Laid down (37)

1917: Battleship Tennessee (BB 43)

1918: Minesweeper Partridge (AM 16) - Minesweeper Quail (i) (AM 15)

1940: Motor Torpedo Boat MTB 270 (MTB 270) - Motor torpedo boat PT 6

1941: Destroyer Aulick (ii) (DD 569) - Destroyer Charles Ausburne (DD 570) - Oiler Chicopee (AO 34) - Motor torpedo boat PT 43 - Submarine chaser SC-522 (SC-522)

1942: Minesweeper BYMS 2038 (J 838) - Minesweeper BYMS 2058 (J 858) - Destroyer Hardy (ii) (R 08) - ASW Trawler Mullet (T 311) - Destroyer Zebra (R 81) - Patrol craft PC-584 (PC-584) - Submarine chaser SC-1041 (SC-1041) - Submarine chaser SC-1052 (SC-1052) - Submarine chaser SC-1056 (SC-1056) - Submarine chaser SC-715 (SC-715) - Submarine chaser SC-983 (SC-983)

1943: Patrol craft PCS-1444 (PCS-1444) - Minesweeper YMS-341 (YMS-341) - Minesweeper YMS-464 (YMS-464)

1944: Destroyer Hawkins (DD 873) - Landing craft tank LCT 1149 (LCT 1149) - Landing craft tank LCT 1150 (LCT 1150) - Landing craft tank LCT 1297 (LCT 1297) - Medium landing ship LSM 31 (LSM 31) - Medium landing ship LSM 32 (LSM 32) - Medium landing ship LSM 33 (LSM 33) - Medium landing ship LSM 34 (LSM 34) - Tank landing ship LST 778 (LST 778) - Tank landing ship LST 783 (LST 783)

1945: Destroyer Perry (ii) (DD 844) - Motor torpedo boat PT 712 - Submarine Spinax (489)

Launched (41)

1907: MS Trawler Royallieu (FY 835)

1919: Destroyer Alden (DD 211) - Destroyer Broome (DD 210)

1930: Submarine Rainbow (N 16)

1934: Submarine M-19

1938: Destroyer Mayrant (DD 402) - Destroyer Trippe (DD 403)

1940: Submarine chaser SC-449 (SC-449)

1941: Motor minesweeper D 251 - Minesweeper Goderich (J 260) - Corvette New Westminster (K 228) - Motor minesweeper MMS 41 (J 541) - Motor minesweeper MMS 47 (J 547) - Minesweeper Roller (AMc-52)

1942: Minesweeper Blairmore (J 314) - Minesweeper BYMS 2003 (J 803) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 343 (LCT 343) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 365 (LCT 365) - Landing Craft Tank LCT 384 (LCT 384) - Motor minesweeper MMS 189 (J 689) - Submarine chaser SC-636 (SC-636) - Submarine chaser SC-651 (SC-651) - Minesweeper YMS-92 (YMS-92)

1943: Minesweeper YMS-352 (YMS-352)

1944: Cutter Chautaqua (WPG 41) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-760 (LCI(L)-760) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-761 (LCI(L)-761) - Medium landing ship LSM 146 (LSM 146) - Medium landing ship LSM 147 (LSM 147) - Medium landing ship LSM 19 (LSM 19) - Medium landing ship LSM 20 (LSM 20) - Medium landing ship LSM 21 (LSM 21) - Medium landing ship LSM 22 (LSM 22) - Tank landing ship LST 672 (LST 672) - Tank landing ship LST 998 (LST 998) - Tank landing ship LST 999 (LST 999) - Submarine Moray (300) - Submarine Roncador (301) - Submarine chaser SC-1506 (SC-1506)

1945: Destroyer Concord (R 63) - Submarine Springer (P 264)

Commissioned (35)

1918: Destroyer Wolsey (L 02)

1919: Submarine H 32 (N 32) - Rescue Tug St. Day (W 55)

1938: Boom defence vessel Barbette (i)

1939: Submarine Depot Ship Forth (F 04)

1941: Submarine Thrasher (N 37)

1942: Rescue Tug Bustler (W 72) - Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1162 (ML 1162) - Motor Gun Boat MGB 76 (MGB 76) - Light cruiser Attilio Regolo - Patrol craft PC-486 (PC-486) - Submarine chaser SC-629 (SC-629) - Minesweeper YMS-22 (YMS-22) - Minesweeper YMS-32 (YMS-32)

1943: Motor Launch ML 431 (ML 431) - Frigate Cuckmere (K 299) - Motor minesweeper Wieringen (FY 1025) - Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)-351 (LCI(L)-351) - Tank landing ship LST 20 (LST 20) - Minesweeper Oracle (AM 103) - Motor torpedo boat PT 242 - Motor torpedo boat PT 243 - Motor torpedo boat PT 337 - Submarine chaser SC-1282 (SC-1282) - Submarine chaser SC-717 (SC-717) - Minesweeper YMS-400 (YMS-400)

1944: Tank landing ship LST 1018 (LST 1018) - Tank landing ship LST 911 (LST 911) - Escort carrier Lunga Point (CVE 94)

1945: Submarine Irex (482) - Medium landing ship LSM 499 (LSM 499) - Tank landing ship LST 773 (LST 773) - Motor torpedo boat PT 702 - Escort carrier Siboney (CVE 112)

1947: Submarine Alliance (P 417)

1940: Minesweeper Abraham van der Hulst - Gunboat Brinio - Torpedo boat G 16 - Sloop Johan Maurits van Nassau (i) - Minesweeper M 1 - Minesweeper M 3 - Minesweeper M 4 - Submarine O 11 - Submarine O 12 - Submarine O 8 - Minesweeper Pieter Florisz - Torpedo boat Z 3

1942: Destroyer Dzerjinsky

1943: Harbour Defence Motor Launch HDML 1154 (ML 1154) - Submarine M-122

More information on Allied Warships losses.

1940

Light cruiser HMS Despatch: HMS Despatch (Capt. J.W. Farquhar, RN) departed Curacao, Dutch West Indies to resume her patrol off Colon, Panama.

Light cruiser HMS Durban: HMS Durban (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN) returned to Singapore from patrol.

Light cruiser HMAS Hobart: Around 1245Z/14, HMAS Hobart (Capt. H.L. Howden, RAN) departed Aden to proceed to Berbera to provide cover for the disembarkment of Rhodesian troops from the transport Karanja (British, 9891 GRT, built 1931). Around 0308Z/15, HMAS Hobart anchored off Berbera. Around 0545Z/15, HMAS Hobart launched her aircraft for A/S patrol and to locate the Karanja. Around 1000Z/15, the Karanja arrived from Mombasa / Kilindini. Disermarkation of the troops and stores commenced at 1130Z/15, boats from HMAS Hobart were assisting. Disembarkation was halted for the night around 1800Z/15. Around 0100Z/16, unloading the troops and stores recommenced. This was completed at 2359Z/16. A total of forty-two motor vehicles, four motor ambulances, 150 tons of general stores and 1164 troops had been landed. Around 0400Z/17, the Karanja sailed for Aden followed 50 minutes later by HMAS Hobart. HMAS Hobart arrived at Aden around 1400Z/17.

Light cruiser HMS Liverpool: At 1900 hours (zone -3), HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J.L. Murray, DSO, OBE, RN) parted company with convoy US 2.

Light cruiser HMS Gloucester: HMS Gloucester (Capt. F.R. Garside, CBE, RN) departed Simonstown for Mombasa, Kenya.

Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide: Around 0815H/14, HMAS Adelaide (Capt. H.A. Showers, RAN) departed Fremantle harbour. She anchored off Rottnest Island around 0940H/14.

Light cruiser HNMS Tromp: HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) departed Surabaya to patrol in the Java Sea. For the daily positions during the period of 14 May 1940 to 20 May 1940, see the map below.

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H. Tichelman, RNN) was docked at Willemstad, Curacoa, Netherlands West Indies.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J. Metz, RNN) arrived at the Downs.

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt. G. Quint, RNN(R)) arrived at the Downs.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Eagle: HMS Eagle (Capt. A.R.M. Bridge, RN) arrived at Colombo from Singapore.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle: Around 1600N/14, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown.

Submarine HMS Phoenix: HMS Phoenix (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Nowell, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. These exercises included A/S exercises with the French destroyers Lynx (Cdr. A.M. De Gouyon Matignon de Pontourade) and HMS Tigre (Capt. M. De La Forest Divonne).

Submarine HMS Pandora: HMS Pandora (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Linton, RN) conducted exercises off Alexandria. The included A/S exercises with the French destroyer Forbin (Capitaine de corvette (Lt.Cdr.) R.C.M. Chartellier).

Submarine HMS Clyde: HMS Clyde (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Ingram, RN) sighted the same ship that she attacked yesterday in position 63°07'N, 04°48'E but was unable to reach an attack position. She eventually lossed sight of the ship in the decreasing visibility.

Submarine HMS Narwhal: HMS Narwhal (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Burch, RN) ended her 11th war patrol at Blyth.

Submarine HMS Salmon: HMS Salmon (Cdr. E.O. Bickford, DSO, RN) conducted exercises off Harwich.

Submarine HMS Spearfish: In the evening Spearfish is ordered to take up a new patrol position in the North Sea (zone A 3), to the north-west of Texel, the Netherlands.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) conducted independent exercises off the Firth of Forth.

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. G.R. Colvin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Plymouth.

Submarine HMS H 49: HMS H 49 (Lt. M.A. Langley, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Harwich.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. A.R. Cheyne, RN) ended her 1st war patrol at Harwich.

Light cruiser HMS Neptune: The heavy cruisers Duquesne (Capt. G.E. Besineau), Tourville (Capt. A.J.A. Marloy), light cruisers HMS Neptune (Capt. J.A.V. Morse, DSO, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Delhi (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN), HMS Dragon (Capt. R.G. Bowes-Lyon, MVO, RN), destroyers HMAS Stuart (Cdr. H.M.L. Waller, RAN), HMAS Vampire (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Walsh, RAN, HMAS Vendetta (Lt. R. Rhoades RAN), HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Morrow, RAN), HMS Tigre (Capt. M. De La Forest Divonne), Lynx (Cdr. A.M. De Gouyon Matignon de Pontourade) and Forbin (Lt.Cdr. R.C.M. Chartellier) conducted exercises off Alexandria.

Destroyer HMS Valentine (i): HMS Valentine (Cdr. H.J. Buchanan, RAN) arrived at Flushing early in the evening after replenishing with ammunition at Dunkirk.

Destroyer HMS Diana: Around 2100A/14, the aircraft carriers HMS Furious (Capt. T.H. Troubridge, RN) and HMS Glorious (Capt. G. D’Oyly-Hughes, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) departed the Clyde for operations off Norway. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Diana (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Veteran (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, RN) and HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN). HMS Witherington was however soon replaced by HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN). Around 2000A/17, HMS Amazon and HMS Viscount parted company, presumably to fuel at Harstad after which they were to rejoin. Later, presumably on the return of the first pair, HMS Diana and HMS Veteran were also detached. They rejoined around 0915A/19. Around 1250A/20, HMS Amazon and HMS Viscount parted company, presumably to fuel again at Harstad after which they were to rejoin which they did around 1320A/21.

Destroyer HMS Jackal: HMS Jackal (Cdr. T.M. Napier, RN) and HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) departed Scapa Flow at 1830/14 for Harwich. They both ran over the D/G range at Inchkeith (Firth of Forth) the following day before continueing their passage to Harwich. HMS Javelin arrived at Harwich on the 16th while HMS Jackal arrived on the 17th. Having joined HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) on the 16th for a patrol during the night.

Destroyer HMS Kandahar: HMS Kandahar (Cdr. W.G.A. Robson, RN) departed the Tyne for Portsmouth. She was selected to serve with the Mediterranean Fleet.

1941

Heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra: Around 0930C/14, HMAS Canberra (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) departed Aden to patrol between the Equator and 02°00'N, and 55°00E to 62°00'E. Before proceeding on patrol 4" HA gunnery exercises were carried out on a sleeve target.

Light cruiser HMS Danae: Around 1530GH/14, HMS Danae (A/Capt. F.J. Butler, MBE, RN) and the troop transport Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929) arrived at Singapore from Colombo.

Light cruiser HMS Birmingham: HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow.

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Capt. E.A. Aylmer, DSC, RN) departed Simonstown for a patrol in the South Atlantic which was to end at Freetown.

Light cruiser HMS Edinburgh: HMS Edinburgh (Capt. C.M. Blackman, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises during the night of 14/15 May 1941.

Submarine HNMS O 24: HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) carried out an A/S exercise off Gibraltar with British escort vessels. This must have been the sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN) and the corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and HMS Spiraea (T/Lt. L.C. Head, RNVR). Upon completion of these exercises all ships joined the escort of convoy HG 62 (6th war patrol for O 24). [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy HG 62 ' for 14 May 1941.]

Submarine HNMS O 24: Convoy HG 62. This convoy departed Gibraltar on 14 May 1941. The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Blairesk (British, 3300 GRT, built 1925), Blairnevis (British, 4155 GRT, built 1930), Csarda (Panamanian, 3882 GRT, built 1917), Dover Hill (British, 5815 GRT, built 1918), Fidra (British, 1574 GRT, built 1936), Hjalmar Wessel (Norwegian, 1742 GRT, built 1935), Lorient (British (former French),4185 GRT, built 1921), Lyminge (British, 2499 GRT, built 1919), Macbrae (British, 2117 GRT, built 1924), Mauritz (Swedish, 1480 GRT, built 1917), Perth (British, 2502 GRT, built 1915), Rose Schiaffino (British (former French), 2502 GRT, built 1915), Spero (British, 1589 GRT, built 1922), Switzerland (British, 1290 GRT, built 1922), Thelma (British, 1593 GRT, built 1935) and Uskside (British, 2708 GRT, built 1937). On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. G.A. Thring, DSO, RN) and the corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and HMS Spiraea (T/Lt. L.C. Head, RNVR). The merchant vessels City of Dublin (British, 1095 GRT, built 1882) and Talas (Yuguslavian, 2520 GRT, built 1895) sailed late from Gibraltar to overtake and join the convoy. Only the City of Dublin managed to do so and she joined during the first night out. Around 0900B/16, the corvette HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR) joined. P.M. on the 18th, the Dover Hill straggled from the convoy due to engine trouble but she was able to rejoin A.M. on the 19th. P.M. on 21 May, the three corvettes parted company to return to Gibraltar. Around 1500B/22, the corvette HMS Aster (Lt.Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR) joined but she left again around 1540Z/22, in position 44°04'N, 22°26'W, taking HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) with her to convoy OG 62. On 26 May 1941, the destroyers HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), corvettes ,HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR), HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, DSC, RD, RNR) and the A/S trawler HMS St. Zeno (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR) joined. The rescue ship Perth (2259 GRT, built 1915) also joined. At 0043B/27, HMS Leamington collided with the Norwegian merchant vessel Thyra (1766 GRT, built 1920) in position 52°25'N, 19°22'W. The Thyra sank and the 20 survivors (out of a crew of 24) were rescued by HMS Leamington which had only sustained some damage to her stem and had her forepeak flooded. At 1736B/30, an aircraft reported an enemy submarine in position 55°56'N, 09°28'W, HMS Leamington and HMS Deptford were ordered to detach from the convoy and hunt this submarine while convoy HX 127 was ordered to alter course to avoid. If this sighting was genuine then this was most likely U-147. At 0130B/31, HMS Deptford reported that the merchant vessel Gravelines, a straggler from convoy HX 127 had been torpedoed in position 55°57'N, 15°01'W. HMS Deptford continued her hunt for the reported submarine. On 30 May 1941, the Lorient, Rose Schiaffino and Thelma arrived at Belfast Lough. On 31 May 1941, the Blairnevis and Dover Hill arrived at Oban. Possibly HMS Gladiolus escorted them to their destination as she arrived at Londonderry a day later as other escorts. On 31 May 1941, the Csarda, Lyminge, Mauritz and Perth arrived in the Clyde. On 31 May 1941, the Blairesk and Switzerland arrived at Workington. On 31 May 1941, the Fidra and Uskside arrived at Barrow in Furness. On 31 May 1941, the City of Dublin arrived at Dublin. On 31 May 1941, the Hjalmar Wessel, Macbrae and Spero arrived at Liverpool. Of the escorts HMS Saladin, HMS Leamington, HMS Clarkia and HMS St. Zeno arrived at Londonderry on 31 May 1941. HMS Gladiolus arrived at Londonderry on 1 June 1941, possibly she had escorted the Oban section to it's destination before proceeding to Londonderry. On 2 June 1941, HMS Deptford arrived at Liverpool.

Submarine HNMS O 24: For the daily positions of HrMs O 24 during her 6th war patrol see the map below.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes: Four FAA Swordfish aircraft of HMS Hermes (Capt. R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) bombed barracks at Amarah, Iraq. Two direct hits were claimed and thirty-fve bombs fell within the compound.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alaunia: Around 0545Z/14, HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Hvalfjord from patrol. She then left Hvalfjord around 1800Z/14 for Halifax.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Chitral: Convoy BHX 127. This convoy departed Bermuda on 14 May 1941. On departure from Bermuda the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adula (British (tanker), 8040 GRT, built 1937), Athelqueen (British (tanker), 8780 GRT, built 1928), British Commodore (British (tanker), 6865 GRT, built 1923), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), Chr. Th. Boe (Norwegian (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1930), Laristan (British (tanker), 6401 GRT, built 1927), President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935), Ranja (Norwegian (tanker), 6355 GRT, built 1928), Sepia (British (tanker), 6214 GRT, built 1936), Solfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9925 GRT, built 1939) and Vardefjell (Norwegian (tanker), GRT, built 1940). On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (Capt.(Retd.) G. Hamilton, RN). Around 2000P/20, convoy BHX 127 merged with convoy HX 127 in position 45°21'N, 46°48'W. HMS Chitral did not join convoy HX 127 but set course for Halifax.

Submarine HMS Unbeaten: HMS Unbeaten (Lt. E.A. Woodward, RN) attacked a large schooner in a convoy with three torpedoes West of Khoms, Libya. The schooner was claimed sunk but this was not the case. According to Italian sources these were almost certainly the schooners Alas, Trio F., Rita and Neptunus escorted by the gunboat Mario Bianco proceeding from Tripoli to Benghazi. The attack appears to have been unobserved. (All times are zone -2) 1323 hours - Sighted masts of a convoy bearing 236°, range 12000 yards. They were close inshore proceeding Eastwards. Closed at speed. The convoy was later seen to consist of one armed trawler escorting a 3-masted auxiliary schooner of about 1100 tons, a 3-masted auxiliary schooner of about 700 tons, a 2-masted auxiliary schooner of about 400 tons and one Dutch schoote of about 500 tons. They were proceeding east along the 5-fathom line about one mile off shore. 1453 hours - In approximate position 32°54'N, 13°54'E fired one salvo of three torpedoes from 4500 yards at the largest schooner. A faint explosion was heard about three minutes after firing. 1510 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Saw the armed trawler had turned back and closing at slow speed at a range of 4000 yards. The target however was not seen and is thought to have sunk. After 10 minutes the trawler turned back towards the convoy.

Submarine HMS Oberon: HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Pizey, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course).

Submarine HMS Rover: HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Greenway, RN) was docked at Port Said.

Submarine HMS Sturgeon: HMS Sturgeon (Lt.Cdr. D. St. Clair-Ford, RN) conducted exercises off Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN) ended her 16th war patrol at Portsmouth.

Submarine HMS Tigris: Around 1020A/14, HMS Tigris (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Bone, DSO, DSC, RN) arrived at Falmouth. She left again around 2050A/14 escorted by HMS ML 181 until 2245A/14.

Submarine HMS Thrasher: HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN) conducted trials in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Union: HMS Union (Lt. R.M. Galloway, RN) is taken in hand for some repairs to her battery at the Malta Dockyard. The repairs were completed on the 19th.

Submarine HMS Unique: HMS Unique (Lt. A.F. Collett, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta.

Submarine HMS Urge: Around 2040B/14, on completion of exercises, HMS Urge (Lt. E.P. Tomkinson, RN) departed Malta for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off between Tunisia and Lampedusa Island. [No log is available so it is not possible to display a map of her movements during this patrol.]

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course).

Submarine HMS H 34: HMS H 34 (Lt. C.P. Norman, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown withHMS St. Modwen (Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Ford, RN).

Submarine HMS H 43: HMS H 43 (Lt. H.S. Mackenzie, RN) shifted from Rosyth to Methill. She departed for Tobermory later the same day escorted by HMS Tarantella (T/Lt. the Hon. R.A. Balfour, RNVR).

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. W.N.R. Knox, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) N.T.B. Holt, RN).

Light cruiser HMS Neptune: HMS Neptune (Capt. R.C. O'Conor, RN) conducted DG trials at Scapa Flow. These were followed by gunnery and torpedo firing exercises.

Light cruiser HMS Kenya: Minelaying operation SN 9B. Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron. At 1035B/14, the auxiliary minelayers HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(Retd.) F. Ratsey, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN), HMS Menestheus (Capt. J.S. Crawford, DSO, RN), and HMS Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN) of the 1st Minelaying Squadron departed Loch Alsh to lay minefield SN 9A. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Electra (Cdr. C.W. May, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, RN) and HMS St. Marys (Lt. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN). HMS Electra, HMS Antelope, HMS Anthony had arrived at Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) at 0600B/14 having departed Scapa Flow at 2215B/13. Around 1730B/14, they were joined at sea by the light cruiser HMS Hermione (Capt. G.N. Oliver, RN) which had departed Scapa Flow around 2345B/13 to provide close cover for the 1st Minelaying Squadron. Two light cruisers, which were on patrol in the Iceland - Faeroer gap, HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) and HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN), provided distant cover for the operation. On completion of the operation they resumed their patrol. Minefield SN 9B was laid on the 15th. It was laid along a line between positions 64°34'0"N, 12°42'0"W, 64°08'5"N, 12°16'0"W and 64°02'2"N, 12°06'0"W. The minelayers laid as follows; HMS Agamemnon 532 mines, HMS Menestheus 410 mines and HMS Port Quebec 548 mines. HMS Hermione returned to Scapa Flow at 2000B/17. At 2344B/17, HMS Agamemnon, HMS Menestheus, HMS Port Quebec and HMS St. Marys returned to Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh). HMS Electra, HMS Antelope and HMS Anthony returned to Scapa Flow at 0730B/18.

Light cruiser HMS Mauritius: In the morning, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.D. Stephens, RN), HMS Hurricane (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Simms, RN), HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill Crichton, DSC, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN) departed Freetown with convoy WS 8A. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy WS 8A ' for 26 April 1941.]

Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign: HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN) returned to Halifax from escort duty.

Battleship HMS Resolution: HMS Resolution (Capt. A.R. Halfhide, CBE, RN) is docked in No.3 Dock at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Around 0430C/14, the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN), HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) and HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN) departed Suda Bay to patrol off the Bay. Around 0800C/14, HMAS Vendetta parted company and returned to Suda Bay to fuel. She rejoined the other ships off the Bay around 1100C/14. Around 1445C/14, HMAS Vendetta was detached to search for two missing MTB's to the south-west of Crete. HMS Dido, HMAS Stuart and HMS Isis later joined the escort of convoy AS 31 when it left Suda Bay.

Destroyer HMAS Vendetta: Convoy AS 31. This convoy departed Suda Bay at dusk on 14 May 1941. It was made up of the following transports; Lossiebank (British, 5627 GRT, built 1930) and Nieuw Zeeland (Dutch, 11069 GRT, built 1928). On departure from Suda Bay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. H.W.U. McCall, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Stuart (Capt. H.M.L. Waller, DSO, RAN) and HMS Isis (Cdr. C.S.B. Swinley, DSC, RN). Around 0445C/15, the Lossiebank broke down. she got underway again on one engine. HMAS Stuart then went ahead with the Nieuw Zeeland. They were joined shortly afterwards by the AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN). Around 0700C/15, HMS Calcutta, HMAS Stuart and the Nieuw Zeeland were joined by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN) but she was sent to join HMS Dido and HMS Isis which were standing by the Lossiebank. She joined them at 0745C/15. After dark on the 15th, HMS Calcutta parted company with HMAS Stuart and the Nieuw Zeeland and HMS Dido parted company with the Lossiebank, HMS Isis and HMAS Vendetta. At 1200C/16, HMAS Stuart was relieved from escorting the Nieuw Zeeland to Port Said by a Greek destroyer. HMAS Stuart then set course for Alexandria where she arrived around 1640C/16. Meanwhile around 1125C/16, the Lossiebank had been attacked from the air and sustained several near misses. At 0635C/16, the Greek destroyers joined the Lossiebank group. HMS Isis and HMAS Vendetta then parted company and proceeded to Alexandria where they arrived around 0950C/16. The Nieuw Zeeland and Lossiebank both arrived at Port Said escorted by the Greek destroyers on the 16th.

Destroyer HMS Defender: At 2000C/14, the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. C.B. Barry, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.D. Pridham-Whippell, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Barham (Capt. G.C. Cooke, RN), light cruisers HMS Naiad (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.L.S. King, CB, MVO, RN), HMS Phoebe (Capt. G. Grantham, RN), destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Clark, RAN), HMS Imperial (Lt.Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.A. Marshall-A’Deane, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Defender (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, RN) departed Alexandria to operate to the west of Crete as an enemy invasion was feared. They were to act as a cover force for light forces transporting troops and conducting operations in the Aegean. HMS Phoebe developed cracks in her hull plating and was forced to return to Alexandria at 2135C/15. She arrived at Alexandria around 0645C/16. She was replaced by HMAS Perth (Capt. P.W. Bowyer-Smith, RN) which had departed Alexandria around 0600C/15. The main body of this force returned to Alexandria on the 20th. A few modifications had been made to the destroyer force though. The cruisers HMS Naiad, HMAS Perth and the destroyers HMS Greyhound and HMS Hasty had split off from the force on the 17th and were back in Alexandria on the 18th.

Heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire: HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) completed her refit at the Simonstown Dockyard.

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt. H.N. Edmonds, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth.

1942

Light cruiser HMS Cardiff: HMS Cardiff (Capt. G.F. Stevens-Guille, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMS Mistral (A/Cdr.(Retd.) C.M.V.F. Dalrymple-Hay, RN) conducted gunnery exercises for the gunnery school in the Clyde area.

Light cruiser HMS Danae: Around 1215D/14, HMS Danae (Capt. M.S. Slattery, RN) departed Khor Kuwai for Kilindini / Mombasa.

Light cruiser HMS Dauntless: The merchant vessel Herisle (British, 2606 GRT, built 1938) had reported to have lost her rudder and was currently to the north of Mombasa. The destroyer HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) was sent out to assist her. On the 15th more ships were sent out to assist; the light cruiser HMS Dauntless (A/Capt. J.G. Hewitt, DSO, RN) and the destroyer HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN). HMS Dauntless took the stricken ship in tow while the destroyers provided A/S escort. Shortly after midnight during the night of 16/17 May, HMS Hotspur parted company and returned to Mombasa. Herisle, HMS Dauntless and HrMs Isaac Sweers arrived at Mombasa on the 18th.

Light cruiser HMS Diomede: Around 0930P/14, HMS Diomede (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, RN), departed Montevideo to patrol to the east of the Rio de la Plata. She was to return around 23 May.

Heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher: Around 0015B/14, HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) and the transport Agwileon (American, 6678 GRT, built 1907) arrived at Walvis Bay.

Light cruiser HMS Manchester: During 14/15 May 1942, HMS Rodney (Capt. J.W. Rivett-Carnac, DSC, RN) and HMS Manchester (Capt. H. Drew, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included night exercises. During the exercises HMS Rodney was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN) and HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN).

Submarine HNMS O 14: HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN). Also practice attacs were made on HMS Nelson (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral A.T.B. Curteis, CB, RN) which was also exercising.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in ASDIC trials off Largs together with HMCS Dunvegan (T/Lt. J.A. Tullis, RCNR).

Submarine USS Sailfish: During daylight, USS Sailfish (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN), passed Lombok Strait southbound while submerged.

Submarine USS Dolphin: USS Dolphin (Lt.Cdr. Royal Lawrence Rutter) left Pearl Harbor for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol west of Midway. She was at Midway from 8 to 11 June for some repairs but then continued her patrol.

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Corfu: HMS Corfu arrived at Aden with the 'Aden Section' of convoy WS 17.

Submarine HMS Otway: HMS Otway (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Safari: Around 2130B/14, HMS P 211 (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. The passage South through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) and HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, DSC and Bar, RN). They were escorted until Bishops Rock by the British minesweeper/escort vessel HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). For the daily positions of HMS P 211 during this passage see the map below.

Submarine HMS P 222: HMS P 222 (Lt. A.J. MacKenzie, RN) shifted from Arrochar to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Thunderbolt: HMS Thunderbolt (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Crouch, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted exercises off Devonport.

Submarine HMS Tribune: With her refit completed, HMS Tribune (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR), proceeded from Wallsend to North Shields.

Submarine HMS Thorn: HMS Thorn (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Norfolk, RN) ended her 6th war patrol at Alexandria.

Submarine HMS Traveller: After a work up period in the Clyde area HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) departed Holy Loch around 2125B/14, for Gibraltar. She makes the first part of the passage through the Irish sea together with HMS P 211 (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN) and HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, DSC and Bar, RN). They were escorted until off Bishops Rock by the British minesweeper/escort vessel HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). They all parted company around 2115B/16.

Submarine HMS Turbulent: HMS Turbulent (Cdr. J.W. Linton, DSC, RN) sank the Italian sailing vessel V 32 / San Giusto (243 GRT), carrying 161 tons of gasoline, with gunfire off Ras el Hilal, Libya. 1500C/14 - Inspected the Ras el Hilal anchorage. There was nothing there. 1720C/14 - Sighted two three-masted schooners approaching from the West. Altered course to close. 1750C/14 - The first schooner apparently saw the periscope when about 600 yards away as it altered course away. 1758C/14 - The second schooner also altered course away. 1801C/14 - Surfaced and opened fire with the 4" gun on the nearest schooner from 2000 yards. A considerable number of hits were obtained and the schooner was abandoned and run aground. [She was a total loss, 1 missing, 11 survivors]. 1804C/14 - Forced to dive as an aircraft suddenly appeared. Meanwhile the schooner exploded.

Submarine HMS Utmost: HMS Utmost (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Unbending: HMS P 37 (Lt. H. Winter, RN) departed Dundee for Lerwick. She was escorted by HMS Loch Monteith (T/Lt. K.W. Richardson, RNR).

Submarine HMS Unison: HMS P 43 (Lt. A.C. Halliday, RN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with HMS Traveller (Lt. M.B. St. John, RN) and HMS P 211 (Cdr. B. Bryant, DSC, RN). They were escorted by HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR). For the daily positions of HMS P 43 during this passage see the map below.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. R.E. Boddington, RN) conducted independent exercises off Lough Foyle

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. J. Whitton, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory.

Submarine HMS H 33: HMS H 33 (Lt. D. Lambert, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS H 50: HMS H 50 (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle.

Destroyer HMAS Stuart: HMAS Stuart (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN) arrived at Adelaide from Melbourne.

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: HMAS Nizam (Lt.Cdr M.J. Clark, DSC, RAN) departed Bombay for Port Vicoria, Seychelles.

Submarine USS R-6: USS R-6 arrived at Bermuda.

Submarine USSR M-176: M-176 fires two torpedoes against ' what is identified as ' a merchant of 10000 tons off the Varangerfjord. The torpedoes missed their target(s).

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) conducted compass swing trials off Greenock.

Submarine HMS L 23: HMS L 23 (Lt. E.J.D. Turner, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth with a training class off new submariners.

Submarine HMS L 26: HMS L 26 (Lt. H.D. Verschoyle, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS P 615: HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) participated in A/S and attack exercises off Campbeltown.

1943

Heavy cruiser HMS Kent: HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock.

Light cruiser HMS Caradoc: HMS Caradoc (Capt. J.W. Josselyn, DSC, RN) and the transport Pulaski (Polish, 6345 GRT, built 1912) arrived at Tulear. HMS Caradoc departed for Diego Suarez later the same day.

Light cruiser HMS Colombo: HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins: Around 1300C/14, HMS Hawkins (Capt. G.A. French, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from convoy escort duty.

Submarine HNMS K XV: With her refit completed HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) departed Philadelphia for New London, Connecticut.

Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.M. Valkenburg, RNN) is slightly damaged when the Dutch accomodation / depot ship Plancius slips here moorings during strong winds. O 23 was moored alongside and was damaged by a buoy. A diver found some damage to the submarine which required her to dock again for repairs.

Submarine HNMS O 9: HrMs O 9 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Drijfhout Van Hooff, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. A. McKay, RNR) and HMS Bretwalda (Skr.Lt. J.R. Coultas, RD, RNR).

Submarine HNMS O 10: At 0340 hours, HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN), was spotted by a Catalina that was sent out to search for her. Around 0600 hours HMS Chiddingfold (Lt. T.M. Dorrien-Smith, RN) came in sight. Late in the morning they were joined by HMS Brecon (Lt.Cdr. T.D. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN) and HMS Celia (T/Lt. L.B. Merrick, RNR). HMS Brecon then took O 10 in tow. Around 1600 hours HMS Halcyon (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Corbet-Singleton, RN) arrived which took over the tow.

Submarine USS Bass: USS Bass departed Casco Bay, Maine for New London, Connecticut.

Submarine USS Bonita: USS Bonita departed New London, Connecticut for Casco Bay, Maine.

Submarine USS Blackfish: USS Blackfish (Lt.Cdr. J.F. Davidson) ended her 4th war patrol at Rosneath, Scotland.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Unicorn: HMS Unicorn (Capt. Q.D. Graham, CBE, DSO, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Belfast.

Escort Carrier HMS Battler: HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) conducted flying trials / exercises in the Clyde area. Also D/F calibration trails were carried out.

Submarine HMS Sealion: HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as the target.

Submarine HMS Safari: Around 0800A/14, HMS HMS Safari (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSO, DSC, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (also 11th in the Mediterranean) at Algiers. She was escorted in by HMS Cava (T/Lt. R.L. Petty-Major, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Sceptre: HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Seadog: HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage North through the Minches together with HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) and HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN). They were escorted by HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR).

Submarine HMS Stubborn: HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) departed Holy Loch for Lerwick. She made the passage together with HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) and HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN). They were escorted by HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR). At 2345/15 HMS Seadog left the 'convoy' for Scapa Flow while HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) joined for passage to Lerwick.

Submarine HMS Syrtis: HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) proceeded from Holy Loch to Arrochar where she conducted torpedo discharge trials. On completion of these trials she returned to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Trident: HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN) fires four torpedoes at the passenger/cargo ship Cap Corse (French, 2444 GRT, built 1929) north-west of Corsica in position 43°05'N, 08°04'E. All torpedoes missed their target. 0910A/14 - In position in position 43°05'N, 08°04'E sighted a merchant ship bearing 350°, distance 9000 yards. The vessel was escorted by an aircraft overhead. Started attack. 0926A/14 - Fired four torpedoes from 1500 yards. Went deep. 0928A/14 - The aircraft dropped two bombs while Trident was at 120 feet. 0940A/14 - Returned to periscope depth and saw that the ship was not hit having combed the tracks. An aircraft patrol was now maintained by the enemy in the area for the remainder of the day. 2100A/14 - Left patrol and set course for Algiers.

Submarine HMS Truant: HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. J.G. Hopkins, RN) proceeded from Troon to Holy Loch where she underwent a submerged inclination experiment on completion of which she returned to Troon. During the passages from and back to Troon she was escorted by HMS Andre et Louise (T/Lt. T.H. Stewart, RNVR).

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) departed from Holy Loch for her 19th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea. She made the passage to Lerwick together with HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) and HMS Seadog (Lt. C.R. Pelly, RN). They were escorted by HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR). For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tuna during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Trusty: Around 1250A/14, HMS Trusty (Lt.Cdr. E.F Balston, DSO, RN) departed from Pointe Noire for Freetown.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Upright: HMS Upright (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises of Blyth training a class of new submariners.

Submarine HMS United: HMS United (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 17th war patrol (also 17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol to the north of Sicily. No log is available for this period so map for this patrol can be displayed.

Submarine HMS Ultor: HMS Ultor (Lt. G.E. Hunt, DSC, RN) departed Malta for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the east coast of Sicily and the south coast of Calabria, Italy. For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ultor see the map below.

Submarine HMS Usurper: HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS H 44: HMS H 44 (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H.T. Pitt, RN) and HMS Spaniel.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. J.S. Launders, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN) and HMS St. Modwen (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Lycett, RD, RNR).

Light cruiser HMS Uganda: Around 0800OP(+2.5)/14, HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN) departed Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador for Plymouth.

Battleship HMS Valiant: During 14/15 May 1943, the battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. L.H. Ashmore, RN) and light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. During these exercises HMS Valiant was screened by the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN).

Destroyer HMS Tuscan: HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) is damaged when she hits a drifting mine in the Bristol Channel. She is out of action for about 4 months.

Escort destroyer HMS Bicester: After temporary repairs, HMS Bicester (Lt.Cdr. S.W.F. Bennetts, RN), proceeded from Sousse to Malta where she was to be taken in hand for repairs. During the passage to Malta she was escorted by RHS Vasilissa Olga (Lt.Cdr. G. Blessas).

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-12: USS R-12 (Lt.Cdr. E.E. Shelby, 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.

Destroyer HNMS Tjerk Hiddes (ii): Around 1800H/14, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN) arrived at Fremantle from Exmouth Gulf.

Submarine FR Le Centaure: Le Centaure conducted A/S exercises off Freetown with HMS Cowslip (Lt.Cdr. F. Granger, RNR), HMS Butser (T/Lt. A.F. Cameron, RNVR) and HMS Portsdown (Lt. E.L. Donkin, MBE, RNR).

Submarine HMS L 27: HMS L 27 (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Eade, RNR) conducted exercises in the Clyde area with a training class of new submariners.

1944

Destroyer Escort USS Alger: USS Alger picks up 10 survivors from the British merchant Janeta that was torpedoed and sunk on 1 May 1944 by German U-boat U-181 about 900 miles south by west of Ascension Island in position 18°14'S, 20°00'W.

Destroyer USS Barton (ii): USS Barton (Cdr. J.W. Callahan) departed from New York together with a convoy bound for England.

Destroyer USS Laffey (ii): USS Laffey (Cdr. F.J. Beston) departed from New York bound for England to participate in the Normandy landings.

Destroyer USS O'Brien (ii): USS O'Brien (Cdr. P.F. Heerbrandt, USN) departed from New York together with a convoy bound for England to participate in the Normandy landings.

Destroyer USS Walke (ii): USS Walke departed from New York bound for the United Kingdom to participate in the Normandy landings.

Submarine HNMS O 15: HrMs O 15 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with FFS Roselys and HMS Radiant (T/Lt. C.S.R. Shapland, RNVR).

Submarine HNMS O 10: HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Tuscarora (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) H.T. Pitt, RN) and HMS L' Atlantique (Skr. C.A. Collins, RNR).

Submarine HNMS Zwaardvisch: HrMs Zwaardvisch (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) was docked at Rothesay.

Submarine USS Searaven: USS Searaven (T/Cdr. M.H. Dry, USN) ended her 11th war patrol at Pearl Harbour. On the 15th she is taken in hand for refit at the Pearl Harbour Navy Yard. The refit was completed on 25 July 1944. From 5 to 12 August 1944 a training programme was carried out.

Submarine USS Growler: USS Growler (Lt.Cdr. Thomas Benjamin Oakley, Jr.) departed from Majuro for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Philippine Sea.

Submarine USS Bonefish: USS Bonefish (Lt.Cdr. T.W. Hogan) torpedoed and sank the Japanese destroyer Inazuma (1980 tons) (offsite link) near Tawi Tawi, east of Borneo in position 05°03'N, 119°36'E.

Submarine USS Bream: USS Bream (Lt.Cdr. W.G. Chapple) arrived at Milne Bay.

Submarine USS Bowfin: USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) and USS Aspro (Cdr. W.A. Stevenson, USN) together sink the Japanese army cargo ship Bisan Maru (4667 GRT, built 1944) about 90 nautical miles north-west of Palau in position 08°53'N, 133°35'E. Bisan Maru was in convoy together with Jokuja Maru (6440 GRT, built 1944). They were escorted by the Japanese submarine chaser Ch-12 and the auxiliary submarine chasers CHa-32 and CHa-60. (All times are zone I, -9) 0224 hours - In position 08°45'N, 133°52'E sighted smoke bearing 025°(T). Commenced tracking. Target was on base course 285°(T), speed 9 knots. Commenced end around run. 0325 hours - Radar interference thought to be of another SJ radar bearing 084°(T). 0339 hours - Now ahead of the target. There were two large targets and one smaller one thought to be an escort. 0500 hours - Smoke of target now bearing 103°(T), range 19000 yards. Escort bearing 106°(T), range 14000 yards. Submerged and commenced approach. 0507 hours - Selected the leading Maru as the main target. 0510 hours - Target now 098°(T), range 11000 yards. 0520 hours - Range now 8900 yards, bearing 055°(T). 0525 hours - The target zigged to the left at a range of 7600 yards. Came right to cross his track. 0528 hours - Realised it would be impossible to cross the targets track in time so came left for a stern shot. 0530 hours - The target zigged left at a range of 5740 yards. Came left to get parallel to the target. 0537 hours - Range now 4950 yards. Shifted setup to the second Maru at a range of 4500 yards. 0539 hours - The new target now zigged away. The original target zigged to his right. Changed course to the left to revert to the leading Maru again. 0552 hours - In position 08°53'N, 133°35'E fired six torpedoes from 2350 yards. 0553 hours - Sighted the escort coming towards. Went deep. 0554 hours - Heard two torpedo explosions. 0600 hours - At 400 feet. Depth charging commenced, 16 were dropped during the next 6 minutes. All were close and heavy and caused some minor damage. 0606 hours - A second set of light screws wee heard. There must have been a second escort. Only one set of heavy screws were heard. 0828 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted the target bearing 152°(T) at a range of 6000 yards. Stern down and water was level with the bridge structure. The second Maru was stopped near the damaged ship. 0829 hours - Sighted a seaplane coming towards. Went to 300 feet and commenced reloading the torpedo tubes. Changed course for an approach on the second Maru. 0848 hours - Heard a loud rumbling explosion. Subsequent events indicated that the target probably sunk at this time. 0930 hours - Completed reload. Commenced planing up to periscope depth. The noise of the pumping attracked the escorts. Stopped pumping. Altered course a bit. 1000 hours - Finally at periscope depth. Sighted a large transport that had been sighted earlier this moring at a range of 9000 yards. The target we had attacked was not in sight. Changed course to run parallel with this now target in the hope it would zig towards us. 1037 hours - Range now 14500 yards. Base course of the enemy 285°(T), speed 9 knots. Gave up the attack unable to close. Decided to return to the place of the sinking. 1335 hours - Surfaced. 1356 hours - Passed through an oil slick. Sighted two lifeboats lashed together, raft and a lot of debris. No survivors were seen. Shotly afterwards had to dive for an approaching aircraft.

Submarine USS Crevalle: USS Crevalle (Cdr. F.D. Walker, Jr., USN), while en-route to Darwin and trying to attack a Japanese convoy, is damaged by depth charges east off northern Celebes in position 00°57'N, 125°51'E. The convoy Crevalle tried to attack was the Take return convoy (Halmahera - Manila) consisting of Teikai Maru (9492 GRT, built 1924, former German Fulda sold to Japan in 1940), Mitsuki Maru (6440 GRT, built 1943), Kazuura Maru (6804 GRT, built 1938), Brazil Maru (5860 GRT, built 1919), Atlas Maru (7349 GRT, built 1919) and possibly Yozan Maru (6487 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the minelayer Shirataka, submarine chaser Ch 38, patrol boats PB-102 (former USS Stewart) and PB-104, and auxiliary netlayer Korei Maru (541 GRT, built 1939). (All times are zone H, -8) 0940 hours - In position 00°57'N, 125°51'E sighted smoke of a six ship convoy. 0941 hours - Sighted the twin-engined bomber that had attacked us a little over two hours ago over the convoy. 1005 hours - Battle stations. 1018 hours - Convoy was zig-zagging radically on a base couse of 160°(T), speed 6 knots. The six Maru's were escorted by two destroyers, two torpedo boats and what is thought to be a minesweeper. 1046 hours - Convoy zigged towards. One of the ships was selected as target. 1051 hours - Another zig towards. Shifted target to one of the other Maru's. 1055 hours - Range to the target was now 2800 yards. One of the escorts, thought to be a Chidori-class torpedo boat, headed towards at high speed. Went deep, 300 feet. 1057 hours - The enemy passed directly overhead when we passed 130 feet. 1058 hours - The first string of eight depth charges. They were very close and caused a lot of mostly minor damage. 1059 hours - Increased depth to 450 feet. All sound gear was out of commission. 1104 hours - A second barrage of eight depth charges was dropped. Again close but above us. These were the last depth charges dropped. 1500 hours After being hunted for almost four more hours, during which the enemy failed to gain contact on Crevalle, no more screws were heard on sound (by now partially repaired). Remained deep to effect more repairs to our damage as possible. 1630 hours - Planed up to 150 feet. 1730 hours - Planed up to 65 feet to test the periscopes. Both were found to be smashed so returned to 150 feet. 1840 hours - Surfaced. Started a battery charge. More damage was found on deck.

Submarine USS Aspro: USS Aspro (Cdr. W.A. Stevenson, USN) and USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) torpedo and sink the Japanese army cargo ship Bisan Maru (former Miyama Maru, 4667 GRT, built 1944) about 90 nautical miles north-west of Palau in position 08°55'N, 133°42'E. Bisan Maru was in convoy together with Jokuja Maru (6440 GRT, built 1944). They were escorted by the Japanese submarine chaser Ch-12 and the auxiliary submarine chasers CHa-32 and CHa-60. (All times are zone -9) 13 May 1944 1155 hours - Heard distant pinging. 1212 hours - Sighted smoke. Commenced approach. 1229 hours - In position 07°30'N, 134°44'E sighted stacks of two ships. 1310 hours - Both ships were close to the reef. Continued approach. 1358 hours - Broke off the approach as the enemy could not be closed closer then 4200 yards. The transports were of 7500 and 6000 tons in size. 1530 hours - Lost sight of the convoy. 1615 hours - Lost sound contact on the pinging. 1840 hours - Surfaced. Went ahead at flank speed on two engines to overtake the convoy. 1855 hours - Went ahead at flank speed on three engines. 2255 hours - In position 08°52'N, 134°22'E made radar contact with the convoy at a range of 21000 yards. Started an end around. 14 May 1944 0158 hours - Changed course towards the convoy. Range was 10000 yards. 0203 hours - Submerged to radar depth. 0214 hours - Periscope depth. Both targets were clearly visibly through the periscope. Only one escort could be seen. 0219 hours - Sound reported light fast screws close on the port beam. Sighted another escort through the periscope. In position 09°00'N, 134°00'E started fring four bow torpedoes from 2500 yards. 0220 hours - Went to 400 feet. 0224 / 0225 hours - Two explosions were heard, most likely end of run explosions. No counter attack followed. 0252 hours - Came to periscope depth. 0310 hours - Surfaced. Went ahead flank speed on four engines to gain a position ahead for another attack. Radar range was 17600 yards. 0355 hours - Completed reload. 0457 hours - Ahead of the convoy. Changed course towards the convoy for another attack. 0502 hours - Submerged to radar depth. 0518 hours - Went to periscope depth. Aspro was in an ideal position with a freighter on either bow. 0528 hours - A zig of the convoy put us too far from the track of the leading ship. Shifted target to the trailing freighter, this was the larger of the two. 0550 hours - Sound reported that a torpedo was fired astern. The operator stated that there was no mistaking the sound. 0554 hours - Heard an explosion, most likely an end of run explosion. Decided to fire torpedoes before the convoy would be alerted. 0555 hours - In position 09°04'N, 133°32'E fired four torpedoes from the stern tubes. Range 2500 yards. 0557 hours - Heard a very loud torpedo explosion, a hit. 0600 hours - Depth charging started. 12 were dropped in 6 minutes. Aspro meanwhile had gone to 400 feet and was able to evade them. 0614 hours - A single depth charge was dropped, not close. 0629 hours - Came up to periscope depth. 0636 hours - Another single depth charge was dropped, not close. 0714 hours - At periscope depth. Sighted ship in the derection of pinging. Commenced reload. 0737 hours - Both ships are visible. The damaged ship was down by the stern. Both ships were dead in the water. The escorts could not be seen but pinging could be heard and they were searching. A plane was circling overhead. 0820 hours - The damaged ship was further down by the stern. The bow was at an angle of 35 to 40°. The aircraft was still circling overhead. 0845 hours - The damaged ship continued to settle by the stern. No attempt was being made to get her in tow. Went to 150 feet when the aircraft came towards. 0848 hours - A bomb explosion but not close and possibly not for us. 0900 hours - Heard explosions coming from the direction of the damaged ship. 0925 hours - At periscope depth. Only one ship could be seen. She was still lying too. The other ship must have sunk. The aircraft was still patrolling overhead. 0935 hours - The ship was now seen to be underway. Course 300°. 1055 hours - Lost contact with the freighter. 1400 hours - Lost contact with the smoke. 1842 hours - Surfaced. Went ahead at flank speed on two engines to regain contact with the remaining freighter. 1935 hours - Flank speed on three engines. 2058 hours - Flank sppeed on four engines. 2200 hours - In position 09°38'N, 132°03'E made radar contact, bearing 339°, range 26700 yards. Started an end around. See 15 May 1944 for the continuation of these events.

Submarine USS Batfish: USS Batfish (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Merrill, USN) arrived at Midway.

Submarine USS Sand Lance: USS Sand Lance (Lt.Cdr. M.E. Garrison) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Koho Maru (4291 GRT) southwest of Apra harbour, Guam in position 13°43'N, 144°42'E.

Submarine USS Bang: USS Bang (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Gallaher, USN) ended her 1st war patrol at Midway. From 15 May 1944 to 30 May 1944 she was refitted by USS Proteus and Submarine Division 202 Relief Crew. From 31 May 1944 to 3 June 1944 Bang underwent three days and two nights of training.

Escort Carrier HMS Attacker: Combined convoy OS 77 / KMS 51. This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 14 May 1944. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937), Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942), Biafra (British, 5405 GRT, built 1933), City of Khios (British, 5574 GRT, built 1925), Cragpool (British 5133 GRT, built 1928), Defender (British, 8078 GRT, built 1915), Drakepool (British, 4838 GRT, built 1924), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Eloy Alfaro (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Empire Caxton (British, 2873 GRT, built 1942), Empire Foam (British, 7047 GRT, built 1941), Empire Mariott (British, 5970 GRT, built 1941), Fort Tadoussac (British, 7129 GRT, built 1941), Gascony (British, 4716 GRT, built 1925), King Frederick (British, 5106 GRT, built 1920), Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940), Marquesa (British, 8979 GRT, built 1918), Menelaus (British, 10307 GRT, built 1923), Mount Rhodope (Greek, 5182 GRT, built 1919), Nairnbank (British, 5155 GRT, built 1925), New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920), Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922), Nordeflinge (British, 2873 GRT, built 1942), Pendeen (British, 4174 GRT, built 1923), Port Darwin (British, 8063 GRT, built 1918), Stad Arnhem (Dutch, 3819 GRT, built 1920), Stanhope (British, 2337 GRT, built 1919), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938) and Tjimanoek (Dutch, 5628 GRT, built 1911). The rescue ship Melrose Abbey (British, 1924 GRT, built 1929) was also part of the convoy. On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the escort carriers HMS Attacker (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN), frigates HMS Towy (Cdr. H.V. King, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR), HMS Antigua (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR), HMS Tintagel Castle (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HMS Smilax (Lt. A. Branson, RNR). Additional escorts were the frigates HMCS Matane (A/Cdr. A.F.C. Layard, DSO, RN), HMCS Stormont (T/Skr.Lt. G.A. Myra, RCNR) and HMCS Swansea (A/Cdr. C.A. King, DSO, DSC, RCNR). These additional escorts remained with the convoy until 19 May. The Stanhope was detached to return to the U.K. on the 16th being unable to keep up with the convoy. On 15 May 1944, the frigate HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) departed Londonderry to overtake and join the convoy. On 17 May 1944, the corvette HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC, RNVR) departed Londonderry to overtake and join the convoy. The escort oiler Esturia (ritish (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1914) later joined the convoy at sea. She came from the combined convoy SL 157 / MKS 48. On 24 May 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 77 bound for Freetown and convoy KMS 51 bound for the Mediterranean. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Convoy OS 77 towards Freetown was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amstelkerk, Dunelmia, Marquesa, Menelaus, Mount Rhodope, Nairnbank, New Brooklyn and Port Darwin. On 23 May 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Gibraltar to join the convoy when it split up; Domby (British, 5582 GRT, built 1932), Empire Glen (British, 6316 GRT, built 1941), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942), Fort Paskoyac (British, 7134 GRT, built 1934), Harmattan (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Van Ostade (Dutch, 2890 GRT, built 1942) and Zypenberg (Dutch, 4973 GRT, built 1920). They were escorted by the sloops HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Sandwich (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Clemence, RNR) which joined the convoy and took over from the original escorts. On 23 May 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Gibraltar to join the convoy when it split up; Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942) Empire Duchess (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Finistere (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909), Fort Ash (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922) and President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935). They were escorted by the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez, minesweeping sloops La Gracieuse and the patrol vessels USS PC-473 (Lt. A.W. Silverstein, USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR). These escorts did not join the convoy but set course to return to Casablanca. The six transports joined convoy OS 77 while the two tankers joined convoy KMS 51. On 24 May 1944, the patrol vessel HMS Kilmartin (T/Lt. E.H.G. Hope, RNVR) departed Casablanca to join the convoy. On 30 May 1944, the following transports departed Dakar to join the convoy; Tynemouth (British, 3168 GRT, built 1940), Vendome (French, 4192 GRT, built 1920) and Vinriver (British, 3881 GRT, built 1917). They were escorted by the corvette Commandant Drogou and the minesweeping sloops Annamite and Chevreul. These escorts did not join the convoy but proceeded to Dakar taking the transports Empire Southey, Finistere, Medie II and Nairnbank with them. Convoy OS 77 arrived at Freetown 2 June 1944. Some ships from the convoy did not enter Freetown but continued on to their destinations independently and some ships of the convoy had already been detached before reaching Freetown. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Convoy KMS 51 towards the Mediterranean was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afghanistan, Bajestan, Beckenham, Belgian Trader, Biafra, City of Khios, Cragpool, Defender, Drakepool, Dunelmia, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Mariott, Esturia, Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, King Frederick, Madras City, Melrose Abbey, Norbryn, Nordeflinge, Pendeen, Stad Arnhem, Tiba and Tjimanoek. The tankers Empire Dickens and President de Vogue had joined from Casablanca [see above]. The convoy was escorted by HMS Attacker, HMS Hunter, HMS Stalker, HMS Tovy, HMS Anguilla, HMS Antigua, HMS Knaresborough Castle, HMS Leeds Castle, HMS Tintagel Castle and HMS Smilax. The entire convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 25 May 1944. The convoy continued its passage on 28 May 1944. It was now made up of the following ships; Afghanistan, Bajestan, Beckenham, Belgian Trader, Charles A. Wickliffe (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), City of Khios, Cragpool, Defender, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Mariott, Empire Strength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), King Frederick, Madras City, Norbryn, Nordeflinge, President de Vogue, Robert Howe (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Stad Arnhem, Tiba and Tjimanoek. The submarines HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), HMS Vivid (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN), Junon and Atalante were also tanking passage eastwards in this convoy. The convoy was now escorted by the frigate HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Delphinium (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Hyderabad (Lt. G.H. Taylor, RNR), KB Nada [Yugoslavian corvette] and the auxiliary A/S whalers HMSAS Protea (Lt. A. Thomas, DSC, SANF) and HMSAS Southern Sea (Lt.Cdr. M.R.J. Terry-Lloyd, SANF). The destroyer L'Alcyon was also with the convoy. On 29 May 1944, the following ships were detached to Oran; Empire Gareth, Norbryn, Stad Arnhem and the submarine Atalante while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Albert A. Michelson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Askeladden (Norwegian, 2496 GRT, built 1920), Dwight W. Morrow (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Edward H. Crockett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), George W. McCrary (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), James Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John S. Casement (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John S. Pillsbury (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Sergeant (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938) and William Blount (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942). On 30 May 1944, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Belgian Trader, Cragpool, Edward H. Crockett, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Strenght, Palermo, Mount Blount and the submarine Junon while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Andrew Pickens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Campidoglio (Italian, 3702 GRT, built 1910), Chiswick (British, 6006 GRT, built 1943), Empire Clarion (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Marin (British, 7159 GRT, built 1943), John Murray Forbes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Marathon (Norwegian, 7208 GRT, built 1930), Monte Grappa (Italian, 834 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Gallant (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Samoa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsteel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922) and Titus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930). On 31 May 1944, the convoy was attacked by 41 German Ju-88 aircraft from II./KG.76 I. and III./KG 77 operating from Southern France. The Nordeflinge was hit by bombs and sank in position 37°02'N, 03°47'E. On 31 May 1944, the Montegrappa arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy. On 1 June 1944, the Askeladden arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone; Abel Stearns (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914), Ocean Rider (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Traveller (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Sampan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943). On 1 June 1944, the following ships were detached to Bizerta; Badjestan, John S. Casement, John Sergeant, Titus and the destroyer L'Alcyon while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Facto (Norwegian, 1522 GRT, 1921), George Davis (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), George Handley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John B. Hood (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John Cropper (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Laurent Meeus (Belgian (tanker), 6429 GRT, built 1930), Lincoln Steffens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Marion McKinley Bovard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Samuel Griffin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942). Early on 2 June 1944, the convoy merged with convoy UGS 42. Convoy KMS 51 was at that moment made up of the following ships; Abel Stearns, Afghanistan, Albert A. Michelson, Andrew Pickens, Beckenham, Campidoglio, Charles A. Wickliffe, Chiswick, City of Khios, Defender, Dwight W. Morrow, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Clarion, Empire Mariott, Facto, Fort Gaspereau, Fort Marin, Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, George Davis, George Handley, George W. McCrary, Hopestar, Iceland, James Jackson, John B. Hood, John Cropper, John Murray Forbes, John S. Pillsbury, Kemp P. Battle, King Frederic, King S. Woolsey, Laurent Meeus, Lincoln Steffens, Louis McLane, Madras City, Marathon, Marion McKinley Bovard, Ocean Gallant, Ocean Rider, Ocean Traveller, President de Vogue, Robert Howe, Samoa, Sampan, Samphire, Samsteel, Samuel Griffin, Stancleeve, Star, Tiba and Tjimanoek. The submarines HMS Traveller and HMS Vivid were also part of the convoy. They were escorted by the frigates HMS Jed, HMS Usk, corvettes HMS Delphinium, HMS Hyderabad, HMS Smilax and the auxiliary A/S whalers HMSAS Protea and HMSAS Southern Sea.

Escort Carrier HMS Khedive: Around 0730B/14, HMS Khedive (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Haynes, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Bangor Bay for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 0700B/15.

Escort Carrier HMS Ranee: HMS Ranee (?) is taken in hand for alterations at vancouver.

Escort Carrier HMS Trouncer: Around 1900T/14, HMS Trouncer (Cdr. B.J. Fisher, DSO, RN) departed Esquimalt for San Francisco.

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 during which HMS Braithwaite (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RD, RNR) served as the target.

Submarine HMS Spiteful: HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) departed Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East). She was ordered to patrol off Port Blair. She was escorted out by the Italian sloop Eritrea.

Submarine HMS Spiteful: For the daily positions of HMS Spiteful during her 2nd patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Storm: In the evening HMS Storm (T/Lt. E.P. Young, DSC, RNVR) tried to pick up the agent landed a few days ago. He did not show up at the rendez-vouz.

Submarine HMS Spark: HMS Spark (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) returned to Holy Loch on completion of last night's exercises.

Submarine HMS Shalimar: HMS Shalimar (Lt. W.G. Meeke, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area on a target that was being towed by HMS Bridgewater (Cdr.(Retd.) R.H. Mack, RN).

Submarine HMS Spirit: HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) arrived at Aden.

Submarine HMS Tally-Ho: HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) lays mines in the Strait of Malacca near Medan, Sumatra in position 03°42'N, 99°04'E. 1634FG/14 - Tally-Ho was now about three-quarters of a mile due North of position 03°42'N, 99°04'E. Commenced mine laying. The first line of four mines was laid on course of 240° and the spacing was one cable. The depth of the water at the beginning of the line was 9 fathoms and at the end 7.5 fathoms. On completion altered course to 170° and proceeded three cables into this direction. Then bottomed to reload. The next four mines were also laid one cable apart, on a course of 170° and commenced from the bottoming position. The depth of the water was 7 to 7.5 fathoms. After the second lay course was altered to 080°. Tally-Ho was grounded for reload. After dark Tally-Ho surfaced and laid the last four mines on a course of 080° once again one cable apart. Depth of the water was 6 to 7 fathoms.

Submarine HMS Trenchant: HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN) departed from Holy Loch for the Far East. The first leg of the trip is to Gibraltar. Passage south through the Irish Sea was made together with the French submarine FFS Junon (Lt. E. Schlumberger). They were escorted by HMS Sardonyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E. Playne, RNVR). For the daily positions of HMS Trenchant during this passage see the map below.

Submarine HMS Unrivalled: HMS Unrivalled (Lt. D.S. Brown, RNVR) conducted exercises off Morecambe Bay.

Submarine HMS Unruffled: HMS Unruffled (Lt. R.F. Park, RN) conducted exercises off Plymouth.

Submarine HMS Untiring: HMS Untiring (Lt. R. Boyd, DSC, RN) departed La Maddalena for her 11th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off southern France. For the daily positions of HMS Untiring during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine HMS Varangian: HMS Varangian (Lt. S.J. Fovargue, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with aircraft.

Submarine HMS Uther: HMS Uther (Lt. A.A. Catlow, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Upshot: Upshot (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) departed Barrow for Holy Loch. She was escorted by HMS Kingston Turquoise (A/Skr.Lt. G. Murray, RNR).

Submarine HMS Vox: HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Kingston Agate (T/Lt. R.J. Langley, RANVR), HMS Kilmarnock (T/A/Lt.Cdr. K.B. Brown, RNVR) and HMS Totland (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Tourtel, RNR).

Submarine HMS Vulpine: Vulpine (T/Lt. P.S. Thirsk, DSC, RNR) is docked at Blyth.

Submarine HMS H 28: HMS H 28 (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Stormont (T/Skr.Lt. G.A. Myra, RCNR), HMCS Swansea (A/Cdr. C.A. King, DSO, DSC, RCNR), HMCS Alberni (T/A/Lt.Cdr. I.H. Bell, RCNVR) and HMCS Port Arthur (T/Lt. K.T. Chisholm, RCNVR).

Submarine HMS H 32: HMS H 32 (Lt. M.D. Hutley, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Ardrishaig with ML's.

Submarine HMS P 511: HMS P 511 (Lt. E.A. Hobson, DSC, RN) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Light cruiser HMS Phoebe: Around 0935C/14, HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) departed Aden for Trincomalee. While en-route she was ordered to proceed to Colombo instead of Trincomalee.

Light cruiser HMS Diadem: HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN) is undocked.

Light cruiser HMS Mauritius: Around 1045B/14, HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) arrived at Greenock. On arrival D/G trials were carried out off Helensburg. On the arrival of HMS Mauritius, Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN, transferred his flag from HMS Warspite (Capt. M.H.A. Kelsey, DSC, RN) to HMS Mauritius.

Battleship HMS Nelson: HMS Nelson (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN) and HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN).

Destroyer HMAS Nizam: Around 0135FG/14, HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) departed Trincomalee for Bombay.

1945

Heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk: HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Palmer, RN) and HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Bergen, Norway.

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 Rosyth for exercises upon completion of which they proceeded to Leith.

Light cruiser HMS Newcastle: HMS Newcastle (Cdr. S.H. Pinchin, DSC, RN) arrived at Suez.

Destroyer USS Hugh W. Hadley: The heavily damaged USS Hugh W. Hadley (Cdr. B.J. Mullaney) is towed to Kerama Retto to be put into a floating dry dock for emergency repairs.

Destroyer USS Laffey (ii): USS Laffey (Cdr. F.J. Beston) departed from Pearl Harbor for Seattle.

Battleship USS Iowa: USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. Holloway, Jr., USN) arrived at Ulithi.

Submarine HNMS K XV: HrMs K XV (Lt.Cdr. Baron C.W.T. van Boetzelaer, RNN) is put on the slip at Fremantle.

Submarine HNMS O 23: HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Schouwenaar, RNN) conducted noise trials at Loch Goil.

Submarine USS Searaven: USS Searaven (T/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Smallwood, Jr., USN) conducted / participated in excercises off Pearl Harbour.

Submarine USS Bream: USS Bream (Lt.Cdr. J.L. McCallum) enters Subic Bay, Philippines to make some repairs and take on board additional fuel.

Submarine USS Rock: USS Rock (Cdr. R.A. Keating, Jr.) arrived at the Hunters Point Navy Yard.

Submarine USS Seahorse: USS Finback (T/Cdr. R.R. Williams, Jr., USN) and USS Seahorse (T/Cdr. H.H. Greer, Jr., USN) were docked in No.3 graving dock at the Pearl Harbour Navy Yard.

Submarine USS Baya: In the evening, USS Baya (Lt.Cdr. B.C. Jarvis, USN), made the southbound transit of Lombok Strait on the surface.

Submarine USS Chub: USS Chub (Cdr. C.D. Rhymes, Jr., USN) departed from Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea. Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out together with USS Corpus Christi (Cdr. W.W. Childress, USCG). For the daily and attack positions of USS Chub during this patrol see the map below.

Submarine USS Entemedor: USS Entemedor (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Smith, Jr., USN) conducted exercises in the New London Area together with USS Trumpeter (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Buck, Jr., USNR), USS Straub (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Coie, Jr., USNR) and USS USS Cutlass (Cdr. H.L. Jukes, USN).

Submarine USS Sand Lance: USS Sand Lance (Cdr. M.E. Garrison) torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Yoshino Maru (220 GRT) off Erimosaki, Hokkaido, Japan in position 32°00'N, 146°36'E.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Colossus: HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) conducted flying operations off Alexandria.

Aircraft Carrier HMS Glory: HMS Glory (Capt. A.W. Buzzard, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Glasgow for Malta with a brief stopover at Gibraltar. She was escorted by the destroyers HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. D.D. Bone, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt.Cdr. D.R. Mallinson, RN) and HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. H.R.A. Kidston, RN). Around 2000B/16, HMS Icarus and HMS Hotspur parted company. Around 1100B/18, HMS Glory and HMS Escapade arrived at Gibraltar. Around 1745B/18, HMS Glory departed Gibraltar for Malta. [No info available on a possible escort, most likely she proceeded unescorted.] Around 1400B/21, HMS Glory arrived at Malta.

Escort Carrier HMS Battler: HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN) conducted flying training exercises in the Clyde area.

Escort Carrier HMS Fencer: Around 2245K/14, HMS Fencer (A/Cdr.(Emgy.) A.M. Harris, RN) arrived at Brisbane from Sydney.

Submarine HMS Clyde: At 1225 hours (zone -6.5), HMS Clyde (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN), sank a Japanese sailing vessel of the west coast of Siam in position 09°33'N, 98°18'E. The target was a small sampan of about 10 tons.

Submarine HMS Surf: HMS Surf (Lt. H.W. Wilkinson, RN) conducted D/F trials in the Clyde area but these had to be broken off due to a defect to the D/F loop.

Submarine HMS Sea Devil: HMS Sea Devil (Lt. D.W. Mills, DSC, RN) shifted from her builders yard at Greenock to Holy Loch.

Submarine HMS Sea Devil: HMS Sea Devil (Lt. D.W. Mills, DSC, RN) departed her builders yard for Holy Loch where she arrived after only one hour. She was to start a program of trials and exercises on the Scottish West coast.

Submarine HMS Sturdy (ii): HMS Sturdy (T/Lt. F.A. Wicker, RNVR) ended her 8th war patrol (7th in the Far East and 5th in the South-West Pacific area) at Trincomalee.

Submarine HMS Stygian: HMS Stygian (Lt. G.S.C. Clarabut, DSO, RN) made a short call at Exmouth Gulf for fuel and provisions. She departed after a few hours to continue her passage to Subic Bay.

Submarine HMS Tuna: HMS Tuna (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Norman, DSO, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area.

Submarine HMS Tantalus: HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN) departed from Malta bound for Gibraltar.

Submarine HMS Uproar: HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Shemara (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Buckle, RN), HMS Spaniel (T/A/Skr. I.W. Sharp, RNR) and HMS Boarhound (Skr. A.G.G. Jenner, RD, RNR).

Submarine HMS Unsparing: HMS Unsparing (T/Lt. J.D. Tweedie, RNVR) participated in A/S exercises off Campbeltown.

Submarine HMS Venturer: HMS Venturer (Lt. J.S. Launders, DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar, RN) shifted from Dundee to Grangemouth here she was taken in hand for refit. When the war (with Japan) ended the refit had not yet been completed.

Submarine HMS Viking: HMS Viking (Lt. R. Bannar-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Blyth training a class off new submariners.

Submarine HMS Vulpine: HMS Vulpine (Lt. W.D.S. Scott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Ambuscade (A/Lt.Cdr. H.G. Chesterman, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HMS Borage (T/Lt. E.A. Hitchcock, RNR).

Submarine HMS Amphion: HMS Amphion (Cdr. R.H. Dewhurst, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo discharge trials at the torpedo firing range off Arrochar.

Submarine USS R-4: USS R-4 (Lt. D.C. Peto, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-10: USS R-10 (Lt. R.D. McWenthy, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 departed Port Everglades, Florida for Key West, Florida.

Submarine USS R-13: USS R-13 (Lt. J.R. Edmands, USNR or Lt. D.C. Bowman, USNR) departed Port Everglades, Florida for Key West, Florida.

Submarine USS R-20: USS R-20 (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Dudley, USN or Lt. R.G. Black, USNR) conducted exercises off Key West.

Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise: USS Enterprise was seriously damaged by Kamikaze aircraft. She was forced to return to base for repairs. It was the last day in USS Enterprise war duty. She had been repaired, but never again saw combat action.

Destroyer HMAS Norman: Around 0650I/14, the escort carrier HMS Chaser (Capt. R.G. Poole, RN) departed San Pedro Bay for resupply area ' Cootie '. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Norman (Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN). The made rendezvous with and joined the Logistics Support Force at daylight on the 16th. [For more info on the operations of the British Pacific Fleet see the event ' The British Pacific Fleet during Operation Iceberg, consolidating the Okinawa area (2nd phase) ' for 1 May 1945.]

Submarine IT Tito Speri: Tito Speri departed Guantanamo Bay for Key West, Florida, USA.