Editing XE-class submarine

{{Short description|1944 class of British midget submarines}}
{{Redirect|XE3|camera model|Fujifilm X-E3}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Submarine XE4 at Sydney 1945.jpg
| Ship caption = ''XE4'' in [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]], 1945
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Builders = 
| Operators = {{navy|United Kingdom}}
| Class before = {{sclass2|X|submarine|4}}
| Class after =
| Subclasses = 
| Built range = 
| In commission range = 
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 16
| Total ships completed = 15
| Total ships cancelled = 1
| Total ships active = 
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
| Total ships retired = 13
| Total ships preserved = 2
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship type = 
| Ship displacement = * {{convert|30.25|LT|t|abbr=on|0}} surfaced
* {{convert|33.5|LT|t|abbr=on|0}} submerged
| Ship length = {{convert|53.25|ft|m|abbr=on|2}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|5.75|ft|m|abbr=on|2}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|5.3|ft|m|abbr=on|2}}
| Ship propulsion = * Single shaft
* One [[L Gardner & Sons|Gardner]] 4-cyl [[diesel engine]] {{convert|42|hp|kW|abbr=on|lk=in|0}} at 1,800 [[Revolutions per minute|rpm]]
* One Keith Blackman [[electric motor]] {{convert|30|hp|kW|abbr=on|0}} at 1,650 rpm
| Ship speed = * {{convert|6.5|kn|kph|lk=in|1}} surfaced
* {{convert|5.5|kn|kph|1}} submerged
| Ship range = * {{convert|500|nmi|km|lk=in|abbr=on}} surfaced
* {{convert|82|nmi|km|abbr=on|1}} at {{convert|2|kn|kph|1}} submerged
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship test depth = {{convert|300|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}
| Ship complement = 4–5
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = *2 × {{convert|4,400|lb|kg|abbr=on|0}} detachable explosive charges
*6 × {{convert|20|lb|kg|abbr=on|0}} [[limpet mine]]s 

| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''XE-class submarines''' were a series of twelve [[midget submarine]]s that were built for the [[Royal Navy]] during 1944; four more to a slightly different design were built 1954-5 as the [[Stickleback-class submarine|''Stickleback'' class]]. They were an improved version of the {{sclass2|X|submarine|4}} used in the attack on the [[Kriegsmarine|German]] [[battleship]] {{ship|German battleship|Tirpitz||2}}.

They carried a crew of four, typically a [[Lieutenant (Royal Navy)|lieutenant]] in command, with a [[sub-lieutenant]] as deputy, an [[Engine Room Artificer|engine room artificer]] in charge of the mechanical side and a [[Seaman (rank)|seaman]] or leading-seaman. At least one of them was qualified as a [[military diving|diver]].

In addition to the two [[Naval mine|side charges]] (each of which contained two tons of [[amatol]] explosive), they carried around six {{convert|20|lb|kg|adj=on|0}} [[limpet mine]]s which were attached to the target by the diver.

They and their depot ship {{HMS|Bonaventure|F139|6}} arrived at [[Labuan]] in July 1945. Four of them managed to take part in operations before the war ended.

== Operations ''Sabre'' and ''Foil'' ==
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2016}}

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.

==Operation Struggle==
In August 1945, HMS ''XE1'' and ''XE3'' executed a joint attack on Japanese warships within [[Singapore]] harbour. ''XE3'' was tasked with mining the [[heavy cruiser]] [[Japanese cruiser Takao (1930)|''Takao'']] while ''XE1'' was to attack the heavy cruiser [[Japanese cruiser Myōkō|''Myōkō'']].

The approach of ''XE3'' along the [[Straits of Johor]] and through the various harbour defences took 11 hours plus a further two hours to locate the camouflaged target. Despite several opportunities for Japanese defenders to spot the vessel, ''XE3'' successfully reached the ''Takao'', fixed limpet mines and dropped its two, 2-ton side charges. The withdrawal was successfully made and ''XE3'' returned to [[HMS Stygian|HMS ''Stygian'']], her towing submarine. Meanwhile, ''XE1'' was delayed by Japanese patrol craft, and her captain, realizing that he could not reach ''Myōkō'' (which was two miles further into the harbour than ''Takao'') before the mines already laid by ''XE3'' would explode, also elected to drop his own charges under ''Takao''. ''XE1'' also successfully returned to her towing submarine, [[HMS Spark|HMS ''Spark'']].

The ''Takao'', already damaged and not seaworthy, was severely damaged and never sailed again. ''XE3''s commander, [[Lieutenant]] [[Ian Edward Fraser]] [[Royal Naval Reserve|RNR]], and diver [[Leading Seaman]] [[James Joseph Magennis]] were awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] (VC) for their part in the attack; whilst [[Sub-Lieutenant]] [[William James Lanyon Smith]], [[RNZNVR]], who was at the controls of ''XE3'', received the [[Distinguished Service Order]] (DSO); [[Engine Room Artificer]] Third Class Charles Alfred Reed, who was at the wheel, received the [[Conspicuous Gallantry Medal]] (CGM). ''XE1'''s C/O, Lieutenant [[John Elliott Smart]] [[Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve|RNVR]] received the DSO, and Sub-Lieutenant Harold Edwin Harper, RNVR received the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Cross]] (DSC); and ERA Fourth Class Henry James Fishleigh and [[Leading Seaman]] Walter Henry Arthur Pomeroy received the [[Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Medal]]. ERA Fourth Class Albert Nairn, Acting Leading Stoker Jack Gordan Robinson, and [[Able Seaman]] Ernest Raymond Dee were [[Mentioned in Despatches]] for their part in bringing the two midget submarines from harbour to the point where the crews that took part in the attack took over.<ref name=Gazette>{{London Gazette|issue=37346 |supp=y|pages=5529–5530|date=9 November 1945}}</ref>

==Post war==

In 1950 XE7 was loaned, along with its crew, to the US for testing.<ref name=Parken>{{cite news |last=Parken|first=Oliver |date=26 April 2023 |title=The Navy Procured This Midget Submarine For Coastal Defense During The Cold War |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/the-navy-procured-this-midget-submarine-for-coastal-defense-during-the-cold-war |work=The Drive |access-date=30 April 2023 }} </ref>

==List of  XE Craft==
[[File:Submarine XE8 Expunger bow.JPG|thumb|XE8 ''Expunger'' raised and now on display at [[Chatham Historic Dockyard]]]]
;First group
* ''XE1'' — built by [[Thomas Broadbent and Sons]], used in Operation Struggle, scrapped 1945
* ''XE2'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, scrapped 1945
* ''XE3'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, used in Operation Struggle, scrapped 1945
* ''XE4'' "Exciter" — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, used in Operation Sabre, scrapped 1945
* ''XE5'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, used in Operation Foil, scrapped 1945
* ''XE6'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, scrapped 1945
* ''XE7'' — built by Thomas Broadbent and Sons, scrapped 1952
* ''XE8'' "Expunger" — built by Broadbent, sunk as target 1952, recovered 1973 and preserved at [[Chatham Historic Dockyard]], on loan from the [[Imperial War Museum]]
* ''XE9'' — built by Markham, scrapped 1952
* ''XE10'' — built by Markham, cancelled incomplete 1945
;Second group
* ''XE11'' — built by Marshall, collided with boom defence vessel in [[Loch Striven]] after drifting out of her exercise area and lost 6 March 1945. Three crew were killed in the accident but two managed to escape.<ref name=kemp>{{cite book |title=The Admiralty Regrets British Warship Losses of the 20th Century |url=https://archive.org/details/admiraltyregrets0000kemp |url-access=limited |last=Kemp |first=Paul |year=1999 |publisher=Sutton Publishing Ltd |isbn=0-7509-1567-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/admiraltyregrets0000kemp/page/251 251]}}</ref><ref name=USSubCasualties1966>{{cite journal |title=Submarine Casualties Booklet |publisher=U.S. Naval Submarine School |year=1966 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/8200 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911042946/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/8200 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 September 2009 |access-date=2009-09-08}}</ref> The boat was later salvaged.
* ''XE12'' — built by Marshall, cannibalised for spares 1952
;Third group
[[File:Submarine XE8 Expunger stern.JPG|thumb|XE8 stern]]
{{main|Stickleback class submarine}}
:with minor improvements, built 1954-5. See
* ''X51 Stickleback'' - to [[Swedish Navy]] as ''Spiggen''.  Now on display at Scottish Submarine Heritage Centre, [[Helensburgh]].<ref>{{cite web|title=MIDGET SUBMARINE TAKES THE HIGH ROAD TO SCOTLAND|url=http://www.submarine-museum.co.uk/component/content/article/1-latest-news/531-midget-submarine-takes-the-high-road-to-scotland|website=Royal Navy Submarine Museum|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref>
* ''X52 Shrimp''
* ''X53 Sprat'' - to [[United States Navy]]
* ''X54 Minnow''

==In popular culture==

Author [[Douglas Reeman]] featured XE craft in two of his novels, the 1961 ''Dive in the Sun'' and ''Surface with Daring'' published in 1976.

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* ''Submarines in Colour'' by [[Bill Gunston]] - Blandford Colour Series - Blandford - 1976 - {{ISBN|0-7137-0780-1}}
* ''Submarines - The History and Evolution of Underwater Fighting Vessels'' by Antony Preston - Octopus Books - 1974 - {{ISBN|0-7064-0429-7}}
* ''The Sea Devils: Operation Struggle and the Last Great Raid of World War Two'' by [[Mark Felton]] - Icon Books - 2015 - {{ISBN|978-184831-994-3}}

{{WWII British ships}}

[[Category:Submarine classes]]
[[Category:XE-class submarines| ]]
[[Category:Midget submarines]]