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.
