HMS Sahib was a Royal Navy Third Group S-class submarine built by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead during the Second World War. She was launched on 19 January 1942 and commissioned on 13 May 1942 under the command of Lieutenant John Henry Bromage, DSC, RN.
Specifications
- Class: S-class submarine (Third Group)
- Pennant Number: P212
- Builder: Cammell Laird, Birkenhead
- Launched: 19 January 1942
- Commissioned: 13 May 1942
- Armament: Torpedo tubes and a 3-inch deck gun, typical of the Third Group S-class boats.
Wartime Service
Initially operating in Home Waters, Sahib took part in patrols connected with the Arctic convoys and the protection of Convoy PQ17. Later in 1942 she was transferred to the Mediterranean, where she became one of the Royal Navy's most successful submarines against Axis shipping.
Among her achievements:
- Sank several Axis merchant vessels supplying North Africa.
- Sank the German submarine U-301 on 21 January 1943, a notable anti-submarine success.
- Conducted aggressive interception patrols around Sicily and the central Mediterranean.
Loss of HMS Sahib
On 24 April 1943, Sahib torpedoed and sank the Italian transport Galiola off north-eastern Sicily. Shortly afterwards she was detected and subjected to an intense counterattack by the Italian torpedo boat Climene, the corvettes Gabbiano and Euterpe, and a German Ju 88 aircraft.
The depth-charge attack severely damaged Sahib's pressure hull. Unable to dive safely or control the damage, Lieutenant Bromage ordered the submarine to surface and abandon ship. Under enemy fire, the crew left the vessel, which was then deliberately scuttled at approximately 38°30'N, 15°15'E, off Cape Milazzo, Sicily.
Most of the crew survived and were taken prisoner, although one sailor later died from wounds sustained during the action.
Legacy
HMS Sahib had a remarkably active combat career despite serving for less than a year. Her sinking of U-301 and her successful attacks on Axis shipping made her one of the more distinguished British submarines operating in the Mediterranean during 1942-43.
