Polish Submarine DZIK
Type: U-class
Built by: Vickers-Armstrong, Tyne
Keel laid: 30 December 1941
Launched: 11 October 1942
Completed: 16 December 1942
Returned to British: 25 July 1946
Scrapped: April 1958
First skipper: Kapitan Marynarki [Lt. Cmdr] B. Romanowski
Second skipper: Kpt. Mar. A. Klopotowski
In Sept. 1943, the allies invaded Italy. During this time DZIK was ordered to blockade the axis naval base at Bastia, Corsica. After the allies gained a foothold in Italy, Corsica was invaded in support of a civilian uprising there. Romanowski was ordered to prevent the Germans and Italians from evacuating to the Italian mainland.
Romanowski decided the best way to do this was to attack any shipping before they attempt to break out. On the evening of 21 Sept., while submerged outside the port of Bastia, Romanowski observed an air raid on the port. Taking advantage of the confusion caused by the raid, DZIK slipped into the harbor while submerged. Using the periscope, two large ships were spotted moored close together. DZIK fired four torpedoes, sinking both ships. Apparently one or two torpedoes passed under one of the ships striking a German tug and barges docked behind the ships. Before retreating from the harbor, Romanowski observed large secondary explosions with smoke and flames coming from the ships.
in the pre-dawn darkness on 22 September, while on the surface, DZIK spotted three German landing craft leaving the port. DZIK launched four torpedoes, claiming hits on all three craft, leaving them burning in the water. After recharging batteries, DZIK resumed patrol. Spotting no ships in or near the port, DZIK was ordered to return to Malta. On the morning of 24 Sept. DZIK spotted a large merchant ship 11 miles from Bastia. The remaining two torpedoes were fired. Romanowski claimed two hits. The British sub HMS ULTOR also claimed hits around the same time. The ship was beached and ultimately sunk by HMS UPROAR. It was after this patrol that DZIK and her sister sub SOKOL came to be known by the British as ‘the terrible twins’.
Actions by ORP DZIK
Under Romanowski:
24-May-43 Carnaro It.Tanker 8,257GRT Damaged
17-June-43 Vieste It.Minesweeper 517GRT Miss
17-June-43 ? Unknown Stmr 4,000GRT Miss
19-July-43 Unshaken Brt.Submarine 735GRT Miss
15-Aug-43 Cesco It.Tanker 6,161GRT Damaged
15-Aug-43 Citta di Spezza It.Stmr. 2,474GRT Damaged
15-Aug-43 Goggiano It.Stmr. 1,994GRT Damaged
19-Aug-43 ? UnknownSubmarine ? Miss
21-Sept-43 Nikolaus Ger.Tanker[ex-Greek] 6,397GRT Sunk
21-Sept-43 Kraft Ger.Tug 630GRT Sunk
21-Sept-43 Tiberiadel FrenchStmr. 3,000GRT Sunk [unconfirmed]
21-Sept-43 ? It.Barges 200GRT Sunk
[three barges sunk, four damaged or probably sunk]
22-Sept-43 SF-172 Ger.LandingCraft 312GRT Sunk
22-Sept-43 SF-? “ “ “ “ “
22-Sept-43 SF-? “ “ “ “ “
24-Sept-43 Champagne Ger.Stmr.[ex-French] 9,946GRTDamaged [unconfirmed]
17-Nov-43 ? Unknown Sailing Vessel 50GRT Sunk [by deckgun]
This patrol was commanded by Klopotowski
7-Jan-44 Brunhilde Ger.Tanker[ex-Greek] 5,600GRT
Damaged [unconfirmed]
8-Jan-44 Elleni Ger. Sailing Vessel[ex-Greek] 5,600GRT
Damaged [unconfirmed] [ten Germans were taken prisoner]
9-Jan-44 ? Unknown Sailing Vessel 30GRT Sunk [by deckgun]
DAVID CHWALA (1422-2002) assisted by Beth Martin in Sharkhunters, International KTB183a Membership newsletter
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