at 1330B/24 and 1400B/24. The second plane nearly hit HMS Breconshire. Finally when the third pair of ships reached about the same position in the evening they were attacked by torpedo planes and the Hoegh Hood was damaged but she managed to arrive at Gibraltar only a few hours after her consort on the 27th. The last ship, the one that had been delayed at Malta, arrived on the 28th. (20)
29 Jul 1941
At 0100 hours HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) landed a Folbot-party near position 38°01'N, 15°27'E with the objective to place explosive charges on the train tracks. At 0138 hours the Folbot-party (Corporal R.H. Brown and Lance Corporal J.R.A. Ferguson) returned and Unique retired to seaward. At 0325 hours an explosion was seen on the land as a train must have hit the charges.
According to Italian sources the locomotive and 13 wagons were derailed (some of them carrying German stores) and the engineer was wounded but the line was re-established at noon. (16)
30 Jul 1941
At 0003 hours (zone -2) HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) landed a Folbot-party near position 37°55'N, 15°54'E with the objective to place explosive charges on the train tracks. At 0123 hours the Folbot-party returned and Unique retired to seaward. No explosions were seen however before Unique cleared the area.
Italian sources have not reported any incident in this area.
---------------------------------------------------------
Later the same day Unique attacked an Italian auxiliary patrol vessel (schooner) with one torpedo in position 37°30'N, 15°35'E. The torpedo most likely ran under. With the surprise now gone it was decided not to attack with the gun.
(All times are zone -2) 1801 hours - Fired one torpedo (Mark II) at an armed 4-masted auxiliary patrol schooner in position 37°30'N, 15°35'E from 700 yards. The torpedo ran under. The target hoisted two flags, made a circle and then close Unique's firing position. Another schooner (2-masted) joined her and they appeared to be listening. Both departed the area to the South-West at 1850 hours. (16)
4 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)
8 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (21)
13 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (21)
16 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli, Libya. Lt. Hezlet had taken over from Lt. Collett for this patrol in order to give Lt. Collett a rest.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
20 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian troop transport Esperia (11398 GRT, built 1920) 11 nautical miles bearing 318° of the Tripoli lighthouse, Libya in position 33°03'N, 13°03'E.
According to Italian sources four were killed and twelve were missing, 1139 survivors (including 53 wounded) were picked up. She had been in convoy with Oceania, Neptunia and Marco Polo escorted by the destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Nicoloso da Recco, Vincenzo Gioberti, Alfredo Oriani, Scirocco and the torpedo boats Giuseppe Dezza and Partenope.
(All times are zone -2) 0636 to 0725 hours - Sighted the torpedo boat Partenope, 2 MAS boats and 3 minesweepers. They were passing about a mile inshore of Unique. From their movements the position of the swept channel was fixed and Unique was placed near the entrance to await the convoy of troopships that was reported.
0956 hours - In position 33°03'N, 13°03'E sighted four liners bearing 305°, range about 8 nautical miles. Enemy course was 155°. Started attack.
1010 hours - Range was now 6500 yards. Of the escort a Partenope-class torpedo boat was sighted an also a Navigatori-class destroyer but most likely there were many others.
1019 hours - After getting inside the escort screen fired a salvo of four torpedoes from 650 yards against one of the liners. Upon firing Unique cleared the torpedo tracks and set course to the North at 90 feet. Shortly afterwards three torpedoes were heard to hit the target.
1037 to 1137 hours - 15 Depth charges were dropped but none were close.
1230 hours - Came to periscope depth, only a fling boat and a schooner were seen. Went deep again and reloaded the torpedo tubes.
1815 hours - While at periscope depth in position 33°13'N, 12°56'E sighted a CANT Z-501 flying boat alter towards. Went deep and altered course.
1816 hours - A depth charge exploded on the Port quarter.
1818 hours - Another depth charge exploded very close on the Port beam. Some minor damage was caused. Went to 150 feet.
According to Italian sources the aircraft was a CANT Z.501 of 145^ Squadriglia piloted by Midshipman De Solem who dropped two bombs and claimed to have hit the submarine. (16)
21 Aug 1941
At 1510 hours (zone -2) HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) was running on the surface to reach a new patrol position when it was noticed that the submarine was leaving an oil slick. At 1600 hours Unique dived and proceeded further to the North-East while submerged.
2015 hours - Unique was at periscope depth when an explosion was heard. A thin column of water was sighted about one mile away through the periscope. This was repeated four times. It appeared that Unique was bombed from the air although no aircraft were sighted. Two minutes later, HE was heard and fire was opened on the periscope with a gun. Unique was taken to 90 feet and course was altered. For the next 45 minutes Unique was hunted but no depth charges were dropped. (16)
23 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)
25 Aug 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (21)
1 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (22)
5 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
15 Sep 1941
At 1257 hours, while in position in position 40°27'N, 14°18'E, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) had just come to periscope depth, when an Italian submarine of the 'Adua'- class was sighted bearing 310°, steering 185°, apparently exercising with a 'Generale'-class destroyer / torpedo-boat. This was almost certainly the Italian submarine Corallo exercising at the time with the torpedo-boat Generale Antonio Cascino.
HMS Unique was unable to gain an attacking position and was thwarted by the presence of the destroyer / torpedo-boat. (23)
19 Sep 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (12th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. It had been a most frustrating patrol with several sightings but no opportunities for attack. (16)
5 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was docked at Malta. (24)
7 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was undocked. (24)
9 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to a position South-East of Cape Bon, Tunisia to intercept a Southbound convoy. As the convoy passed well to the East, Unique was ordered to her patrol area in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(16)
14 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) made a torpedo attack on an Italian armed merchant cruiser South of Naples Bay. A torpedo hit is claimed as the ship appeared to be damaged.
According to Italian sources this was the armed merchant cruiser Adriatico escorting the water tanker Cassala (1771 GRT, built 1902) from Naples to Messina. All four torpedoes missed. One was avoided by Adriatico and two by Cassala. The torpedo boat Giuseppe Missori and the 3rd A/S Group were ordered to hunt the submarine but found nothing.
(All times are zone -1) 1210 hours - In position 40°27'N, 14°21'E sighted smoke bearing 350°.
1236 hours - Sighted two merchant vessels bearing 335°. Range was about 8 nautical miles. They were altering course to pass South through Bocca Piccolo. Unique altered course to attack. The leading ship was identified as a Citta di Genova-class or Birmania-class. The ship was painted white and was most likely an Armed Merchant Cruiser. The second ship was a 'funnel-aft' merchant vessel of about 5000 tons in ballast.
1314 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards.
1330 hours - Observed the AMC stopped with a black streak down her starboard side. It appears she was hit. The merchant vessel meanwhile had turned round and was making back to Naples. Unique went deep again and retired to the South-East. Lt. Collett was critisized by Capt. S.10 for this action as he should have reloaded one torpedo tube very quickly to finish off the damaged ship. (16)
21 Oct 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 15th war patrol (13th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (16)
1 Nov 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghasi, Libya.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(18)
17 Nov 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 16th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. During this patrol she suffered from engine defects and again there were several sightings but no attack could develop. (18)
1 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the Southward of Messina.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(18)
14 Dec 1941
At 0921 hours, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) was in position 37°45'N, 15°43'E when a battleship with a destroyer were sighted at a range of 7 miles, on course 127° at 19.5 knots. The submarine tried to close submerged at full speed but to no avail. This was the damaged Vittorio Veneto (torpedoed by HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. E.P. Tomkinson, DSO, RN)). (18)
15 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 17th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (18)
21 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was docked at Malta. (25)
27 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was undocked. (25)
29 Dec 1941
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Taranto.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(18)
5 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) attacked the Italian battleship Littorio with torpedoes in the Gulf of Taranto in position 40°07'N, 17°07'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target despite the claim for a hit. The Italian battlegroup (including the battleship Giulio Cesare and destroyers Carabiniere, Alpino, Antonio da Noli, Antonio Pigafetta, Ascari and Fuciliere) was returning to Taranto after covering the Monviso convoy.
(All times are zone -1) 1453 hours - Faint HE was heard bearing 140° and 3 minutes later a warships mast was sighted bearing 130°.
1458 hours - In position 40°07'N, 17°'07'E a second look revealed more than one warship.
1500 hours - Unique was now right ahead of what appeared to be a large warship (battleship) escorted by one cruiser and five destroyers. Started attack.
1505 hours - When coming to periscope depth Unique lost trim before a look could be obtained.
1510 hours - HE from an escorting destroyer was heard all round forcing Unique to 50 feet until she had passed.
1524 hours - Returned to periscope depth to find that the battleship had changed course many minutes ago.
1530 hours - Despite not being in a very good attack position now Unique fired four torpedoes.
1540 hours - After approximately 9000 yards of running range a very heavy explosion occured. It was thought that one of the torpedoes had hit the target (but this was not the case). (18)
11 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 18th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (18)
15 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of Messina.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(26)
21 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) attacked an Italian submarine with four torpedoes about 25 nautical miles South-East of August, Sicily, Italy in position 36°55'N, 15°38'E. No hits were obtained.
According to Italian sources this was Ciro Menotti (C.C. Ugo Gelli) returning to Augusta from a transport mission to Tripoli but the attack was unobserved.
(All times are zone -1) 0700 hours - While Unique was in position 36°55'N, 15°38'E HE was heard bearing 110° moving left. Unique was at 70 feet and immediately went to periscope depth but nothing could be seen. HE changed bearing rapidly and it was thought that a destroyer or torpedo boat was nearby. The HE faded out after a few minutes. Later it was thought this might have been a submarine.
0716 hours - HE was reported bearing 160° and it was moving slowly to the right.
0720 hours - A small dark object was seen on this bearing and all tubes were brought to the ready.
0724 hours - It was thought the contact was an enemy submarine. Started attack but a good set up could not be immediately obtained.
0730 hours - Now also the high power (attack) periscope malfunctioned. The low power periscope now had to be used.
0737 hours - Four torpedoes were now finally fired from 2000 yards. They all missed and the submarine was lost from view at 0748 hours. (26)
22 Jan 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (26)
2 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol South of Messina.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(26)
9 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) is ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. (26)
13 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) heard heavy depth charging between 0719 and 0956 hours. This was HMS Tempest (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) that was being hunted by the Italians. (26)
18 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) ended her 20th war patrol (18th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. This was another frustrating patrol patrol with several sightings but no attack carried out.
While approaching Malta HMS Unique was grounded. She was refloated after a few hour. After entering harbour she was docked for inspection of the damage which was moderate. (26)
27 Feb 1942
A court of inquiry was held at Malta to investigate the grounding of HMS Unique of 18 February.
28 Feb 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was undocked. (27)
4 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. Unique was to proceed to the U.K. to refit. On board was an Italian human torpedo that was to be brought to the U.K. for study.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this passage see the map below.
(28)
5 Mar 1942
At 0123 hours, just off Malta, HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) was machine-gunned by a German Junker 88 and forced to dive but she suffered no damage. (28)
14 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (28)
19 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for Portsmouth. (28)
29 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (28)
31 Mar 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Sheerness. (28)
1 Apr 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) arrived at Sheerness. (29)
2 Apr 1942
HMS Unique (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN) shifted from Sheerness to the Chatham Dockyard where she was to refit. (29)
22 Jul 1942
With her refit completed HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) shifted from Chatham to Sheerness. (30)
25 Jul 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) departed Sheerness for Portsmouth with convoy CW.110. (30)
26 Jul 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) arrived at Portsmouth. (30)
30 Jul 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) departed Portsmouth for Plymouth. (30)
31 Jul 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) arrived at Plymouth.
1 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth with aircraft. (31)
3 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Plymouth.
4 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth. (31)
7 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) departed Plymouth for Holy Loch. (31)
9 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a period of training. (31)
17 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. These included a practice attack on HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN). (31)
18 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) and HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Colvin, RN).
Upon completion of these exercises HMS Unique conducted speed trials on the Arran measured mile. (31)
19 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN), HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Colvin, RN) and later night exercises with HMS P 217 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN). (31)
20 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) returned to Holy Loch upon completion of the exercises. (31)
21 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted sound trials in Loch Goil. (31)
22 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted trials off Fairlie. (31)
25 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) shifted from Holy Loch to Rothesay. (31)
26 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). These included practice attacks on HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN). (31)
27 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course). These included practice attacks on HMS Alecto (Cdr. J.R.S. Brown, RN), HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN), HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN), HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR) and HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR). (31)
28 Aug 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). Following these exercises HMS Unique conducted gunnery exercises. (31)
4 Sep 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) departed Holy Loch with HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) for Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Cutty Sark (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN). (32)
6 Sep 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) arrived at Lerwick. (32)
7 Sep 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) departed Lerwick for her 21th war patrol. She was ordered to provide cover for convoy operations to and from Northern Russia.
For the daily positions of HMS Unique during this patrol see the map below.
(5)
19 Sep 1942
At 1323 hours, HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) was in position 73°02'N, 18°11'E when a U-boat was sighted at a distance of six nautical miles. Both submarines submerged but contact was lost. (5)
24 Sep 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) ended her 21th war patrol at Lerwick. She departed Lerwick for Holy Loch later the same day.
She made the passage to Holy Loch together with HMS P 221 (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSC, RN), HMS HMS P 217 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) and HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN). They were escorted by HMS White Bear (Cdr. (Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN). (32)
26 Sep 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) arrived at Holy Loch. (32)
8 Oct 1942
HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) departed Holy Loch for her 22th war patrol.
Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN), HMS Sealion (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) and HMS Graph (Lt. P.B. Marriott, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).
Unique was ordered to patrol off Northern Spain to intercept the German blockade runner Belgrano and to proceed to Gibraltar upon completion of this patrol where she was to join the Mediterranean Fleet. She was expected to arrive at Gibraltar on 23 October and was declared overdue the next day. (32)
13 Oct 1942
At 0845 hours (0945 hours, German time) on this day the German tanker Spichern (9323 GRT, built 1935, code name 'Elm', former Norwegian Krossfonn captured on 26 June 1940 by raider Widder) reported that a loud explosion was heard followed by a large column of water about 2000 meters away to port. From the same direction a torpedo track was seen. The Commanding Officer ordered hard to port and the torpedo was observed to run on a parallel course and miss about 50 metres from the port side. Fire was opened with 10.5 cm and 3.7 cm guns.
At 0855 hours (0955 hours, German time), a loud noise similar to a depth charge was heard and two more torpedo tracks were observed at about 3000 metres astern on the port side. They missed the port side by 70 metres. Position of these attacks as reported by Spichern was 46°54'N, 06°03'W.
Spichern was on her way back to France after she had been damaged by Allied aircraft while attempting to pass the Bay of Biscay for operations in the Atlantic on 12 October 1942. Shortly after these submarines attacks (at 1045 hours), her escort to St. Nazaire, the German minesweepers M 24, M 32 and M 152 joined her. Later (at 2345 hours) Sperrbrecher 175 joined for the last part of the passage into St. Nazaire. Spichern anchored in St. Nazaire at 0031/14.
At 0852 hours and 0854 hours, HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN), while in position 46°32'N, 05°55'W, heard two loud explosions. This position was about 23 nautical miles from the position reported by Spichern.
The torpedo attack on Spichern was not reported by any other submarine on patrol at that moment. The attacker must have been HMS Unique. No enemy report was received from Unique. It therefore is possible that HMS Unique was lost during the attack on Spichern. What is reported by Spichern looks like two attacks of two torpedoes. It seems like that during the first attack one of the torpedoes fired prematured possibly damaging Unique. It seems likely Unique was able to fire another two torpedoes against Spichern. Possibly the second explosion heard by Spichern was the demise of HMS Unique (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN). (33)
Sources
- ADM 199/2572 + ADM 199/2573
- ADM 199/2573
- ADM 173/16680
- ADM 173/16681
- ADM 199/1817
- ADM 173/16681 + ADM 199/1817
- ADM 173/16681 + ADM 199/2217
- ADM 173/16682
- ADM 173/16682 + ADM 173/16685 + ADM 199/2219 + ADM 199/2573
- ADM 173/17118
- ADM 199/1817 + ADM 199/2223
- ADM 199/1817 + ADM 199/2224
- ADM 199/2225
- ADM 199/1817 + ADM 199/2226
- ADM 173/17121
- ADM 199/1154
- ADM 199/2228
- ADM 199/1116
- ADM 173/17124
- ADM 53/114626 + ADM 234/335
- ADM 173/17125
- ADM 173/17126
- Platon Alexiades
- ADM 173/17127
- ADM 173/17129
- ADM 199/1224
- ADM 173/17701
- ADM 173/17702
- ADM 173/17703
- ADM 173/17704
- ADM 173/17705
- ADM 199/424
- Forum topic at warsailors.com
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.