(HISTORY & BACKGROUND)
A number of ships and submarines from the small Polish Navy had managed to escape from Poland at the outbreak of war in 1939. Marian GRODYNSKI who apparently initially served with the Yugoslavian Partisan Navy finally ended up back in the Polish Navy ( in exile ) and saw long and distinguished service in submarines during WW II

On 11th November 1943 Lieutenant Commander Jerzy Koziolowski, commanding Sokol, was pleased to celebrate Polish Independence Day with another success, even if things did not go entirely smoothly. This is his Patrol Report of the action, now kept with Royal Navy records:

At 1250 schooner passed at 200 yards, beam on. She was about 140 tons, fully rigged with topmasts, flying German flag. The crew of more than a dozen were seen wearing naval uniforms. Her bulwarks were suspiciously high, with canvas covering amidships, and high superstructures beside both masts. Something like DC rails were seen under the stern. Two boats were on tow.

Observation was difficult due to haze low above the surface and the sunlight played tricks with the shadows on the superstructures — they appeared to have no fore and after bulkheads, thus looking like only side coverings.

Went to action stations at 1513, surfaced four miles off SW point of Amorgos Island. Schooner was 140° on the starboard bow at a distance of 4,000 yards, steering 110° parallel to the coast. Opened fire with 3-inch gun at a range of 4,000 yards firing on rel. bear. Red 020° and closing on course 090° at full speed.

First three rounds were scattered about 500 yards – the following ones straddled the target within 50-80 yards.

Schooner turned towards the coast, showing 140° on the port bow and opened fire with two heavy MGs. The 11th round hit the foremast and brought it down. Enemy ceased fire for a while and slowed down. After 24 rounds the gun jammed beyond quick repair, due to defective ammunition.

Enemy immediately reopened fire, apparently stopping — the range closing to 2,000 yards. Fired 400 rounds from 2 Vickers MGs and at 1230 dived hurriedly, for enemy’s fire was becoming unpleasantly hot. Examined target through periscope – she was stopped and adrift, two small rowing boats leaving towards shore, but with only a few men; the others were still on board.

Manoeuvred to obtain firing position, and at 1347 fired one torpedo set to two feet at 500 yards, on 100° track. Torpedo slightly turned to the port and either it deviated from its track or schooner was on the drift – torpedo passed under stern and missed. It caused, however, considerable panic on board, and remaining crew left schooner in a hurry in a motor boat, steering to the coast. Closed to 200 yards and confirmed schooner was really abandoned.

Surfaced at 1406 and put S/Lieutenant Fritz in charge of boarding party of four on board. As soon as boarding party landed, lookout was much impressed by mountainous islands all round the horizon, and in the same moment aircraft, E-boat, merchant vessel and caique were reported approaching from different bearings. A/C was possible, for intensive A/C patrolling was carried out during the forenoon, and CO without confirming the sighting blew the whistle for the boarding party to come back.

Two demolition charges were fired with 10-minute fuze, and boarding party hurried on board. At this moment, securing line broke, schooner started to drift away and the last two of the boarding party, including S/Lieutenant Fritz carrying charts, books and signals, had to jump overboard and swim a few yards. Of course, none of the panicky-sighted targets materialised, but now the fuze was set and the chance of a considerable prize was lost.

Schooner was 120 feet long, estimated at 140 tons, and carefully equipped. Captain’s cabin was fully loaded with charts, books etc. — a pair of earphones was seen but whether these belonged to the wireless or listening device could not be confirmed. She was carrying some stores: bunches of naval clothing, rifles, ammunition belts, bayonets, boots — all brand new and stored in the focs’le. There was a loading hold amidships, but locked tightly.

Two 0.5-inch MGs were counted on each side, and rifles were dropped on the deck, apparently freshly used. Possibly four depth charges were astern, covered by canvas, with movable doors on the bulwarks.

At 1455 schooner blew up magnicently and sank. When jumping overboard, S/Lieutenant Fritz could only save charts. Schooner’s course led from Nio to Stampalia."

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NOTABLE EVENTS INVOLVING 'SOKOL' INCLUDE

28 Oct 1941 ORP Sokol (Kapitan Marynarki Borys Karnicki) fires four torpedoes against the Italian Citta di Palermo (5413 GRT) west of Isola d'Ischia, Italy in position 40°42'N, 13°47'E. The torpedoes missed their target.

2 Nov 1941 ORP Sokol (Lt.Cdr. B. Karnicki) and HMS Utmost (Lt. J.D. Martin, RN) together sink the Italian merchant Balilla (2469 GRT) about 20 nautical miles north-west of Capo San Vito, Sicily, Italy in position 38°22'N, 12°20'E.

19 Nov 1941 Torpedoed and damaged the Italian destroyer Aviere (1645 tons) in Navarino harbour. (1)

21 Nov 1941 At 23.38 near Navarino Sokol (Kapitan Marynarki Borys Karnicki) damaged Italian tanker "Berbera" (2093 BRT), which is sunk 8 days later after British air attack.

12 Feb 1942 ORP Sokol (Lt.Cdr. B. Karnicki) sank the Italian auxiliary patrol vessel Giuseppina (392 GRT) with gunfire about 30 nautical miles south of Sfax, Tunisia in position 34°15'N, 10°55'E.

12 Sep 1943 Sokol sank the Italian customs vessel AS 71 / Meattini (36 GRT) through ramming off Brindisi, Italy.

7 Oct 1943 Around 0710 hours ORP Sokol torpedoed and sank the Italian passenger vessel (in German service) Eridania (7095 GRT) off Cape Promontore (today Cape Kamenjak in Kroatia).

11 Nov 1943 ORP Sokol sank the Greek sailing vessel Argentina (64 GRT) with gunfire off Amorgos, Greece. ( see full account above )

18 Nov 1943 ORP Sokol sank a sailing vessel with gunfire of Santorini island, Greece.

19 Nov 1943 ORP Sokol sank two sailing vessels and the German auxiliary submarine chaser Mowe (60 GRT) with gunfire north of Crete.

12 Dec 1943 ORP Sokol sank four Greek sailing vessels with gunfire off Lemnos Island, Greece.

16 Dec 1943 ORP Sokol sank a Greek sailing vessel with gunfire east of Mudros, Lemnos Island, Greece.

17 Dec 1943 Around 0700hours ORP Sokol torpedoed and damaged the Bulgarian troop transport Balkan (3838 GRT) near Mudros, Lemnos Island, Greece.

The Balkan finally was sunk on 23 December by HMS Sportsman.

12 Jan 1944 ORP Sokol sank a Greek sailing vessel with gunfire about 15 nautical miles south-east of Cape Stili, Milos Island, Greece in position 36°30'N, 24°44'E.








A VERY RARE & DESIRABLE GROUP TO A LATER 'UK NATURALISED' SAILOR WITH AN INCREDIBLE HISTORY
ALSO INCLUDED IS A "SUBMARINES" OLD COMRADES ASSOCIATION, BLAZER BADGE & WHITE METAL POLISH EAGLE. ALSO AN ORIGINAL BOOK ( with ENGLISH TRANSLATION BOOKLET) ALL ABOUT THE POLISH NAVY'S HISTORY IN THE UK
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