Type T submarines (UK)

The first submarine developed in the United Kingdom after World War I was the HMS Oberon, launched in 1926. It served as the basis for the construction of another 18 submarines of classes O, P and R, which in many respects repeated the design of the first and had similar disadvantages. HMS Oberon herself received the derogatory nickname " Electro-Mechanical Monstrosity " ( Electro-Mechanical Monstrosity ).

The design of class T boats designed to replace class O , P, and R submarines began in 1934 and was carried out with the restrictions imposed by the London Naval Agreement of 1930 : the displacement of the British submarine fleet was limited to 52,700 tons , the displacement of one boat was not more than 2000 tons, artillery weapons of a caliber of not more than 130 mm. The boats of the “Repeat P ^[3] ” project should have been able to conduct military operations against Japan in the absence of support for the KVMF surface ships. The main was considered the destruction of warships. This required the design of a large submarine with the maximum number of torpedoes in a salvo, so the final project was a submarine with a total displacement of more than 1,500 tons, with 10 torpedo tubes (6 built-in bow and 4 outboard directed to the bow) and with a working depth of 300 feet (about 90 meters). The project was completed in 1935, and on June 24, a decision was made on the final naming of the type - T, respectively, all submarines of this class received names starting with T.

Type T boats had a one and a half hull construction with a developed superstructure. The robust case was divided into 6 compartments and one partition. In the traditional British manner, many advanced solutions were set aside in favor of the more traditional and mastered, in the expectation that the training of crews would compensate for the design flaws. Thus, the hulls of almost all boats were riveted , which reduced the working depth. The batteries were located in two adjacent compartments (III and IV), which reduced survivability; their diversity was abandoned to simplify the electrical system. There was no horizontal rudder guard, and the vertical rudder guard and the ASG were wire rope. However, the boats received such innovations as a gyrocompass , ASDIC sonar station , torpedo firing device and bubbleless firing system .

The lead boat of the project, HMS Triton , was ordered on March 5, 1936 and went on sea trials in 1938 . A total of 53 submarines were built, usually divided into three groups according to important design features. At the same time, minor changes were introduced within individual groups, improving the design from boat to boat. 15 boats of the first group were built in 1936-1938; seven boats of the second group - in accordance with the emergency construction program of 1939; an improved third group was ordered in 1940-1942. After the war ended, construction was discontinued, so only five out of the 25 most recently ordered boats entered service, two more were launched but were not completed ( Thor and Tiara ); the last seven are ordered and canceled ( Theban (P341) , Talent (P343) , Threat (P344) , P345 , P346 , P347 and P348 ).

Class T submarines served in all theaters of operations of the Second World War. About a quarter of the boats were lost.

Strange War

In the early months of the war, both British and German boats took on roles that were largely similar to 1918. The British deployed primarily against warships. The headquarters believed that their main task would be reconnaissance in the interests of the Navy of the metropolis , and reporting on any unusual actions of large German ships. This was especially important because the then aircraft of the base patrol aircraft such as Anson did not have a range for operations off the coast of Norway.

The main concern was the possibility of losses from the fire of their forces. This problem persisted throughout the war, and on September 10, 1939, it was especially clear: the HMS Triton sunk a submarine HMS Oxley in a three-torpedo volley. While on guard (albeit away from the designated area), Triton found the boat in the water position and gave the request with a light code. Not receiving a satisfactory answer, the commander concluded that he was facing an enemy. In fact, Oxley had just left the reserve, and her preparation for combat conditions was obviously insufficient.

Attacks of the Coast Command aircraft also bothered the boats. Despite the prohibited bombing zones along the transition routes and the escort of outgoing and returning boats, incidents did occur. Mostly the fault was poor navigation on both sides, but there was also the reluctance of submariners to use signal missiles for identification, for fear of attracting enemy aircraft.

In December, HMS Triumph miraculously survived after a mine explosion north of the German declared zone. The nasal tip was completely torn off, but the rear covers of the torpedo tubes survived. Legend has it that one sailor slept through the whole incident in compartment I. ^[one]

In January 1940, the legendary Vice-Admiral Max Horton already took command of the submarines. His arrival coincided with the first three losses. ^[4] All of them occurred in shallow water in Helgoland Bay. As a result, the patrol areas of the boats were moved more seaward.

Norwegian Campaign

Horton foresaw a German invasion of Norway, albeit for reasons other than true. Therefore, HMS Narwhal put up the first minefield in Skagerrak , and the patrols there were reinforced.

On April 8, most of the German invasion fleet marched Skagerrak undetected by British boats. It was later discovered by the Coast Command, but by the time the Royal Navy had been alerted, German troops had already landed. However, the HMS Trident and the Polish boat Orzeł were sunk by transport, following the prize rules . HMS Triton attacked a group led by the cruiser Blucher from a long distance and missed.

A day later ( April 10 ), the HMS Thistle was sunk by a German boat in the Stavanger area. But on the same day, HMS Truant discovered the light cruiser Karlsruhe at Kristianstad . Prudently firing all 10 torpedoes from an average distance, Truant made two hits and sunk the cruiser. Having finally received information about the invasion, the War Cabinet allowed unlimited submarine warfare in Skagerrak. On the same day, HMS Tarpon was sunk by a counterattack by German escort ships.

Despite all efforts, on April 12, Scharnhorst , Gneisenau and Hipper crossed the barrier of 17 boats (of all types) undetected and returned to Wilhelmshaven .

Resistance to the invasion cost Britain five boats, including Thistle and Tarpon type T. Boats have shown that they are the only kind of force that can operate under the domination of German aircraft. A large ship was sunk; moderate success was given by the war against transports. However, the fleet could not prevent the invasion.

During the Norwegian campaign, the concentration of British boats in their waters was the highest. On May 10, the main direction of the war moved to France and Belgium. But the boats operated off the coast of Norway until the end of August. When the Germans switched to attacks on merchant ships in the Atlantic , the number of their boats at the crossing of the North Sea increased accordingly. But the attacks of British boats in that period were unsuccessful. In this sense, HMS Truant was lucky: on August 1, HMS Clyde launched a four-torpedo salvo on the “enemy” submarine - to no avail. Subsequently, it turned out that it was Truant .

Mediterranean Sea ^[1]

By the beginning of the war, Britain had only 2 boats of the O type in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1940 , when tensions broke out with Italy , another 8 boats (of type O and P) were transferred there, plus two submarine mine loaders . Also from the Far East was transferred floating base HMS Medway . The 1st submarine flotilla created in this way was based on Alexandria , and partly on Malta (6 boats, including both traps).

The Royal Navy had a triple advantage over Italian, but was dispersed throughout the world. In the Mediterranean Sea, Anglo-French forces were superior in the western and eastern parts, and Italy in the central Mediterranean (thanks to the support of aviation). Her strategy was to maintain local superiority: she did not benefit from an offensive strategy, since she could not make up for losses, while Britain, at least theoretically, could transfer forces from other theaters. Shortly after the declaration of war by Italy on June 10, 1940 , 45 of 46 French boats in the eastern Mediterranean surrendered. Britain was left almost alone.

On July 18, the Admiralty declared an unlimited submarine war zone 30 miles wide from the Italian coast. This already allowed to attack the convoys in Libya .

Class T submarines were relatively vulnerable in the Mediterranean, where, due to their large size, they were more easily detected by airplanes in clear water. In addition, in 1940 their free use of radio in a relatively tight sea made it easier for Italian ships to search for bearings . Since 1941, the main losses have already been from mines. The lack of realistic combat training for boats deployed from the Pacific and Indian Ocean also affected. In other theaters, they have achieved greater success.

1940 in the Mediterranean can be described as generally inconclusive for British boats. Losses (9 boats - half the available forces) were great, and successes (15 transports) were small. Chances to attack large Italian ships were missed. Italians' communications to Greece and North Africa remained largely unaffected, not to mention their violation. In justification, we can only note that other kinds of forces did not even show such results.

At the beginning of 1941, the situation changed somewhat. 10 U-type boats arrived in Malta; Commander Simpson ( GWG “Shrimp” Simpson ) took command of the base. The surviving large boats crossed to Alexandria, and received 3 more types of T, plus one barrage. Type U boats began to patrol the coast of Tunisia , type T Strait of Messina and the Ionian Sea . Then the British government expanded the zone of unlimited submarine warfare so that it covered all Libyan communication.

In the first six months of 1941, British boats of all types sank transports with a total tonnage of over 130,000 tons, plus one large ship (cruiser Italian. Armando Diaz ) and a submarine ( Italian. Capponi ). Losses amounted to 2 boats, both from mines. But the loss of transport in Libyan communications was low - no more than two per month. It was during this period that Rommel successfully transferred the Sea of ​​Africa-Corps.

The German attack on the Soviet Union decisively changed the situation. Most of the Luftwaffe left the Mediterranean. The Allies were able to strengthen Malta and base surface ships there. In addition, the decoding of German signals began to bear fruit. The convoys no longer went unnoticed. Nonetheless, German operations in North Africa continued, and they established new communications: in Benghazi . Accordingly, new submarine positions were cut. September 1, the Maltese boats were reduced to an independent compound: the 10th flotilla.

In the second half of 1941, boats were able to seriously disrupt the supply routes of the Germans to North Africa. To support the fighting, the Africa Corps demanded approximately 50,000 tons of cargo per month; about 10% of these goods did not reach. The Germans began to respond to losses at the end of the year. In September, their boats appeared in the Mediterranean Sea, the bombing of Malta and minefields began around the island. The result was immediately apparent: in November, the HMS Ark Royal was sunk - the only British aircraft carrier in the theater, the aircraft in Malta were defeated, the losses of submarines increased, cruisers and destroyers left the island. But the German reaction itself speaks of the success of British boats. In addition to permanent damage to vehicles, the latest Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto was damaged.

The beginning of 1942 was marked by both success and loss. In two months, 12 transports were sunk, two submarines: Italian St. Bon and German U-374 . At the same time, HMS Triumph was killed in a mine, two boats of other types were destroyed by surface forces. In March, HMS Torbay entered Corfu’s enclosed harbor, tracked targets for 20 hours (with a single charge), and eventually sunk 5,000 tons of vehicles. In April, minefields and a gradual decrease in aviation forced submarines to leave Malta, with two killed in the mines during the withdrawal. The number of combat-ready boats dropped to 12, despite reinforcements from England; older boats needed repair and restoration. Large boats, including Type T, were used to deliver critical supplies to the island. Boats of all types sank 118,872 tons of transports and the Bande Nere cruiser, but no more than 6% of cargo destined for Rommel was intercepted.

Posting supply convoys to Malta turned into a military operation. Submarines were also involved. So, to cover from the north of the Pedestal route, 9 boats were deployed, including one of type T.

In October 1942, most of the boats were withdrawn from positions to prepare for the Allied landings in North Africa . But those remaining at sea showed some success: 12 sunken transports and a destroyer at the cost of two lost boats. During the landing, the boats were used very intensively: they not only covered the landing areas (both in the Mediterranean Sea and from the Atlantic), but also blocked the bases of the Italian fleet plus Toulon . In December, they sank 16 transports, and several more aircraft. In November-December, 4 British boats of all types were lost. The Italians managed to still deliver 60,690 tons of goods to Tunisia.

The first half of 1943 marked the end of Italian communications in the Mediterranean. Together, all kinds of forces, they were finally interrupted. But the main role in this was played by boats of other types, mainly U and S; T-type successes were few. At the same time, the HMS Turbulent was lost. His commander, Commander Linton ( English JW "Tubby" Linton ), during his career (on HMS Pandora and HMS Turbulent ) sank 91440 tons of transports and a destroyer, and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross .

In general, from 1940 to 1943, the Mediterranean Theater absorbed most of the British combat-ready boats. Total losses amounted to 49 boats, including 23 from surface ships, 21 from mines and 1 from a submarine. From aviation, probably one is lost at sea, and 3 are destroyed in the base (Malta). Their tactics differed markedly from the tactics of German submariners in the Atlantic or American submarines in the Pacific. Aggressive night attacks from the surface in the Mediterranean would be suicidal. The British used a secretive rapprochement, keeping under water not only at positions, but also at the transition. These tactical limitations had to be put up with.

Far East

Before the war, the Royal Navy did not have large ships in the Far East. In contrast to Japan, the fleet was to be content with submarines and light forces. By July 1940, all boats were transferred to other theaters - ironically, this coincided with a cooling of relations with Japan.

From the entry of Japan into the war until the end of 1943, the presence of British boats was minimal: only HMS Truant , HMS Trusty and HMS Trident briefly appeared at the theater. In August, the Admiralty sent 5 T-type boats to the Far East. The first HMS Templar arrived in Colombo in September, followed by HMS Tactician , HMS Taurus , HMS Tally-Ho and HMS Trespasser . Returned and Adamant ; Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Fleet moved headquarters to Colombo. The 4th flotilla was formed; established the constant presence of British boats in the theater.

The main area of ​​operations of the 4th flotilla remained the Strait of Malacca . The main attention was paid to intelligence, then to the disruption of the supply of Japanese troops in Burma . Penang also patrolled, because in addition to Japanese boats, German began to operate there. The first success was in November of Tally-Ho , which sank a small tanker. But Taurus distinguished himself more: on November 13, 1943 he sank a large Japanese boat I-34 , later entered into an artillery duel with a hunting ship, and interrupted it only when aviation appeared. British boats established a constant patrol of the coast of the enemy. Although unremarkable, it brought more than any previous action.

By January 1944, the Eastern Fleet was rebuilt; its core was made up of three large artillery ships and two aircraft carriers. The headquarters relocated to Trincomalee , followed by the flotilla. Started the transfer to the theater floating base HMS Madistone and 6 more boats, including HMS Truculent and HMS Tantivy . On January 11, Tally-Ho patrolled in the Penang area, where she discovered the light cruiser Kuma and the destroyer. Approaching 1900 yards, Lieutenant Commander Bennington fired seven torpedoes and made two hits, sending the cruiser to the bottom. With only 15 fathom depths of the sea, he managed to escape, despite being bombed by depth and aerial bombs.

In March, the first boat was lost - type S, for unknown reasons. Upon the arrival of Madistone, it became the base of the new 8th flotilla (type S boats), and the 4th with type T boats was based on Adamant . In April, they continued to drown the enemy, both with torpedoes and artillery fire. The salvation of an American pilot with the USS Saratoga (briefly subordinate to the British) by a Tactician boat is also noteworthy. Commander Collet received the American Legion of Honor for him. In May, the Admiralty allowed attacks on small vessels and junks . Accordingly, the number of artillery battles increased. Reinforcements arrived: boats of type S and T, as well as the old HMS Clyde , HMS Severn and HMS Porpoise .

Good results have led to the expansion of boat coverage. With the arrival of the third ship base HMS Wolfe , the 2nd Flotilla was formed. The total number of boats reached 27. The 8th flotilla was relocated to Fremantle , Western Australia , with subordination to the American Seventh Fleet . It included HMS Telemachus , HMS Tantalus , HMS Tantivy , 6 S type boats and the Dutch O-19 and Zwaardvisch (formerly HMS Talent ). By the end of October 1944, British boats sank transports with a tonnage of over 40,000 tons, a cruiser, three submarines, six light ships and over 100 small vessels. Moreover, 32 reconnaissance and sabotage parties were landed, a bridge was blown up, 6 coastal targets were fired, and 2 aviators were rescued.

The 8th flotilla operated in the Java Sea and adjacent waters. Two flotillas based on Ceylon blocked the Strait of Malacca and Penang. Those and others soon felt a lack of goals. The fact is that the campaign of American submariners was so effective that targets of all sizes were met less and less. However, the British managed to contribute.

In January 1945, British boats suffered their last loss: a veteran of Porpoise . He exhibited mines at Penang in an area already mined by the Japanese. Then it was believed that anti-submarine forces sunk him, but in the post-war archives nothing confirms this version. By March, the Strait of Malacca was completely closed to shipping, even junks. The Japanese army in Burma was left without supplies.

In April, by the beginning of the final assault on Japan, submarine forces were relocated. The 4th Flotilla moved to Fremantle, and the 8th to Subic Bay , Philippines . The goals became even less, the main method was the destruction of small vessels by artillery. So over 150 small-sized targets were sunk. On June 8, HMS Trenchant Commander Hesleta ( Eng. AR Hezlet ) discovered a large ship: the cruiser Asigara . From a long distance (4800 yards) a full eight-torpedo volley was fired, and, notably, five hit the target. About 800 people died with the ship. This was the last major success of Type T boats.

The Far Eastern campaign was limited to the loss of three boats (of all types).

Post-War Service

After the war, the surviving submarines of the first and second groups were scrapped, the boats of the third group were modernized according to the Super-T project in order to reduce noise and increase the underwater speed. Instead of hunting for surface ships, the new purpose of boats was operations to intercept Soviet submarines, if deployed from northern bases to attack British ships.

Four submarines were transferred to the Netherlands Navy :

• Tijgerhaai (formerly HMS Tarn )
• Zwaardvisch (formerly HMS Talent )
• Zeehond (formerly HMS Tapir )
• Dolfijn (formerly HMS Taurus )

Three boats became part of the Israeli Navy:

• INS Dakar (formerly HMS Totem , became part of the Israeli Navy in 1967, went missing in 1969, the skeleton was discovered in 1999 at a depth of 3,000 meters)
• INS Dolphin (formerly HMS Truncheon )
• INS Leviathan (formerly HMS Turpin )

The last of the combat fleet of the British fleet was withdrawn HMS Tiptoe , which served until August 29, 1969 . The last of the fleet lists was excluded HMS Tabard ( January 2, 1974 ), which was in conservation.

First group (I)

Second Group (II)

Third Group (III)

Paul Kemp. The T-Class submarine - The Classic British Design. - Naval Institute Press. - 160 p. - ISBN 1-55750-826-7 .