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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2 - Summary
by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2006

 

HMS TELEMACHUS - T-class Submarine

HM S/M Telemachus (Navy Photos, click to enlarge) return to Contents List 
 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 MALAYA 1944 - KOREA 1953

 

Motto

Per me tutus: 'Safe through me'

 

Third RN use of this name introduced in 1795 for a cutter and previously borne by a destroyer built in 1917 and scrapped in 1927. Completed in October 1943 this submarine was deployed briefly in Home waters before transfer to the Eastern Fleet for service in the 8th Submarine Flotilla based at Colombo.

 

After arrival in July she was carried out patrol duties in the Malacca Strait where on 17th of the month she intercepted and sank the Japanese submarine 166 which had previously escaped after an unsuccessful attack in June by HMS TANTALUS. In August 1944 she was moved to Fremantle, Australia with the Flotilla and carried out patrol duties to intercept shipping in the Java Sea. Her patrol duties included landing of intelligence parties in enemy held territory, one of which was Operation CARPENTER in October 1944 when she landed an SOE party in Johore.

 

Her patrols which continued until February 1945 when released from the Eastern Fleet also included coastal areas off Sumatra, Burma and Siam. She then returned to UK.

 

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revised 30/11/10
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