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1.
This was seen by the Americans to be of extreme importance to
boost Chiang Kai Shek’s armies in China and to supply the
American Air Force there. It was hoped that this would also open
an offensive route north for the final defeat of Japan.
2. This is a very simplified account of the situation at the time
and there were considerable discussions between the British, American
and Chinese high commands before they were resolved. Much has
been written on this subject and if the reader wishes to study
this more deeply, there are plenty of authorities to turn to.
3. Severn,
Clyde
and Porpoise.
4. Either Ro113 or Ro115.
5. Credited by Rohwer and Hammelchen with sinking a ship of 593
tons.
6. Rohwer and Hammelchen credit her with sinking a coaster of
582 tons as well.
7. Except for a short visit by the battleships Ise and Hyuga in
January and February 1945.
8. Only the Officer and two ratings survived the war, the rest
died
in Japanese custody.
9. Either Ro113 or Ro115 returning from operations in the Bay
of Bengal
10. Submarines did not normally carry a Medical Officer but many
small ships such as frigates did. In view of the
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casualties
suffered in gun actions by submarines in the Malacca Strait, volunteers
were called for from other ship’s medical officers to go
on patrol in submarines. It was generally possible to keep one
or two of them at sea at a time.
11. Shakespeare
had destroyed her confidential books and did not know the reply
to the challenge. Her identity was established by asking for the
maiden name of the Captain’s wife, which was answered correctly.
12. Twenty-five of these attacks being on Shakespeare.
13. Rohwer and Hammelchen say she was probably lost on a Japanese
mine.
14. The largest coaster damaged was of 302 tons.
15. Rohwer and Hammelchen credit her with sinking a coaster.
16. Terrapin
had captured a consignment of Duck’s eggs from a junk and
Trenchant
exacted a price of two eggs per round!
17. They were criticised for their expenditure of eighteen torpedoes
and nearly all their ammunition in doing so. This was because
they engaged at long range using sophisticated fire control. Submariners
knew that against such small targets, simpler control and direct
fire at short range was much more effective.
18. Submarines normally carried only a hundred rounds in their
magazine, but in the Malacca Strait carried much more, sometimes
in place of reload torpedoes but generally stowed in any place
that could be found and with scant attention to the ‘Naval
Magazine and Explosive Regulations’.
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