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Thunderbolt (N 25)

Built By: Cammell Laird (Mersey)
Build Group: T 1
Fate: HMS Thunderbolt was 'lost with all hands' in the Mediterranean off Cap San Vito, Sicily on 14th Mar 1943.

HMS Thunderbolt was detected, in the early hours of 14th Mar, by the Italian Destroyer Cicogna (Lieutenant Augusto Migliorini).

Following a three and a half hour pursuit the Cicogna made a depth charge attack at 0845. This brought the stern of Thunderbolt to the surface before the submarine finally sank.

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Thunderbolt returns from patrol
Thunderbolt returns from patrol


HMS Thunderbolt submarine (formerly HMS Thetis) entering Plymouth harbour

Operation Principle

HMS Thunderbolt was designated to take part in Operation Principle, a Chariot attack on Italian shipping in the Northern Sicilian port of Palermo. Operation Principle called for Thunderbolt to carry two Chariots and their crews for an attack to start on the night of 2nd/3rd January 1943. Of the two Chariots launched one (Chariot No. XXII) carried out a successful attack resulting in the sinking of the Italian Cruiser Ulpio Traiano and possible damage to three Submarine Chasers and a Merchant Vessel. The second Chariot, No. XXIII, suffered a battery explosion and went out of control in a rapid dive. The No. 1 Crew managed to reach the surface, but the No.2 Crew was lost.

Chariot
Chariot

The Chariot Crews were as follows:

Chariot No XXII
  1. Lt Richard Thomas Goodwin Greenland, DSO, RNVR, No. 1 Crewman

    Richard Greenland carried out a successful attack (with L/Sea Ferrier) resulting in the sinking of the Italian Cruiser Ulpio Traiano and was awarded the DSO, see London Gazette dated 14th Apr 1944

    For great gallantry in carrying out a daring attack at night, with "Human Torpedoes" on the strongly defended enemy base at Palermo. The operation was most hazardous. The defences of the harbour had to be penetrated and its whole length crossed without detection and the "Human Torpedoes" manoeuvred into position under the targets. An enemy cruiser was sunk and a transport much damaged.

    Richard Greenland was taken Prisoner of War.

  2. L/Sig Alexander Mitchell Ferrier, CGM, KW C/JX 145141 No. 2 Crew

    Alexander Ferrier was awarded the Polish medal, Krzyz Waleccznych (Cross of Valour) see London Gazette dated 17th Oct 1941 'in recognition of his service in the Polish Ship ORP Grom'. Alexander Ferrier later volunteered for 'Special Service' and trained as a 'Charioteer'. He carried out a successful attack (with Lieutenant Greenland) on the Sicilian port of Palermo resulting in the sinking of the Italian Cruiser Ulpio Traiano and was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, see London Gazette dated 14th Apr 1944

    For great gallantry in carrying out a daring attack at night, with "Human Torpedoes" on the strongly defended enemy base at Palermo. The operation was most hazardous. The defences of the harbour had to be penetrated and its whole length crossed without detection and the "Human Torpedoes" manoeuvred into position under the targets. An enemy cruiser was sunk and a transport much damaged.

    L/Sea Ferrier was taken Prisoner of War

Chariot No. XV
  1. Temp PO John Malcolm Miln, MiD C/JX 138726

    He was Mentioned in Dispatches, see London Gazette dated 14th Apr 1944

    For great gallantry in carrying out a daring attack at night, with "Human Torpedoes" on the strongly defended enemy base at Palermo. The operation was most hazardous. The defences of the harbour had to be penetrated and its whole length crossed without detection and the "Human Torpedoes" manoeuvred into position under the targets. An enemy cruiser was sunk and a transport much damaged

    PO Miln was taken Prisoner of War

  2. AB Walter Robert Simpson D/JX 204223

    Walter Simpson was twenty-two years old, and he was the son of Walter and May Simpson of Blackburn, Lancashire. He died 3rd January 1943 his body was recovered, and he was buried in the Catania War Cemetery in Sicily.


Operation Welcome

HMS Thunderbolt was designated to take part in Operation Welcome a Chariot attack on shipping in the North African port of Tripoli. It was necessary to sink these ships before they could be used as 'Block Ships' by the retreating German forces.

Operation Welcome called for Thunderbolt to carry two Chariots (Chariots Nos. XII and XIII) and their crews for an attack to start on the night of 18th/19th January 1943. One of the Chariots, No. XII, suffered damaged to the hydroplanes on launch although the damage was not apparent until the No. 1 decided to dive on approach to harbour. Despite efforts the Chariot was not controllable, and the attack was abandoned.

The two Crew made their way ashore and, evading capture, eventually made their way to safety. The second Chariots crew (No. XIII) located their subsidiary target which was attacked. The Crew eventually made their way ashore. Here they were taken 'Prisoner of War' by the Italians. These two later escaped from their POW Camp and made their way to the Vatican City where they found refuge until the Italian surrender.

They were:

Chariot No. XII
  1. Lt Geoffrey Larkin, RNVR No. 1 Crew
  2. PO Conrad Berey, DSM P/MX 49845 No. 2 Crew
Chariot No. XIII
  1. S/Lt H L H Stevens RNVR No. 1 Crewman
  2. CERA Stanley Buxton TBA No. 2 Crewman

Adoption

By Dr Peter Schofield

Warship Week plaque presented to Frome Rural District Council by the Admiralty
Warship Week plaque presented to Frome Rural District Council by the Admiralty
Plaque presented by Frome to HMS Thunderbolt
Plaque presented by Frome to HMS Thunderbolt

An identical plaque was presented to Frome Urban District.

The presentation plaque was mounted on wood and hung in the Parish Church after the loss of HMS Thunderbolt. It is now in the foyer of Frome Memorial Theatre.

Related Pages
Thetis (N 25)

RN Submarine Database

The Loss of HMS Thetis

On Thursday 1st June 1939 the brand new submarine HMS Thetis (Lieutenant Commander Guy H Bolus) sailed from the Birkenhead Yard of Cammell Laird into Liverpool Bay to carry out diving trials. In addition to the normal crew of fifty five Officers and Ratings there were a large number of passengers both uniformed personnel and civilians on board for Trials purposes. This took the total number of personnel onboard the Submarine up to one hundred and one. During the dive difficulties were encountered with the trim of the submarine.

Chariots

No history of submarine warfare in World War Two could be complete without a mention of the

Roll of Honour

63
Died: 01-10-1940
McKee, Joseph  D/KX 79944
Stoker 1st Class Died: 01-10-1940
Died in an incident at the end of the repair work after the recovery of HMS Thetis, and nine days before the submarine was due to join the 2nd Submarine Flotilla based on HMS Forth at the Holy Loch for a Work

The full circumstances of his death are not established.'
Died: 14-03-1943
Bird, Ernest William  P/MX 49264
Petty Officer Cook Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 29
Blane, Thomas Tonar  P/JX 159608
Leading Telegraphist Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 20
Boulton, Thomas Aldous  DSM D/KX 81414
Stoker Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 30
Bradley, William Michael McKinlay  C/JX 204483
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 33
Brister, David  C/KX 92825
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 24
Cale, James Alfred  DSM P/SSX 26425
Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 22
Cannon, Martin  D/KX 120019
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 22
Cook, Stanley  C/MX 51807
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Cooper, Samuel  D/KX 92324
Leading Stoker Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 24
Crane, Charles Henry Arthur  P/JX 149527
Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Crouch, Cecil Bernard  DSO**
Lieutenant Commander Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 33
Curry, Thomas  MID C/JX 138437
Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 26
Curtis, George William  DSM* P/M 39537
Chief Engine Room Artificer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 38
Daly, Michael Alphonsus  C/KX 103259
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Doughty, William George  C/KX 102107
Stoker 1st Class Born: 08-01-1914 Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 29
Downham, Albert Edward  D/MX 74036
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 26
Edgar, John 
Lieutenant Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Elliott, Charles Stanley  D/JX 139568
Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 25
Freeman, Stanlet Reginald  P/JX 141452
Petty Officer Telegraphist Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 25
Galloway, William Thomas  MID* C/JX 136132
Able Seaman Born: 29-09-1909 Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 33
Gilroy, Stanley  P/JX 187751
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Golding, William Henry  P/KX 108144
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 21
Harris, Victor Randolph  MID D/SSX 17882
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Heathcote, Eric  P/JX 157069
Leading Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 27
Hines, Victor White  C/KX 91278
Leading Stoker Born: 11-02-1919 Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 24
Horlick, Gerald Peter 
Lieutenant Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 21
Hughes, John Kenneth  P/JX 173883
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Hussey-Yeo, Leslie David  DSM D/JX 134450
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 28
Japp, Alexander William  D/JX 157609
Telegraphist Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 20
Johnson, Sidney Leslie  C/JX 186158
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 22
Keenan, Ronald W  C/JX 155544
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 20
Kelsey, Raymond  C/JX 161166
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 20
King, Reginald Stanley  C/JX 155965
Leading Signalman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 21
Lee, James Augustus  D/JX 143469
Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Lowe, Fred  MID D/KX 82007
Stoker Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 28
Lynch, Roderick  DSM C/MX 51374
Chief Engine Room Artificer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 30
Macleod, Daniel Archibald  C/KX 112961
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 28
Maw, Edmund Philip  (RNVR)
Lieutenant Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 28
McGow, Edward  P/KX 126874
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 27
McNally, Daniel  P/KX 116725
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 24
Mitchell, Richard Edwin  P/JX 221806
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 27
Moore, Leonard Jack  DSM C/JX 179027
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Murray, George Nicholas  D/JX 159124
Leading Telegraphist Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 21
Newcombe, James Edward  P/MX 58510
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Newman, Frederick Charles  D/KX 129348
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 22
Newton, Richard  D/KX 90151
Leading Stoker Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 27
Norwood, Ronald John  C/KX 133877
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 22
Preece, Douglas John  MID P/JX 162089
Able Seaman Born: 23-10-1922 Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 20
Prince, Frederick Walter  P/KX 132450
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 20
Rice, Samuel  P/KX 214984
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 21
Ringham, Fred  P/J 97099
Chief Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 39
Saunders, Frank  C/JX 190657
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 26
Spice, Ronald Wilfred  C/MX 76114
Engine Room Artificer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 23
Stanley, Clifford  D/KX 118463
Stoker 1st Class Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 21
Trayler, William Joseph  P/JX 353799
Ordinary Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 20
Walters, Harold Percy  DSM* P/J 98724
Chief Petty Officer Born: 08-09-1904 Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 38
Webb, Reginald Peter 
Lieutenant Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 27
Whitbread, Henry James Webb  DSM* C/JX 106284
Petty Officer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 36
White, Donald Harvey  P/JX 179118
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 25
Wilson, Horace Dent  D/JX 287111
Able Seaman Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 22
Woodcock, Dudley Abel Montague  (Ex.M39367)
Warrant Engineer Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 33
York, Thomas  C/LX 21793
Petty Officer Steward Died: 14-03-1943 Aged: 28

Events

21-12-1936 Laid Down
29-06-1938 Launched
01-11-1940 Completed
15-12-1940 At 1017 hours the Italian submarine Capitano Tarantini was torpedoed and sunk south-west of the Gironde Estuary near Bordeaux, France.
15-06-1941 HMS Thunderbolt fires torpedoes at the German submarine U-557 in the North Atlantic. The torpedoes miss.
07-09-1941 HMS Thunderbolt torpedoes and sinks the Italian merchant Sirena about 50 miles west of Benghasi, Libya.
10-09-1941 HMS Thunderbolt sinks the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel V 224/Svan I with gunfire in the Gulf of Syrte off Marsa el Auegia.
11-09-1941 HMS Thunderbolt torpedoes and sinks the German merchant Livorno about 35 nautical miles west-south-west of Benghazi, Libya.
14-09-1941 HMS Thunderbolt fires three torpedoes against the German merchant Tinos about 30 nautical miles north-west of Benghazi, Libya. All torpedoes missed.
10-10-1941 HMS Thunderbolt sinks the Italian sailing vessel Citta di Simi with gunfire some 12 miles north-east of Cape Sidero, Crete.
25-11-1941 HMS Thunderbolt sinks the German sailing vessel L VII with gunfire off Kythera, Greece.
02-01-1942 HMS Thunderbolt torpedoes and damages the Italian merchant Anna Capano off Argostoli, Keffalonia Island, Greece.
04-01-1942 HMS Thunderbolt sinks the Italian auxiliary minesweeper R 195/Nuovo San Pietro with gunfire west off Keffalonia Island, Greece.
30-01-1942 HMS Thunderbolt fires four torpedoes against the Italian torpedo boat Solferino in the Ionian Sea.
01-02-1942 HMS Thunderbolt torpedoes and sinks the Italian merchant Absirtea about 6 nautical miles off Cape Dukato, Greece.
03-02-1942 HMS Thunderbolt damages the Italian auxiliary submarine chaser AS 80/Lanciotto Piero with gunfire off Gheregambe.
06-03-1942 HMS Thunderbolt attacks the German submarine U-431 south-west of Crete. The German submarine escapes unharmed.
13-02-1943 HMS Thunderbolt sinks the Italian auxiliary minesweeper No.112/Mafalda with gunfire off Isola Lungha.
18-02-1943 HMS Thunderbolt damages the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel F 95/San Giorgio with gunfire north-west of Pola.
20-02-1943 HMS Thunderbolt sinks an Italian sailing vessel with gunfire off Bari.
12-03-1943 Torpedoed the Italian merchant ship Esterel two miles north of Capo San Vito.
14-03-1943 At 2210 on Friday 12th March the Italian merchant ship Esterel was torpedoed two miles north of Capo San Vito. Following the attack the torpedo boat Libra was ordered to seek out the submarine responsible - HMS Thunderbolt.

The Libra made contact with the Thunderbolt that night and carried out seven depth charge attacks with no result.

On Sunday 14th March the Italian corvette Cicogna obtained a contact and shortly after 0734 a periscope was sighted 2000 yards off the corvettes bow. At 0845 the periscope was again sighted, this time less than 10 feet away. Depth charges were launched at once and the corvette increased it speed and turned for another attack when an explosion lifted the submarines stern out of the sea at an angle of 90 degrees. The submarine sank through a discharge of air and oil. A further two depth charges were dropped resulting in air bubbles, oil and smoke appearing on the surface were the submarine had sunk. The Cicogna remained on station for an hour but no further contact was made.
Comments

Comment by: Alix Griffiths on December 13, 2020

My Grandfather told me that he was amongst several Allied soldiers who escaped from Crete and were taken by boat to the Thunderbolt after the island fell. They were taken to Alexandria by the submarine. He called it the Thetis/Thunderbolt.

Comment by: Andrew Barnes,formerly Cook on November 5, 2019

Please note Stanley Cook was an Electrical Artificer

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Thetis (N 25) Thrasher (N 37)