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

 

HMS UPROAR - U-class Submarine

HM S/M United, sister-boat (CyberHeritage, click to enlarge)

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B a t t l e    H o n o u r s

 

SICILY 1943 - MEDITERRANEAN 1943-44

 

Intended before launch to be named ULLESWATER this submarine was identified as P31 on launch but in April 1943 as part of the naming policy was renamed. She was deployed with the Home Fleet for patrols of Norway after completion but transferred for service in the Mediterranean with the 10th Submarine Flotilla based in Malta.

 

Her first patrols in late 1941 were uneventful and she was damaged at Malta in an air raid during January 1942. Her first sinking was in March that year when she attacked a supply ship off Tunisia. During the June patrol she provided defence against Italian warships attempting to intercept the VIGOROUS Malta relief convoy which failed to get to the island after a series of tragic blunders. As part of the defence of the PEDESTAL Malta relief convoy during early August she was deployed south of Pantalleria and remained on the surface to attract air attacks and divert any Italian attempt to interfere with the passage of this vital convoy. Patrols to intercept supply ships on passage to and from North Africa continued for the rest of the year and included the sinking of a mercantile during this period.

 

In July 1943 she was deployed with other submarines off Taranto during and before the allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY). These patrols were intended to prevent interference by Italian warships on the landings and follow-up convoys. RN submarine activities after HUSKY included patrols in the western Mediterranean and in the Aegean. This submarine took part in attacks on shipping evacuating Sardinia and sank three supply ships in the western Mediterranean between September and December that year. In order to provide a navigational marker for the assault forces prior to landings at Anzio (Operation SHINGLE) she was stationed off the beachhead prior to arrival of the Southern Attack Force (X) on 22nd January 1944. Whilst on patrol off Toulon at the end of February 1944 she sank the Italian mercantile CHIETE.

 

On release from the Mediterranean this submarine returned to UK and after refitting was deployed in Home waters. She Paid-off after the end of hostilities and was reduced to Reserve. Placed on the Disposal List she was sold for breaking-up in 1946 and sold for demolition at Inverkeithing where she arrived in December that year. Her Commanding Officer on build was Lieutenant Kershaw who was relieved by Lieutenant Herrick during Mediterranean service,

 

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