Action of 14 February 1944 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action of 14 February 1944
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II
HMS Tally Ho, 1 May 1943
Date 14 February 1944 Location Off Penang, Indian Ocean Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Leslie Bennington	Werner Striegler
Strength
Submarine Tally-Ho	Submarine UIT-23
Casualties and losses
None	UIT-23 sunk 26 killed

The Action of 14 February 1944 was a naval battle during World War II. On this day, a British submarine sank a German U-boat (a type of submarine) off the coast of Malaysia. This event was unusual because it was one of the few times German and Italian forces were involved in the Pacific War (the part of World War II fought in Asia and the Pacific Ocean).

The Battle

After Italy surrendered to the Allied forces, some Italian submarines, including one called Reginaldo Giuliani, were taken over by the Japanese military in Singapore on September 10, 1943. The Japanese then gave these submarines to the German navy, known as the Kriegsmarine. The Kriegsmarine had several bases in Southeast Asia.

The Reginaldo Giuliani submarine had been changed to carry cargo because it wasn't very good for fighting. The German navy renamed it UIT-23. On February 15, 1944, this submarine set sail for France. It was commanded by Captain Werner Striegler and carried important supplies like tin, quinine (a medicine), and other goods. Some Italian sailors were also part of the crew on UIT-23.

HMS Tally-Ho in May 1943.

The UIT-23 was traveling on the surface of the water, about 80 nautical miles south of Penang, Malaysia. This was near the western entrance of the Strait of Malacca. At the same time, the British submarine HMS Tally-Ho spotted it. The Tally-Ho was led by Commander Leslie Bennington and was part of the 4th Submarine Flotilla.

The Tally-Ho was also on the surface, looking for Japanese ships in the strait, where it had already sunk several enemy vessels. When Commander Bennington saw the UIT-23 during the day, the Tally-Ho quickly moved to attack. Both submarines were heading straight for each other when they each fired a group of torpedoes.

Only the Tally-Ho's torpedoes hit their target. The UIT-23 quickly sank at coordinates 4°27′N 100°11′E / 4.450°N 100.183°E / 4.450; 100.183 with 26 men losing their lives. Fourteen men survived and were in the water for some time. Later, Japanese seaplanes rescued them and took them to Penang. The survivors had to hold onto the planes' floats for the 80-mile trip back to base.

See also

• Submarine warfare