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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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

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