I should like to extend my thanks to the following people, institutions and organisations for their superb and generous help during the researching of this book.
My very great thanks to former Sub-Lieutenant Adam Bergius, DSC, who, in 1945, was one of HMS XE-4’s brave and daring divers during Operation Sabre off Saigon. He very generously and patiently answered all of my questions.
Many thanks to William Fell, CMG, grandson of Captain W.R. ‘Tiny’ Fell, CMG, CBE, DSC, RN, Commanding Officer of 14th Submarine Flotilla, for his fascinating insights into his grandfather’s life and access to family documents and photographs.
Thanks are due to Jane Gilbert and her family for sharing documents and photographs relating to her father, Vernon ‘Ginger’ Coles, DSM, who sadly passed away during the writing of this book.
A great many thanks to Donald Fullarton, Helensburgh Heritage Trust; Ron Rietveld, The Submariners Association, West of Scotland Branch; Emily Morris, Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge; David Barnes, Old Worcester, New Zealand; Paul Johnson, The National Archives (Public Record Office), Kew; Shehara Begum, Imperial War Museum, London; Ellis Barker, Newbury Weekly News; Shirley Felton for assistance with research material; The National Maritime Museum, London; Chatham Historic Dockyard; Alison Firth and Stephen Courtney of The National Museum of the Royal Navy; and the kind contributors to the World Naval Ships Forum.
Many thanks to my splendid agent Andrew Lownie, whose encouragement and advice are always very much appreciated.
The team at Icon Books have been fabulous, and my thanks to my editors Duncan Heath and Robert Sharman.
Once again my accomplished wife Fang Fang proved to be a willing sounding board and unpaid research assistant, and most importantly lent me her critical eye during the gestation of this book. Her love, wise suggestions and generous support continue to be invaluable to me and I can’t thank her enough.