HMS Truculent

[John]

Back to the sinking of HMS Truculent. Here's a picture showing rescue vessels gathered at the scene.

[John]

One of the many casualties from Truculent was Gordon Mackenzie, aged 23. His niece, Lisa Miles, sent me some documents from 1950 but unfortunately doesn't have a photograph of her uncle, so if anyone finds such a picture I'd be pleased to pass it on. Below are a few of the documents, including a handwritten note from the submarine's captain, plus a picture of Gordon's headstone at Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham.

[John]

Early in WWII, HMS Truculent scored a success against the German submarine U-308. Here's the patrol report for the incident..
4th June 1943
At 1420 the Forward Look-out on the Periscope Standards reported a "U" boat bearing 060. Altered course towards and dived to close. The enemy was sighted again through the periscope at 1433, nearly right ahead, Estimated Angle on the Bow – 70 Port. Turned to a 120° Track and closed. The "U" boat appeared to have zigged about twelve degrees towards at the next lock. (This was a re-estimation and the target may well have been on a steady course.) Altered to a 100° Track, allowed an Enemy Speed of 8 knots and at 1445 fired 6 torpedoes from the Bow Internal Tubes, Depth Settings 8 and 10 feet. The first four torpedoes were fired by "Aiming" and the last two by time interval..  The second torpedo hit with a vivid flash and a column of black smoke, nearly under the gun. A second hit was heard (4th torpedo) and the target was enveloped in a dense pall of smoke. A third hit reported shortly afterwards was not heard by me. All H.E. ceased after the first hit. (Enemy had been doing 200 revs.) It is regretted that accurate times of explosions were not taken due to an oversight. Three explosions about 7 or 8 minutes after firing might have been the torpedoes at the end of their run. A further 5 or 6 heavy explosions were heard two minutes later. Quantities of shattered wooden wreckage, sea-boots, watch-coats and loaves of bread were found in the area of sinking as well as a large patch of oil fuel. There were no survivors. (The second hit must have been nearly under the bridge). It is considered that the U-Boat was sunk. In a large patch of oil fuel there was a considerable amount of wreckage, shattered woodwork, watch-coats, sea-boots, paper and loaves of bread.. The sea was now rising and made recovery of "relics" difficult. Attempts to take a sample of fuel were abandoned as this continually upset on the saddle-tanks. This encounter was an interesting side-light on the efficiency of the look-out of the Herrenvolk – both submarines having been on the surface. The Officer of the Watch, Sub Lieutenant W.A. Benn, R.N., (additional on his first patrol) stated that he was impressed with the "nearness" of the "U" boat. He took prompt and correct action. It is possible that she had just surfaced as the visibility at that time was just after Meridian Altitude and the sun was out.

On return from this highly successful patrol in the North Sea, Lt. Alexander (the Commanding Officer) entered his numerous recommendations for awards to the members of the crew who had caught his eye. They were approved by the Naval authorities and passed to HM King George VI, with one slight addition... Lt. Alexander was himself recommended for the Distinguished Service Order. At the end of this recommendation the Admiral (Submarines) stated.. "Lieutenant Alexander has always shown great determination and keenness, more especially since his first operational command (H.M.S. PANDORA) was sunk in Malta during an air-raid. This successful attack on a U-Boat will undoubtedly increase Lieutenant Alexander’s belligerency, if that be possible."  The other awards were granted as follows;

Lt. George Robert Shaw, R.N. 
Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, already having been Mentioned in Despatches previously. Lt. Alexander stated.. "For outstanding zeal, efficiency and devotion to duty during four patrols in TRUCULENT and during a successful attack on a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943. As First Lieutenant on the last two patrols his example and training made this success initially possible." 

Acting P/O/ George Greer, P/SSX.18918. 
Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Lt. Alexander stated.. "His example and training contributed to the success of lookout, the efficiency of which made this encounter possible."  The Admiral remarked.. "Concur with Commanding Officer’s remarks. In an encounter of this description the efficiency of the look-outs is all important."

C.E.R.A. Herbert William Matthews, C/MX.50104. 
Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Lt. Alexander stated.. "For outstanding efficiency and zeal in four patrols in TRUCULENT and during a successful attack on a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."  The Admiral remarked.. "Under the Engineer Officer, C.E.R.A. Matthews has maintained his department in an undoubtedly high state of efficiency throughout."
 
Chief Stoker John Dore, B.E.M., P/K.61068. 
Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, already holding the British Empire Medal (Military Division) awarded during service on H.M.S. Fiji. Lt. Alexander, in addition to the standard citation of  "For outstanding zeal, energy and devotion to duty during four patrols in TRUCULENT and during a successful attack on a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."  added  "His example and cheerfulness have been a great asset."  The Admiral stated  "Strongly concur with Commanding Officer’s remarks. On the example of the Chief Stoker of a submarine depends a great deal of the efficiency and bearing of the younger personnel in his department."
 
A/L.S. John Denis Martin, P/JX.148471. 
Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.  "For outstanding zeal and efficiency while acting as Lookout in TRUCULENT which resulted in the destruction of a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."  The Admiral added..  "Strongly concur. Were it not for an efficient look-out this encounter might never have taken place, or might even have ended disastrously had H.M.S. TRUCULENT been sighted first."

Elec. Art. (3) Richard Charles Orchard Carline, P/MX.53718. 
Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.  "For outstanding zeal, efficiency and devotion to duty during four patrols in TRUCULENT. He is an important number in the attack crew and contributed to the sinking of a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."  The Admiral remarked..  "Concur. However good a Commanding Officer’s estimations may be, they can be nullified by their inefficient application and this rating proved that lack of success shall be through no fault of his."

Lt. (E) Robert George Lane, R.N. 
Mention in Despatches.  "As Engineer Officer he has maintained a state of mechanical efficiency and set a very high standard, and is a valuable number in the attack team."  The Admiral remarked..  "Strongly concur. Where every man has an important part to play in a submarine, the ultimate success of the submarine depends more upon the efficiency of the Engineer Officer that on many others."

Sub.Lt. William Anthony Benn, R.N. 
Mention in Despatches.  "For zeal and efficiency. Although making his first patrol on submarines, this young officer acted with initiative and skill when officer of the watch and was responsible initially, for a successful attack on a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."  The Admiral stated..  "Sub-Lieutenant Benn showed remarkable zeal and efficiency although he had only shortly before completed the submarine training course."

P.O. Stanley Thomas Jefferson, D.S.M., C/LD/X.2209. 
Mention in Despatches, already holding the Distinguished Service Medal awarded whilst serving on the submarine H.M.S. Torbay.  "For outstanding efficiency, zeal in preparing and firing torpedoes in TRUCULENT which resulted in the destruction of a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."  The Admiral remarked..  "On the T.G.M’s efficiency finally depends the result of the torpedo attack, and for the second time has the zeal and efficiency of this rating been proved."

P.O. Thomas William Gould, V.C., C/JX.147945.
Mention in Despatches, already holder of the highest award for valour, the Victoria Cross, awarded for bravery on the submarine H.M.S. Thrasher.  "For outstanding zeal and efficiency in two patrols in TRUCULENT. This was his first patrol as Coxswain and his example and devotion to duty contributed to a successful attack on a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."  The Admiral noted..  "Concur with Commanding Officer’s remarks. On his first patrol as Coxswain P.O. Gould has set a good example to his subordinates."

P.O.Tel. Albert Joffre John Herridge, D.S.M., D/JX.135610. 
Mention in Despatches, already holder of the Distinguished Service Medal.  "For zeal and efficiency during four patrols in TRUCULENT and during a successful attack on a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."

A.B. Thomas Henry William Banks, P/SSX.16973. 
Mention in Despatches.  "For efficiency and zeal as fore Crew during the preparation and firing of torpedoes which resulted in the destruction of a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."  The Admiral remarked..  "Strongly concur. The efficiency of the fore end crew is vital to a successful torpedo attack."

E.R.A. (4) Ronald Arthur Frank King, C/MX.71946. 
Mention in Despatches.  "For great zeal and efficiency during four patrols in TRUCULENT and during a successful attack on a German U-Boat on 4th June, 1943."
 

[John]

After service in 'home' waters, HMS Truculent carried out patrols in the Far East. The submarine's most unfortunate victim was the 'Harugiku Maru'..  On the 26th June 1944, at 10.00hrs, HMS Truculent closed on a small convoy of Japanese shipping near Sumatra. Three small vessels of approximately 1500 tons each were in the company of a larger (estimated by Lt. Commander Alexander as 4000 tons, actually 3040 tons) single funnelled coaster. The whole convoy was being escorted by two 'submarine chasers', one motor launch and a twin-engined maritime bomber which was seen to be circling overhead. The coaster was described by Truculent's CO as being reminiscent of HMS Titania, with twin decks and painted a light greenish grey. (At that time, HMS Truculent was painted in a similar colour, fetchingly called 'slime green', to aid invisibility in the shallow waters of the Malacca Straits). Assuming that they were looking at a Japanese military transport, Lt. Commander Alexander ordered four torpedoes to be fired at it - little did he realise that, rather than being a troopship the vessel was, in fact, carrying 730 PoW's between prison camps. It was the 'Harugiku Maru', previously the Dutch ship 'Van Waerwijck' which had been taken over by the Japanese.

This ship had been sunk as a blockship at Tandjong Priok by the British in March 1942, but the Japanese raised and repaired her and put her back into service. As was usual with this type of ship, the Japanese had let it sail without correct markings which left it open to attack as a legitimate target, the Allies not knowing what the ship contained. At 11.14hrs two hits were registered on the Harugiku Maru, 28 seconds apart, which sent the ship to the bottom with the loss of around 177 people. The position logged in the Patrol Report for HMS Truculent was 03°16´N, 99°46.7´E. Truculent dived and hit the bottom temporarily at 58ft, and for the next hour and a half was subjected to depth charge attacks as she manoeuvred to get away. The last three charges were reported as exploding 'unpleasantly close' at 11.59hrs. Conditions aboard were cramped, for in addition to her crew Truculent was carrying around 90 Chinese and other Oriental prisoners that she had taken off junks that Truculent's crew had boarded before sinking. Lt. Commander Alexander, displaying a nonchalant Imperial sense of humour that belied the seriousness of the moment, noted that "my well populated native quarter preserved an Oriental calm" - the crew were lucky in this respect, for in a similar situation in the Malacca Straight, Truculent's sister submarine HMS Thule suffered a frenzied 'mutiny' from the Oriental prisoners that had to be brutally suppressed by the crew, recounted by the Commander in the following way.. "Grabbing handy wheel spanners they waded in amongst the shrieking Chinamen, laying about them with the fiendish savagery of desperation. The torpedo compartment door was somehow wrenched shut and the Chinese, seeing their escape cut off, quickly subsided into a state of whimpering exhaustion".

Photograph attached shows the Truculent crew displaying the 'Jolly Roger' recording their successes..

[John]

The Captain of HMS Truculent in the above photograph is the rather short and slightly portly officer fourth from the left. (Officers are all wearing  white socks). A brief biography that I compiled follows, plus a crop from the group shot and a much later portrait photograph.

Lt. Cdr Robert Love Alexander, Born 1913, died 1993.
Robert Alexander (Robbie) was highly regarded by his superiors, and his aggressiveness in action as well as his popularity with the crews who served under him was noted more than once. His experience in submarine warfare started with his first operational command, HMS Pandora, which was unfortunately lost with some casualties whilst moored in Malta in April 1942 (Pandora had just arrived from Gibraltar with supplies for the besieged island - one report stated that a Ju-87 dropped a bomb directly onto the conning tower). Reassigned to the P-Class submarine HMS Proteus in June of that year, but retaining his rank of Lieutenant, he successfully operated in the Aegean and sank several Greek, German and Italian vessels. This command lasted until November, when he returned to home waters and took command of the newly commissioned T-Class submarine HMS Truculent.

Alexander enjoyed a spectacular success with Truculent in the North Sea, sinking the equally 'novice' German U-308. Here his slightly offbeat sense of humour surfaced in the patrol report, making a mocking reference to the qualities of the so-called 'Master Race'. This humour, often self-effacing, continued to be apparent in the patrol reports from Truculent's later service in the Far East when he mocked his own errors in judging the tonnage of his targets, and came out with such gems as the following from a mine laying mission in June 1944; "Immediately after firing third mine, HMS Truculent grounded at 32'.. screwed our way out of the mud and laid fourth mine.. It is regretted that after having laid eggs it was thought fit to try and hatch them out!"  Another example is dated 29th June 1944, after sinking two junks in another submarine's patrol area; "Whilst it is felt that the last two were 'poaching', it is hoped that the rightful occupant of Area G would excuse it.."

During the inquiry into the tragic loss of HMS Truculent, Alexander sat (with the rank of Commander) on various panels such as the Underwater Physiology Sub-Committee. This must have been a moving time for him, having to deal with the loss of his former command.

There is a story that seems to have gained credence over the years, namely that Lt Commander Alexander committed suicide after he became aware of the result of his unfortunate attack on the Harugiku Maru in 1944. Obviously this is a myth - Alexander went on to enjoy a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, commanding HMS Tuna, 1945; Second in Command and temporary Cdr, HMS Glory, Korean War 1951-1952; in charge of 1 Destroyer Sqn, 1957; Imperial Defence College 1959; in charge of the depot ship HMS Forth and 1st Submarine Sqn, 1960; Capt, Submarines and Minesweepers, Mediterranean, and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Commander Submarines, Mediterranean, HMS Narvik 1960-1962, retiring in 1965 with the rank of Rear Admiral, and after serving as Vice-Naval Deputy to Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) within NATO. Robert Love Alexander died in 1993.

[John]

John Cummins appears in the photograph of the crew in the earlier post, and Ive cropped the image and highlighted him in a picture at the end of this post. The following information and pictures are all thanks to John Cummins, his son.

Leading Seaman John Cummins
Service Number : C/JX151164
Date of Birth : 12th Oct 1920
Date of Death : 24th May 2000
Buried : Hollinwood Cemetery, Oldham

John 'Johnny' Cummins was born on 12th October 1920 at South Shields, a town were you either worked down the pit, in the dockyards or went to sea. Leaving school at 13 his first job was working down the pits, but by the time Johnny was sixteen he had had enough of the pits and decided to join the Royal Navy - however his father was not keen on him joining up and refused to sign his papers so Johnny simply forged his fathers signature and on 26th November 1936 he enlisted, signing on for 12 years. When the Second World War broke out Johnny, or "Guns" as he was now known, was serving aboard H.M.S. Foxhound which was already at sea searching for German U-Boats. During the war years Johnny volunteered for the submarine service, and after his submarine training period he joined H.M.S. Truculent, being put in charge of her 4" deck gun.

Lieutenant-Commander Alexander was her captain, a man the crew admired and had every confidence in. It was while serving aboard the submarine Truculent that Johnny would experience many encounters with the enemy, a most notable one was the sinking of the German U-Boat U-308 just North of the Faeroe Islands. According to Johnny it could have gone either way, it was just that the look-outs on Truculent had been more alert and had spotted the U-Boat first. Another notable experience was when they took part in operation "Source" and had towed the midget-submarine X-6 to Norway for its attack against the Tirpitz. When the time came for the passage crew to change with the operational crew it was Johnny's job to make sure that all went safely, Johnny shook hands with them and wished them good luck, at the same time passing over a bag of hand-grenades.

During the war years one ironic twist of fate was that while Johnny was trying to sink enemy war / merchant ships his brother Billy, who at the outbreak of hostilities had joined the British Merchant fleet, was risking his life sailing on cargo ships to keep England supplied. Just before the war ended, Johnny met the lady who was to become his wife - Maureen o'Keeffe, an Irish girl who had come over to England when the war started and who worked in a factory in Coventry throughout the air raids. Johnny served on board submarines for several years before moving back to surface ships, retiring from the Navy in 1960. However, after so many years he found it hard to settle into civilian life, and in 1963 after seeing an advertisement asking for officers he re-enlisted for another 5 years, finally retiring in 1968.

Johnny Cummins 'crossed the bar' on 24th May 2000 and is buried in Hollinwood cemetery in Oldham. On the headstone, his son John had a Naval anchor engraved representing his love of the sea, and on the other side a cross entwined with shamrock representing Maureen's staunch Catholic beliefs and Irish nationality.

[John]

Ron Slade - from home waters to the Far East, WWII

"About eight o’clock one morning, Fred Read was on lookout on the bridge and sighted a plane. Our position was quite clear, the island of Crete was in sight on the beam. The Skipper shouted "Get down", an identification flare was let off as the people on the bridge tumbled down the conning tower sounding the diving klaxon on the way. In the control room, the Officer of the watch and the Captain both agreed that the aircraft was a Lockheed Hudson. In spite of firing off the identification flare, as we dived the plane came in on a bombing run and dropped two bombs, both too close for comfort!. After staying down for twenty minutes we prepared to surface again to identify ourselves as ‘friends’ and in came the Hudson again and blew us to the surface from thirty feet with two more bombs. The pilot then realised his mistake, flashed 'sorry' and made off!. Several minor faults were reported after the attack. At a later inspection of the upperdeck a chunk of bomb casing was discovered embedded in the gun platform. The pilot certainly thought he had made a kill after his first attack, we were able to read his ‘enemy report’ as it was repeated on the low frequency broadcast routines transmitted from the powerful Wireless Station at Rugby. Subsequently we received an ‘Immediate’ signal telling us to ‘Indicate position, course and speed forthwith’. The customary procedure adopted by the Admiralty when it was suspected that a submarine had been lost.
 
We arrived in Beirut two days before Christmas and tied up to a pontoon connected to the shore by a floating platform. The beautiful city spread out before us with the green hills rising in the background. Somewhere there on the outskirts of the city, Medway II was based in an old French Cavalry Barracks. We were billeted in buildings previously used to stable the French horses. However the accommodation was comfortable and the entertainment close at hand, only about eight minutes from town by taxi. There was also a rest camp situated up in the hills with a swimming pool and a cinema, but our stay was too short to sample these delights. Boxing Day saw us on the move again. On December 27th we arrived in Port Said early in the morning and tied up alongside to await passage through the canal. Most of us who wished to had the opportunity to go ashore. I of course was one, since it was the first time I had been that Far East. The next day we continued on our way sailing from Port Said to make the passage through the canal. Because the navigation was difficult the crew were at a modified version of 'Harbour Stations'. This meant that the Captain was on the bridge and the Cox’n manned the upper deck wheel, and the engine room telegraphs were also manned, my duty. So I spent the whole of the passage on the bridge to the envy of the rest, although a limited number were allowed on the bridge to witness the event. It was an experience I was to remember for long afterwards, proceeding along this long stretch of water with the desert stretching out on both sides as far as the eye could see.
 
At the end of this first stretch of the canal we entered the first of the Bitter Lakes at Ismailiya, where we were able to have a swim, quickly finding out why the lakes were so called. Then on through the second section of the canal and to Port Suez where we had another short stay. Truculent then joined up with H M S/M Stonehenge who was also bound for the Far East, made our way down the Gulf of Suez and entered the Red Sea for the long trip down to Aden, arriving there on the fifth of January. We stopped over for a couple of days to refuel and store ready for the long trip across the Indian Ocean to Ceylon. The next stage of the journey proved uneventful, and we both arrived at Colombo, the capital Ceylon, on the nineteenth. Two days later we sailed for the great natural harbour of Trincomalee and made ourselves at home alongside the depot ship Adamant which was to administer all our needs for the next ten months. We became the sixth T Class and Stonehenge the first S Class submarine of the newly formed fourth Submarine Flotilla. The others being Trespasser, Taurus, Tactician. Tally-Ho and Templar. H.M.S. Maidstone was to arrive later to take care of the S Boats. More of this class were to follow later. I was to get my first real taste of the power of the sun when a number of us took one of Adamant’s cutters out for the day. Landing on a beautiful sandy deserted beach. We ran about, in and out of the sea totally in the all together. The result of which was to get sunburnt in all the unusual places. Such is the life of a submariner who rarely exposed himself to daylight."

[John]

Ron Slade - after the last patrol - the Far East, WWII

"The news soon got round that our last patrol had been completed and we could return home to the UK. I was one of the lucky ones that could be spared for a week’s relaxation leave. The unlucky engine-room staff could not and spent the next three weeks virtually rebuilding the engine, no mean feat of work, especially under the extreme conditions of heat and humidity that existed in the engine-room. Once again I opted to spend my leave at the rest camp way up in the mountains. We usually travelled in a Service bus, which was luxuriously equipped with wooden seats. The driver was a locally recruited Singalese and the standard of driving of these chaps was not of the best. The journey took us to Kandy (Capitol of Ceylon) where we stopped off for a couple of hours sight seeing and shopping. Then on again up the mountain road, which was largely unmade. The road wound on and on round hairpin bends which were so tight that two attempts had to be made to get round. Peering out of the window was frightening when the driver reversed, it seemed the rear of the bus was suspended in mid-air. The route took us up to over 6,000 feet to our next stop Nuwara Eylia, a town on the rail-route to Colombo. Then on to the rest camp at Dyatelawa (4,000 ft.) our final destination.
 
The climate up there was that of an English summer. The routine was free and easy, the food not too bad. The camp concerts were frequent and hilarious, always provided by the inmates of course. There was also a local cinema, which showed not too ancient films. There was at least one full sized football pitch that I remember. Service sides used to play the locals whom, incidentally never wore boots, a bit off-putting, but they never seemed to get injured. The favourite past time of most was just to walk around the countryside and along the railway line, swinging a cane walking stick, bought locally for about one rupee. One could walk through the jungle to a village called Bandarawala, which boasted a hotel. Submarines of the 4th Flotilla, not on patrol were berthed on either side of the depot ship in ‘Trots’ alongside each other and access was gained via a narrow gang plank over which everything had to pass including all the stores etc. To make things easier, the boats were moved around in order to bring them next to the depot ship when storing and taking onboard torpedoes etc. These movements or ‘trot fobs’ as they were called were usually undertaken by the boats junior officers, to give them experience in manoeuvring a submarine, often watched anxiously by the C.O. from the side of the depot ship and with some amusement by the all and sundry.
 
ADAMANT, built in 1939, was a purpose built depot ship unlike some of the others, which were converted merchant ships, such as TITANIA (1915), an old coal burner, and CYCLOPS (1905). Others were MONTCARE (1921) and WOLFE (ex MONTCALM 1922). Two other modern sister ships were MAIDSTONE and FORTH (1938) the former looking after all the ‘S’ class submarines, a smaller boat than the T class whilst operating from Trinco. The depot ship provided messing accommodation for each submarine crew and comprehensive mechanical and torpedo workshops. Each man kept all his kit and personal belongings in the depot ship, going on patrol with sufficient clothing and personal items to last about four weeks. The dress once out of range of the shore was usually just a pair of khaki shorts. Our captain Lt. Commander R.L.Alexander (Robbie) and one or two of the other officers walked around the submarine in colourful sarongs. The toilet facilities onboard are basic, one washbasin and toilet for the seamen who lived in the forward part of the boat, the same for the stokers who lived in the after ends. The senior rates also had similar facilities. There was a small cabin for the captain, the wardroom had sufficient space for five officers. We carried a chef who cooked for both officers and crew on an electric range situated just outside the Wireless office. Consequently a rapport was soon established between the chef and the ‘sparkers’. Adamant carried sufficient stores to look after the needs of at least eight boats, providing them with all the dry and fresh vegetables and bread which, because of the conditions inside the boat at sea lasted only a few days before the vegetables turned rotten and the bread completely mouldy. A small amount of very nice bread was then baked by the Chef."
 

[John]

Some photographs sent to me by Martin King - his father, Ronald Arthur Frank King, served onboard HMS Truculent between September 1942 and February 1946.

[John]

A greeting card from a submariner on HMS Scythian who mentions the fact that he had been transferred off HMS Truculent, much against his will, shortly before the 1950 tragedy. Lucky, lucky man..

[Epsom]

Hi All,
Not sure if I am going mad but I seem to remember a web site dedicated to HMS Truculent some time back is this still going?
Just like to say to mods great site about 3rd of the way through reading all the posts time permitting.

[John]

Not sure if I am going mad but I seem to remember a web site dedicated to HMS Truculent some time back is this still going?

There was a site, and you aren't going mad  . I co-authored it with someone else, but for various reasons it was taken down - but all of the important information is gradually reappearing on K&S instead.

Just like to say to mods great site about 3rd of the way through reading all the posts time permitting.

Thank you   

[John]

Another notable experience was when they took part in operation "Source" and had towed the midget-submarine X-6 to Norway for its attack against the Tirpitz. When the time came for the passage crew to change with the operational crew it was Johnny's job to make sure that all went safely, Johnny shook hands with them and wished them good luck, at the same time passing over a bag of hand-grenades.

The midget submarines that were intended to deal a crippling blow to Tirpitz carried huge explosive charges fixed to their hulls. The first of the following photographs show X6 without the charges and with the crew standing alongside. The second shows X6 with the charges attached, and the last picture shows HMS Truculent towing X6 from port on their daring mission, 11th September 1943.

[John]

The water damaged Naval Pay and Identity Book for Michael J Likely, Stoker Mechanic, P/SKX 788502,who died in the 1950 Truculent sinking.

[John]

An Associated Press photograph I bought on eBay a while ago - Ausdauer and Energie getting ready to start the lift of HMS Truculent.