HMS/M X-6

One of the first 'X Craft', on trials around Scotland.

X6, commanded by Lt. Donald Cameron, RNR, passed through the gap in the anti-submarine boom at the head of Kå Fjord at 1700, 22nd September 1943. Here, unfortunately, the periscope became flooded and she had to proceed up the fjord at 60 feet while draining and clearing it.

Coming to periscope depth again, she found herself near the boat entrance of the anti-torpedo nets around the Tirpitz, and by 1905 she was through the net and 200 yards from the battleship. Here her periscope became flooded again and, being blind, she ran aground on the north shore of the enclosure and broke surface. She was sighted from the Tirpitz but, being at first thought to be a porpoise, her presence was not immediately reported. Five minutes later X6 managed to get herself off but, in turning towards the Tirpitz, she broke surface again. She was now 80 yards on the battleship's beam and this time was sighted and correctly identified.

Cameron could now see nothing through his flooded periscope. He dived again and steered blindly for the Tirpitz. He dived under her and got caught in an obstruction, which he took to be the nets on the other side. He straightened up and got clear and then broke surface again close on the port bow of the Tirpitz, and was subjected to brisk fire from rifles and hand grenades. He was so close to the Tirpitz that no heavier armament could be brought to bear.

There being no more hope of making the attack unseen, Lt. Cameron destroyed the secret equipment, went astern down the side of the Tirpitz so close that he scraped her paintwork, and released his two explosive charges abreast 'B' turret. He then scuttled his craft alongside, which began to sink just as one of the ship's boats came alongside. They took off the crew of four (Lt. Cameron, Sub-Lt. J.T. Lorimer, RNVR, Sub-Lt. R.H. Kendall, RNVR (Obituary), and ERA E. Goddard) and brought them back onboard the Tirpitz.