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The XE-class submarines were a series of twelve
midget submarine A midget submarine is any submarine under 150 tons, typically operated by a crew of one or two but sometimes up to six or nine, with little or no on-board living accommodation. They normally work with mother ships, from which they are launched an ...
s that were built for the
Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...
during 1944; four more to a slightly different design were built 1954-5 as the ''Stickleback'' class. They were an improved version of the used in the attack on the
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battleship A battleship is a large, heavily naval armour, armored warship with a main battery consisting of large naval gun, guns, designed to serve as a capital ship. From their advent in the late 1880s, battleships were among the largest and most form ...
. They carried a crew of four, typically a
lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...
in command, with a sub-lieutenant as deputy, an
engine room artificer Engine room artificer (ERA) is a specialised position in the crews of naval vessels – especially those of the British Royal Navy (RN) and other Commonwealth navies. An ERA is usually a fitter and turner, boilermaker, coppersmith or enginesmi ...
in charge of the mechanical side and a
seaman Seaman may refer to: * Sailor, a member of a marine watercraft's crew * Seaman (rank), a military rank in some navies * Seaman (name) (including a list of people with the name) * ''Seaman'' (video game), a 1999 simulation video game for the Seg ...
or leading-seaman. At least one of them was qualified as a diver. In addition to the two side charges (each of which contained two tons of
amatol Amatol is a highly explosive material made from a mixture of TNT and ammonium nitrate. The British name originates from the words ammonium and toluene (the precursor of TNT). Similar mixtures (one part dinitronaphthalene and seven parts a ...
explosive), they carried around six
limpet mine A limpet mine is a type of naval mine attached to a target by magnets. It is so named because of its superficial similarity to the shape of the limpet, a type of sea snail that clings tightly to rocks or other hard surfaces. A swimmer or diver m ...
s which were attached to the target by the diver. They and their depot ship arrived at
Labuan Labuan (), officially the Federal Territory of Labuan (), is an island federal territory of Malaysia. It includes and six smaller islands off the coast of the state of Sabah in East Malaysia. Labuan's capital is Victoria, which is best kno ...
in July 1945. Four of them managed to take part in operations before the war ended.


Operations ''Sabre'' and ''Foil''

These operations, carried out in July 1945, were intended to cut the undersea telephone cables connecting
Singapore Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...
,
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,
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and
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. The intention was to oblige the Japanese to use radio and render themselves open to message interception. Operation Sabre was directed at the Hong Kong to Saigon telephone cable, and carried out by ''XE4'', which was towed to within of the
Mekong Delta The Mekong Delta ( or simply ), also known as the Western Region () or South-western region (), is the list of regions of Vietnam, region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong, Mekong River River delta, approaches and empties into the sea th ...
by the submarine HMS ''Spearhead'', where she looked for the two telephone cables by using a towed
grapnel A grappling hook or grapnel is a device that typically has multiple hooks (known as ''claws'' or ''flukes'') attached to a rope or cable; it is thrown, dropped, sunk, projected, or fastened directly by hand to where at least one hook may cat ...
. She eventually snagged the first cable, and managed to haul it about off the seabed. ''XE4's'' diver, Sub-Lieutenant K.M. Briggs, used the net/cable cutter to sever it. The second cable was soon found as well, and was severed by the second diver, Sub-Lieutenant A. Bergius. Two divers were carried due to the operating rule that a diver should not spend more than 20 minutes in depths over and no more than 10 minutes over . ''XE4'' and ''Spearhead'' returned to Labuan on 3 August 1945. Operation Foil was directed at the Hong Kong to Singapore telephone cable and carried out by ''XE5'' against the Hong Kong end of the cable, after being towed into position by the submarine HMS ''Selene''. Operating close inshore near to
Lamma Island Lamma Island, also known as Y Island, Pok Liu Chau or simply Pok Liu, is the third largest List of islands and peninsulas of Hong Kong, island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District, Hong Kong, Islands District. Lam ...
, working conditions were poor, ''XE5's'' divers having to work in thick mud under the constant threat of
oxygen poisoning Oxygen toxicity is a condition resulting from the harmful effects of breathing molecular oxygen () at increased partial pressures. Severe cases can result in cell damage and death, with effects most often seen in the central nervous system, lung ...
. Despite repeated attempts it was not completely certain that the cable had in fact been severed, and it was not until after the Japanese surrender that it was confirmed that ''XE5'' had succeeded in doing so. ''XE5'' and ''Selene'' returned to Subic Bay on 6 August 1945.


Operation Struggle

In August 1945, HMS ''XE1'' and ''XE3'' executed a joint attack on Japanese warships within
Singapore Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...
harbour. ''XE3'' was tasked with mining the
heavy cruiser A heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range and high speed, armed generally with naval guns of roughly 203 mm (8 inches) in calibre, whose design parameters were dictated by the Washington Naval Treat ...
''Takao'' while ''XE1'' was to attack the heavy cruiser ''Myōkō''. The approach of ''XE3'' along the
Straits of Johor The Johor Strait (also known as the Tebrau Strait, Straits of Johor, Selat Johor, Selat Tebrau, and Tebrau Reach, also spelled Johore Strait) is an international strait in Southeast Asia, between Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Geography ...
and through the various harbour defences took 11 hours plus a further two hours to locate the camouflaged target. Despite several opportunities for Japanese defenders to spot the vessel, ''XE3'' successfully reached the ''Takao'', fixed limpet mines and dropped its two, 2-ton side charges. The withdrawal was successfully made and ''XE3'' returned to HMS ''Stygian'', her towing submarine. Meanwhile, ''XE1'' was delayed by Japanese patrol craft, and her captain, realizing that he could not reach ''Myōkō'' (which was two miles further into the harbour than ''Takao'') before the mines already laid by ''XE3'' would explode, also elected to drop his own charges under ''Takao''. ''XE1'' also successfully returned to her towing submarine, HMS ''Spark''. The ''Takao'', already damaged and not seaworthy, was severely damaged and never sailed again. ''XE3''s commander,
Lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...
Ian Edward Fraser Ian Edward Fraser, (18 December 1920 – 1 September 2008) was an English diving pioneer, sailor and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth force ...
RNR, and diver
Leading Seaman Leading seaman is a junior non-commissioned rank or rate in navies, particularly those of the Commonwealth. When it is used by NATO nations, leading seaman has the rank code of OR-4. It is often equivalent to the army and air force rank of ...
James Joseph Magennis James Joseph Magennis, VC (27 October 1919 – 12 February 1986) was a Belfast-born sailor and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ...
were awarded the
Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...
(VC) for their part in the attack; whilst Sub-Lieutenant William James Lanyon Smith, RNZNVR, who was at the controls of ''XE3'', received the
Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a Military awards and decorations, military award of the United Kingdom, as well as formerly throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth, awarded for operational gallantry for highly successful ...
(DSO);
Engine Room Artificer Engine room artificer (ERA) is a specialised position in the crews of naval vessels – especially those of the British Royal Navy (RN) and other Commonwealth navies. An ERA is usually a fitter and turner, boilermaker, coppersmith or enginesmi ...
Third Class Charles Alfred Reed, who was at the wheel, received the
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM) was, until 1993, a British military decoration for gallantry in action for petty officers and seamen of the Royal Navy, including Warrant Officers and other ranks of the Royal Marines. It was formerly awa ...
(CGM). ''XE1s C/O, Lieutenant John Elliott Smart
RNVR The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) is one of the two Volunteer Reserves (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve forces of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. Together with the Royal Marines Reserve, they form the Maritime Reserve (United Kingdom), ...
received the DSO, and Sub-Lieutenant Harold Edwin Harper, RNVR received the
Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries. *Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) *Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) *Distinguished Service Cross (U ...
(DSC); and ERA Fourth Class Henry James Fishleigh and
Leading Seaman Leading seaman is a junior non-commissioned rank or rate in navies, particularly those of the Commonwealth. When it is used by NATO nations, leading seaman has the rank code of OR-4. It is often equivalent to the army and air force rank of ...
Walter Henry Arthur Pomeroy received the
Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation, state or country. Examples include: *Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in act ...
. ERA Fourth Class Albert Nairn, Acting Leading Stoker Jack Gordan Robinson, and
Able Seaman An able seaman (AB) is a seaman and member of the deck department of a merchant ship with more than two years' experience at sea and considered "well acquainted with his duty". An AB may work as a watchstander, a day worker, or a combination ...
Ernest Raymond Dee were
Mentioned in Despatches To be mentioned in dispatches (or despatches) describes a member of the armed forces whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which their gallant or meritorious action in the face of t ...
for their part in bringing the two midget submarines from harbour to the point where the crews that took part in the attack took over.


Post war

In 1950 XE7 was loaned, along with its crew, to the US for testing. 


List of XE Craft

;First group * ''XE1'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, used in Operation Struggle, scrapped 1945 * ''XE2'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, scrapped 1945 * ''XE3'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, used in Operation Struggle, scrapped 1945 * ''XE4'' "Exciter" — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, used in Operation Sabre, scrapped 1945 * ''XE5'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, used in Operation Foil, scrapped 1945 * ''XE6'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, scrapped 1945 * ''XE7'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, scrapped 1952 * ''XE8'' "Expunger" — built by Broadbent, sunk as target 1952, recovered 1973 and preserved at
Chatham Historic Dockyard The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a maritime museum on part of the site of the former Royal Navy Dockyard, royal/naval dockyard at Chatham, Medway, Chatham in Kent, South East England. Chatham Dockyard covered 400 acres (1.6 km2) and was o ...
, on loan from the
Imperial War Museum The Imperial War Museum (IWM), currently branded "Imperial War Museums", is a British national museum. It is headquartered in London, with five branches in England. Founded as the Imperial War Museum in 1917, it was intended to record the civ ...
* ''XE9'' — built by Markham, scrapped 1952 * ''XE10'' — built by Markham, cancelled incomplete 1945 ;Second group * ''XE11'' — built by Marshall, collided with boom defence vessel in
Loch Striven Loch Striven () is a sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The loch meets the Firth of Clyde and the Kyles of Bute just north of the Isle of Bute, and forms a narrow inlet about long extending north into the Cowal Peninsula. The hamlet of ...
after drifting out of her exercise area and lost 6 March 1945. Three crew were killed in the accident but two managed to escape. The boat was later salvaged. * ''XE12'' — built by Marshall, cannibalised for spares 1952 ;Third group :with minor improvements, built 1954-5. See * ''X51 Stickleback'' - to
Swedish Navy The Swedish Navy () is the maritime service branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. It is composed of surface and submarine naval units – the Fleet (), formally sometimes referred to as the Royal Navy () – as well as marine units, the Amph ...
as ''Spiggen''. Now on display at Scottish Submarine Heritage Centre,
Helensburgh Helensburgh ( ; ) is a town on the north side of the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, situated at the mouth of the Gareloch. Historically in Dunbartonshire, it became part of Argyll and Bute following local government reorganisation in 1996. Histo ...
. * ''X52 Shrimp'' * ''X53 Sprat'' - to
United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
* ''X54 Minnow''


In popular culture

Author
Douglas Reeman Douglas Edward Reeman (15 October 1924 – 23 January 2017), who also used the pseudonym Alexander Kent, was a British author who wrote many historical novels about the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars. He w ...
featured XE craft in two of his novels, the 1961 ''Dive in the Sun'' and ''Surface with Daring'' published in 1976.


References


Bibliography

* ''Submarines in Colour'' by
Bill Gunston Bill Gunston (1 March 1927 – 1 June 2013) was a British aviation and military author. He flew with Britain's Royal Air Force from 1945 to 1948, and after pilot training became a flying instructor. He spent most of his adult life doing researc ...
- Blandford Colour Series - Blandford - 1976 - * ''Submarines - The History and Evolution of Underwater Fighting Vessels'' by Antony Preston - Octopus Books - 1974 - * ''The Sea Devils: Operation Struggle and the Last Great Raid of World War Two'' by
Mark Felton Mark Felton (born 1974) is an English author, historian and YouTuber. Felton has written over a dozen non-fiction books. He runs several channels on YouTube covering different historical subjects of the 20th and 21st century, mainly related to ...
- Icon Books - 2015 - {{WWII British ships Submarine classes Midget submarines