XE7, of the XE series.
Far East Operations
With the example of X-craft successes in Europe in mind, they hoped for more tasks in the Far East.
Operations Sabre, Foil and Struggle - Far East Operations
In February 1945, with the war in Europe now concentrated on land, it was decided to despatch HMS Bonaventure
(under the command of Captain Fell, the Charioteer trainer) and six XE craft to the Far East. They arrived in July, via
the Panama Canal and Manus (Admiralty Islands), then to Brisbane, Australia. Admiral Nimitz, the United States Naval
Commander in the Pacific set his face against their employment in his theatre because he regarded the little submarines
as 'suicide craft' - a concept he wanted nothing to do with. Despite Captain Fell's pleading for employment the local
area submarine commander, Rear Admiral James Fife USN, initially refused to budge. Then at the last moment, just before
despondency broke the spirit of the crews, he identified two tasks were that were ideal for the use of X-craft.
The first was striking two heavy Japanese cruisers, Takao and Myoko, lying in the Johore Straits
off Singapore which, although damaged by earlier American attacks, could threaten an allied invasion of Malaya
through broadsides from their large guns. See Operation Struggle, XE3.
The second was cutting the underwater telephone cables between Singapore, Saigon, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
The purpose of doing this was to force the Japanese to use the air-waves for communication, thereby making
it easier to intercept their radio traffic
For Operation Sabre, XE4 (Lt Max Shean DSO* RANVR, formerly of the X24 and the first
attack on Bergen) was towed to within forty miles of the Mekong Delta by HMS Spearhead
(Commander RE Youngman DSC RNR). Looking for the two cables as they snaked out of the Saigon River
and snagging them by a towed grapnel was rather like looking for a needle in a haystack, but Shean
spotted some Japanese heavy guns pointing out to sea and followed the line of their fire. By crossing
at right angles to this line he eventually snagged the first of the cables, and by using the speed of
XE4 raised it about ten feet off the bottom. His diver (Sub Lieutenant KM Briggs DSC RANVR) wasted no
time, despite the difficulties of combating the tide, in operating the net/cable cutter. Shean soon
found the second cable, and the second diver (Sub Lieutenant Adam Bergius DSC RNVR) quickly matched
his partner's success. The reason for carrying two divers was a result of the aftermath of two tragedies
a few weeks earlier when Lieutenants Carey and Enzer had died during training as a result of oxygen
poisoning from their breathing sets. The rule of thumb that a diver should not spend more than 20 minutes
outside the hull in depths over 33ft and no more than 10 minutes over 40ft dictated that for an operation
of unknown duration, two divers should be carried. The extra body onboard made living conditions even
cozier than normal!
Operation Foil was to tackle the Hong Kong end of the cable with the assignment being given to
XE5 (Lt HP Westmacott DSO DSC RN, of the X24's second raid on Bergen) towed by HMS Selene
(Lieutenant Commander HRB Newton DSC RN).
The XE5 takes up a tow from HMS/M Selene, Subic Bay, July 1945.
The ensuing operation was described by Captain Fell as "one of the most daring, dangerous, and tenacious
operations of the war". As well as operating well inshore close to Lamma Island, his divers, Lt BG Clarke DSC
RNVR and Sub. Lt. DVM Jarvis DSC RNVR, had a particularly torrid time scrabbling around in thick mud under the
constant threat of 'oxygen pete' - a poisoning by using too much oxygen under pressure. Jarvis had made his
sortie dressed only in swimming trunks and breathing apparatus, and had the misfortune to operate the cutter
on his finger which broke the bone and caused heavy bleeding. In addition his body had been badly stung by
Portuguese men-o-war jellyfish. He was re-embarked through the Wet and Dry compartment. Despite all the
challenges, the operation was a success.
Not used on the big operations, but a clear picture of an
XE Craft, in this case XE-9 |
