XE class submarine
Six XE class midget submarines were built for the Royal Navy during 1944. They were an improved version of the X Class midgets used in the attack on the Tirpitz.
They carried a crew of four, typically a Lieutenant in command, with a Sub-Lieutenant as deputy, an ERA in charge of the mechanical side and a Seaman or Leading-Seaman. At least one of them was qualified as a diver.
Apart from the two side charges, which contained four tons of Amatol, they carried at least six 200 pound limpet mines which were attached to the target by the diver.
They and their depot ship HMS Bonaventure arrived at Labuan in July 1945. Four of them managed to see action before the war ended.
The vessels were
- HMS XE1
- HMS XE2
- HMS XE3
- HMS XE4
- HMS XE5
- HMS XE6
