SUPPLY OF
ITEMS TO MALTA BY AIR
The
RAF
continually supplied long range aircraft
to Malta, both via Gibraltar and from
Egypt. Such aircraft formed the long
range reconnaissance and attack squadrons
based in the Island and operational
throughout the
siege. There is no doubt that surplus
space and weight on these delivery
flights was taken up by passengers or
stores essential to the RAF establishment
in
Malta,
however this service was neither
regular nor dedicated to supply.
Despite
constant
pleas from both RAF and RN commanders in
the Island, it was not until early 1942
that
the Air Staff in the UK deigned to
consider a regular air
supply route. On 17.4.42, 24 Squadron
based in Cornwall with long range Hudson
aircraft was dedicated to this service,
and commenced a regular
UK/Gibraltar/Malta service shortly
afterwards.
Flying
a
very dangerous route in virtually
defenceless aircraft, this Squadron
thereafter provided a regular and
exceedingly valuable service carrying
essential passengers, aircraft spares,
light "high value" cargo
(medical, radio and radar stores for
example), and mails in and out of Malta.
SUPPLY OF
MALTA BY SURFACE
WARSHIPS
Periodically,
surface
ships of the Royal Navy made passage to
Malta from both east and west either to
transport personnel or high value
supplies, to operate from the island or to
pass through the
Mediterranean to reinforce the Fleet at
Alexandria.
Where such passages were to convey
supplies they are listed in chronological
order with available information on
cargoes or personnel.
Operation
HATS
- During this operation, involving
the reinforcement of the Mediterranean
Fleet from Gibraltar, stores were landed
at Malta from the battleship HMS VALIANT
and cruisers CALCUTTA and COVENTRY, VALIANT's
contribution being eight 3.7" AA guns and
10-40mm Bofors,
plus ammunition and stores from the
three ships generally.
HMS
GLOUCESTER and HMS LIVERPOOL
- Under the operation title MB 5,
these two cruisers sailed from Alexandria
28.9.40 in company with the Fleet,
having embarked 1200 troops and RAF
personnel to reinforce the Malta garrison.
The two ships entered Malta late on 30.9,
landed the troops and
sailed again at 0230 1.10.
Operation
COAT
- A further reinforcement of the
Fleet at Alexandria from Gibraltar, HMS
BARHAM, BERWICK and GLASGOW escorted by
the destroyers GALLANT, GREYHOUND and
GRIFFIN also for Malta, with FAULKNOR,
FORTUNE and FURY as escorts to Malta only,
sailed from Gibraltar pm 7.11.40 and
entered Malta on 10.11 to land troops and
stores embarked from Gibraltar. These
totalled 2,150 troops (an infantry
battalion, two 25pdr field batteries, a
tank
troop and gunners for three AA batteries)
their stores, vehicles etc coming out
in the Op COLLAR convoy. On completion the
force sailed and resumed its passage
to Alexandria. Personnel numbers involved
were,
in BARHAM 700, BERWICK 750, GLASGOW 400
with 50 in each of the destroyers; an
unknown quantity of stores was also
landed.
HMS
NEWCASTLE
- HMS NEWCASTLE arrived at Gibraltar
16.11.40 from the UK with RAF personnel
and stores for Malta. After fuelling she
sailed 17.11
arriving at
Malta
without incident on 19.11. She
remained at
Malta
until 26.11 when she returned to Gibraltar
during Operation COLLAR.
Operation
COLLAR
- As part of this convoy operation,
certain ships were also to embark
reinforcements for the Malta garrison. The
cruisers MANCHESTER and SOUTHAMPTON
embarked 660 and 760 RAF and Army
personnel on 25 November who had come out
from the UK in the transport FRANCONIA.
These ships sailed as part of
Force F escorting the convoy, and their
main movements will be found under the
appropriate heading in the Convoy section
of the text.
Both
cruisers
were involved in the surface action
defending the convoy, duly landed
their personnel at Malta and returned to
Gibraltar to rejoin Force H.
HM
Ships
GLOUCESTER,
SOUTHAMPTON,
ILEX and JANUS
- These two cruisers and two
destroyers embarked a total of 25 officers
and 484 men of the Army and RAF at
Gibraltar on 6.1.41 for conveyance to
Malta. The ships arrived at Malta 8.1 and
the troops were landed and
ships fuelled in 4 hours 30 minutes to
sail and return to Gibraltar. This
operation was part of the
general Operation Excess referred to
elsewhere in the narrative.
HMS
BONAVENTURE
- This cruiser, part of the EXCESS
convoy escort, also had passengers for
Malta who had been in the transport
NORTHERN PRINCE left at
Gibraltar after grounding there. BONAVENTURE remained with the convoy
longer than the previously mentioned
ships, but arrived
11.1.41 as part of the escort for the
damaged destroyer GALLANT. After
embarking survivors from ILLUSTRIOUS not
required to work
the ship, BONAVENTURE sailed on 14.1 for
Alexandria
arriving 16.1.
HMS
ORION and PERTH
- These two cruisers, on conclusion
of the EXCESS operations, embarked
passengers at Piraeus, 280 in ORION and
130 in PERTH, for passage to Malta sailing
on 13 and arriving 14.1. PERTH remained
with boiler defects, while
ORION embarked survivors from ILLUSTRIOUS
(a total of 326 with BONAVENTURE mentioned
in the preceding paragraph), sailed 14 and
arrived at Alexandria 16.1.
HM
Ships AJAX, GLOUCESTER and ORION
- These cruisers embarked troops as
follows, AJAX 374, GLOUCESTER 637 and
ORION 410 plus a RN crew for the
destroyer IMPERIAL and some Maltese
ratings, at Alexandria 19.2.41 and arrived
at Malta early on 21.2 sailing to rejoin
the Fleet later the same day. They
were escorted by the destroyers DIAMOND,
MOHAWK and NUBIAN.
Operation
SALIENT
- Carried out at the same time as
the air reinforcement Operation DUNLOP,
this consisted of the passing of the
cruiser DIDO, minelayer ABDIEL and
destroyers JACKAL, JERSEY, KASHMIR, KELLY,
KELVIN and KIPLING to Alexandria via
Malta. All ships carried stores to Malta,
regrettably the construction of
destroyers required that much of their
cargo was cased and stowed on the
weather deck.
The
operation
was planned for 24.4.41, and Force S as
the ships were titled, sailed
at 2200 with an intended arrival at Malta
of 26.4. A heavy following sea
caused damage to the heavily loaded
destroyers and loss of some of their deck
cargo, so that Rear Admiral Vian
in DIDO was obliged
to reduce speed and delay arrival by 24
hours, arriving in fact during the
forenoon of 27.4. The subsequent passage
of DIDO and ABDIEL to Alexandria is
recorded in the convoy section
as they, plus destroyers from the Malta
force, brought back the transport
BRECONSHIRE to
Alexandria
Operation
STYLE
- Force X from Gibraltar, during this
operation, consisted
of the cruisers ARETHUSA and HERMIONE,
minelayer MANXMAN and destroyers
LIGHTNING and SIKH. These ships embarked
70 officers, 1676 other ranks and 130
tons of stores for Malta and left
Gibraltar on 31.7.41. The operation was
completed without opposition other than
HERMIONE ramming and sinking the
Italian submarine TEMBIEN en route. The
force left Malta 2.8, joined Force H and
returned to
Gibraltar on 4.8.
HM
Ships
AURORA,
PENELOPE, LANCE and
LIVELY
- This
group, to be based at Malta as Force K,
sailed from Gibraltar 19.10.41 and arrived
21.10.41. The
two cruisers each carried 200 rounds of 4"
ammunition, 17-18"
aircraft torpedoes and an Oerlikon
mounting for
landing at
Malta,
the destroyers were also loaded
with a deck cargo of cased stores.
HM
Ships AJAX, NEPTUNE, KIMBERLEY
and KINGSTON
- These
two cruisers and two destroyers left
Alexandria 17.11.41 to reinforce Force K
based
on
Malta.
All ships carried excess
ammunition and submarine torpedoes to
supplement stocks held at Malta, and
arrived at Malta 29.11 to disembark stores
prior to
commencing operations from the island.
HMS
DIDO and destroyers
- The cruiser DIDO and destroyers
ARROW, FOXHOUND, GURKHA and NESTOR left
Gibraltar on 22.12.41 and arrived at Malta
on the 24.12, on their way to
reinforce the Fleet at
Alexandria.
Stores and some passengers were
disembarked at
Malta
and the ships sailed again 26.12,
escorting empty freighters from the island
eastward, recorded under the convoy
designation ME 8.
HMS
CLEOPATRA and HMS FORTUNE
- The cruiser CLEOPATRA and
destroyer FORTUNE sailed from
Gibraltar 9.2.42 to proceed in company to
Malta,
thereafter to Alexandria to join the
Mediterranean and Eastern Fleets
respectively.
The cruiser embarked 104 passengers, spare
torpedoes and warheads, mails and
1490 rounds of 5.25in ammunition
additional to her normal magazine
capacity.
Both
ships
arrived at Malta 11.2, after almost
continuous air attack, CLEOPATRA receiving
splinter damage resulting in fire, loss of
some torpedo warheads, and some
casualties. Both ships then went on to
Alexandria with the convoy ME 10 of empty
freighters for that port.
Warship
transfer, HMML 126 and 130
- These two Fairmile
B motor launches proceeded from
Gibraltar to
Malta
12-17.3.42 to provide inshore
vessels for service in the island. Passage
was made along the North African
coast wearing French colours as
appropriate as a ruse de guerre. The final
approach to Malta
was made during the dark hours,
both ships arrived safely.
Warship
transfer, HMML 129 and 132
- Repeating the preceding
operation, unfortunately these two motor
launches were attacked and sunk by
aircraft on 21 March, after sailing from
Gibraltar on 14.3.42. This was the end of
such efforts to supplement the minesweeper
force at Malta.
Warship
transfer, HMS HAVOCK
- This destroyer had been detained
at Malta repairing action damage and it
was decided to pass her through to
Gibraltar together with as many personnel
as possible as were not required in
the island. She sailed 5.4.42 to make a
fast, unaccompanied passage with 100
passengers, but unfortunately ran aground
at high speed on 6.4 on the Tunisian
coast. One stoker was killed in the
stranding, 250 passengers and crew were
interned by the French.
HMS
WELSHMAN
- The fast minelayer loaded
supplies for
Malta
on the Clyde, and sailed 1.5.42 for
Gibraltar arriving 4.5. After loading 7
tons
of smoke generators from LLANSTEPHAN
CASTLE, she sailed 8.5, crudely disguised
as a destroyer of the French LEOPARD
class, and arrived at Malta 10.5 despite
investigation by
German aircraft and attacks off Malta by E
boats. Her cargo was unloaded
during the day and she sailed at
nightfall, arriving at Gibraltar 12.5.
She
had
taken in to
Malta
123 passengers, principally RAF,
and 340 tons of stores, mainly ammunition
and smoke generators. For the return
passage she embarked 146 naval personnel
and Spitfire long range petrol tanks
removed from aircraft flown in by British
and US carriers.
HMS
WELSHMAN
- For her second store carrying
passage WELSHMAN loaded on the
Clyde with 20 crated Spitfire engines, 40 drums of Glycol
coolant, 45 tons 20mm ammunition, 116 tons
of.303 ammunition and 92 tons of
smoke generators. Additionally 14 RAF
Officers and 100 other ranks were
embarked for passage.
The
ship
sailed from the
Clyde
independently on 28.5.42 and arrived at
Gibraltar 2.6. On passing the boom into
Gibraltar she was unfortunately in
collision
with the tug SALVONIA, necessitating
dry-docking with propeller damage. On
completion of repair, the ship transferred
half the engines, Glycol and 20mm
ammunition to ships in the HARPOON convoy
for Malta, and sailed with the convoy on
12.6
after embarking a further quantity of
smoke generators.
WELSHMAN
proceeded
with the convoy until the early on 15.6
and then went on at 28 knots
to
Malta
where she entered harbour and
discharged her cargo in under five hours.
The
remains
of the convoy, now approaching Malta,
still being under heavy attack,
WELSHMAN was sailed to rejoin and provide
additional AA protection and met the
convoy at 1730 remaining with it to the
approaches to Malta, then returning to
Gibraltar with the covering force.
HMS
WELSHMAN
- WELSHMAN, after repairs on the Clyde,
commenced loading further stores
for
Malta
on 7.7.42. These consisted of 150
tons of powdered milk, 100 tons of edible
oils, 15 tons of soap, 36 tons of
minesweeping gear and a quantity of mail.
A further 22 tons of general cargo
was loaded the following day just prior to
sailing for Greenock. At Greenock a
further 4 tons of cargo was
loaded and 130 passengers embarked,
principally RN and RAF aircrew and RAF
ground staff.
The
ship
sailed for Gibraltar 9.7 and arrived at
Gibraltar at 0100 14.7, oiling in the
harbour and exchanging 4 tons of cargo for
aircraft stores and 20mm ammunition;
the ship sailed before dawn on 14.7. Air
attack, but no damage, was experienced
on 15.7 and
Malta
harbour was entered at dawn on
16.7. Discharge of cargo was completed in
seven hours and a quantity of baggage
embarked. The ship did not sail due to
weather precluding high speed steaming
and she was retained at Malta until 18.7
when she oiled (400
tons), embarked 174 passengers
(principally MN crews from HARPOON) and
sailed
at dusk that day. Air attacks were made on
19.7 but to no effect, and Gibraltar was
reached mid afternoon on 20.7.
HMS
MANXMAN
- MANXMAN sailed from Port Said 10.11.42
and Alexandria 11.11 loaded with 350 tons
of
varied foodstuffs and 200 passengers,
arriving at Malta during the afternoon of
12.11
without incident, to discharge her cargo.
Operation
ANALYST
- A final passage by WELSHMAN from
the UK with stores for Malta, sailing from
Plymouth 1.11.42 having loaded 110
tons of powdered milk, 25 tons of dried
beans, 25 tons of dried peas, 110 tons
of corned beef and fifteen 18" aerial
torpedoes; 13 officers, 50 RAF
airmen and 50 REME other ranks were also
embarked. The ship was routed via
Gibraltar and Algiers and, delayed by
weather in the Mediterranean, sailed from
Algiers pm 17.11 arriving at Malta am
18.11.
HMS
WELSHMAN
- WELSHMAN, loaded submarine
spares, 44-21" and 6-18" torpedoes at
Haifa, sailed to Alexandria where she
embarked passengers on
2.12.42. She then sailed to overtake the
PORTCULLIS convoy and steamed with the
convoy during the daylight hours of 3.12,
detached after dark and made a fast
passage to
Malta
arriving am 4.12 to unload.
SUPPLIES
TO MALTA BY
SUBMARINE
From
the
commencement of hostilities with Italy, it
became clear that the supply of
Malta by surface ship would be a hazardous operation
involving both Force H at
Gibraltar and the Fleet at
Alexandria.
From either base, a passage of
some 1,000 miles was involved for
merchantmen i.e. four days steaming of
which
a considerable proportion would be in
daylight, outside British air cover and
within range of Italian air bases.
Reference
to
the section on convoys will illustrate the
hazards of this position, and
therefore the necessity of supplementing
the highly dangerous surface route.
From the advent of German air power such a
supplement became essential, and
could be provided only at great risk by
fast surface warships, or by the use of
submarines.
It
must be
stressed that only dedicated storing
passages are included in this listing.
Space precludes detailing the many
operational patrols made by submarines
based
at Gibraltar, Malta and Alexandria in
support of convoy operations to Malta.
All
submarines
proceeding to Malta to join the 10th
Flotilla there, or calling on
passage to Alexandria, undoubtedly carried
the maximum of items for the island,
however, due to the small size of the U
class vessels based on Malta, very
little could be carried for the general
benefit of the Island by that type and
supplies taken in by other boats on
passage to Alexandria calling at Malta,
must have been incidental to the main
effort though appreciated as an aid to
the island's survival.
Without
doubt,
every effort was made by submarines
calling at Malta to supplement the meagre
comforts
available to their colleagues based in the
island, and to convey to Malta the
essential "spare
gear" for the boats based there. Such
items were, in the main, small and
the following listing is therefore
confined to the main storing passages
without in any way detracting from the
efforts of all submariners to assist
their
Malta
based colleagues.
In
consequence,
older submarines were diverted to store
carrying from operational
patrols or, if no longer deemed suitable
for operational service, were altered
to increase their carrying capacity.
Varying from boat to boat, this involved
the removal of part of the battery to
provide hold space, the dedication of
certain fuel tanks and void spaces to
fuel, the carriage of some items
externally, and extremely cramped
conditions onboard. Extra ballast was
embarked and, in
CLYDE,
OLYMPUS and PARTHIAN certainly, one hatch
was enlarged to ease loading and permit
larger items to be carried. In the
cargo role, boats were only capable of
passage to and from the Island with action
reserved as an option
"in extremis" due to the limitations
imposed by the cargo, passengers
and reduced submerged endurance.
The
large
mine laying
submarines were, due to their
construction, able to function as cargo
carriers without major alteration,
albeit usually being non-operational
during passage. Designed with an external
mining deck beneath the casing outside the
pressure hull they were able to
utilise this for bulk stowage of petrol
and cased stores. Even so, In June
1942, PORPOISE surrendered part of her
battery to carry 14 tons of copper
ballast and 4 tons of cargo and carried
out a full patrol in that state with no
appreciable problems.
Personnel
were
often carried as submarines were the only
means of moving personnel to and
from the Island in any number which was
not subject
to excessive delay; passengers were also
useful for adjusting the trim of the
boat!
Finally,
a
number of war built submarines were known,
initially, by numbers rather than
names. Where such boats are mentioned in
this text they have been accorded the
names subsequently borne by them, unless
lost prior to the renaming.
Chronological
list of
known store carrying passages
1940
PANDORA
sailed Gibraltar 31.7.40, arrived Malta
6.8.40 with 13 RAF ground crew, kit
& tools plus 11 tons of spares for
Hurricane fighters (flown in by HMS
ARGUS in Operation Hurry on 2.8.40), .303
ammunition, and 102 bags of mail.
This was the first occasion of submarine
support for Malta.
PROTEUS
sailed Gibraltar 1.8.40, arrived Malta
8.8.40 with 12 RAF ground crew, kit
& tools, some spares, stores and mail,
actual numbers and quantity unknown.
These
two
passages were referred to as Operation
TUBE.
OSIRIS
left Alexandria 4.8.40 for patrol and
arrived at Malta 25.8.40 possibly landing
stores.
1941
CACHALOT
sailed Alexandria 8.5.41, arrived Malta
15.5.41 – 11,040 gallons avgas,
about 30 passengers, 16 tons of "special
stores".
REGENT
sailed Malta 13.5.41, arrived Gibraltar
18.5.41. As no patrol report
survives it is not known if cargo was
carried, but it is thought probable.
CACHALOT
departed Malta 16.5.41, arrived Alexandria
22.5.41- "some stores".
OLYMPUS sailed
Malta 21.5.41, arrived Gibraltar 28.5.41.
No patrol report survives
but stores probably embarked.
RORQUAL
left Alex 3.6.41, arrived Malta 12.6.41 -
15 tons avgas in bulk
plus 1478 cases (13,302 gallons) of avgas,
45 tons paraffin, 2 tons medical
stores, 147 bags of mail, 2 coils of wire
and 24 passengers.
REGENT
sailed Gibraltar 7.6.41, arrived Malta
15.6.41, almost certainly carrying
stores.
RORQUAL
departed Malta 12.6.41, arrived
Alexandria 22.6.41 - 46 cases 4" HE, 100
cases 4" shrapnel ammo, 10 tons
stores, 130 bags of mail, 17 passengers,
2.5 tons naval stores, ratings kitbags
(30) and part of the steering gear of the
SS ESSEX for repair at Alexandria.
CACHALOT
sailed Alexandria 12.6.41, arrived Malta
19.6.41 - 44 tons (12,429 gallons)
of cased avgas, 5 tons stores and 25
passengers.
CACHALOT
departed Malta 21.6.41 arrived Alexandria
28.6.41 - 20 tons stores and 15
passengers.
THRASHER
sailed
Gib
22.6.41, arrived
Malta
29.6.41 - "small quantity of
stores".
OSIRIS
left Gibraltar 25.6.41, arrived Malta
3.7.41 - petrol, stores and mail,
quantities unspecified.
RORQUAL
left Alexandria 22.6.41, arrived Malta
2.7.41 - 64 tons avgas, 47 tons
paraffin, 7 tons stores including 90 bags
mail, two submarine propellers and 21
passengers.
CACHALOT
sailed Alexandria 9.7.41, arrived Malta
16.7.41- petrol (quantity
unspecified), 5 tons dehydrated vegetables
and stores.
RORQUAL
departed Malta 12.7.41 arrived
Alexandria 20.7.41 - 1 trawler propeller,
40 cases 4.5" ammo, 40 bags
mail, new stem piece for COVENTRY, 48
cases naval stores, RAF and engineers
stores, 60 spare aircraft gun magazines
and 18 passengers.
OTUS
sailed Gibraltar 12.7.41, arrived Malta
20.7.41 - 70 tons avgas, RAF
stores.
CACHALOT
departed Malta 28.7.41 on her last voyage,
and was
lost en route to
Alexandria,
carrying 10 passengers, 17 bags of
mail and 16 tons of stores.
PARTHIAN
sailed Alexandria 8.7.41, arrived Malta
30.7.41 - "stores and
paraffin", quantities unspecified.)
TALISMAN
sailed Gibraltar 29.7.41, arrived Malta
5.8.41 - 5500 gallons avgas.
RORQUAL
sailed Alexandria 31.7.41, arrived Malta
12.8.41 – 18,180 gallons avgas,
16,275 gallons paraffin, 7 tons stores, 2
tons mails, 20 passengers.
OSIRIS
sailed Alexandria 7.8.41, arrived Malta
15.8.41 – 21,760 gallons avgas, 11,000
gallons paraffin, 5½ tons stores, 101 bags
of mail, 19 passengers.
OTUS
sailed Alex 13.8.41, arrived Malta 20.8.41
– 21,760 gallons avgas,
10800 gallons paraffin, 6½ tons medical
stores, ½ ton army stores, 1 submarine
generator, 12 cases U class submarine
spares, 90 bags mail and 18 passengers
and their baggage.
THUNDERBOLT
sailed
Gibraltar 1.8.41, arrived Malta 8.8.41-
avgas and stores.
THUNDERBOLT
sailed Alexandria 15.8.41, arrived Malta
21.8.41 – 25,000 gall paraffin.
TAKU
sailed
Alexandria 13.8.41, arrived Malta 21.8.41
– paraffin, quantity
unspecified.
OTUS
departed Malta 1.9.41, arrived Alexandria
11.9.41 – 2½ tons 4.5" ammo,
1.75 tons 6" ammo, ½ ton naval stores, 1½
tons RAF stores, 28 bags mail,
15 passengers.
OSIRIS
departed
Malta 5.9.41, arrived Alexandria 12.9.41 –
8½ tons stores, 12
passengers.
PROTEUS
sailed Gib
14.9.41, returned 15.9, sailed again same
day arrived Malta 22.9.41 - avgas and
stores, amount
unknown.
PORPOISE
sailed Gibraltar 11.10.41 arrived Malta
17.10.41 - passengers and stores,
quantity unspecified, ex-UK for Malta.
TETRARCH
sailed Alexandria 18.10.41 and arrived
Malta 24.10.41, possibly some stores, but
no patrol report was rendered due to
subsequent loss.
PORPOISE
departed Malta 20.10.41, arrived
Alexandria 26.10.41, passengers and stores
embarked at
Malta.
OTUS
sailed Alexandria 10.41 arrived Malta
10.41 - stores and passengers, no
records of date, cargo or passengers
available.
TETRARCH
departed Malta 26.10.41 for Gibraltar with
5 passengers, but was lost en
route.
PORPOISE
sailed
Alexandria 3.11.41, arrived Malta 9.11.41-
naval armament stores,
paraffin.
REGENT
left
Alexandria 7.11.41, arrived Malta 13.11.41
– 29,000 gall paraffin,
6-18" torpedoes, stores.
REGENT
departed Malta 15.11.41 for Gibraltar -
passengers included an 11 year
old boy, son of a Naval Officer based in
Malta.
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar 24.11.41, arrived Malta
30.11.41 - avgas and stores,
quantity unknown. She departed Malta
3.12.41 and arrived
Gibraltar 10.12.41 - probably with
passengers
and stores.
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar 15.12.41, arrived Malta
21.12.41- avgas, torpedoes, mail
and stores. Departed Malta 26.12.41,
arrived Gibraltar 3.1.42 - passengers and
stores.
1942
TURBULENT
sailed Gibraltar 27.1.42,
arrived
Malta
2.2.42 - possibly conveyed stores
and mail.
TEMPEST
sailed Gibraltar 1.2.42, arrived Malta
8.2.42 - possibly with passengers
and stores.
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar 12.2.42, arrived Malta
20.2.42 - no stores manifest
discovered.
OLYMPUS departed
Malta 22.2.42, arrived
Gibraltar 1.3.42 – no patrol report
available, but probably carried at least
some passengers.
THUNDERBOLT
sailed Alexandria 1.3.42, arrived Malta
7.3.42 – 16,000 gallons paraffin,
"stores and mail", 10-Mk 8 torpedoes.
PORPOISE
sailed Alexandria 3.3.42, arrived Malta
9.3.42 - avgas, stores and
passengers.
PORPOISE
departed Malta 12.3.42, arrived Alexandria
19.3.42 - passengers and stores.
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar 12.3.42, arrived Malta
20.3.42 - avgas, torpedoes and
stores.
OLYMPUS
departed Malta 22.3.42, arrived Gibraltar
29.3.42 - passengers, some stores.
PANDORA
sailed Gibraltar 23.3.42, arrived Malta
31.3.42 - 3 passengers, torpedoes,
paraffin, benzine
and stores.
CLYDE
left Gibraltar 10.4.42, arrived Malta
16.4.42 - 44 tons stores, 88 tons
avgas, 40 tons paraffin, 9 tons 18"
torpedoes, 4 tons of 21"
torpedoes in containers (probably two
torpedoes) and 3 tons of mail.
CLYDE
departed Malta 21.4.42 and arrived
Gibraltar 26.4.42 - 47 passengers
ex-PENELOPE, 13 tons copper as ballast, 1
ton
mail, 9 tons stores and passengers kits.
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar 25.4.42,arrived
Malta 3.5.42 - avgas and stores.
PORPOISE
sailed
Alexandria 18.4.42, arrived
Malta 25.4.42 - avgas, 46 tons of aircraft
ammunition, 100 bags of mail,
dehydrated vegetable, total stores carried
weighed 160 tons plus unknown number
of passengers.
PORPOISE
departed Malta 29.4.42, arrived Alexandria
5.5.42.
TRITON
(Greek)
sailed Alexandria 1.5.42, arrived Malta
10.5.42 - 11 passengers, 13 tons
paraffin and 3½ tons stores.
OLYMPUS
departed Malta 8.5.42 on her last voyage,
mined
the same day - 86 dead incl
many submarine crew
passengers.
TRITON
(Greek) departed Malta 11.5.42,
arrived
Alexandria 21.5.42 - 26 RN and RHN passengers, 2 tons stores.
PORPOISE
sailed Alexandria 27.5.42, arrived Malta
1.6.42 - paraffin and aircraft
ammunition.
CLYDE
sailed Gibraltar 30.5.42, arrived
Malta 8.6.42 - 105 tons diesel, 4730lb
naval stores including a submarine
generator, 4293 smoke generators, weight
65½ tons, 3278lb victualling
stores, 7651lb NAAFI stores, 114 bags
mail, 532lb submarine stores, 1430lb
medical stores, 448lbs army stores, 8 tons
lubricating oil, 10 passengers.
PORPOISE
departed Malta 7.6.42 for patrol, arrived
Alexandria 25.6.42 with 14 tons copper
ballast
and 4 tons stores ex Malta.
CLYDE
departed Malta 12.6.42, arrived Gibraltar
20.6.42 - 46 bags mail, 8 tons RAF
stores, 20 tons copper ingots as ballast,
2 tons baggage, 47 passengers.
PARTHIAN
sailed Gibraltar 8.7.42, arrived
Malta 18.7.42 - 10,900 gallons avgas, 25
tons 4.7" shell, 32 tons
4.7" cordite, 6 tons soap, 1 ton powdered
milk, 500 gallons olive oil, 3
tons minesweeping gear, ½ ton currency,
10.75 tons miscellaneous stores, 7½
tons 20mm ammo and 13 aircraft torpedoes.
CLYDE
left Gibraltar 20.7.42, arrived Malta
29.7.42 - 88 tons avgas, 40 tons
paraffin, 7 tons mortar bombs, 5½ tons
radar stores, 10 tons olive oil, 3 tons
NAAFI stores, 11-Mk 8 torpedoes, 6 tons
20mm ammo, 5 passengers, 11 tons naval
stores, 4 tons submarine spare gear, 1½
tons baggage and ½ ton of mail.
OTUS
sailed
Haifa 27.7.42, arrived Malta 7.8.42 -
avgas, MT spares, powdered
milk, 20mm ammo, 6-18" and 8-21"
torpedoes.
CLYDE
departed Malta 1.8.42, arrived Gibraltar
9.8.42 - 49 passengers (incl
23 USN), 18 tons lead ingots, 3 tons
stores, and
baggage.
PARTHIAN
departed Malta 2.8.42,
arrived
Gibraltar 10.8.42 - 44 passengers (incl
34 Commandos).
RORQUAL
sailed Gibraltar 14.8.42 arrived
Malta 23.8.42 - 48 tons avgas, submarine
spare gear, stores and mails for 10th
Submarine Flotilla (SM 10).
CLYDE
left Gibraltar 22.8.42, arrived
Malta 30.8.42 – 36½ ton powdered milk, 8.3
tons 20mm ammo, 1 ton naval stores,
0.3 ton NAAFI stores, 1 ton medical
stores, 2 tons miscellaneous stores,
12-18" torpedoes, 6 Mk 8 torpedoes, 34
tons diesel, 8 tons lubricating
oil, 88 tons avgas, ½ ton mail.
RORQUAL
departed Malta 26.8.42, arrived Beirut
7.9.42 - "stores and
passengers".
CLYDE
departed Malta 3.9.42, arrived Gibraltar
10.9.42 - 51 passengers (26 MN
officers, 25 RN ratings), 10 tons lead
ingots, 7 tons baggage, ½ ton mail.
PROTEUS
sailed
Beirut 13.9.42, arrived Malta 22.9.42 - 13
Mk 8 torpedoes,
5-18" torpedoes, various submarine stores,
38 tons diesel.
RORQUAL
sailed
Beirut 24.9.42, arrived Malta
2.10.42 - 45 tons avgas, 11 Mk 8
torpedoes, 8-18" torpedoes, 5 ton
dehydrated vegetables, 1½ tons carbide,
mail, tinned goods, RAF stores.
PARTHIAN
sailed Gibraltar 26.9.42, arrived
Malta 3.10.42 – 16,400 gallons submarine
diesel, 2300 gallons lubricating oil,
8-21" torpedoes and 4 tons NAAFI stores.
PORPOISE
sailed
Haifa 28.9.42, arrived Malta
7.10.42 - 65 tons avgas, 8 tons mail PLUS
full mine outfit and torpedoes for
patrol and lay.
CLYDE
sailed Gibraltar 29.9.42, arrived
Malta 6.10.42 – 14-18" torpedoes, 6-21"
torpedoes, 2½ tons torpedo
spares, 5 ton armament stores, 7½ tons
naval stores, 3.7 tons RAF stores, 3
tons 20mm ammo, 5.8 tons army stores, 5.2
ton submarine spares, 3 ton NAAFI
stores, 243 bags mail, 116 bags
Confidential Books, 88 tons avgas, 40 tons
paraffin, 8 tons lubricating oil, 85
packages of currency notes, 2 S-class
submarine propellers, submarine spare gear
and 1 passenger.
RORQUAL
departed Malta 4.10.42, arrived Beirut
12.10.42
PARTHIAN
departed Malta 5.10.42, arrived Beirut
13.10.42 - 7361b Wardroom stores,
100 hammocks, 12 cases of flares, O, P and
R-class submarine spares, 14
passengers and 1 dachshund!
CLYDE
departed Malta 8.10.42, arrived Beirut
16.10.42 – 4½ ton stores, 10 tons copper
ingots, 17 passengers and their naval kit.
PORPOISE
departed Malta 10.10.42 for patrol,
arrived Beirut 20.10.42 - empty petrol
containers.
SARACEN
sailed Gibraltar for patrol 11.10.42,
arrived Malta 19.10.42 on completion, with
"cased stores in forward compartment".
RORQUAL
sailed Beirut 22.10.42, arrived
Malta 30.10.42 – 12-21" torpedoes, 8-18"
torpedoes, 50 tons avgas, 10
tons dehydrated vegetables, 20 tons
diesel, miscellaneous RAF stores, leather
& carbide.
PARTHIAN
sailed
Beirut 26.10.42, arrived Malta 2.11.42 - 5
tons dehydrated
cabbage, 5-18" torpedoes, 3000 gallons
diesel, 80 bags of mail, 6
passengers.
CLYDE
sailed Beirut 27.10.42, arrived
Malta 3.11.42 – 13-18" torpedoes, 8-21"
torpedoes, 3½ tons stores, 12
tons naval stores, 11 tons RAF stores, 4.7
tons NAAFI stores, 2½ tons Army
stores, 4½ tons Spitfire ammo, 4½ tons
dehydrated vegetable, 88 tons avgas, 34
tons diesel, 9 ton lubricating oil and 7
passengers.
PORPOISE
sailed Beirut 29.10.42, arrived Malta
6.11.42 - avgas, stores and mails.
CLYDE
departed
Malta 9.11.42 arrived
Gibraltar 16.11 - 6 ton naval stores, 1½
ton torpedo stores, 10 ton lead
ingots, 34 passengers.
THRASHER
sailed Beirut 14.11.42, arrived Malta
22.11.42 - avgas, stores and
passengers, quantities unknown but
probably a major avgas cargo as she had
undergone considerable modification to her
tanks for that purpose.
TRAVELLER
sailed Beirut 14.11.42, arrived Malta
23.11.42 - avgas, stores and
passengers, avgas probably in considerable
quantity as she had been specially
converted in a similar manner to THRASHER.
RORQUAL
left Haifa 25.11.42, arrived Malta 2.12.42
- avgas, stores and mails,
quantities unknown.
A
Note on Submarine Stowage Methods
- Initially petrol was shipped in
the standard 4.5 gallon tin, packed two to
a timber crate stowed in the mining
deck of the large submarine minelayers.
The cans were filled to capacity (no
air space) and diving was limited to 60ft
at which depth it was assumed the
tins would not be compressed, hence no
leaks or salt contamination. It was a
successful, if dangerous, mode of
transporting petrol which was widely used
until custom built large containers were
devised.
At
a later
date, fuel, fresh water and ballast tanks
were cleaned and converted for use
for bulk petrol, and paraffin (described
as "avgas'" and "benzine"
and "kerosene" in some reports).
External stowage in the minelayers was
improved by the construction of steel
containers to be filled with petrol. The
first built was tried out in RORQUAL
and consisted of a steel cylinder 14ft 9in
long and 3ft 8in in diameter
containing 1000 gallons of petrol.
Fourteen such canisters could be stowed in
the mining deck. When the experiment
proved practical, Malta Dockyard built
three further containers and fifty were
made in the UK and shipped out. Submarines
returning to
Alexandria
were required to freight empty
containers back to base, water filled as
required to reduce buoyancy problems
and the risk of explosion.
Torpedoes
were
shipped externally, also in steel
containers, secured to the casing aft of
the conning tower in the case of the
minelayers, in CLYDE in the "boat
stowage" (presumably a space beneath the
main casing for the stowage of a
collapsible boat) and in T-class boats on
top of the saddle tanks The first,
trial containers were made in the UK and
fitted to PORPOISE during her UK refit,
subsequently CLYDE, THUNDERBOLT and
TROOPER at least were so fitted.
Other
stores,
broken down into packages capable of
loading through the normal access
hatches, were carried internally, severely
cramping the internal volume of the
boats, and imposing considerable hardship
on crews and restricting operational
efficiency. In some boats the forward main
access hatch was enlarged to enable
larger cases to be stowed inboard.
CHRONOLOGY
OF MALTA OPERATIONS
1940-1942
|
|
|
|
Date
|
|
Mercantile
activity
|
Naval
activity
|
|
1940
|
|
??.6.40
|
|
|
ARGUS
flew
Swordfish in to Malta
|
9.7.40
|
|
Convoy
MF
1 sailed
Malta
|
|
10.7.40
|
|
Convoy
MS
1 sailed
Malta
|
|
20.7.40
|
|
|
Op
Hurry,
fighters to
Malta
|
31.7.40
|
|
|
PANDORA
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta
|
1.8.40
|
|
|
PROTEUS
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta
|
4.8.40
|
|
|
OSIRIS
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
29.8.40
|
|
Convoy
MF
2 sailed
Alexandria
|
|
c.
18.9.40
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
28.9.40
|
|
|
GLOUCESTER
&
LIVERPOOL stores to
Malta
|
8.10.40
|
|
Convoy
MF
3 sailed
Alexandria
|
|
11.10.40
|
|
Convoy
MF
4 sailed
Malta
|
|
29.10.40
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
4.11.40
|
|
|
|
7.11.40
|
|
|
Op
COAT
stores to
Malta
|
10.11.40
|
|
Convoy
ME
3 sailed
Malta
|
|
15.11.40
|
|
|
Op
WHITE,
fighters to
Malta
|
16.11.40
|
|
|
NEWCASTLE
stores to Malta
|
23.11.40
|
|
Convoy
MW
4 sailed
Alexandria
|
|
25.11.40
|
|
Op
COLLAR
passed Gibraltar
|
MANCHESTER
&. SOUTHAMPTON
troops to Malta
|
26.11.40
|
|
Convoy
ME
4 sailed
Malta
|
|
15.12.40
|
|
Convoy
MW
5B sailed
Port Said
|
|
16.12.40
|
|
Convoy
MW
5A sailed
Alexandria
|
|
16.12.40
|
|
Convoy
WM
5B sailed
Alexandria
|
|
20.12.40
|
|
Convoy
ME
5A sailed
Malta
|
|
20.12.40
|
|
Convoy
MG
1 sailed
Malta
for Gib
|
|
|
1941
|
|
6.1.41
|
|
Op
EXCESS
passed Gibraltar
|
GLOUCESTER
&. SOUTHAMPTON
troops to Malta
|
7.1.41
|
|
Convoy
MW
5 ½ sailed Alexandria
|
|
9.1.41
|
|
|
ARK
ROYAL, 5 Swordfish to
Malta
|
10.1.41
|
|
Convoy
ME
5 ½ sailed Malta
|
|
10.1.41
|
|
Convoy
ME
6 sailed
Malta
|
|
13.1.41
|
|
|
ORION
&
PERTH troops to Malta
|
14.1.41
|
|
|
BONAVENTURE
passengers
Malta
to Alexandria
|
23.1.41
|
|
ILLUSTRIOUS
sailed
from
Malta
|
|
20.1.41
|
|
BRECONSHIRE
& CLAN MACAULAY
sailed Malta
|
|
19.2.41
|
|
|
AJAX,
GLOUCESTER, ORION
troops to Malta
|
19.3.41
|
|
Convoy
WM
6 sailed
Haifa
& Alexandria
|
|
2.4.41
|
|
|
Op
WINCH,
fighters to
Malta
|
17.4.41
|
|
Op
TEMPLE passed
Gibraltar for Malta
|
|
18.4.41
|
|
|
BRECONSHIRE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
19.4.41
|
|
Convoy
ME
7 sailed
Malta
|
|
24.4.41
|
|
|
Op
SALIENT
sailed
Malta
|
25.4.41
|
|
|
Op
DUNLOP,
fighters to Malta
|
28.4.41
|
|
|
BRECONSHIRE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
5.5.41
|
|
Convoy
MW
7B sailed
Alexandria
|
|
6.5.41
|
|
Op
TIGER
passed Gibraltar
|
|
6.5.41
|
|
Convoy
MW
7A sailed
Alexandria
|
|
8.5.41
|
|
|
CACHALOT
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
16.5.41
|
|
|
CACHALOT
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
19.5.41
|
|
|
Op
SPLICE,
fighters to Malta
|
4.6.41
|
|
|
Op
ROCKET,
fighters to Malta
|
5.6.41
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
12.6.41
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
12.6.41
|
|
|
CACHALOT
sailed
Alexandria to
Malta,
stores
|
13.6.41
|
|
|
Op
TRACER,
fighters to Malta
|
21.6.41
|
|
|
CACHALOT
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
22.6.41
|
|
|
THRASHER
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
25.6.41
|
|
|
OSIRIS
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
25.6.41
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
26.6.41
|
|
|
Op
RAILWAY
I fighters to Malta
|
29.6.41
|
|
|
Op
RAILWAY II fighters to
Malta
|
9.7.41
|
|
|
CACHALOT
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
12.7.41
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
12.7.41
|
|
|
OTUS
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
c.18.7.41
|
|
|
PARTHIAN
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
21.7.41
|
|
Op
SUBSTANCE
passed
Gibraltar
|
|
22.7.41
|
|
Convoy
MG
1 sailed
Malta
for Gibraltar
|
|
25.7.41
|
|
|
ARK
ROYAL, Swordfish to
Malta
|
28.7.41
|
|
|
CACHALOT
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
29.7.41
|
|
|
TALISMAN
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
31.7.41
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
31.7.41
|
|
|
Op
STYLE
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta
|
1.8.41
|
|
|
THUNDERBOLT
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
7.8.41
|
|
|
OSIRIS
sailed
Alexandria to
Malta,
stores
|
13.8.41
|
|
|
OTUS
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
15.8.41
|
|
|
THUNDERBOLT
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
c.15.8.41
|
|
|
TAKU
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
21.8.41
|
|
DURHAM
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar
|
|
26.8.41
|
|
DEUCALION
sailed
Malta
for Gibraltar
|
|
1.9.41
|
|
|
OTUS
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
5.9.41
|
|
|
OSIRIS
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
8.9.41
|
|
|
Op
STATUS
I fighters to
MALTA
|
10.9.41
|
|
|
Op
STATUS
II fighters to
Malta
|
13.9.41
|
|
Op
PROPELLER
passed
Gibraltar for
Malta
|
|
14.9.41
|
|
|
PROTEUS
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
25.9.41
|
|
Op
HALBERD
passed
Gibraltar
|
|
26.9.41
|
|
MELBOURNE
STAR
sailed
Malta
for Gibraltar
|
|
27.9.41
|
|
CITY
OF PRETORIA and PORT
CHALMERS sailed Malta
for Gibraltar
|
|
??.10.41
|
|
|
OTUS
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
??.10.41
|
|
|
OSIRIS
sailed
Alexandria far
Malta,
stores
|
11.10.41
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Gibraltar far Malta,
stores
|
c.16.10.41
|
|
|
TETRARCH
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
16.10.41
|
|
CLAN
MACDONALD
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar
|
|
16.10.41
|
|
|
Op
CALLBOY
fighters to Malta
|
20.10.41
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
22.10.41
|
|
EMPIRE
GUILLEMOT
sailed Malta far
Gibraltar
|
|
22.10.41
|
|
CITY
OF LINCOLN sailed
Malta for Gibraltar
|
|
22.10.41
|
|
DUNEDIN
STAR
sailed
Malta
for Gibraltar
|
|
24.10.41
|
|
CLAN
FERGUSON
sailed
Malta
for Gibraltar
|
|
??.11.41
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
7.11.41
|
|
|
REGENT
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
10.11.41
|
|
|
Op
PERPETUAL,
fighters to Malta
|
12.11.41
|
|
EMPIRE
DEFENDER
passed
Gibraltar for
Malta
|
|
24.11.41
|
|
|
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
14.11.41
|
|
EMPIRE
PELICAN
passed
Gibraltar for
Malta
|
|
5.12.41
|
|
|
BRECONSHIRE
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria
|
15.12.41
|
|
|
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
15.12.41
|
|
|
BRECONSHIRE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
22.12.41
|
|
|
DIDO
&
destroyers stores to
Malta
|
26.12.41
|
|
|
OLYMPUS
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar, stores
|
26.12.41
|
|
Convoy
ME
8 sailed
Malta
for Alexandria
|
|
|
1942
|
|
6.1.42
|
|
|
GLENGYLE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
6.1.42
|
|
|
BRECONSHIRE
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria
|
16.1.42
|
|
Convoys
MW
8A & 8B sailed
Alexandria
|
|
24.1.42
|
|
|
BRECONSHIRE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
25.1.42
|
|
ROWALLAN
CASTLE
sailed Malta for
Alexandria
|
|
1.2.42
|
|
|
TEMPEST
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
9.2.42
|
|
|
CLEOPATRA
&
FORTUNE sailed
Gibraltar
|
12.2.42
|
|
Convoys
MW
9A & B sailed
Alexandria
for Malta
|
|
12.2.42
|
|
|
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
13.2.42
|
|
Convoy
ME
10 sailed
Malta
for Alexandria
|
|
27.2.42
|
|
|
Op
SPOTTER
fighters to Malta
|
1.3.42
|
|
|
THUNDERBOLT
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
3.3.427
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
7.3.42
|
|
|
Op
SPOTTER
II fighters to Malta
|
12.3.42
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
12.3.42
|
|
|
MLs 126 & 130 sailed
Gibraltar
for Malta
|
12.3.42
|
|
|
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
20.3.42
|
|
Convoy
MW
10 sailed
Alexandria
for Malta
|
|
20.3.42
|
|
|
Op
PICKET
I fighters to
Malta
|
21.3.42
|
|
|
MLs 129&, 132 sailed
Gibraltar for
Malta
|
22.3.42
|
|
|
OLYMPUS
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar,
stores
|
23.3.42
|
|
|
PANDORA
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
29.3.42
|
|
|
Op
PICKET
II fighters to
Malta
|
5.4.42
|
|
|
HAVOCK
sailed
Malta
for Gibraltar
|
10.4.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
18.4.42
|
|
|
Op
CALENDAR
fighters to Malta
|
c.18.4.42
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
21.4.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar, stores
|
25.4.42
|
|
|
OLYMPUS
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
1.5.42
|
|
|
Greek
TRITON
sailed
Alexandria
to Malta, stores
|
7.5.42
|
|
|
Op
BOWERY
fighters to
Malta
|
8.5.42
|
|
|
OLYMPUS
sailed Malta with
passengers, sunk
|
8.5.42
|
|
|
WELSHMAN
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta
|
11.5.42
|
|
|
Greek
TRITON
sailed
Malta
for Alex, stores
|
17.5.42
|
|
|
Op
LB
fighters to
Malta
|
27.5.42
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
30.5.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
2.6.42
|
|
|
Op
STYLE
fighters to
Malta
|
7.6.42
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
8.6.42
|
|
|
Op
SALIENT
fighters to Malta
|
11.6.42
|
|
Op
HARPOON
passed
Gibraltar for
Malta
|
|
12.6.42
|
|
Op
VIGOROUS
sailed
Alexandria
for Malta
|
|
12.6.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar, stores
|
14.6.42
|
|
|
WELSHMAN
independent
to
Malta
from HARPOON
|
8.7.42
|
|
|
PARTHIAN
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
14.7.42
|
|
|
Op
PINPOINT
fighters to Malta
|
14.7.42
|
|
|
WELSHMAN
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta
|
20.7.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
20.7.42
|
|
|
Op
INSECT
fighters to
Malta
|
27.7.42
|
|
|
OTUS
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
1.8.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar, stores
|
2.8.42
|
|
|
PARTHIAN
sailed
Malta
for Gibraltar, stores
|
10.8.42
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
10.8.42
|
|
Op
PEDESTAL
passed
Gibraltar for
Malta
|
|
10.8.42
|
|
|
Op
BELLOWS
fighters to Malta
|
16.8.42
|
|
|
Op
BARITONE
fighters to Malta
|
22.8.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
26.8.42
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Malta
for Beirut, stores
|
3.9.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar, stores
|
10.9.42
|
|
|
TALISMAN
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
13.9.42
|
|
|
PROTEUS
sailed
Beirut for
Malta,
stores
|
24.9.42
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Beirut for
Malta,
stores
|
26.9.42
|
|
|
PARTHIAN
sailed
Gibraltar for Malta,
stores
|
28.9.42
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Haifa for
Malta,
stores
|
29.9.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Gibraltar for
Malta, stores
|
4.10.42
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Malta
for Beirut, stores
|
8.10.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Malta for
Beirut, stores
|
8.10.42
|
|
|
PARTHIAN
sailed
Beirut for
Malta,
stores
|
9.10.42
|
|
|
SARACEN
sailed
Gibraltar to Malta,
some stores
|
10.10.4.2
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Malta
for Beirut, stores
|
c.
12.10.42
|
|
|
PARTHIAN
sailed
Malta
for Alexandria, stores
|
20.10.42
|
|
|
Op
TRAIN
fighters to
Malta
|
22.10.42
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Beirut for
Malta,
stores
|
26.10.42
|
|
|
PARTHIAN
sailed
Beirut for
Malta,
stores
|
27.10.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Beirut for
Malta, stores
|
c.
28.10.42
|
|
|
PORPOISE
sailed
Beirut for
Malta,
stores
|
1.11.42
|
|
|
EMPIRE
PATROL
sailed
Alexandria
for Malta
|
8.11.42
|
|
Op
CRUPPER
passed
Gibraltar for
Malta
|
|
9.11.42
|
|
|
CLYDE
sailed Malta for
Gibraltar, stores
|
10.11.42
|
|
|
MANXMAN
sailed
Port Said for
Malta
|
17.11.42
|
|
Convoy
MW
13 sailed
Port Said
for Malta
|
|
17.11.42
|
|
|
WELSHMAN
sailed
Algiers for
Malta
|
c.
26.11.42
|
|
|
RORQUAL
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta,
stores
|
1.12.42
|
|
Convoy
MW
14 sailed
Alexandria
for Malta
|
|
6.12.42
|
|
Convoy
MW
15 sailed
Port Said
for Malta
|
|
7.12.42
|
|
Convoy
ME
11 sailed
Malta
for Alexandria
|
|
9.12.42
|
|
Convoy
MW
16 sailed
Alexandria
for Malta
|
|
17.12.42
|
|
Convoy
MW
17 sailed
Alexandria
for Malta
|
|
17.12.42
|
|
Convoy
ME
12 sailed
Malta
for Alexandria
|
|
c.
17.12.42
|
|
|
PARTHIAN
sailed
Alexandria for
Malta
|
28.12.42
|
|
Convoy
MW
18 sailed
Alexandria
for Malta
|
|
28.12.42
|
|
Convoy
ME
14 sailed
Malta
for Alexandria
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
following
chronological lists are of naval and
mercantile losses incurred in
the supply of
Malta
1940-1942. The lists therefore
inc1ude vessels lost in harbour at
Malta
and the
approaches to the island, but
deliberately excludes
those warships based in the island
which were lost on offensive
operations against enemy convoys to
and from Africa.
WARSHIP
LOSSES
|
1940
|
|
22.12.40
|
|
HYPERION
|
Torpedoed
by
Italian s/m SERPENTE,
sunk by HMS JANUS
|
|
1941
|
|
10.1.41
|
|
GALLANT
|
Mined
and
towed to
Malta,
total loss and wreck
stripped
|
11.1.41
|
|
SOUTHAMPTON
|
Bombed
and
then sunk by HMS
GLOUCESTER and ORION
|
2.5.41
|
|
JERSEY
|
Mined
entering
Grand Harbour,
Malta
|
4.5.41
|
|
FERMOY
|
Bombed
and
destroyed in dock at
Malta
|
23.7.41
|
|
FEARLESS
|
Torpedoed
by
a/c, sunk by HMS
FORESTER
|
10.7.41
|
|
CACHALOT
|
Sunk
by
Italian torpedo boat
PAPA, while returning
from stores op
|
13.11.41
|
|
ARK
ROYAL
|
Torpedoed
by
U 81 and sank in tow
|
|
1942
|
|
17.1.42
|
|
GURKHA
|
Torpedoed
and
sunk by U 133
|
12.2.42
|
|
MAORI
|
Bombed
and
sunk at
Malta
|
23.3.42
|
|
BRECONSHIRE
|
Bombed
off
Malta,
finally sank 27.3
|
24.3.42
|
|
SOUTHWOLD
|
Mined
off
Malta
|
26.3.42
|
|
LEGION
|
Bombed
and
sunk in
Grand
Harbour
|
26.3.42
|
|
P.39
|
Bombed
and
sunk at
Malta
|
1.4.42
|
|
PANDORA
|
Bombed
and
sunk at
Malta
|
1.4.42
|
|
P.36
|
Bombed
and
Bunk at
Malta
|
4.4.42
|
|
Greek
GLAUKOS
|
Bombed
and
sunk at
Malta
|
5.4.42
|
|
LANCE
|
Damaged
beyond
repair at Malta by
bombing
|
5.4.42
|
|
ABINGDON
|
Bombed
and
sunk in Malta Dockyard
|
6.4.42
|
|
HAVOCK
|
Wrecked
en
route
Malta
to Gibraltar
|
11.4.42
|
|
KINGSTON
|
Bombed
and
sunk in dock at Malta
|
8.5.42
|
|
OLYMPUS
|
Mined
leaving
Malta
for Gibraltar with
passengers, 86 dead
|
15.6.42
|
|
BEDOUIN
|
Damaged
by
gunfire and sunk by
a/c torpedo
|
15.6.42
|
|
HASTY
|
Torpedoed
and
sunk by S 55
|
15.6.42
|
|
AIREDALE
|
Bombed,
scuttled
by HMSs
ALDENGAM and HURWORTH
|
15.6.42
|
|
NESTOR
|
Bombed,
scuttled
by HMS JAVELIN
|
16.6.42
|
|
HERMIONE
|
Torpedoed
and
sunk by U 205
|
16.6.42
|
|
KUJAWIAK
|
Mined
off
Grand
Harbour
|
11.8.42
|
|
EAGLE
|
Torpedoed
by
U 73
|
12.8.42
|
|
FORESIGHT
|
Torpedoed
by
Italian a/c, scuttled
by HMS TARTAR
|
12.8.42
|
|
CAIRO
|
Torpedoed
by
Italian s/m
AXUM, scuttled
|
13.8.42
|
|
MANCHESTER
|
Torpedoed
by
Mas
16 & 22, scuttled
|
|
|
|
|
|
MERCHANT
SHIP LOSSES
|
1941
|
|
2.5.41
|
|
PARRACOMBE
|
Mined
and
sank, no casualties
|
8.5.41
|
|
EMPIRE
SONG
|
Mined
and
blew up, 17 dead
|
27.9.41
|
|
IMPERIAL
STAR
|
Torpedoed
by
Italian a/c, scuttled
by HMS HEYTHROP, no
casualties
|
24.10.41
|
|
EMPIRE
GUILLEMOT
|
Torpedoed
by
a/c, 11 dead
|
14.11.41
|
|
EMPIRE
PELICAN
|
Torpedoed
by
a/c, 1 dead
|
15.11.41
|
|
EMPIRE
DEFENDER
|
Torpedoed
by
a/c, 4 dead
|
19.1.
42
|
|
THERMOPYLE
|
Bombed,
scuttled
by HMS ARROW, 1 dead
|
|
1942
|
|
14.2.42
|
|
CLAN
CHATTAN
|
Bombed,
set
on fire and sank, no
casualties
|
14.2.42
|
|
ROWALLAN
CASTLE
|
Bombed,
scuttled
by HM ships, no
casualties
|
23.3.42
|
|
CLAN
CAMPBELL
|
Bombed
and
sunk off
Malta,
10 dead
|
26.3.42
|
|
TALABOT
|
Bombed
and
on fire at
Malta,
scuttled to prevent
explosion
|
26.3.42
|
|
PAMPAS
|
Bombed
and
sunk at
Malta
|
26.3.42
|
|
PLUMLEAF
|
Bombed
and
sunk at
Malta
|
14.6.42
|
|
TANIMBAR
|
Torpedoed
and
sunk by Italian a/c,
23 dead
|
14.6.42
|
|
AAGTEKIRK
|
Bombed
by
German a/c and driven
ashore, 46 dead
|
14.6.42
|
|
BHUTAN
|
Bombed
by
German a/c and sunk, 6
dead
|
15.6.42
|
|
CHANT
|
Bombed
by
German a/c and sunk, 4
dead
|
15.6.42
|
|
BURDWAN
|
Bombed
by
German a/c and a/c
torpedo, 3 dead
|
15.6.42
|
|
KENTUCKY
|
Bombed
by
German a/c and a/c
torpedo, no casualties
|
12.8.42
|
|
DEUCALION
|
Bombed,
later
torpedoed and sunk, 1
dead
|
12.8.42
|
|
CLAN
FERGUSON
|
Bombed
and
sunk, 18 dead
|
12.8.42
|
|
EMPIRE
HOPE
|
Bombed
by
German a/c and sunk,
no casualties
|
13.8.42
|
|
DORSET
|
Bombed
by
German & Italian
a/c and sunk, no
casualties
|
13.8.42
|
|
WAIMARAMA
|
Bombed
by
German a/c and sunk,
83 dead
|
13.8.42
|
|
GLENORCHY
|
Bombed
by
German a/c, wreck sunk
by Italian Mas
31, 7 dead
|
13.8.42
|
|
WAIRANGI
|
Torpedoed
by
German & Italian MTBs,
no casualties
|
13.8.42
|
|
ALMERIA
LYKES
|
Torpedoed
by
German & Italian MTBs,
no casualties
|
13.8.42
|
|
SANTA
ELISA
|
Torpedoed
by
German & Italian MTBs,
later bombed, 4 dead
|
15.8.42
|
|
OHIO
|
Sank
after
arrival at Malta,
cargo intact, 2 dead
|
9.11.42
|
|
ARDEOLA
|
Captured
by
French, handed over to
Italians, no
casualties
|
9.11.42
|
|
TADORNA
|
Captured
by
French, handed over to
Italians, no
casualties
|
|
|
|
|
|