Editing XE-class submarine (section)

== Operations ''Sabre'' and ''Foil'' ==
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These operations, carried out in July 1945, were intended to cut the undersea telephone cables connecting [[Singapore]], [[Saigon]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Tokyo]]. 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 {{convert|40|mi|km}} of the [[Mekong Delta]] by the submarine [[HMS Spearhead|HMS ''Spearhead'']], where she looked for the two telephone cables by using a towed [[grapnel]]. She eventually snagged the first cable, and managed to haul it about {{convert|10|ft|m}} 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 {{convert|33|ft|m}} and no more than 10 minutes over {{convert|40|ft|m}}. ''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|HMS ''Selene'']]. Operating close inshore near to [[Lamma Island]], working conditions were poor, ''XE5's'' divers having to work in thick mud under the constant threat of [[oxygen poisoning]]. 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.