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. |