Today’s news of interest for defence includes reports of a First World War submarine reportedly being found off the coast of Sardinia and protected status being given to war graves at the centenary of the Battle of Jutland.
Royal Navy submarine P311
It has been widely reported that an Italian diver has claimed to have found the wreck of Royal Navy submarine P311 on the sea bed off the northern coast of Sardinia. The Times story states that if the submarine was verified in records, divers might be sent to fly the White Ensign from her. It is also noted that P311 was the only T-class submarine never to be given a name. She had been due to be named Tutankhamen but it had not been formally assigned.
A Royal Navy spokesman said:
We are examining our records to determine whether or not this is a Royal Navy submarine.
Jutland
BBC London and The Daily Telegraph reported that the graves of Jack Cornwell and other memorials to those who died at the Battle of Jutland are being given new protected status to mark the centenary of the naval clash.
Read more about First World War commemoration at the DCMS page.
HMS Namur
The Daily Telegraph reports that twenty years after the timbers of HMS Namur were found, they will go on public display in Chatham. The article states that although not a household name, HMS Namur’s battle honours surpass even those of the more famous HMS Victory. It states that the ship was one of the first generations of warships to be built with a copper bottom to reduce the growth of marine life on the hull.
Libya
The Times reports claims that British Special Forces fired a missile to destroy a Daesh truck packed with explosives in Libya this month.
The Ministry of Defence does not comment on Special Forces.
200 musicians from the Royal Marines have been performing their world-renowned ceremony on London’s Horse Guard Parade in celebration of their Captain General, His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. Accompanied by a 100 man guard from 45 Commando RM. Crown Copyright.
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