Bombardier
24-04-05, 11:54
Max Kennedy Horton DSO. Was probably Britain's most famous submariner. Born November 29th 1883 in Minster Kent. He joined HMS Britannia as a cadet in 1898 and went to sea as a Midshipman in 1900. In 1905 as a Sub Lieutenant he volunteered for the then fledgling submarine service. After training in Holland boats Max was promoted to Lieutenant and given command of HMs/m A1 followed by the commands of C8, D2 and D6 rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander by 1912.
At the outbreak of the First World War HMs/m E9 was his command and in this boat his reputation was forged. On the 13th of September 1914 with the war barely started he sank the German cruiser Hela in the Heligoland Bight and three weeks later the destroyer S116 off the River Emes estuary for these he received the DSO.
At dusk on October the 15th 1914 Horton in HMs/m E9 and Lt. Cdr. Noel Laurence in HMs/m E1 left Gorleston on England's east coast for the hazardous journey to the Baltic Sea Lt. Martin Nasmith was to have left with them but his command HMs/m E11 had developed serious engine problems, still he was destine for great deeds later in the Dardanelles. The passage to the Baltic meant passing through the treacherous waters of the Sound which divides Denmark from Sweden. Shallow, fast flowing, rock strewn, busy with shipping and defended with patrols and searchlight by two nations determined to keep themselves out of the war. E1 made it through first. Not knowing that Horton had an engine problem and decided to delay his transit through the Sound until the following night. Laurence took his first opportunity when safely through to attack the German cruiser Victoria Luise. Only to see his torpedoes go underneath due to them not being adjusted to compensate for brackish waters of the Baltic. In consequence when Horton made his run the Sound was alive with ships searching for submarines to add to its hazards. In December 1914 he was promoted to Commander.
Once in the Baltic the submarines started to create havoc amongst the shipping and German forces. Later reinforced with HMs/m's E8, E 18, E19, C26, C27, C35, the small force endured fierce winters and many hardships but their success was overwhelming. In December 1915 Horton was recalled. The Russian allies at hearing this tried to have him stay such was their regard for his fighting abilities. Horton and Laurence made their way back to England over land through Sweden and Norway. For his efforts the Russians had decorated him with the Order of Vlaimir with swords, The Order of St. Ann with sword an diamonds and the Order of St. George. The French had made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Not bad for someone who the Second Sea Lord referred to as ”Something of a pirate”
HMs/m J6 became his next command by this time the war in the North Sea was at its height and inventions such as hydrophone for submarine detection and depth charges were being exploited by both sides. Before the war ended Horton had two other commands. One of the infamous K-class K18 and the submarine monitor M1. When war ended he had two bars to his DSO and was Commander ‘S’ of the 4th submarine flotilla.
Between the wars Horton was posted to command and staff positions rising from Captain in 1920 to Rear Admiral in 1932. At the outbreak of WW2 he was appointed Flag Officer Submarines until November 1942 when he became C in C Western Approaches. In 1945 he accepted the surrender of the U boat fleet and retired from the Royal Navy in 1946 he died on 30th July 1951.
At the outbreak of the First World War HMs/m E9 was his command and in this boat his reputation was forged. On the 13th of September 1914 with the war barely started he sank the German cruiser Hela in the Heligoland Bight and three weeks later the destroyer S116 off the River Emes estuary for these he received the DSO.
At dusk on October the 15th 1914 Horton in HMs/m E9 and Lt. Cdr. Noel Laurence in HMs/m E1 left Gorleston on England's east coast for the hazardous journey to the Baltic Sea Lt. Martin Nasmith was to have left with them but his command HMs/m E11 had developed serious engine problems, still he was destine for great deeds later in the Dardanelles. The passage to the Baltic meant passing through the treacherous waters of the Sound which divides Denmark from Sweden. Shallow, fast flowing, rock strewn, busy with shipping and defended with patrols and searchlight by two nations determined to keep themselves out of the war. E1 made it through first. Not knowing that Horton had an engine problem and decided to delay his transit through the Sound until the following night. Laurence took his first opportunity when safely through to attack the German cruiser Victoria Luise. Only to see his torpedoes go underneath due to them not being adjusted to compensate for brackish waters of the Baltic. In consequence when Horton made his run the Sound was alive with ships searching for submarines to add to its hazards. In December 1914 he was promoted to Commander.
Once in the Baltic the submarines started to create havoc amongst the shipping and German forces. Later reinforced with HMs/m's E8, E 18, E19, C26, C27, C35, the small force endured fierce winters and many hardships but their success was overwhelming. In December 1915 Horton was recalled. The Russian allies at hearing this tried to have him stay such was their regard for his fighting abilities. Horton and Laurence made their way back to England over land through Sweden and Norway. For his efforts the Russians had decorated him with the Order of Vlaimir with swords, The Order of St. Ann with sword an diamonds and the Order of St. George. The French had made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Not bad for someone who the Second Sea Lord referred to as ”Something of a pirate”
HMs/m J6 became his next command by this time the war in the North Sea was at its height and inventions such as hydrophone for submarine detection and depth charges were being exploited by both sides. Before the war ended Horton had two other commands. One of the infamous K-class K18 and the submarine monitor M1. When war ended he had two bars to his DSO and was Commander ‘S’ of the 4th submarine flotilla.
Between the wars Horton was posted to command and staff positions rising from Captain in 1920 to Rear Admiral in 1932. At the outbreak of WW2 he was appointed Flag Officer Submarines until November 1942 when he became C in C Western Approaches. In 1945 he accepted the surrender of the U boat fleet and retired from the Royal Navy in 1946 he died on 30th July 1951.