MTB's 268, 309, 266, 265

Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB)
Graham101
Seaman
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 8:56 am

MTB's 268, 309, 266, 265

Postby Graham101 » Wed Mar 09, 2016 9:25 am

Hi,

First post and I'm looking for information concerning my Grandad who sadly died back in 1980 so I don't have any first hand info myself as I was 3. Ideally I want to put a short book together for my Dad on my Grandad's Navy service so as much information I am able to glean about anything and everything would be amazing. This forum looks to be a great source so thanks in advance if you can help.

To our knowledge Grandad served on MTB's at some point in the war but I can't find mention of MTBs in his service record. He was in the Navy 1936-1948. He was stationed at HMS Attack, HMS Hornet and HMS Mosquito for a period (Sep 41-Sep 42) which I'm aware are shore establishments but I'm wondering if this was when he might have been on MTBs? Looking through his photo album I have come across pictures of MTB's (most sadly missing) numbering 268, 265, 266, 309. The pictures I do have say "MTB 268 Phaphos" and another "268 on the slips Hiafa". There are 2 crew photos entitled "Crew on the Beano" (presumably a jolly?) and "Wine Distillery Stroumbi". I'm assuming this could be from his time at HMS Mosquito? Looking at the boat numbers possibly 10/15th Flotilla? Dad also says he was on MTB's in the Channel/North sea but no other info I'm afraid at this point.

I've attached the photo's I have plus the relevant page of this service record. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Edit: think some of the files are too big will resize and post if I can.

Edit 2: All photo's in now.
Attachments
20160308_221350 - Copy.jpg
20160308_221224 - Copy.jpg
20160308_215913 - Copy.jpg
Service Recordjpg_Page2.jpg
img008.jpg
20160308_215856-1.jpg

Brian Holmes
Commander
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 3:26 pm
Location: Portsmouth

Re: MTB's 268, 309, 266, 265

Postby Brian Holmes » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:17 pm

MTB_268 Elco Works, Electric Boat Company, Bayonne, New Jersey 23/12/40
Known Crew
Lt David Cowley Souter RNVR HMS Hornet 12/39. 10th MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 68 9/40 TLt 1/12/40 10th MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 268 22/2/42 HMS Viscount (Destroyer) HMS Arbela (Boston, Lincs) 9/6/45
SLt Newall RNZNVR 10th MTB Flotilla First Lieutenant MTB 268
TSLt Ronald Walton Beaumont RNVR TSLt 29/12/41 HMS Mosquito (Alexandria) 3/42 10th MTB Flotilla First Lieutenant MTB 268 15/3/43 HMS Gregale (Malta) Commanding Officer MTB 260 19/12/43 TLt 29/5/44 10th MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 315 31/8/44. Born 29/12/20 in Birkenhead district, Cheshire and died 11/87 in Preston and South Ribble district, Lancashire
TSLt A Kirk RNVR TASLt First Lieutenant MTB 66 31/05/43 TSLt 12/8/43 10th MTB Flotilla First Lieutenant MTB 268 24/11/43 HMS Gregale (Malta) 10th MTB Flotilla MTB 315 31/8/44
Wartime Activities
United States Navy service as PT 19
11/4/41 Transferred to Royal Navy under lend lease
10th MTB Flotilla
22/02/42 Commissioned at Alexandria
9/4/42 MTB 266 and MTB 268 sailed from Alexandria to visit Levant ports and ensure that berthing and fuelling arrangements were satisfactory in the event of MTBs operating in the area.
20/4/42 MTB 267 and MTB 268 returned to Alexandria with defects
22/4/42 MTB 267 and MTB 268 sailed from Alexandria to join V 10 at Haifa.
14/6/42 Operation Vigorous.
Convoy MW 11 consisting of ten merchant ships escorted by 7 cruisers one anti aircraft cruiser 26 destroyers, corvettes and minesweepers. MTB 259, MTB 261(?), MTB 262, MTB 264, MTB 266 and MTB 268 are towed by merchant ships to conserve fuel. Towing has to be abandoned due to heavy weather.
Soon after release, MTB 259 is awash and sinking. A heavy wire warp and bridle are hanging over the bow and is too heavy to pull in. SLt Newall goes over the side and cuts away the towing gear with a hacksaw. The crew abandon ship and are rescued by MTB 268.
14/9/42 Operation Agreement
Commando raid on Tobruk. Force C - MTB 260, MTB 261, MTB 262, MTB 265, MTB 266, MTB 267, MTB 268, MTB 307, MTB 308, MTB 310, MTB 311, MTB 312, MTB 313, MTB 314 and MTB 315 each with 10 troops embarked. ML 349, ML 352 and ML 353 carry demolition teams.
Turning into the objective, Cdr Blackburn orders the force to increase speed to 24kts and the force becomes split. An LRDG unit ordered to use signals to guide the force in is delayed. As a result only MTB 261 and MTB 314 are able to enter Mersa es Sciausc cove and disembark troops
MTB 314 grounds on rocks and can not be taken off. MTB 261 rescues the crew of MTB 314. Demolition charges are set but fail to explode and MTB 314 is salvaged by German forces and taken up as RA 10 (6th Raumboot Flotilla.
Returning to Alexandria, MTB 308 is damaged by fighters and then attacked by a Ju 88 bomber which is damaged by anti aircraft fire and crashes into MTB 308 sinking her. There are no survivors
MTB 310 is dive bombed and hit in the bow. The crew abandon ship in an assault boat and head for the coast. When German forces recover them near the coast a week later only three, including the First Lieutenant, are still alive and suffering from thirst, sunburn and dehydration
MTB 312 is strafed by Macchi fighters and set on fire. Survivors are picked up by MTB 266. By coincidence TLt I A Quarrie was rescuedtwo years previously by TLt Richard Routledge Smith when sunk in MTB 106. MTB 266 is near missed by dive bombers and damaged by splinters but returns to Alexandria
ML 353 is sunk by aircraft at Tobruk, Libya. Survivors are rescued by ML 349
13/09/42 At 0300, MTB 268 develops engine trouble and returns to Alexandria. Embarked troops are transferred to ML 353.
6/43 Based at HMS Gregale, Malta
6-7/6/43 MTB 263 and MTB 268 conduct a commando raid on Lampedusa Island

Post War Fate
16/03/46 Returned to the United States Navy
08/46 Sold

Brian Holmes
Commander
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 3:26 pm
Location: Portsmouth

Re: MTB's 268, 309, 266, 265

Postby Brian Holmes » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:19 pm

MTB_266 Elco Works, Electric Boat Company, Bayonne, New Jersey 12/12/40
For an attack on an enemy convoy off Cape Zebib 1/4/43
DSC TLt Richard Routledge Smith RNVR
DSM LSea John Wilson C/JX139133
DSM MtrMch Robert Leonard Capindale P/MX120377
MID TSLt John Norman Broad RNZNVR
MID AB John Hyslop C/JX317850

For operations in the Aegean 9 - 11/43
MID Lt John Norman Broad RNZNVR
MID POMtrMch Albert Alwyn Cox P/MX99133

For an action in the Mediterranean 9/3/44
MID TSLt Michael Somerset Hannington SANF

Known Crew
Lt Richard Routledge Smith RNVR SLt First Lieutenant MTB 15 4/40 10th MTB Flotilla First Lieutenant MTB 104 03/07/40 Commanding Officer MTB 68 1941 Lt 26/6/41 HMS Mosquito (Alexandria) for MTBs 22/2/42 Commanding Officer MTB 266 For an attack on an enemy convoy off Cape Zebib 1/4/43 DSC 32nd MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 640 For good service while commanding a ship engaged in amti-submarine operations MID Commanding Officer 55th MTB Flotilla Based on Great Yarmouth MTB 629 18/10/43 For an action off Ameland 9/3/44 MID Commanding Officer 53rd MTB Flotilla Based at Portsmouth and Ostend MTB 775 3/8/44
TLt John Norman Broad RNZNVR left New Zealand on Scheme B draft for overseas service attached RN 31/10/40 Ord HMS Ganges HMS Pembroke for training 10/12/40 HMS Agamemnon (Auxillary Minelayer) 1/4/41 HMS King Alfred TSLt 2/10/41 HMS Excellent for training 1/8/41 TSLt 2/10/41 HMS Beehive (Felixstowe) 22/12/41 HMS Nile (Alexandria) [passage via South Africa] 1/3/42 First Lieutenant MTB 266 30/5/42 For an attack on an enemy convoy off Cape Zebib 1/4/43 MID Commanding Officer MTB 266 9/4/43 For operations in the Aegean 9 - 11/43 MID TLt 1/11/43 Killed in action 9/3/44 aged 24 Son of John and Ann Eliza Broad, of Roslyn, Dunedin, Otago Born in Dunedin 22/12/19
TSLt Michael Somerset Hannington SANF(V) TSLt 5/8/43 MTB 266 For an action in the Mediterranean 9/3/44 MID MTB 309 1944 HMS Lanka (RN base, Colombo, Ceylon)
POMtrMch Albert Alwyn Cox P/MX99133 MTB 266 For operations in the Aegean 9 - 11/43 MID
LSea John Wilson C/JX139133 Coxswain MTB 266 For an attack on an enemy convoy off Cape Zebib 1/4/43 DSM Killed in action Thursday, 9 March 1944 aged 27 Son of William and Emily Wilson; husband of Catherine Wilson, of Hylton, Co. Durham
AB John Hyslop C/JX317850 MTB 266
MtrMch Robert Leonard Capindale P/MX120377 MTB 266 For an attack on an enemy convoy off Cape Zebib 1/4/43 DSM

Wartime Activities
United States Navy service as PT 17
11/4/41 US Navy PT 11, PT 12, PT 13, PT 14, PT15, PT 16, PT 17 and PT 18 are transferred to the Royal Navy under lend lease becoming MTB 260, MTB 261, MTB 262, MTB 263, MTB 264, MTB 265, MTB 266 and MTB 267 respectively
10th MTB Flotilla
22/02/42 Commissioned at Alexandria
17/3/42 At 23.03, U-83 fired a spread of three torpedoes at a steamer in convoy AT 34 near Tobruk and missed. At 23.17, one torpedo was fired that hit Crista and set her on fire. Two officers and five ratings were lost. The survivors abandoned ship and were picked up by the South African M/S whaler HMSAS Bokburg.
The abandoned Crista was located by MTB 266, which anchored her off Bardia where the fires were extinguished. She was taken in tow by HMS St. Monance (W 63) to Alexandria for repairs, escorted by armed trawler HMS Southern Isle and HDML 1005 and HDML 1069, arriving on 28 March
9/4/42 MTB 266 and MTB 268 sailed from Alexandria to visit Levant ports and ensure that berthing and fuelling arrangements were satisfactory in the event of MTBs operating in the area.
20/4/42 MTB 265 and MTB 266 arrived in Haifa
14/06/42 Operation Vigorous. Convoy MW 11 of ten merchant ships escorted by 7 cruisers one anti aircraft cruiser 26 destroyers, corvettes and minesweepers. MTBs 259, 261(?), 262, 264, 266 and 268 are towed by merchant ships to conserve fuel. . Towing has to be abandoned due to heavy weather.
14/9/42 Operation Agreement
Commando raid on Tobruk. Force C - MTB 260, MTB 261, MTB 262, MTB 265, MTB 266, MTB 267, MTB 268, MTB 307, MTB 308, MTB 310, MTB 311, MTB 312, MTB 313, MTB 314 and MTB 315 each with 10 troops embarked. ML 349, ML 352 and ML 353 carry demolition teams.
Turning into the objective, Cdr Blackburn orders the force to increase speed to 24kts and the force becomes split. An LRDG unit ordered to use signals to guide the force in is delayed. As a result only MTB 261 and MTB 314 are able to enter Mersa es Sciausc cove and disembark troops
MTB 314 grounds on rocks and can not be taken off. MTB 261 rescues the crew of MTB 314. Demolition charges are set but fail to explode and MTB 314 is salvaged by German forces and taken up as RA 10 (6th Raumboot Flotilla.
Returning to Alexandria, MTB 308 is damaged by fighters and then attacked by a Ju 88 bomber which is damaged by anti aircraft fire and crashes into MTB 308 sinking her. There are no survivors
MTB 310 is dive bombed and hit in the bow. The crew abandon ship in an assault boat and head for the coast. When German forces recover them near the coast a week later only three, including the First Lieutenant, are still alive and suffering from thirst, sunburn and dehydration
MTB 312 is strafed by Macchi fighters and set on fire. Survivors are picked up by MTB 266. By coincidence TLt I A Quarrie was rescuedtwo years previously by TLt Richard Routledge Smith when sunk in MTB 106. MTB 266 is near missed by dive bombers and damaged by splinters but returns to Alexandria
ML 353 is sunk by aircraft at Tobruk, Libya. Survivors are rescued by ML 349
14/12/42 MTB 266, MTB 307 and MTB 316 on passage to Bone unsuccessfully attacked an unescorted merchant ship of 3000 tons at 1631, in position 37 06N 11 52E. MTB were driven off by accurate fire from this merchant ship.
31/3-1/4 MTB 265, MTB 266, MTB 315 and MTB 316, departed Bone at 1700 to intercept a reported convoy. Senior Officer Lt Denis Jermain embarked in MTB 316.
2050 Off Cape Serrat, MTB 265 reports a man overboard, is detached to conduct a search and ordered not to rejoin.
2150 MTB 316 develops engine problems and has to drop out. The sea is too rough to transfer the Senior Officer and MTBs 266 and 315 continue the patrol with the Commanding Officer of MTB 266 acting as Senior Officer.
2310 MTBs 266 and 315 reach a position one mile north of Cape Zebib where they cut engines and wait for the convoy.
2350 Ships are sighted approaching from the east. Both MTBs start engines and slowly approach the convoy which is estimated as three merchant ships with an escort of two destroyers and several E Boats. MTB 266 fires both torpedoes at the second merchant ship observing a hit between funnel and bridge whilst turning away. The target is believed to have been sunk.
Transports Crema (ex-French lifting, 1684 GRT) and Benevento (ex French Fort de Souville, 5528 GRT) are sunk
MTB 266 sights a destroyer and attempts a depth charge attack but is beaten off and disengages. Both MTBs set course for Bone. Because of the gale, speed is reduced firstly to 13 kts and then to 8 kts. MTB 266 is leaking in the engine room and after compartments. The bow and stern are sagging when on the crest of a wave.
1100 Both vessels reach Tabarka.
31/3-1/4/43 With MTB 311, torpedoed and sank two steamers in escorted convoy off Cani Rocks, Tunisia
Based at Bizerta
24/9/43 10th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla, MTB 260, MTB 263, MTB 266, MTB 307, MTB 309, MTB 313 and MTB 315 arrived at Benghazi from Malta for onward routing to Alexandria. They were required to future employment in the Aegean.
9 - 12/43 Operations in the Aegean
12-3/11/43 2 groups destroyer HMS Faulknor, HMS Beaufort, Pindos (Greek) HMS Dulverton, HMS Echo, HMS Belvoir MTB 315, MTB 266 and MTB 263 look for German transport ships without success.
13-4/11/43 Previous nights operation is repeated
14-5/11/43 MTBs 266, 307 and 315 depart Casteloriso for a patrol off Leros. MTB 307 has to drop out after developing a leak and returns to Casteloriso.
0515 MTB 315 spots two R Boats about 300 yds away and laying a smokescreen. Shore searchlights are switched on illuminating around a dozen German landing craft making an assault. MTBs 266 and 315 engage the landing craft with gunfire pooring around 2000 rounds of ammunition into the nearest vessel from point blank range. The landing craft is set on fire and stops. The R Boats open fire at long range and a destroyer is illuminated by the searchlights. MTB 315 sets up for a torpedo attack on the destroyer which is presumed to be German. MTB 315 challeges the destroyer which is HMS Echo returning from landing troops at Leros. MTB 266 drops a depth charge under a large powered barge which explodes and sinks. HMS Echo also joins in the attack on the landing craft.
15-6/11/43 MTBs 266, 307 and 315 transport troops from Casteloriso to Leros. The island of Leros surrenders to the Germans the next day.
7-8/12/43 MTB 266 and MTB 315 transfer from Alexandria to Casteloriso. MTB 266 loses her starboard rudder en route and the exposed rubber gland is plugged on arrival.
13-4/12/43 MTB 266 and MTB 315 sank one tug and two caiques off Rhodes by gunfire
9-10/3/44 MTBs 260 and 266 make a gun attack on a group of three schooners. a caique, a Flak Lighter and an R Boat. They are outmatched and break off the action. MTB 266 is badly hit. The commanding officer TLt John Norman Broad RNZNVR and the coxswain are killed.
17/04/44 Sank in Alexandria Harbour and written off as a Constructive Total Loss

Brian Holmes
Commander
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 3:26 pm
Location: Portsmouth

Re: MTB's 268, 309, 266, 265

Postby Brian Holmes » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:22 pm

MTB_265 Elco Works, Electric Boat Company, Bayonne, New Jersey 20/12/40
Known Crew
TLt John Alfred Wolfe RNVR TSLt 11/5/40 First Lieutenant MTB 107 19/07/40 – 41 HMS Medway, TLt 23/2/41 HMS Medway (submarine depot ship) HMS Mosquito for MTBs 15/2/42 21st MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 232 19/9/43 For minelaying in the Nore Command area DSC HMS Beehive 22/1/44 Operation Neptune - Invasion of Normandy For actions in the Nore area during which an enemy minesweeper and merchant ship were sunk 14/9/44 and 8/10/44 DSC* 21st MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 387 20/11/44 Commanding Officer MTB 265 1945
TLt Gordon Denzil Oxley RNVR TSLt HMS Minos II (Lowestoft) 7th MGB Flotilla 26/2/41 HMS Mosquito (Alexandria) for MTBs 5/4/42 10th MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 265 18/9/42 Died 14/12/43 of wounds received in an action on 22/11/43 aged 23 Son of Harry William and Florence Oxley, of Eastbourne, Sussex Buried in Bone War Cemetery VIII. E. 17
TSLt P G Lenox RNVR TSLt HMS Nile (Alexandria) for MTBs 2/42 HMS Mosquito (Alexandria) for MTBs 14/6/42 10th MTB Flotilla First Lieutenant MTB 265 18/9/42 Commanding Officer MTB 265 12/43 TLt 9/4/44 MTB 401
TSLt P G Jenkins RNVR TSLt 23/4/43 10th MTB Flotilla MTB 265 13/1/44 First Lieutenant ML 106 17/4/45

Wartime Activities
United States Navy service as PT 16
11/4/41 US Navy PT 11, PT 12, PT 13, PT 14, PT15, PT 16, PT 17 and PT 18 are transferred to the Royal Navy under lend lease becoming MTB 260, MTB 261, MTB 262, MTB 263, MTB 264, MTB 265, MTB 266 and MTB 267 respectively
10th MTB Flotilla
24/02/42 Commissioned at Alexandria
20/4/42 MTB 265 and MTB 266 arrived in Haifa
14/9/42 Operation Agreement
Commando raid on Tobruk. Force C - MTB 260, MTB 261, MTB 262, MTB 265, MTB 266, MTB 267, MTB 268, MTB 307, MTB 308, MTB 310, MTB 311, MTB 312, MTB 313, MTB 314 and MTB 315 each with 10 troops embarked. ML 349, ML 352 and ML 353 carry demolition teams.
Turning into the objective, Cdr Blackburn orders the force to increase speed to 24kts and the force becomes split. An LRDG unit ordered to use signals to guide the force in is delayed. As a result only MTB 261 and MTB 314 are able to enter Mersa es Sciausc cove and disembark troops
MTB 314 grounds on rocks and can not be taken off. MTB 261 rescues the crew of MTB 314. Demolition charges are set but fail to explode and MTB 314 is salvaged by German forces and taken up as RA 10 (6th Raumboot Flotilla.
Returning to Alexandria, MTB 308 is damaged by fighters and then attacked by a Ju 88 bomber which is damaged by anti aircraft fire and crashes into MTB 308 sinking her. There are no survivors
MTB 310 is dive bombed and hit in the bow. The crew abandon ship in an assault boat and head for the coast. When German forces recover them near the coast a week later only three, including the First Lieutenant, are still alive and suffering from thirst, sunburn and dehydration
MTB 312 is strafed by Macchi fighters and set on fire. Survivors are picked up by MTB 266. By coincidence TLt I A Quarrie was rescuedtwo years previously by TLt Richard Routledge Smith when sunk in MTB 106. MTB 266 is near missed by dive bombers and damaged by splinters but returns to Alexandria
ML 353 is sunk by aircraft at Tobruk, Libya. Survivors are rescued by ML 349
19/12/42 MTB 265 arrived in Malta from Benghazi.
12-13/3/43 Action with S Boat off Zambreta Island, Tunisia
22-23/3/43 MTB 265 and MTB 311 depart Bone to conduct an offensive sweep off Plane Island, Tunisia.
0150 Lookouts spot four vessels moving in formation. The senior officer decides that MTB 311 will attack with torpedoes and MTB 265 will cover her with gunfire if required.
0220 MTB 311 approaches, on silent engine, to attack and reaches a point 700yds from the third vessel before firing two torpedoes. The Germans return fire and MTB 311 turns to starboard to disengage. A flak lighteris is sunk, On the return trip to Bone, a mine explodes in the wake of MTB 311.
27-8/3/43 MTB 265 and 311 with SOIS Cdr Oliver embarked sight and sink a supply ship off Bizerta
31/3-1/4 MTB 265, MTB 266, MTB 315 and MTB 316, departed Bone at 1700 to intercept a reported convoy. Senior Officer Lt Denis Jermain embarked in MTB 316.
2050 Off Cape Serrat, MTB 265 reports a man overboard, is detached to conduct a search and ordered not to rejoin.
26-7/4/43 MTB 265 and MTB 311 torpedo and sink a motor vessel off Cani Rocks, Tunisia
8-9/5/43 MTB 265, MTB 316 and PT 206 are on patrol between Cape Bon and Ras-el-Mirh
2045 MTB 265, MTB 316 and PT 206 sight an Italian merchant ship 400 yards from shore PT 206 grept forward and fired a torpedo from 350 yards. The merchant vessel exploded.
9-10/5/43 MTB 265, MTB 313 and MTB 316 intercept a vessel off Sidi Daud and take 36 German prisoners.
11-12/5/43 MTB 265, MTB 309 and MTB 316, captured 117 prisoners from a group of small boats off Cape Bon. This includes a party of German paratroopers. A vessel, thought to be a submarine is sighted and a torpedo attack made. The torpedoes miss what is the partly submerged wreck of a destroyer.
Based at Bone.
10/7/43 Operation Husky Invasion of Sicily
10th MTB Flotilla
MTB 265, MTB 313, MTB 315, MTB 316
9-10/8/43 Damaged in action and the commanding officer is wounded. MTB 265 is towed back to base, stern first and with most of her bow missing, by MTB ???.
Post War Fate
16/03/46 Returned to the United States Navy
08/46 Sold

Brian Holmes
Commander
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 3:26 pm
Location: Portsmouth

Re: MTB's 268, 309, 266, 265

Postby Brian Holmes » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:24 pm

MTB_309 Elco Works, Electric Boat Company, Bayonne, New Jersey 09/02/42
For services during the withdrawal from Tobruk summer 1942
DSC* Lt Denis Jermain
DSM Sto1 Ernest Baynes D/KX127770
MID LTel Francis McMahon D/JX149283

Known Crew
TLt Robert Varvill RNVR TASLt First Lieutenant MTB 34 14/08/40 TSLt 31/3/41 4th MTB Flotilla HMS Beehive (Felixstowe) 4/8/41 4th MTB Flotilla Based at Felixstowe Commanding Officer MTB 30 4/8/41 TLt 1/6/42 Commanding Officer MTB 78 01/06/42 7th MTB Flotilla Based on Bastia Commanding Officer MTB 421 8/1/44 For offensive sweeps off the west coast of Italy 5/44 DSC For an attack on an enemy convoy off La Spezia 27/5/44 MID Commanding Officer MTB 309 and Senior Officer 10th MTB Flotilla 23/1/45 Queen's Commendation (Civil): District Officer Calabar Nigeria 1951 Born 31/3/20 and died in Sussex 22/2/03
TLt Kenneth James Frederick Woodhams RNVR. Joined RNVR 13/1/42 HMS Wolverine (destroyer) (Operation Pedestal, convoy to relieve Malta) 8/42 MTB ... HMS Mantis (Lowestoft) TSLt 29/7/43 10th MTB Flotilla First Lieutenant MTB 309 30/10/43 – 45 TLt 29/7/45 MMS 182 -11/2/46 transferred to RN 22/1/47 Office of the Senior Psychologist, Admiralty (HMS President) serving at HMS President Emergency List 1952 Permanent RNR 1960 Trained as a school teacher. Teacher, RN School, Verdala (Malta), 1960s VRD 1965 Born 29/1/23 in Tonbridge Wells, Kent and died 12/7/73 in Basingstoke, Hants
Lt Denis Jermain RN 1st MTB Flotilla (Based at Malta) Commanding Officer MTB 19 9/39 Commanding Officer MTB 31 For the sinking of two enemy trawlers in the Dover Straits in October 1940 MID For damaging the enemy merchant ship Santos off Flushing 30/11/40 DSC HMS Mosquito (Alexandria) for MTBs 5/42 10th MTB Flotilla MTB 315 For dummy landings in Egypt 10 - 11/42 MID 1942 10th MTB Flotilla For an attack on the Italian cruiser Scipione Africanus 16/7/43 MID 1943 Commanding Officer MTB 309 & Senior Officer 15th MTB Flotilla For services during the withdrawal from Tobruk summer 1942 DSC*
TLt Ross C Campbell RCNVR HMS Raleigh (training establishment, Torpoint) TSLt 31/12/40 HMS Hornet TLt 31/12/41 10th MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 309 8/12/42 30th MTB Flotilla Based at Lowestoft, Dover, Ramsgate, Portsmouth and Ostend Commanding Officer MTB 480 1/6/44 For actions in the Normandy assault area 7 - 8/44 DSC HMS Mantis 7/45 Diplomat and company president. PRESIDENT, INTERCON CONSULTANTS LIMITED 1983-- ; Dir., ADOPAC Ltd.; began career Legal Division, Department of External Affairs 1945; Third Secretary, Canadian Legation, Oslo, 1946-47; Second Secretary, Copenhagen, 1947-50; European Division Department of External Affairs, Ottawa, 1950-52; First Secretary, Canadian Embassy, Ankara, 1952-56; Head, Middle East Division, 1957-59; Special Assistant to Secretary of State for External Affairs 1959-62; Assistant Under Secretary of State for External Affairs, 1962-64; Advisor, Canadian Delegates to U.N. Gen. Assemblies and Cdn. Ministerial Dels. to N. Atlantic Council, 1958-64; Cdn. Ambassador to Yugoslavia, 1964-67; (concurrently) to Algeria 1965-67; Ambassador and Perm. Rep. to NATO (Paris May 1967, Brussels Oct. 1967-1972); Ambassador to Japan, 1972-75; (concurrently) to Rep. of Korea 1973-74; Chrmn., Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Jan. 1976-May, 1979; Pres., Atomic Energy of Can. Internat'l, 1979; Nuclear Consultant 1980-81; Pres., Canus Technical Services Corp. 1981-83 Born in Toronto, Ontario 4/11/18 and died in Aylmer, Quebec 15/8/2007
TLt Charles Donald Chaffey RCNVR Ord HMCS Discovery (RCN base & reserve depot, Vancouver, BC) 10/40 HMS Raleigh 11/40 HMS Pytchley (destroyer) HMS King Alfred 12/40 TASLt 31/12/40 HMS St Christopher for MLs 5/9/41 ML 209 15th ML Flotilla Based at Scapa Flow First Lieutenant MTB 232 2/4/42 TLt 31/12/42 10th MTB Flotilla MTB 309 Commanding Officer MTB 232 Commanding Officer MGB 212 6/5/43 HMS Attack (Portland) for small craft 26/5/43 29th MTB Flotilla Based on Portsmouth Commanding Officer MTB 465 27/3/44 – 9/2/45 Further awards for Operation Neptune MID 29th MTB Flotilla Commanding Officer MTB 486 25/2/45 – 3/3/45 Born in 1918 and died in 1989
TSLt Michael Somerset Hannington SANF(V) TSLt 5/8/43 MTB 266 For an action in the Mediterranean 9/3/44 MID MTB 309 1944 HMS Lanka (RN base, Colombo, Ceylon)
TSLt H K Roll RNVR TSLt 9/10/41 HMS Nile (Alexandria) for MTBs 2/42 HMS Mosquito (Alexandria) for MTBs 5/6/42 10th MTB Flotilla MTB 309 2/12/42 TLt 9/4/44 HMS Turtle (Poole)
TSLt K J K Woodhams RNVR MTB 309 30/10/43
LTel Francis McMahon D/JX149283 15th MTB Flotilla MTB 309 For services during the withdrawal from Tobruk summer 1942 MID
Sto1 Ernest Baynes D/KX127770 15th MTB Flotilla MTB 309 For services during the withdrawal from Tobruk summer 1942 DSM

Wartime Activities
11/02/42 Transferred to Royal Navy under lend lease
15th MTB Flotilla
22/04/42 Commissioned at Alexandria
22/23/5/42 MTB 309 and MTB 312, sailed from Tobruk and landed agents on the North African coast.
23/24/5/42 MTB 309 and 312 carried out a successful landing operation in Crete, working from Tobruk or MTB 309 and MTB 312, sailed from Tobruk and landed agents on the North African coast.
26/27/5/42 At 0300, MTB 309 and MTB 312, are on patrol in the Bomba area when a Flak lighter is sighted. They attack with torpedoes and at least two pass under the shallow draft vessel. They then attack with depth charges. MTBs 309 and 312 conduct a search but find neither the Flak lighter nor wreckage.
Services during the withdrawal from Tobruk summer 1942
7-8/6/42 MTB 309 and MTB 312 patrolled in the vicinity of 32 26N 23 09E during the night to investigate an air report of F boats unloading. A small ship, possibly an F boat was seen close inshore and attacked with torpedo, but results were uncertain
20/6/42 Escaped from Tobruk carrying official records.
9/42 10th MTB Flotilla
26/9/42 Operation MAZI
The destruction of shipping approaching Rhodes Harbour and in the harbour.
MTB 307, MTB 309, MTB 311 and MTB 316 sailed from Alexandria for Paphos where they laid up, refuelled and awaited a suitable opportunity to carry out the operation. The RAF provided 10,000 gallons of fuel.
31/09/42 MTBs 307, 309, 311 and 316 depart Alexandria for an attack on Rhodes. The boats refuel at Paphos.
1-2/10/42 MTBs 307, 309, 311 and 316 fire torpedoes into Rhodes Harbour. Explosions are heard but the results are unknown.
30/12/42 A convoy of five empty merchant ships (two for Tobruk) sailed from Benghazi escorted by Saktouris, corvette HMS Erica, naval trawlers HMS General Birdwood, HMS Maple, ML 348, ML 349 and MTB 309
3/2/43 Arrives in Malta from Benghazi. Navigational problems resulted in the vessel overshooting Malta and making a landfall at Pantelleria. The mistake was realised and the vessel set course for Malta, ran out of fuel, but was spotted by searching aircraft and rescued.
11-12/5/43 MTB 265, MTB 309 and MTB 316 capture 117 prisoners from a group of small boats off Cape Bon. This includes a party of German paratroopers. A vessel, thought to be a submarine is sighted and a torpedo attack made. The torpedoes miss what is the partly submerged wreck of a destroyer. In MTB 309 there are five times as many prisoners as crew. Crewmen guarding the prisoners use German weapons and a co-operative prisoner provides instruction in their use
Based at Bone
24/9/43 10th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla, MTB 260, MTB 263, MTB 266, MTB 307, MTB 309, MTB 313 and MTB 315 arrived at Benghazi from Malta for onward routing to Alexandria. They were required to future employment in the Aegean.
7-8/10/43 MTBs 309 and 313 are on patrol between Rhodes and Symi. They destroy a seaplane, moored in Symi harbour, by gunfire and damage a caique.
17/10/43 MTB 313 is caught alongside in an air raid on Casteloriso and a dockside building collapses on top of her. MTB 309 tows MTB 313 clear of the harbour and, after temporary repair, MTB 313 reaches Alexandria under her own power
19-20/10/43 At 1815, MTBs 307, 309 and 315 depart Casteloriso to search the north coast of Kos.
0045 MTBs 307, 309 and 315 are off Cape Deplini running eastwards, on silent engines, at 12 kts about a mile off shore. MTBs 307, 309 and 315 cross to Kalimno and then work back to the north of Kos.
0235 A ship is sighted and, at 1000yds, is identified as a Flak Lighter. A second vessel is then sighted to the east. MTB 309 is ordered to torpedo the Flak Lighter. MTB 307 is ordered to stand by and MTB 315 goes after the other target now identified as a 500-600 ton coaster. MTB 315 fires her port torpedo which misses and explodes on impact with the shore. The starboard torpedo passes under the vessel and hits a Flak Lighter on the other side and aparently unloading it. There is an initial explosion followed by several secondary detonations. MTB 307 is then ordered to torpedo the coaster. The starboaard torpedo hits the coaster’s bow causing her to sink. MTB 309 attacks the other Flak Lighter without success. The starboard torpedo goes rogue and runs off at ninety degrees whilst the port torpedo passes under the lighter and explodes on impact with the beach.
13/11/43 MTBs 307 and 309 evacuate troops from Leros.
25/12-20/1 MTBs 260 and 309 operate in the vicinity of Rhodes.
12-13/1/44 MTB 260 and MTB 309 sink one caique by gunfire off Piscopi Island
9-10/3/44 MTBs 307 and 309 intercept and attack three destroyers that manage to evade their torpedoes.
14/7/44 Operation Tenement – Raid on Symi
MTB 309, ML 349, HDML 1386

Post War Fate
10/10/45 Returned to the United States Navy
26/10/45 Destroyed

Graham101
Seaman
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 8:56 am

Re: MTB's 268, 309, 266, 265

Postby Graham101 » Mon Mar 14, 2016 12:42 pm

Brian,

Wow! Thank you so much. I'm not sure what MTB my Granddad was on but I think he was with the 10th Flotilla as he went to Mosquito in Dec 1941 just before the 10th went there in Jan 1942. He could have been 15th but looked like they didn't get to Alex until later. Don't know if you've seen my other thread in the service records section but I found a bit more there with help from Admin and me getting my head around things more. I also found a link to the capture of the Italian Sub the 'Perla' which looks like involved boats 261 and 265 who help in bringing her back in. This lead to his collection of 10 photos of the Perla/crew and a crewman diary so maybe he was on one of these boats but the fact my Granddads photo's include 3 pictures of 268 (2 missing) I'm inclined to think that maybe was his boat, but I have no way of knowing for sure. I don't suppose there is any way of finding out? The MTB and crew pics are from Cyprus judging by the captions.

I've picked up a 2nd hand copy of Mediterranean MTBs at war as well as the 'Home waters' one and 'The battle of the narrow seas' and 'Coastal forces at war' from the library to learn as much as I can about MTBs and how they operated. Noticed 'Massacre at Tobruk' book which I'll try and get hold of too.

Are there any other sources that might be helpful that you know of? Don't mind travelling to P.R.O etc to look through original documents.

Thank you again.

Graham


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