X class submarine Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The X class was a midget submarine built for the Royal Navy during 1943-44.They were about fifty-one feet long, 5.5 feet in maximum diameter and displaced 35 tons. They had a maximum surface speed of six and a half knots, and a submerged speed of five knots. The crew intially numbered three - commander, pilot and ERA - but soon a specialist diver was added.
Their range was limited primarily by the endurance and determination of their crews, but was thought to be up to 14 days in the craft or 1,500 miles distance after suitable training.
Their weapons were two explosive charges each held on opposite sides of the hull with two tons of explosive (amatol) each. The intention was to drop these on the sea bed underneath the target then creep away. The charges were set off by a time fuse.
A number of development craft were built before it was felt that a realistic weapon had been produced. The first operational craft was HMS X3 (or HM S/M X.3), launched on the night of March 15, 1942. Training with the craft began in September 1942, with X4 arriving in October. In December 1942 and January 1943 six of the "5-10" class began to arrive, identical externally but with a completely reworked interior.
The first operation was an attempt to neutralise the heavy German warships in Northern Norway. HMS X5, HMS X6 and HMS X7 were allocated the battleship Tirpitz which was in Kaafjord. HMS X9 and HMS X10 were to attack the battle cruiser Scharnhorst which was also in Kaafjord. While HMS X8 was to attack the aged pocket battleship Lützow in Langefjord. The craft were towed to the area by conventional submarines and manned by passage crews on the way. Close to the target the operations crews would take over. The X-craft began their run on the 20th and the actual attack took place on September 22 1943.
X9 was lost on the way over, and X8 developed serious defects and was scuttled. X5 vanished without trace after the operation had started.
Scharnhorst was engaged in exercises at the time, and hence was not at her normal mooring, X10's attack was abandoned, although this was due to mechanical and navigation problems, and the submarine returned to rendezvous with her 'tug' submarine and was taken back to Scotland.
X6 and X7 managed to drop their charges in the correct place, although they unable to escape afterwards as planned becuase they had been observed and were under attack. Both craft were abandoned and six crew survived to be captured. Tirpitz was heavily damaged, although not in danger of sinking she had taken on 500 tons of water and suffered significant mechanical damage. The Tirpitz was unable to leave her anchorage until April 1944. For this action the commanders of the craft Lieutenant Donald Cameron (X6) and Lieutenant Basil Place (X7) were awarded the Victoria Cross.
This was the only multiple X-craft attack. The lost craft were replaced early in 1944 with X20 to X25 and six training only craft.
On April 15, 1944 X24 attacked the Laksevaag floating dock at Bergen. X22 was intended for the mission, but had been accidently rammed during training and sunk with all hands. The X24 made the approach and escaped successfully, unfortunately the charges were placed under the Barenfels, a 7,500-ton merchant-vessel along the dock, she was sunk but the dock suffered only minor damage. On September 11, 1944 the operation was repeated by X24, with a new crew, this time the dock was sunk.
X20 and X23 acted as lightships to help the D-Day invasion fleet land on the correct beaches, as part of the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties.
Operations continued in the Far East with the XE class submarines.
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