Submarines
British and Italian Submarines
British Submarines
T Class
A large long-range boat designed for patrols in the extensive Pacific Ocean. The T class was adapted to carry human torpedoes. Names are as under
- Terrapin
- Thetis*
- Thorn
- Thrasher
- Thunderbolt* was the Thetis renamed
- Tigris
- Trafalgar
- Traveller
- Triad
- Tribune
- Trident
- Triumph
- Triton
- Trooper
- Truant
- Truculent
- Turbulent
- Turtle
Those used to transport chariots were:
Thunderbolt
The tragedy of HMS Thetis occurred in Liverpool Bay on 1 June 1939 when she was hit and sank. Despite being only 6 metres below the surface all but four crew member’s lost their lives, poisoned by carbon-dioxide. The submarine was eventually recovered and renamed Thunderbolt.
The Thunderbolt sank the Italian submarine Tarantini on 15 December 1940 and then took over transporting Chariots under Lieutenant Commander C.B.Crouch. In 1943 delivered Chariots into Palermo on operation Principal. Then almost immediately took on a second mission Operation Welcome delivery Berey and Larkin to Tripoli. On 14 March 1943, she was depth charged by the Italian Corvette Cicogna and sank.
Trident
“T” Class submarine commanded by *G.M.Sladen DSO., DSC., R.N. before the Second World War.
Traveller
Lost off Sicily
Trenchant
Took Chariots to the far east to attack Phuket harbour
Trooper
“T” class Submarine used in human torpedo missions, 1943 Operation principal.
Truculent
“T” class Submarine used in human torpedo missions
P311
Unnamed submarine lost off Maddalena Northern Sardinian in January 1943 she was carrying three chariots and 10 charioteers
The only other submarines used for chariot missions were the U-Class Submarines Unrivalled & Ultor. They carried chariots to attack Taranto but the operation was cancelled prior to the attack.
Italian Submarines
Used to transport the “pigs” were:
Iride
Sunk August 1940 carrying pigs on their first mission. Commanded by Lieutenant F Brunetti
Gondar
Sunk September 1940 carrying pigs on the second mission Commanded by Lieutenant F Brunetti
Scire
Commanded by Commander J.V.Borghese.
Ambra
Commanded by Lieutenant M.Arillo