This page is our compilation of data from several different databases. All data shown here is dynamic, but is accurate according to the information we have right now. Although content is still being added daily, more than 75% of the launched and commissioned data is already in place, so this section is almost complete.
Quick links: War losses - General events
The Shipyard Report
Laid down (34)
1917: Destroyer Montgomery (G 95) -
Destroyer Wickes (i) (DD 75)
1934:
Destroyer Cummings (DD 365)
1941:
Minesweeper Horsham (J 235) -
Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 310 (MTB 310) -
Frigate Rother (K 224) -
Destroyer Scourge (G 01) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 52 -
Minesweeper Radiant (AMc-99) -
Minesweeper YMS-102 (YMS-102) -
Minesweeper YMS-114 (YMS-114) -
Minesweeper YMS-115 (YMS-115) -
Minesweeper YMS-116 (YMS-116) -
Minesweeper YMS-47 (YMS-47) -
Minesweeper YMS-86 (YMS-86)
1942:
Tank landing ship LST 301 (LST 301) -
Submarine Balao (285) -
Destroyer Escort Jacob Jones (ii) (DE 130) -
Tank landing ship LST 301 (LST 301) -
Fleet tug Moreno (AT 87) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 100
1943:
Corvette Farnham Castle (K 413) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-363 (LCI(L)-363) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-451 (LCI(L)-451) -
Patrol craft PC-1207 (PC-1207) -
Patrol craft PCS-1420 (PCS-1420) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 435
1944:
Frigate Loch Tralaig (K 655) -
Destroyer tender Everglades (AD 24) -
Destroyer Higbee (DD 806) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-704 (LCI(L)-704) -
Landing craft tank LCT 1317 (LCT 1317) -
Tank landing ship LST 1034 (LST 1034) -
Tank landing ship LST 1035 (LST 1035)
Launched (52)
1920:
Destroyer Hopkins (DMS 13)
1923: Submarine S-45 (156)
1926: Destroyer L’Alcyon
1929: Destroyer Ardent (H 41)
1930: MS Trawler Cape Barracouta (4.122)
1934: Submarine Le Conquérant
1936: ASW Trawler Mildenhall (FY 128)
1940: Corvette Trillium (K 172) -
Corvette Crocus (K 49) -
Corvette Trillium (K 172)
1941: Minesweeper Rockhampton (J 203) -
Corvette Timmins (K 223) -
MS Trawler Scarba (T 175) -
MS Trawler Eday (T 201) -
Landing Craft Tank LCT 138 (LCT 138) -
Minesweeper Parrsboro (J 117) -
Corvette Sweetbriar (K 209) -
MS Trawler Tromøy (ii) (T 201) -
Submarine M-119
1942: MS Trawler Dochet (T 286) -
Landing Craft Tank LCT 389 (LCT 389) -
Submarine chaser SC-661 (SC-661) -
Submarine chaser SC-706 (SC-706) -
Submarine chaser SC-708 (SC-708)
1943: Minesweeper BYMS 2042 (J 842) -
Patrol vessel Kildary (Z 05) -
Landing Craft Tank LCT 669 (LCT 669) -
Tank landing ship LST 215 (LST 215) -
Tank landing ship LST 215 (LST 215) -
Tank landing ship LST 84 (LST 84) -
Destroyer Escort Mosley (DE 321) -
Minesweeper Opponent (AM 269) -
Minesweeper Palisade (AM 270) -
Patrol craft PC-1173 (PC-1173) -
Patrol craft PC-1240 (PC-1240) -
Submarine chaser SC-1052 (SC-1052) -
Minesweeper YMS-340 (YMS-340) -
Minesweeper YMS-365 (YMS-365)
1944: Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1074 (LCI(L)-1074) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-641 (LCI(L)-641) -
Landing craft tank LCT 1177 (LCT 1177) -
Landing craft tank LCT 1178 (LCT 1178) -
Landing craft tank LCT 1315 (LCT 1315) -
Medium landing ship LSM 162 (LSM 162) -
Medium landing ship LSM 163 (LSM 163) -
Medium landing ship LSM 264 (LSM 264) -
Tank landing ship LST 580 (LST 580) -
Tank landing ship LST 680 (LST 680) -
Submarine Piper (409) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 545 -
Submarine Threadfin (410)
1945: Motor torpedo boat PT 610
Commissioned (47)
1917: Minesweeper Tedworth (J 32)
1918: Submarine H 28 (N 28) -
Destroyer Woolston (L 49)
1919: Destroyer Tattnall (DD 125)
1941: Corvette Prescott (K 161) -
Minelayer M 5 (M 74) -
Motor Anti-Submarine Boat MA/SB 27 (MA/SB 27) -
Motor Launch ML 270 (ML 270) -
Motor Launch ML 275 (ML 275) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 24
1942: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 82 (MTB 82) -
Destroyer O"Bannon (DD 450) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 105 -
Submarine chaser SC-529 (SC-529) -
Minesweeper YMS-79 (YMS-79)
1943: MS Trawler Awatere (T 397) -
Minesweeper BYMS 2076 (J 876) -
Frigate Helford (K 252) -
Landing Craft Tank LCT 878 (LCT 878) -
Landing Craft Tank LCT 879 (LCT 879) -
Destroyer Escort Donnell (DE 56) -
Destroyer Escort Flaherty (DE 135) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-426 (LCI(L)-426) -
Tank landing ship LST 76 (LST 76) -
Motor torpedo boat PT 261 -
Minesweeper YMS-285 (YMS-285) -
Minesweeper YMS-402 (YMS-402)
1944: Landing Craft Tank LCT 1151 (LCT 1151) -
Landing Craft Tank LCT 736 (LCT 736) -
Motor minesweeper MMS 1034 (FY 1034) -
Seaplane tender Currituck (AV 7) -
Seaplane tender Hamlin (AV 15) -
Minesweeper Indicative (AM 250) -
Fleet tug Jicarilla (ATF 104) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1027 (LCI(L)-1027) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-1073 (LCI(L)-1073) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-638 (LCI(L)-638) -
Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-700 (LCI(L)-700) -
Medium landing ship LSM 25 (LSM 25) -
Tank landing ship LST 574 (LST 574) -
Tank landing ship LST 622 (LST 622) -
Tank landing ship LST 749 (LST 749) -
Tank landing ship LST 751 (LST 751) -
Destroyer Escort Tinsman (DE 589) -
Submarine V-1
1945: Motor torpedo boat PT 652 -
Destroyer Escort Rizzi (DE 537)
Legend:
Laid down means that the ship's construction was officially started by laying down the keel (often just a single steel beam but could also mean the first of many pre-fabricated sections).
Launched means that the ship was launched from its shipyard, it then began its fitting out period (installation of smaller systems, weapons etc.) - in many yards the ships were launched very complete and needed little work afterwards.
Commissioned is when the navy takes the ship officially over and gives command of it to its new captain.
War Losses on 26 June (9)
1941: MS Trawler Tranio -
Flotilla leader Moskva
1942: Submarine A-1 -
Destroyer Bezuprechny -
Submarine S-32
1943: Motor Gun Boat MGB 644 (MGB 644)
1944: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 734 (MTB 734)
1945: Minesweeper YMS-365 (YMS-365) -
Minesweeper YMS-39 (YMS-39)
More information on Allied Warships losses.
General Events on 26 June
1940
Heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire: At 1430 hours, HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN), sighted the French battleship Richelieu which had departed Dakar the previous day for Casablanca with the destroyer Fleuret. About two hours later Richelieu and Fleuret reversed course and returned to Dakar where they arrived early on the 28th still shadowed by Dorsetshire.
Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Capt. G.D. Moore, RAN) arrived at Penang.
Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) departed Penang for Singapore.
Light cruiser HMS Dragon: HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Capetown. She departed for Walvis Bay later the same day.
Light cruiser HMS Birmingham: HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) is docked in No.3 Dock at Rosyth.
Light cruiser HMS Southampton: In the afternoon HMS Southampton (Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M.L. Clarke, DSC, RN) conducted a D/G test at Scapa Flow.
Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) was docked at the Thornycroft shipyard.
Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Valena (Capt. W.H. Poole, RNR) and HMS Topaze (Lt.Cdr. J.N. Hambly, MBE, RN).
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Portland together with HMS Foylebank (Capt.(Retd.) H.P. Wilson, RN) and HMS Hambledon (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN).
Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes: HMS Hermes (Capt R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) departed Dakar to aid in the search for the missing Walrus aircraft of HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN).
Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN) was ordered to proceed to Malta with despatch. She was to patrol off French North Africa in the western Mediterranean.
Submarine HMS Pandora: HMS Pandora (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Linton, RN) was ordered to proceed to Malta.
Submarine HMS Regent: HMS Regent (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Browne, RN) conducted trials off Hong Kong.
Submarine HMS Regulus (i): HMS Regulus (Cdr. J.M. Money, RN) departed Hong Kong for Singapore. She was to proceed to Alexandria, Egypt to join the Mediterranean Fleet.
For the daily positions of HMS Regulus during the passage from Hong Kong to Alexandria see the map below.
Submarine HMS Sturgeon: HMS Sturgeon (Lt. G.D.A. Gregory, DSO, RN) departed Blyth for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Texel, The Netherlands.
For the daily positions of HMS Sturgeon during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Triton: HMS Triton (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) is detected and machine gunned by a German HE 115 aircraft in position 64°49'N, 10°03'E. Triton sustained no damage.
(All times are zone -1)
0133 hours - Attacked by a German Heinkel 115 seaplane which approached from the cover of a black rain cloud. Triton was clearly silhouetted against a light northern sky. The German aircraft opened fire with her machine gun as Triton dived. Triton was not hit despite the close range of the aircraft.
Following this incident Triton proceeded to the North as it was thought her current location would now be more closely patrolled.
Submarine HMS Tigris: HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bone, RN) conducted exercises off Fowey.
Submarine HMS Talisman: HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) conducted trials off Liverpool. Upon completion of these she departed Liverpool Bay for Greenock. She was escorted by HMS Imogen (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN).
Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J.L. Livesey, RN) conducted independent exercises off Portsmouth.
Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. E.P. Tomkinson, RN) participated in / conducted exercises off Campbeltown. These included a practice attack on HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN).
Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. E.D. Norman, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Lowestoft where she was immediately docked.
Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) participated in an emergency port evacuation. She returned to Harwich later the dame day.
Battleship HMS Valiant: Around 1900A/26, the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Escort (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, RN), HMS Foresight (Lt.Cdr. G.T. Lambert, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Gibraltar where they arrived around 0600A/2.
Destroyer HMS Jaguar: HMS Jackal (Cdr. T.M. Napier, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) arrived at Rosyth from the Humber.
Destroyer HMS Kandahar: RAF reconnaissance reported a large Italian ship leaving Assab and proceeding Northwards. HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, RN) which was on patrol was ordered to intercept but she did not sighted the reported ship.
She however did encounter the Italian submarine Perla which was returning to Massawa from patrol. HMS Kingston then opened fire on her. The submarine crash dived and was then hunted and depth charged by HMS Kingston.
The light cruiser HMNZS Leander (Capt. H.E. Horan, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) and the destroyer HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) departed Aden to search for the wreckage of the submarine which was thought to have been probably sunk and also to invite action with Italian surface ships.
The submarine was located on the 27th laying beached midway between Assab and Messina. It was then bombarded and bombed. No enemy surface craft were encountered but Leander, Kandahar and Kingston were shadowed by enemy aircraft and also bombed by them but they sustained no damage. It was thought the beached submarine was either a total-loss or if not it would at least take months to repair her. [Perla was indeed out of action for months, She ran post repair trials in mid-December.]
1941
Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire: HMS Devonshire (Capt. R.D. Oliver, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN) conducted trials and exercises off Scapa Flow.
Heavy cruiser HMS London: HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) is ordered to return to Freetown.
Heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall: HMS Cornwall (Capt. P.C.W. Manwaring, RN) departed Port Victoria, Seychelles for patrol which was to end at Durban.
Light cruiser HMS Edinburgh: HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN), flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, RN) arrived at Greenock.
Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: At daybreak, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN), disbanded the convoy she was escorting and proceeded to Brisbane where she arrived later the same day and was fuelled yet again by the Dutch naval tanker TAN 4.
Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN).
Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth.
Submarine HMS Severn: HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Polinnia (1292 GRT, built 1911) in the Thyrrhenian Sea about 95 nautical miles south-west of Ischia Island, Italy in position 40°05'N, 12°08'E.
(All times are zone -1)
2010 hours - Sighted a merchant ship. Started attack.
2045 hours - Fired one torpedo from 1500 yards. It hit.
2100 hours - Surfaced. Opened fire with the deck gun.
2108 hours - Ceased firing. Proceeded to pick up survivors as the crew had abondoned ship.
2202 hours - Fired a second torpedo as the ship did not sink from a range of 1000 yards. The cargo of the ship was timber. It hit and the ship now started settling by the stern..
Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Triumph (i): HMS Triumph (Lt.Cdr. W.J.W. Woods, RN) departed from Alexandria for her 16th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Triumph during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Upholder: At 1300 hours (zone -2) HMS Upholder (Lt.Cdr. M.D. Wanklyn, RN) is recalled to Malta.
Submarine HMS Utmost: HMS Utmost (Lt.Cdr. R.D. Cayley, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Enrico Costa (4080 BRT, built 1928) 4 nautical miles from Cape Todaro, Sicily, Italy in position 38°07'N, 14°37'E. The vessel was travelling from Catania to Palermo with 3000 tons of coal. There were no casualties.
(All times are zone -2)
1200 hours -Sighted a partly laden merchant ship of about 6000 tons bearing 060°, 5 nautical miles away. Utmost closed to 1100 yards and fired two torpedoes. One of the torpedoes hit amidships. The crew abandoned ship but it did not sink. Utmost later fired a third torpedo that hit and sank the ship.
According to Italian sources the vessel was travelling from Catania to Palermo with 3000 tons of coal. There were no casualties. The torpedo-boats Castore and Albatros were directed to the scene. Utmost sighted Albatros at 1425 hours and correctly identified her but the Italian warships failed to detect the submarine.
Submarine HMS P 33: HMS P 33 (Lt. R.D. Whiteway-Wilkinson, DSC, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.
Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. P.S. Skelton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.
Submarine HMS H 31: HMS H 31 (Lt. R.J. Hemingway, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. B.G. Heslop, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN) and HMS Spaniel (Skr. C. Coultas, DSC, RNR).
Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. J.D. Martin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Ardrishaig.
Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN).
Light cruiser HMS Naiad: HMS Naiad (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral E.L.S. King, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) departed Haifa around 2030/26 to patrol off the Syrian coast and to conduct a bombardment of the Damur area.
Between 0512/27 and 0531/27 (dawn), HMS Jervis and HMS Kingston, conducted the bombardment.
At 0540/27 HMS Jervis and HMS Havock were attacked by Vichy-French aircraft but they sustained no damage.
The ships returned to Hiafa around 0830/27.
Light cruiser HMS Hermione: Operation Railway (phase 1).
Fighter aircraft to be flown off to Malta.
Arpund 0400A/26, the battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt. R.R. McGrigor, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (Capt. L.E.H. Maund, RN), light cruiser HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) and HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) departed Gibraltar to proceed to the eastwards.
On board HMS Ark Royal there were 12 erected and10 unerected Hurricanes. The latter were erected during the day, the operation being completed and and all aircraft satisfactorily tested before dusk.
Speed was increased to 22 knots at 0630A/26 and course was altered to 060° at 1245A/26. One Catalina provided A/S patrol ahead of the fleet during the day and a second carried out RDF exercises with HMS Hermione.
Weather forecasts fom the Vice-Admiral Commanding, North Atlantic and Vice-Admiral, Malta, indicated that wind would probably be light but would be easterly at the lower altitudes in the vicinity of Malta and that the visibility would be moderate but not good for part of the passage. In view of this, HMS Ark Royal reported at 1420A/26 that it would be desirable but not essential, to move the flying off position 30 miles further to the eastward than planned. Vice-Admiral Somerville decided to do this and speed was accordingly increased to 24.5 knots from 1800A/28 to 2200A/28 and then reduced to 22.5 knots for the night. A signal was passed to the Catalina to inform 200 Group at Gibraltar of the change of rendezvous.
As far as is known the force was not sighted by hostile aircraft during the day. No enemy reports were intercepthed and the only suspicious RDF contact was at 1730A/26, 85 miles north of Oran, when an aircraft was detected 15 miles to the southward, waiting. After ten minutes it faded from the srceen. The visibility was moderate with a calm se and low lying haze and it is quite possible this aircraft did not sight the force.
Information was received at 0220A/27 that the first pair of Bleneims was airborne at 0140A/27 and was expected at the rendezvous at 0520A/27.
At 0300A/27, the force ran into variable patchy fog which persisted till shortly before the flying off position was reached. At 0456, HMS Hermione reported two aircraft bearing 230°, 21 miles. HMS Ark Royal was instructed to D/F these aircraft in and searchlights and black smoke were used as additional airds. The first pair of Blenheims was sighted at 0516A/27 when course was altered to 300° and speed increased to 25 knots for flying off.
The first Hurricane took off at 0526A/27, the 11th at 0531A/27, and the flight took departure at 0537A/27. One of these Hurricanes left with undercarriage down.
Course was altered to 090° at 0532A/27 and to 285° at 0558A/27. The second pair of Blenheims made contact at 0608A/27 and course was altered to 320° for flying off. The 12th Hurricane took off at 0619A/27, the 22nd at 0623A/27 and the flight took departure at 0627A/27.
The mean flying off position for the two flights was 37°34'Nm 04°55'W.
As soon as the last Hurricane had flown off course was altered to 271° and the force withdrew at 25 knots. A fighter patrol and an A/S patrol was flown off and maintained throughout the day. Course was altered to 250° at 0900A/27.
At 0950A/27, a signal was received from Vice-Admiral, Malta that the first flight was in touch, an hour later the second formation was reported in sight.
Shortly afterwards, at 1115A/27, Vice-Admiral, Malta reported that the first formation was incomplete, ad asked if any of the Hurricanes had retuned. W/T silence was broken to reply in the negative.
As no further information was received i again broke W/T silence at 1430A/27 to request a report from Malta.
Meanwhile at 1215A/27, when 56 miles north-north-west of Algiers, HMS Hermione detected an aircraft bearing 040°, 48 miles. It closed to 38 miles before fading on bearing 135°, 58 miles. This aircraft was probably bound for Algiers.
Information was eventually received from the Vice-Admiral, Malta, at 1510A/27 that all aircraft had arrived safely at Malta, but that one had crashed on landing, the pilot being safe.
Six Swordfish carried out flying exercises in the afternoon. At 1630A/27, HMS Hermione opened out on the port beam for a range and inclination exercise.
At 1700A/27, HMS Ark Royal reported that a Fulmar which was due to land on, had failed to return and that W/T communication could not be established on M/F. Attempts to D/F on R.T. failed owing to limitations of ship-intalled H/F - D/F. In order to clear the radar screen fighter and A/S patrols were ordered to circle over the fleet. HMS Hermione then located the lost aircraft 55 miles to the southwardd. The aircaft was given a course to ster and landed on successfully at 1820. It was then ascertained that the beacon was out of adjustement and the W/T set ha a defective valve.
The last fighter patol landed on at 1900A/27 and the A/S patrol at 2034A/27. There was a low haze and the surface visibility never exceeded five miles.
A speed of 25 knots was maintained till 0300A/28 when speed was reduced to 18 knots. Eight fighters and eight Swordfish were flown off at 0600A/28 for exercises. One Swordfish crashed after dropping its torpedo but the crew was picked up by HMS Lance who was acting as picking up destroyer.
' Force H' entered harbour at 0930A/28.
Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) departed the Portsmouth Navy Yard for Bermuda.
Destroyer HMS Defender: The battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, KCB, CVO, RN), HMS Warspite (Capt. D.B. Fisher, CBE, RN), HMS Valiant (Capt. C.E. Morgan, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Ajax (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, RN), fast minelayer HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN), HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, DSO, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for exercises between Alexandria and Port Said.
HMS Warspite was later detached to Port Said. She was to proceed to the USA for repairs and refit. She was escorted to Port Said by HMS Griffin, HMS Kandahar and HMS Kimberley. After delivering the battleship at Port Said, Griffin and Kandahar proceeded to Haifa, where they arrived on 27 June, to operate off the Syrian coast while Kimberley rejoined the Fleet.
The light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN) and the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) also joined the Fleet for the exercises.
The Fleet returned to Alexandria the next day (27th).
Destroyer HMS Jupiter: HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN), HMS Bedouin (Cdr. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Tartar (Cdr. L.P. Skipwith, RN) and HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN) fuelled at Skaalefjord before proceeding towards the vicinity of Jan Mayen Island.
Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) shifted from Oban to Tobermory.
Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
1942
Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN), HMS Genista (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RNR) and HMS Shapinsay (A/Skr.Lt. W.S. Flowers, RNR) arrived at Diego Suarez.
Light cruiser HMS Manchester: HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow.
Destroyer USS Bernadou: USS Bernadou involved in rescue of people off MV Jagersfontein sunk by sunk by U-107Gelhaus taking survivors off the Swiss SS Cergue that had been first on the scene after the sinking. 26 June 1942
Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt.Cdr. G. Quint, RNN(R)) departed Halifax for Pictou. She was escorted by the Canadian corvettes HMCS Ville de Quebec (T/Lt.Cdr. D.G. Jeffrey, DSO, RCNR) and HMCS Port Arthur (T/Lt. E.T. Simmons, DSC, RCNVR).
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Valena (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR) and HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. F.J. Webster, RNR). After these exercises a practice attack was made on HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN). O 10 then proceeded to Ardishaig.
Submarine USS Thresher: USS Thresher (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Millican) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Marshall / Caroline Islands area.
Submarine USS Spearfish: USS Spearfish (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dempsey) leaves Fremantle for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.
Submarine USS Dolphin: USS Dolphin (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Rutter) attacked a Japanese oiler with torpedoes south of Japan in position 31°00'N, 133°53'E. Dolphin claims two hits but Japanese records don't show any evidence on this.
Submarine USS Trigger: USS Trigger (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Lewis) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol of the Aleutians.
Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area training a class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Seawolf: HMS Seawolf (Lt. R.P. Raikes, RN) departed Polyarnoe for her 29th war patrol. She was ordered to provide cover for convoy's QP 13 and PQ 17 and return to the U.K. afterwards.
[As there is are no logs available for July 1942 onwards and the patrol report does not give positions no map for this patrol can be displayed.]
Submarine HMS Sahib: HMS P 212 (Lt. J.H. Bromage, DSC, RN) arrived at Lerwick. She departed later the same day for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Northern Norway to give cover for convoy operations PQ 17 and QP 13 to and from Northern Russia.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS P 212 during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Saracen: P 247 (Lt. M.G.R. Lumby, RN) conducted full power trials on the Arran measured mile.
Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Colombo for her 25th war patrol (4th in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol in the Malacca Straits.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Truant during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Torbay: HMS Torbay (Cdr. A.C.C. Miers, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Portsmouth bound for the Devonport Dockyard at Plymouth where she is to refit. She arrived at Devonport the next day. She was escorted by HMS Lord Essenden (Skr. J.W. Shell, RNR). Most of the passage was made in convoy.
Submarine HMS Thorn: HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, DSO, RN) ended her 7th war patrol at Alexandria.
Submarine HMS Utmost: HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) was docked in No.3 dock at Gibraltar.
Submarine HMS Unbroken: HMS P 42 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) ended her 4th war patrol (also 4th in the Mediterranean) at Gibraltar.
Submarine HMS Unrivalled: While on a work-up patrol in the Norwegian Sea in position 65°03'N, 03°27'E, HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) fired a torpedo at what is thought to be a submerged enemy submarine that was proceeding on a course of 290°. Only the periscope was sighted and the torpedo was fired in the direction of the hydrophone effect.
The attack was most likely against a non-sub target (perhaps a whale). There is a remote possibility that the target was U-456.
2154 hours - Sighted a periscope bearing green 90° 1000 yards away. P 45 dived immediately. Hydrophone Effect (H.E.) was heard. As there was doubt about the identity of the submarine attempts were made to make contact by SST. but there was no response.
2247 hours - Fired one torpedo at the contact. The torpedo was heard to explode after running its full range. Contact was lost soon after.
Submarine HMS P 48: HMS P 48 (Lt. M.E. Faber, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar. Upon completion of these trials HMS P 48 returned to Holy Loch.
Submarine HMS H 28: During the morning HMS H 28 (Lt. J.S. Bridger, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN). During the afternoon she carried out exercises with HMS Alecto (Cdr. J.R.S. Brown, RN).
Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.
Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. D.E.O. Watson, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Battleship HMS Malaya: At 0900 hours, HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN), HMS Vidette (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) made rendez-vous with convoy WS 20. HMS Malaya then joined the convoy while the destroyers returned to Gibraltar with HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Gretton, OBE, DSC, RN) escorting the troopship Narkunda.
Battleship HMS Revenge: HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN, flying the flag of A/Vice-Admiral A.U. Willis, DSO, RN, second in command Eastern Fleet) completed de-ammunitioning. She is then taken in hand for refit at the Durban Dockyard.
Battleship HMS Rodney: At 1100A/26, the escort of convoy WS 19P was turned over to the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) in approximate position 12°00'S, 08°00'E. The Admiralty had decided to cancel the deployment of HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) and HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN) with the Eastern Fleet as they would be required in August for a supply mission to Malta that was being planned. So the battleships set course to return to Freetown escorted by HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) and HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN).
At 1715A/27, the escort destroyer HMS Derwent (Cdr. R.H. Wright, DSC, RN) joined after having fuelled at Pointe Noire. She was Topped up by HMS Nelson in the morning of the 28th.
All ships arrived at Freetown in the afternoon of July 1st. On the passage back to Freetown HMS Rodney had experienced problems with her steering mechanism.
Battleship HMS Anson: HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering exercises at Scapa Flow followed by several runs over the D/G range.
Submarine USS S-34: USS S-34 (Lt. T.L. Wogan) ended her 2nd war patrol at Dutch Harbour. She is now sent to the Puget Sound Navy Yard for an overhaul.
Submarine USS R-1: USS R-1 (Lt. W.R. Laughon, USN) conducted exercises off Bermuda.
Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. D.T. Hammond, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt. P.W. Garnett, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt.Cdr. B.E. Lewellen, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. A.R. Gallaher, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Kehl, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine FR Rubis: The French tug Quand Meme (288 GRT) is sunk in the Bay of Biscay south of Vieux-Boucau, France in position 43°37'N, 01°35'W when she hits a mine laid on 5 June 1942 by the Free French submarine Rubis.
Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. C.A. Pardoe, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.
1943
Light cruiser HMS Ceres: HMS Ceres (A/Capt. R.C. Harry, RN) proceeded from Khasab Bay to Henjam Island.
Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) makes a torpedo attack on a small empty Japanese tanker near the One Fathom Bank in the Malacca Staits in position 03°02'N, 100°40'E
(All times are zone -6.5)
1517 hours - Surfaced for a surface patrol in the area. Immediately sighted a ship through the periscope. It was not seen from the bridge. The ship was in bearing 118°, distance was about 8 nautical miles, enemy course was about 300°.
1520 hours - Dived and commenced an attack as soon as the ship became visible through the periscope. It was first thought to be very large but when it came closer it was seen to be a small empty tanker of about 1000 tons or possibly even less.
1614 hours - In position 03°02'N, 100°40'E fired two torpedoes from 700 yards. No hits were obtained and it is quite likely the torpedoes ran under. The target made a sharp alteration towards and fearing a counter attack with depth charges O 23 had to take evasive action. After a few minutes the target altered course and zig-zagged away. It was decided not to surface for gun action as the tanker was armed and the element of surprise was now gone.
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) shifted from Rothesay to Ardishaig.
Submarine USS Barracuda: USS Barracuda departed the Portsmouth Navy Yard for the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Submarine USS Narwhal: USS Narwhal (Cdr. Frank Devere Latta) left Pearl Harbor for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to create diversion by bombarding an air base on Matsuwa, Japan on 11 July. USS Lapon, USS Permit and USS Plunger were about to attempt an exit from the previously impenetrable Sea of Japan which they had so daringly entered. The night of the 15th Narwhal drew so much enemy attention to her presence she was forced to dive from the shells, but she accomplished her mission: the other submarines slipped through Etorofu Strait without detection. Narwhal returned to base on 7 August.
Submarine USS Finback: USS Finback (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Tyree, Jr.) ended her 5th war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.
Submarine USS Jack: USS Jack (Lt.Cdr. T.M. Dykers) torpedoed and sank the Japanese troop transports Shozan Maru (5859 GRT) and Toyo Maru (4163 GRT) off Hachijo Jima, southern Honshu, Japan, in position 33°22'N, 138°56'E.
Jack is damaged during a Japanese air attack but continues her patrol.
Submarine USS Pargo: USS Pargo (Lt.Cdr. I.C. Eddy, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for the Panama Canal Zone.
Submarine USS Pogy: USS Pogy (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Wales) departed from Midway for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Caroline Islands area.
Submarine HMS Proteus: HMS Proteus (Lt. A.R. Profit, DSC, RN) conducted night exercises off Plymouth.
Submarine HMS Seadog: HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) departed Lerwick for her 5th war patrol. She proceeded to Lumna Voe for folbot exercises. She departed Lumna Voe later the same day for Spitsbergen where she was to pick up Norwegian commandoes operating there (operation Corncrake).
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Seadog during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Seraph: HMS Seraph (Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, OBE, RN) departed Oran for Algiers where she arrived later the same day.
Submarine HMS Stonehenge: HMS Stonehenge (Lt. D.S.M. Verschoyle-Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.
Submarine HMS Syrtis: HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Larne.
Submarine HMS Truant: During the morning, HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN), A/S exercises were carried out with local small craft.
During the afternoon A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN) and HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN).
Submarine HMS Torbay: With repairs completed HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) departed from Gibraltar for Algiers.
Submarine HMS Trooper: HMS Trooper (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, RN) departed from Beirut bound for Port Said where she is to be docked to repair the damage to her Port propeller after the encounter with a large piece of wreckage on 12 June.
Submarine HMS Trusty: HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) arrived at Holy Loch.
Submarine HMS Ultimatum: HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, RNR) was docked at Wallsend.
Submarine HMS Unrivalled: At 2200 hours (zone -2), HMS Unrivalled (Lt. H.B. Turner, RN) again launched a folbot. The folbot was re-embarked at 0135/27.
Submarine HMS Unruffled: At 2200 hours (zone -2), HMS Unruffled (Lt. J.S. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN), launched a folbot for beach reconnaissance. The folbot returned at 0255/27.
Submarine HMS Unseen: At 2200 hours (zone -2), HMS Unseen (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN), surfaced to launch a COPP party for a beach reconnaissance. The folbot with the party left at 2215/26 and returned at 0200/27. According to the leader of the party a second sortie was required on this beach.
Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (T/Lt. C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) shifted from Rothesay to Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN).
Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. R.B. Foster, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.
Light cruiser HMS Kenya: At 0245F/26, the troop transport Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939) parted company with HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN).
The Dominion Monarch arrived at Colombo later on the 26th.
HMS Kenya arrived at Trincomalee around 1900F/26.
Battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth: The battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. H.G. Norman, CBE, RN) and light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) departed Hampton Roads for Bermuda. They were escorted by the destroyer Harrison (T/Cdr. C.M. Dalton, USN) and the frigates HMS Blackwood (Lt.Cdr. L.T. Sly, RD, RNR) and HMS Drury (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Parker, RN).
Submarine USS S-38: USS S-38 (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Rhymes) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Marshall Islands.
Submarine USS R-2: USS R-2 (Lt. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-11: USS R-11 (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
1944
Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, DSO, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN) departed Rosyth for exercises upon completion of which they proceeded to Methil.
Battleship USS Iowa: In the afternoon USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN) Topped off one of the destroyers of the Task Group with fuel.
Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Boarhound (Skr. A. Keable, RNR) and HMS Bedlington (Skr. A.W. Peak, RNR).
Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HNMS Zwaardvisch: HrMs Zwaardvisch (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) passes the Suez Canal and arrived at Suez.
Submarine USS Cero: USS Cero (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Dissette) departed from Manus for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Philippines.
Submarine USS Cobia: USS Cobia (Lt.Cdr. A.L. Becker) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Bonin Islands area.
Submarine USS Barbero: USS Barbero (Cdr. I.S. Hartman, USN) arrived at Colon, Panama Canal Zone from Key West, Florida.
Submarine USS Baya: USS Baya (Cdr. A.H. Holtz, USN) arrived at Solomons Island, Maryland from New London, Connecticut.
Submarine USS Becuna: USS Becuna (Cdr. H.D. Sturr, USN) is put on the slipway at New London.
Submarine USS Segundo: With her trials and initial training completed USS Segundo (Lt.Cdr. James D. Fulp, Jr.) departed from New London bound for Pearl Harbor.
Submarine HMS Una: HMS Una (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) conducted gunnery exercises off Rothesay together with HMS Unseen (T/Lt. T.D. Wood, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Unruffled (Lt. R.F. Park, RN).
During late June 1944 Una conducted independent exercises out of Rothesay. No log for July 1944 is available so Una's exact movemens during this months are unknown to us. On 1 August Una was operating out of Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted attack exercises for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) in the Clyde area with HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G.G. Slade, RN).
Submarine HMS Satyr: HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, RN) departed Lerwick for Dundee. She was escorted by HNoMS Hessa.
Submarine HMS Sea Rover: At 2155 hours (zone -6.5) HMS Sea Rover (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) was detected and depth charged by two Japanese A/S vessels South of Penang in position 04°36'N, 100°03'E. Considerable damage was done to instruments and internal fittings. Also two tons of water entered the submarine. The enemy remained in the area until about 0400 hours the next morning.
Submarine HMS Sportsman: HMS Sportsman (Lt. R. Gatehouse, DSC, RN) arrived at Dundee.
Submarine HMS Spark: HMS Spark (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Statesman: HMS Statesman (Lt. R.G.P. Bulkeley, RN) departed Port Said for Aden.
Submarine HMS Supreme: HMS Supreme (Lt. T.E. Barlow, RN) conducted A/S exercises with HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN).
Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (A/Lt.Cdr. L.F.L. Hill, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Truculent: HMS Truculent (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Alexander, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Harukiku Maru (3040 GRT, former Dutch Van Waerwijck, built 1910) about 60 nautical miles south-east of Medan, Sumatra in position 03°15'N, 99°46'E.
(All times are zone -6.5)
0958 hours - In position 03°19'17"N, 99°47'E, Truculent sighted smoke bearing 266°. Two minutes later it was noticed that an aircraft was circling in the same direction. Truculent closed for an attack. Later it became clear that Truculent was closing a Japanese convoy made up of one merchant of about 4000 tons, three merchants of about 1500 tons escorted by two submarine chasers and a motor launch. Overhead a twin-engined aircraft was circling.
1112 hours - Four torpedoes were fired against the 4000 tons merchant vessel from 3500 yards. Two hits were obtained. Truculent went deep but hit the bottom at 58 feet.
1116 hours - The first depth charges were dropped, a pattern of six, but these were not close. At 1124 hours two more depth charges were dropped, this time much closer.
1159 hours - More depth charges (at least three) were dropped, also close aboard. After these no more depth charges were dropped and Truculent was able to slip away.
The Harukiku Maru was transporting timber and rubber from Belawan to Singaporte and also had around 720 POW's on board of which 178 lost their lives. (Another source give the number of POW's as almost 1200 of which 198 lost their lives.
Submarine HMS Tudor: HMS Tudor (Lt. S.A. Porter, DSC, RN) transits the Suez Canal.
Submarine HMS Tantivy: HMS Tantivy (Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) ended her 4th war patrol at Trincomalee.
Submarine HMS Thorough: HMS Thorough (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) arrived at Port Said.
Submarine HMS Tiptoe: HMS Tiptoe (Lt.Cdr. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials off Arrochar.
Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. J.A.L. Wilkinson, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (11th in the Mediterranean) at La Maddalena.
Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. G.J. Glennie, RANVR) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.
Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. R.A.A.C. Ward, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Upstart: HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) departed La Maddalena for Malta. She was escorted by HMS HDML 1162 (T/Lt. B.J. Green, RNZNVR).
For the daily positions of HMS Upstart during this passage see the map below.
Submarine HNoMS Ula: HNoMS Ula (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Sars) shifted from Dundee to Leith for radar trials.
Submarine HMS Viking: HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) departed Lerwick for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea about halfway between Jan Mayen Island and the Norwegian coast.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Viking during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Voracious: HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted noise trials in Loch Goil.
Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. W.T.J. Fox, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. C.A. Collins, RNR) and HMS Altair (T/Lt. J.L. James, RNR).
Submarine HMS P 512: HMS P 512 (Lt. J.A. Wingate, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Bermuda.
Battleship HMS Rodney: HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN) started a bombardment with her 16" main battery at 0819B/26. Fire was ceased at 0954B/26.
HMS Roberts (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.E.C. Dunbar, RN) apparently also participated in this bombardment. [No log for this ship is available, so more details can be given.]
HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) also participated in this bombardment. She opened fire around 0800B/26.
The targets were the 1st, 9th and 12th SS Panzer Divisions.
At 1232B/26, HMS Rodney opened fire with her 16" main battery. Target was Carpiquet airfield. Fire was ceased at 1326B/26.
Around 1615B/26, HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN) and HMS Diadem opened fire on a shore battery.
Destroyer HMS Bulldog: German U-boat U-719 was sunk in the North Atlantic north-west of Ireland, in position 55°33'N, 11°02'E, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Bulldog.
Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Fey, Jr., USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt.Cdr. D.L. Mehlop, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-14: USS R-14 (Lt.Cdr. R. Holden, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. J.N. Elliott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Springhill (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Halliday, RCNR) and HMCS Toronto (T/Lt.Cdr. H.K. Hill, RCNVR).
1945
Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: HMS Dauntless (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Diomede (Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN) departed Invergordon for Loch Ewe.
Destroyer USS John R. Pierce: USS John R. Pierce (Cdr. C.R. Simmers) arrived at San Diego.
Submarine USS Guardfish: USS Guardfish (Lt.Cdr. D.T. Hammond) ended her 12th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She was now assigned to training duties.
Submarine USS Cod: USS Cod (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Adkins) departed from Guam for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Siam and along the coast of Indo-China.
Submarine USS Roncador: USS Roncador (Cdr. E.R. Crawford, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS Batfish: After a training period, which commenced on 13 June 1945, USS Batfish (Lt.Cdr. W.L. Small, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 7th war patrol. Batfish was ordered to call at Saipan before proceeding towards her patrol area off the south-east coast of Kyushu, Japan. She was escorted out by USS PC-778 (Lt. F.J. Whittlessey, USNR).
For the daily and attack positions of USS Batfish during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine USS Blenny: USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted a deep dive and gunnery trials off Fremantle.
Submarine USS Blueback: During daylight hours, USS Blueback (Cdr. M.K. Clementson, USN), made the northbound transfer of Lombok Strait submerged.
Submarine USS Bullhead: USS Bullhead (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) attacked a Japanese escort vessel with six torpedoes in the Bali Sea, north of Lombok Strait, in position 07°33'S, 115°47'E. No hits were obtained. The ship attacked was most likely the Japanese submarine chaser Ch 2.
(All times are zone H, -8)
26 June 1945
1950 hours - In position 07°32'S, 115°07'E obtained radar contact bearing 280°(T), range 17800 yards. Notified USS Icefish and USS Puffer. Unable to contact USS Baya.
2020 hours - One of the targets had radar, 156 mgcs, 500 PR. They were zigzagging on a base course of 85°(T) at a speed of 12 knots.
2035 hours - Informed Icefish and Puffer that i would not attack until one of them had made contact. Still unable to contact Baya. It was bright moonlite. Commenced working over to the port side to get off moon.
2100 hours - Targets base course is now 090°(T), speed 12 knots.
2115 hours - Exchanged calls with USS Blueback via SJ.
2246 hours - Blueback reported that she was in contact.
2251 hours - Submerged and commenced approach. One target was pinging. Two targets were sighted and are thought to be minesweepers or Chidori class torpedo boats.
2324 hours - In position 07°33'S, 115°47'E fired six bow torpedoes from 1480 yards. The second and fourth torpedo broached. No hits were obtained. The target was seen to turn towards.
2326 hours - Rigged for depth charging and went to 200 feet.
2333 hours - Depth charging started. Four were dropped but they were not close.
2344 hours - Returned to periscope depth.
2346 hours - One target in sight astern at a range of 4500 yards.
27 June 1945
0010 hours - Lost sight of the target. Came up to 45 feet. All clear on both ST and SJ radar.
0020 hours - Surfaced. Informed the pack that we had missed and told Blueback to go ahead.
0045 hours - Regained contact in position 07°29'S, 115°52'E.
0120 hours - Blueback dived to attack.
0140 hours - Our target slowed, stopped and then circled around. Heard a few depth charges exploding.
0149 hours - The target blew up and disappeared. No idea where the second target is. Bullhead searched for the other ship and contact was regained at 0418 hours but no attack could be started.
Submarine USS Dentuda: USS Dentuda (Cdr. J.S. McCain, Jr., USN) attacked but missed a Japanese submarine with four torpedoes just north of the Formosa Strait in position 25°53'N, 120°22'E. This was most likely the Japanese transport submarine I-351 that had departed Sasebo for Singapore on 22 June.
(All times are zone H, -8)
1725 hours - While at 90 feet and preparing to go to 58 feet for a periscope observation sound picked up fast screws bearing 310°(T). Went to battle stations.
1727 hours - Periscope observation revealed a Japanese I-class submarine on a course of 170°(T). Range by ST radar was 2000 yards. Enemy speed was estimated at 16 knots.
1729 hours - Final periscope observation.
1730 hours - In position 25°53'N, 120°22'E Fired four stern torpedoes from 3500 yards. All missed.
1732 hours - The target appeared to be unaware of the attack. Continued tracking. THe enemy was stearing a base course of 210°(T) zigzagging at intaervals of about three minutes.
1813 hours - Surfaced and regained sight contact through high periscope at a range of 25000 yards.
1814 hours - Night was falling. Decided to close to ST radar range and commence an end around.
2030 hours - ST radar did not pick up the target until the range was 9900 yards.
2031 hours - The enemy was using his radar. Opened out to the west.
2310 hours - Sighted the target at a range of 9800 yards bearing 115°(T).
2312 hours - Changed course and dived.
2340 hours - Surfaced. Unable to obtained contact on the enemy. A search was started but the enemy did not show up again.
Submarine USS Parche: USS Parche (Lt.Cdr. W.W. McCrory) torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary gunboat Kamitsu Maru (2721 GRT) and the Japanese merchant cargo ship Eikan Maru (6903 GRT) about 7 nautical miles from Todozaki, Honshu, Japan in position 39°25'N, 142°04'E.
Submarine USS Pintado:
Photo courtesy of Mr. Mike Lebens, Assistant Curator at the Nimitz Museum, Fredericksburg, Texas.Photo with thanks to Dave Dings.
USS Pintado (Cdr. R. Budd) rescues 12 crew members of the B-29 bomber "City of Galveston" south of Honshu, Japan. The survivors were taken to Guam where the air crew and submarine crew christened a new B-29 named "USS Pintado" at North Field on 20 July 1945.
See also this website (offsite link).
Submarine USS Sea Cat: USS Sea Cat (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bowers) ended her 3rd war patrol at Pearl Harbor.
Submarine USS Tirante: USS Tirante (Cdr. G.L. Street, III) sank two small Japanese vessels with gunfire in the Yellow Sea in position 38°32'N, 124°10'E.
Submarine HMS Turpin: HMS Turpin (A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Stevens, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed from Malta for Port Said.
Submarine HMS Safari: HMS Safari (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre conducted exercises in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Scythian: HMS Scythian (T/Lt C.P. Thode, RNZNVR) departed Trincomalee for Colombo.
Submarine HMS Scotsman: HMS Scotsman (Lt. A.H.B. Anderson, DSC, RNR) departed Malta for Port Said. The passage was made together with HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN).
Submarine HMS Sea Devil: HMS Sea Devil (Lt. D.W. Mills, DSC, RN) was undocked. She then departed Holy Loch for a simulated war patrol.
Submarine HMS Statesman: HMS Statesman (Lt. R.M. Seaburne-May, RN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire off Diamond Point in position 05°19'N, 97°34'E.
(All times are zone -6.5)
0102 hours - Altered course to investigate two objects approaching from the West.
0140 hours - The objects were identified as two small junks of about 20 tons.
0145 hours - The leading junk was sunk with 8 rounds from a range of 2200 yards. The second junk beached herself and could not be engaged against the dark background of the trees. No further action was taken and course was set towards deeper water.
Submarine HMS Spur: HMS Spur (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) departed Malta for Port Said.
Submarine HMS Tribune: HMS Tribune (T/Lt. M.D. Tattersall, RNVR) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class of new submariners.
Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Brookes, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted snort trials in the Clyde area.
Submarine HMS Torbay: HMS Torbay (Lt.Cdr. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) sank a Japanese coaster with gunfire off Sabang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.
(All times are zone -7,5)
1100 hours - The mast and funnel of a coaster was sighted at 10000 yards. Torbay manoeuvred to get ahead of the target. At 1250 hours range was still 8000 to 9000 yards. At 1300 Torbay surfaced and gave chase on the surface.
At 1306 hours the enemy turned towards the nearest shore zig-zagging wildly.
1314 hours - Torbay opened fire with the deck gun from 6000 yards. At 1329 hours fire was ceased as the target was now on fire from amidships to aft. In all 58 rounds were fired.
1335 hours - Torbay dived in position 02°57'N, 100°04'E. At 1350 hours the target was seen to blow up and sink.
Submarine HMS Tactician: HMS Tactician (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted exercises off Blyth.
Submarine HMS Thorough: HMS Thorough (Lt. A.G. Chandler, RNR) ended her 7th war patrol at Fremantle.
Submarine HMS Totem: HMS Totem (Lt.Cdr. M.B. St. John, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden. After a few hours she departed from for Trincomalee.
Submarine HMS Tradewind: HMS Tradewind (Lt. J. Nash, DSC, RN) departed from Aden bound for Port Said.
Submarine HMS Trenchant: HMS Trenchant (Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSO, DSC, RN) departed from Subic Bay for her 7th war patrol. She is to patrol in the Java Sea.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Trenchant during this patrol see the map below.
Submarine HMS Truncheon: HMS Truncheon (A/Lt.Cdr. R.J. Clutterbuck, DSO, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Myngs (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN) and HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Hopper, DSC, RN).
Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) arrived at Portsmouth.
Submarine HMS United: HMS United (Lt. M.D. Hutley, RNR) departed Bermuda for the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. R.P. Fitzgerald, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for exercises with aircraft to the north of Brittany, France.
Submarine HMS Unruly: HMS Unruly (T/Lt. D.J. Palmer, RNVR) conducted independent exercises off Tobermory.
Submarine HMS Unshaken: HMS Unshaken (Lt. J.S. Pearce, RNR) conducted exercises off Portsmouth.
Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (T/Lt. J.D. Tweedie, RNVR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Universal: HMS Universal (Lt. R.W. Garson, RN) conducted exercises off Larne with aircraft.
Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. G.E.L.F. Edsell, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.
Submarine HMS Upstart: HMS Upstart (Lt. R. Westlake, RNVR) arrived at Gibraltar.
Submarine HMS Varne: HMS Varne (Lt. I.G. Raikes, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.
Submarine HMS Votary: HMS Votary (Lt. P.M. Staveley, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.
Submarine HMS Vox: During the night of 26/27 June 1945, HMS Vox (Lt. W.E.I. Littlejohn, DSC, RANVR), conducted night exercises off Sydney with HMS Lewes (T/Lt. M.H. Grylls, SANF(V)) and HMAS Kybra (T/Lt. R.V.A. Corbett, RANR(S)).
Submarine HMS Amphion: HMS Amphion (Cdr. R.H. Dewhurst, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at the torpedo firing range off Arrochar.
Light cruiser HMS Swiftsure: HMS Swiftsure (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) arrived at Sydney where she is to be taken in hand for a short refit.
Battleship HMS King George V: During 26/27 June 1945, HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.B. Rawlings, KCB, OBE, RN, 2nd in command British Pacific Fleet), conducted exercises off Sydney. These included night exercises.
[No details available on escorting destroyers.]
Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. D.C. Bowman, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt. R.G. Black, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.
Submarine IT Tito Speri: Tito Speri arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from Key West, Florida, USA.