大象传媒

1941
5th June
Ashore and afternoon tea at a farm

9th June
Back on patrol

11th June
Called at Iceland for refuelling

18th June
Arrived Vhaas fjord but no mail

3rd July
Arrived Scapa

9th July
Left Scapa

10th July
Found ourselves in Greenock, Glasgow

12th July
Left for Gibraltar with slowish convoy

18th July
Parted company with convoy to escort troopship 鈥淧ASTEUR鈥� into Gibraltar

20th July
Arrived Gib. 3.00 a.m. 800 RAF and Army personnel aboard for Malta

21st July
Left Gib. for Malta 2.00 a.m.

23rd July
5.15 a.m. DAWN ACTION STATIONS all keyed up ready
9.40 a.m. Alarm to arms 鈥� open fire
9.50 a.m. Hit by torpedo, listed heavily to port. Life belts inflated and everything
thrown to starboard to keep afloat. Orders received to return to Gibraltar.
From the commencement of this day I was part of the standby watch
stationed in a secondary office (none operational) situated amidships below
the waterline. We were fully aware we had been hit 鈥� having heard and felt
the explosion, but were unaware for some time of the seriousness of the
situation, but were aware our main office was involved. About midday our
Petty Officer returned from a visit to his mess to say we could go to the
galley for a drink and sandwich (corn beef) and asked for a volunteer to
man the office and phone. No response so I accepted the job. That hour
remains the loneliest experience of my life. The phone from the main
office, which had taken the brunt of the hit, buzzed but no voice could be
heard. Believing members of the watch on duty were trapped and were
needing help I dashed aloft to the P.O.鈥檚 Mess to report. It was then I
learned the sad news that the entire watch had been wiped out (except the
boy telegraphist) approx. 12 of the staff. The total loss was approx. 50,
including Army and RAF personnel.

Considering the situation, everyone remarkably calm, although things were
bleak. Left alone until late afternoon when 3 torpedo bombers attacked,
firing 4 torpedoes. On the bridge, waiting for explosion with plugged ears,
no hits. Speed down to 10 knots. Every minute seemed like an hour. Our
mess deck a shambles but managed to find hammock. Told to peg down
where we could, upper deck too noisy and blustery so went below waterline
(stupidly). Slept till 9.00 a.m.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.