HMS SHAKESPEARE was badly damaged in an exchange of gunfire with a Japanese auxiliary minesweeper in the Andaman area of the Indian Ocean on 3 January 1945. The engine room and control room were partially flooded and the boat was unable to dive and severely limited in her ability to manoeuvre. One main engine and both main motors were put out of action. Throughout the day SHAKESPEARE fought off 25 air attacks shooting down one aircraft but suffering two killed, ABs Motteram and Taylor, both buried at sea, and thirteen wounded.

The submarine eventually managed to return to Trincomalee on 8 January 1945, escorted by HMS STYGIAN, then taken in tow by  the destroyer, HMS RAIDER, followed by the destroyer HMS WHELP.

In addition to the Captain, Lieutenant David Swanston, DSC, being awarded the DSO for this patrol, there were 2 DSC’s, 1 Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, 7 DSMs and 6 Mention in Despatches awarded, an exceptional total of 17 awards for a single patrol (see the London Gazette of 10 April 1945).