MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667

[Croatian Navy]

For my texts about ww2 on Adriatic I am searching for some photos, so if anyone can help me. I would be very greatfull.

So, I need these photos:

MTBs 634, 637, 638 and 667.

I also need photos of their crew members and their comanders:
C.J. Jerram
Eric Hewitt (MTB 670)
W.E.A. Blount
Dennis Herbert Lummis
R.C. Davidson

Also I need crew photos. I only have together crew photo of MTB 638.

[Admin]

The Imperial War Museum has certain materials for all of those boats (not sure about photographs) including sound recordings from crew members who served, though you would have to pay to procure any items.

[jonco]

Hello Croatian Navy,

Have a look at this site if you have not already: http://www.unithistories.com/units_inde ... sonsx.html

There is certainly a photo of Dennis Herbert Lummis there. You may find some others - I do not have time at the moment but will try to look later.

I have posted a poor quality photo of MTB 634 which appears under MTB 638 post in this section.

Cheers

[Croatian Navy]

Thank You both for Your help.

[241987Chris]

Hello Croatian Navy,

My grandfather ( Thomas Alfred Davies C/JX 373903.) Served on MTB 634 as Ordinary seaman 29/01/1943 15/03/1943 during that time also Lent to MTB 624 01/03/43-15/03/43.

I have a photo of him in uniform but that’s all… I you have any photos of the boat and the crew id love to see them and see I could pick him out

[wyamdp]

All - My father AB William Macdonald C/JX278299 served on MTB 634 in the Adriatic campaign. The picture below was taken in Malta sometime in 1944 of the 634 crew with some captured E boat trophies. This event could be linked to a previous thread where a picture shows MTB 634 taking the capture of an E boat. My father is second from left with a pennant over his shoulder. He served on 634 unscathed until the end of the war and indeed was presented with 634's flag by the captain at the war's cessation. We still have the flag in our family and can post additional pictures if there is any interest.

Regards,
Angus Macdonald

[Admin]

Hello Angus

Thank you for your interesting photo. The radar dome visible in the background is that of an Allied boat, but I'm glad you have an actual visual identification for your father in that photo, since they are all wearing Kriegsmarine uniform it seems, which makes it a highly unusual photograph. Is this your father posing with a rather friendly E-Boat crew, or is this the whole of the MTB crew got up in in German uniform I wonder? I would like to see any others in your possession, but would it be possible for you to scan this photo and others in a flat-bed scanner please if you have access to one, so as the images can be seen straight on, rather than at an angle?

Kind Regards
Admin

[Croatian Navy]

Hello Angus
The photo is great. Thank you for share it with us.
It think that the time on this photo is May 1945 when Germans capitulate on Adriatic.
Is on the back of photos some description?

[wyamdp]

All - I did indeed notice the 10 crewmen wearing German apparel but giving the general joviality (cigars on show!) and the inquisitive bystanders, I assumed the photo was taken after reaching port after a successful engagement - as with the Royal Ensign in the background. My father did state the photograph was taken in 1944 but unfortunately there is nothing written on the back apart from a random number. There is no doubt that my father's boat did indeed capture E boat(s) intact, as he bequeathed to myself a German crewman's compass which I still have in my possession (see picture below). Plus the pennants from the photograph made it home as booty! We will however, endeavour to upload a higher definition version of the crew picture as requested.

What might be of further interest is my father's memoirs of 634's engagements in the Med/Adriatic which I am sure he would have liked to share with other veterans/interested parties. We will upload accordingly if there is such a demand.

Regards,
Macdonald family

[wyamdp]

And that attachment....

[Croatian Navy]

Maybe they captured some other type of the ship. Because, as I know, neither one E-boat (Schenllboot) was captured on Adriatic during 1944. All E-boats on Adriatic was captured (they capitulate) on 1st May 1944. I will try to see all my files which ship was captured by MTB-634 on Adriatic in 1944.
But...
If this photo is taken on Malta...
I must see my files :)

[wyamdp]

Find below the scanned photograph of the 634 crew. I'm afraid the definition isn't perfect but is an improvement on the prevous post.

Regards, Angus

[mattdunn]

Just sorting through my grandfathers belongings since my grandmother past away last month, found this picture of MTB 637 crew in Malta, his name was 'Bill' William Ledson in the photograph, I've got loads more photos to go through, just wondering if anyone had pictures with the name Ledson written anywhere. His job title was stoker from 1943 onwards and he seems to have helped himself to a few bit and pieces in the war, including the engine manuals... just read somewhere that the boat founded? I'm trying to find out about other boats he went on?

[Pioneer]

MTB 637
Fairmile 115' D-Type Motor Torpedo Boat
Builder's Yard: Alexander Robertson, Sandbank, Argylshire
Completion: January 1943 Loss or Disposal: 30th January 1946
Notes: MTB 637 was lost on passage between Malta-Alexandria on 30 January 1946. One of eleven earmarked for the Royal Egyptian Coast Guard, this boat was being towed to Alexandria by one of four destroyers when severe weather caused the tow to part or be cut. It foundered and was sunk by gunfire from the escort to prevent it forming a navigational hazard.

From the site database

[wyamdp]

My son colourised the b&w photo of the 634 crew in captured apparel as a Xmas gift. It brings the whole scene incredibly up to date.
Regards, Angus

634 crew

crew-of-mtb-634-coloured.jpg (446.57 KiB) Viewed 13737 times

[Peter]

Good Afternoon, I am pleased to join in the current subject on the above boats although some of the titles could be incorrect I am certain they were not all MTB's. I can recognise MGB 634. Having served in the Italian and then on to the Dalmatian Islands it was pleasing to read the blogs over the New Year period, for which I attaché perhaps a little late a card to all you with contacts in those campaigns, the Families & Grandchildren and Friends my sincere best wishes at this time with the Card that was raised by Coastal Forces aboard our then base ship " Miraglia " (captured Italian Sea plane Carrier ) now docked in Brindisi (Italy) that took over the role of Base ship after the severe damage to our HMS Vienna after the Bari air raid in December 1943.
Picture of the Island of Vis
It is with My Best Wishes to you All
Peter

[Peter]

Good morning All.
Continuing the post of MTB's, when I first saw the post I recalled the name Ledson a name that with some research and dusting down my library of pictures and stats.
I discovered Ledson William CFVA Member No 553 along with other Members -Inc. the Lindfield Brothers with whom I met at the opening of the Merseyside Branch in 1981
Question : am I on the course ?
Cheers
Peter

[Peter]

It is in remembrance of todays Memorial List ( April 10th) of those of crew of MTB 710 lost in the Adriatic campaign, that I contacted George Chandler one of the few survivors of that boat, and to convey my thoughts. We then chatted about the photograph on view, and our many visits to Croatia as the British Veterans of Vis, it was during one of these visits that we were entertained by the Croatia Navy.
It is with thanks to the CFV site and to Kevin, that we Veterans have been able to share our memory's and experiences to be recorded for and used by our families and for the many who show interest in our history

[wyamdp]

Hello all, there was some dubiety over the background to the colourised picture of the gentlemen wearing the Kriegsmarine uniforms. Reading Sir Walter Blount's account of the Tagliamento surrender, I think this has been solved. (He was the CO of MTB 634.) 634 crew were the culprits!
Please see the attached documents.

Regards, Angus

[wyamdp]

MTB 634 crew with AB William Macdonald identified by the blue dot.
Regards.
Macdonald family

[Peter]

Wow ; What a post to lift the "Stay at Home" blues and help with the pain of lock down for us all at this for me, yes it is stay calm for us all and we will beat this hidden enemy as we did with the enemy of 1945

May I reflect on the post with "I was there" in the war of the Dalmatia Island Campaign and all the pain of battle we shared in the joy of comradeship and we won, as we will in this battle of the coronavirus . the attached picture will reflect on some of the good times with Coastal Forces Veterans Association

[Skegness123]

My Father In Law - Harry Crookes served on MTB 637 (4th from the left 2nd row) he didn't talk much about what he did on the boat but I know he used to cook often. He also told me about the crews drinking habits - they used to spread brasso onto bread and leave it in the sun to ferment before eating and they were also known to sell their socks so they could buy booze to go on "sippers" I have the exact same picture at home but the names are better on this one. He remained close friends with John Richardson (middle top row) throughout his life.

[Dougers]

Hi

I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge of which boat my late father served on. His name is Ian Austin and came from Johannesburg, South Africa. He told us he served on the MTB’s in the Adriatic and then went across to Genoa towards the end of the war. He mentioned they were stationed at Vis and he operated the bofors gun at the stern. He also mentioned he was promoted to one rank above Ordinary Seaman but was demoted back down after throwing his helmet at one of the officers on board. Hoping that might ring a bell?

There is a picture of what my brothers and I are convinced is him standing on the stern at his gun with MTB 378 passing astern taken somewhere off Genoa. I have attached the pic.

Many thanks
Douglas Austin

[jonco]

...........I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge of which boat my late father served on. His name is Ian Austin and came from Johannesburg, South Africa............

Hello, You could apply for his service record through the link below. Service record should show bases and tenders but they are not always fully accurate and take a time to come through. Note section on non-UK personnel. https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov ... cords.html

[reinaart]

Douglas, the MTB with the Bofors gun was a Higgins MTB. This means that your dad (if he is indeed the man in the pic) served on MTB 419, 420, 421, 422 or 423. My guess is that it may have been MTB 422 because there are some action pics of this vessel taken from a Vosper (also IWM I think) . These pics were probably taken at the same time when the pic you posted was made. I also have pics of the other Higgins boats but none of MTB 419.

Regards,

Arjan

[reinaart]

I'm not sure, though, if any of the RN Higgins MTB s were stationed at Vis. I don't know anything about MGB s but the RN also used some former US Higgins boats as gun boats (45th MGB Flotilla).

Arjan

[reinaart]

Apparently the Higgins boats of the 45th MGB Flotilla were manned by the African Coastal Force :



Arjan