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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 P.48 - U-class Submarine

 

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HM S/M United, sister-boat (Navy Photos/David Maltby & Charlie Chivers, click to enlarge) return to Contents List
 

B a t t l e    H o n o u r s

 

 NORTH AFRICA 1942

 

Last Barrow built U-Class submarine not to be given a name for use instead of the Pennant Number.

 

She was deployed in the Mediterranean for support of the allied landings in Algeria (Operation TORCH) soon after arrival on station in October 1942. This patrol was for interception of enemy warships attempting to attack assault and follow-up convoys or allied warships off the landing areas. In late November she patrolled off Bizerta and Tunis and sailed for her third mission on 21st December 1942 when she was destined for the Tunis area.

 

Due to return to Malta on 5th January 1943, no contact was made from her after one week on patrol. Post war analysis shows that she was attacked on Christmas day by the Italian destroyers ARDENTE and ARDITO which were escorting two ships from Palermo in the Gulf of Tunis. Two depth charge salvoes were fired by ARDENTE after she had detected the presence of a submarine. The third attack sank this submarine NW of Zembra Island. Despite carrying out torpedo attacks on her previous patrols she had no successes. The Commanding Officer was Lieutenant M E Faber RN. 

 

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