MTB 670

[Stanbridge76]

Great pictures Peter keep them coming.Did you ever come across any MTB 670 crew or involved in actions with them during your time in the Coastal Forces or indeed through the Veterans Association.
Regards
Bernie

[Peter]

I have been deeply interested in the picture of MTB 670 displayed on 3rd March 2012 showing deprived of her armament but interestingly I was looking at the radar aerial on the top of her mast that may be of the 1950 vintage

[Peter]

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[Peter]

Good Afternoon Looking at that pic of the Old Dun Cow was there not a Bar in Sliema just along the way from the Base of HMS Gregale. It is good the amazing blogs that MTB 670 has given us.

More Pictures

[jonco]

I have been deeply interested in the picture of MTB 670 displayed on 3rd March 2012 showing deprived of her armament but interestingly I was looking at the radar aerial on the top of her mast that may be of the 1950 vintage

There was some discussion on these points back in 2012 and whether the photo actually was MTB 670, which was lost in 1946. @davidddnfp was the poster of the photo and was trying to confirm but we never heard anything definite.

[Peter]

Good Evening;

Some more pics and information re Malta;

[Stanbridge76]

Good evening Peter you have just made my day what a great picture of MTB 670, I will attempt to print off a copy but if its not very good do you know if a quality print is available.Re the presentation picture are you presenting and what is the connection of the receiver to MTB 670.
Regards
Bernie

[reinaart]

A pic of MTB 670 with a surrendered Schnellboot can be found here (scroll down to the bottom):

http://www.s-boot.net/englisch/sboats-k ... icsea.html

By the way, the pic on the previous page of a crew member holding a grenade probably shows a German 88 mm round.

Arjan

[Stanbridge76]

Hi Arjan
Great to see more pictures of MTB670 but my dad was back to England in Nov 44 and then spent time on MTB350 before moving on to minesweepers.Allways very interested in more info.
Regards
Bernie

[MaryBrennan]

The MTB 670 picture.

The original painting of MTB 670 was commissioned by my mother for her husband Ken Fisher in 1980. When Ken Fisher died in 2005, the picture passed to his grandson, an Army officer, who takes great delight in the surprise of visitors to his office, at the sight of an MTB on his office wall. As a result, we are trying to put together a narrative of MTB 670; where she went and what she did, starting from what bits Ken told us!

We have crew pictures, some of which are already on this site. Ken was part of the initial crew which collected MTB 670, brand new from Brightlingsea in April 1943. He remained on board until he returned to UK on the Athlone Castle in August 1945. Sadly, his last view of MTB 670 was to see her beached, awaiting her future.

I have a letter from Mr Peter Bickmore, the CFVA Secretary for Essex, about how he had used up all his photographs of the original painting. In one of the posts above, you have the newspaper cutting about the presentation of one of the photographs to the president of RNA Malta.

Regards
Mary Brennan nee Fisher

[Peter]

Good Morning Mary and All
It was a lovely surprise to read your message regarding MTB 670.
The subject of that Boat seems to echo through the pages of the CFVA.
I had the pleasure of meeting your Farther during the early days of the CFVA, hence the wonderful painting of his Boat MTB 670 by my artist friend Harold Garland with whom I am still in contact, although like me well into his 90's. The photo of me presenting a copy of the picture to the Chairman of the Malta Royal Navy Association still remains high on my list of recipients of the picture of MTB 670.
I hope that we may learn more of the fate of MTB 670 as already displayed in recent messages.

[Stanbridge76]

Hello Mary
I think my dad Bill Wright was on MTB 670 from new also and served in the Med until Nov 44 so it looks likely that Ken and Bill served together.I have posted pictures of him with some of his shipmates so have you seen your Ken in any of these.
Regards
Bernie

[MaryBrennan]

Hello,
I haven't identified my father in any pictures yet, but I will upload some of ours.
Thanks for post

[MaryBrennan]

Hello All,
As it is nearly Christmas, I thought you might like to see HM MTB 670 Christmas Menu 1943.
This rather crumpled piece of card was brought home by Ken Fisher. He enjoyed drawing. However, I have no knowledge about the accuracy of the menu, or if it was just Ken's dream of what Christmas meals should be like.
regards
Mary Brennan nee Fisher

[SimonR]

These boats were destined to be Egyptian Custom s craft. MTB 651 also being among this group.

HMS Colombo was the Cruiser that was present (November 1944) to receive the surrender of the occupying German forces. She placed an NP (Naval Party) ashore which then organised the port into a forward CF base for the remainder of the war.

Hi all...this all makes for fascinating reading. My grandad was James McEntee..."jimmy" or "Mac" he served on MTB 651 I believe from Jan 43 - aug 45. I have just started researching into his wartime exploits and any info, stories, crew members associated with 651 would be greatly appreciated

Regards simon

[smith190]

Hi Simon

My Dad Peter Smith served on MTB 651 from mid 1944 until Nov 1944, so I might have some photos?

[Stanbridge76]

I have posted previously relating to my father Bill Wright's time on MTB670 and my efforts to find info on where and when he served.Sorting through some of my mother's paperwork I have come across my fathers Naval Savings book from WW2 and can see by some date stamps he was in La Maddalena [Sardinia] and St Angelo [Malta] on specific dates which helps me by following the written accounts of Dog Boats in the Mediterranean WW2.Hoping you find this interesting.
Bernie Wright.

[Stanbridge76]

I have previously posted relating to my father William Wright KX/157878 who served on MTB670 during WW2.I have his medals and the Africa Star medal ribbon has a silver rosette attached, what was this for.Can anyone answer this ?
Regards
Bernie Wright

[Pioneer]

Hello Bernie
You may find this link interesting, regarding the Africa Star
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/medals/africa-star
Hope this helps; Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Best Regards.

[Stanbridge76]

Many thanks for your response.My Dads service record shows he was based at HMS Razorbill which I think is in Algiers,is there any info on what was happening there at that time.
Regards
Bernie

[Stanbridge76]

I have posted previously concerning my fathers service on MTB 670 during WW2 as a stoker and see from his service record that he spent time at HMS Duke, Frobisher Div.I think this was a posting for initial training but does anyone know if the Frobisher Div has any meaning please.
Regards

[Stanbridge76]

Hi All
My dad Bill Wright was a stoker on MTB670 during WW2 enlisting in October 1942 when he was 17+yrs old.I have posted previously concerning his service history but have always wondered what his role was as a stoker generally, and during combat moments what was he responsible for.
Regards
Bernie Wright.

[Stanbridge76]

I hope the photo attached ok and is acceptable.My dad Bill Wright in the middle served on MTB 670, on his right is brother Sid Harvey [his father was killed in WW1] served in the Fleet Air Arm on aircraft carriers in the North Atlantic,his brother Reg Wright served on HMS Warspite.My dad had just got his uniform and had no badges so they crossed arms in this way to hide the fact.....true Brothers in Arms.
Bernie Wright

[John110547]

This is the data I have on MTB 670 (7 March 1943 to 25 January 1946):

• MTB 670 was one of sixty Fairmile D-type boats that were ordered on 28 November 1941 & the order was split between ten boatbuilders. All these boats were built with torpedo scallops cut into the hull to be armed as either an MGB or MTB & the Fairmile boat component kits (keel, stem pieces, stern pieces, deadwoods, bulkheads, transoms & planking) were prepared at Fairmile Marine’s factory in Cobham, Surrey & shipped to the boatbuilder who assembled the kits using fixtures & fittings supplied by others under contract to the Navy. MGB 670 order was placed with Wallasea Bay Yacht Yard, Rochford & later, the order was changed from Motor Gun Boat to Motor Torpedo Boat; MGB 670 was reclassified as MTB 670. The boat's length was 115ft, its beam was 20ft 10ins, the draught was 4ft 6ins (fwd)/5ft (aft) & its displacement was 105 tons. It was powered by four Packard V12 4M-2500 1250bhp petrol engines, achieving a speed of 31 knots & was armed with one 40mm/39(1.575”) 2pdr Vickers Mk VIII Gun, one twin 20mm/70(0.79”) Oerlikon Mk II Cannon, two twin 0.5”/62(12.7mm) Vickers Mk III Machine Gun, two twin 0.303”/93(7.7mm) Vickers K Machine Gun, one Holman Projector, two 21” Mk X Torpedoes & four Mk XIII Depth Charges. MTB 670 was commissioned on 7 March 1943 & assigned to the 33rd MTB Flotilla with a crew of three officers & twenty-seven other ranks.

• MTBs 670, 654, 655, 667 (33rd MTB Flotilla), MGBs 657, 658, 663 (20th MGB Flotilla), MGB 648 (19th MGB Flotilla) & ML 240 (25th ML Flotilla) on 30 April 1943 departed Milford Haven for Bona, Algeria via Gibraltar.

• MTBs 670, 654, 655, 667, MGBs 648, 657, 658, 663 & ML 240 on 3 May 1943 convoy is approached & circled by German Condor long-range reconnaissance aircraft.

• MTBs 670, 654, 655, 667, MGBs 648, 657, 658, 663 & ML 240 on 4 May 1943 at 01.00 with convoy bound for Gibraltar when it is attacked by gunfire from the German submarines U 439 & U 659. MGB 658 runs down the tracer bearing & MGB 657 is hit by shellfire, which sets fire amidships. MTBs 654, 667 & 670 were searching for U 439 & U 659, when the U-boats collided & sank. Both submarines sank with heavy loss of life (only nine survivors out of a crew of forty-nine from U 439 & only three survivors out of a crew of forty-seven from U 659). MTB 654 picked up ten U-boat survivors & MTB 667 picked up two more.

• MTBs 670, 651, 654, 655, 656, 656, 667 (33rd MTB Flotilla) on 9 July 1943 took part in Operation Husky (Sicilian Campaign); other Light Coastal Forces vessels involved in Operation Husky came from the 3rd ML Flotilla, 31st ML Flotilla, 113th ML Flotilla, 139th ML Flotilla, 140th ML Flotilla, 141st ML Flotilla, 142nd ML Flotilla, 7th MTB Flotilla, 10th MTB Flotilla, 20th MTB Flotilla, 24th MTB Flotilla, 32nd MTB Flotilla, 19th MGB Flotilla & 20th MGB Flotilla. The primary mission of Light Coastal Forces was the protection of convoys to the various operational areas from ports in North Africa & Malta. Once their primary mission was completed, their secondary mission was to deny the enemy access to the operational areas, anchorages & shipping. Note: On 21 December 1943, the following awards were Gazetted for their service during Operation Husky landings: MTB 655, TLt Greene-Kelly was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, ACMtMech Barber was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, TASubLt Sargent & Able Seaman Stevens were Mentioned in Dispatches; MTB 656, Able Seaman Peters was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

• MTBs 670, 640, 651 on 11 July 1943 attacked & sunk the Italian submarine FLUTTO with gunfire, torpedoes & depth Charges near the southern end of the Strait of Messina; the submarine lost forty-nine crew members. All the MTBs were damaged, with seventeen crew members wounded by gunfire from the submarine. Note, the following awards were Gazetted for their service during the action: MTB 640, TLt Smith was Mentioned in Dispatches; MTB 650, TLt Horlock was Mentioned in Dispatches.

• MTBs 670, 634, 640, 651 on 15 July 1943 were patrolling the northern part of the Straits of Messina when they intercepted five S-boats moving south. After a brief action, the S-boats retired northwards.

• MTBs 670, 640, 665 on 15 August 1943 departed Augusta to conduct a night patrol in the Straits of Messina.

• MTBs 670, 640, 665 on 16 August 1943 at 01.24hrs, were patrolling the Straits of Messina when they were illuminated by searchlights & the shore batteries on both sides of the Straits opened fire with their 88mm guns as the MTBs made smoke & turned 180° to escape the shellfire. MTB 665 was hit by a shell in the engine room, killing 2-crew members & starting a fire in the main fuel tank. The order was given to abandon ship & the Carley float was lowered into the water, followed by the three wounded crew members & several crew members managed to swim ashore & were taken. MTB 665 drifted towards the coast, on fire & suffering sporadic explosions before sinking. At 07.30hrs, a German F-lighter picked up survivors from MTB 665, during which one German sailor from the F-lighter jumped into the sea to help recover the wounded from the Carley float. The survivors were landed at Reggio & handed over to elements of the Herman Goering Division, from where the ratings were sent to Italian POW camps & the officers were sent to a POW camp via Germany to Norway.

• MTB 670 & MGB 660 on 15 October 1943 sank a 300ton schooner in a torpedo attack off the Tiber.

• MTBs 670, 649, 651, 654, 665, 656, 667 (33rd MTB Flotilla) on 2 November 1943 entered Bari.

• MTB 670 with USN PTBs on 11 November 1943 intercepted a convoy off Civitavecchia, Italy. The MTB attacked a tanker in convoy twice, while the PTBs attacked & damaged the R-boats & Falk Lighter escort.

• MTBs 670 & 654 in December 1943 were transferred from the 33rd MTB Flotilla to the 57th MTB/MGB Flotilla.

• MTBs 670, 634, 638, 654 with MGBs 659, 660, 662 on 1 January 1944 formed the new 57th MTB/MGB Flotilla based at Komiza, Croatia.

• MTB 670 with MGBs 659, 662 (57th MTB/MGB Flotilla) on 24 June 1944 departed Komiza on patrol with the Partisan Liaison Officer Colonel Ivan Preradovic (retired Rear Admiral of the Royal Yugoslavian Navy) aboard MGB 662. During the patrol, they sighted a two-masted schooner near Bacvica Rock, which was crewed by partisans. At 22.00hrs, they sighted Ss 154 & 157, escorting the Croatian torpedo boat T7 passing the island of Cocoglari. MTB 670 launched two torpedoes from a range of 500yds at T7, but both torpedoes went under T7 & exploded against Kukuljari Island. T7 then turned starboard to get away from MTB/MGBs & opened fire with their aft gun, but the manoeuvre drove T7 aground on the little island of Murter & soon was destroyed by fire. MGB 659 stood off, keeping the two S-boats away with its superior gunfire, while MGB 662 & MTB 670 searched for survivors (T7 had a crew of thirty-five); three wounded crew members were found on T7 & five more crew members were found on Murter, four of them seriously wounded. MGBs 659, 662 with MTB 670 then departed the area & returned to Komiza with their Prisoners. Later, Ss 154 & 157 found twenty-one survivors, eleven of them wounded & took them to Zara.

• MTBs 670, 649 with MGB 659 on 17 July 1944 intercepted a convoy of two lighters escorted by E-boats & I-Boats in the Mljet Channel. Two of the escorts were sunk & a Siebel Ferry was damaged. MTB 649 was damaged & had five wounded crew members.

• MTBs 670, 649 with MGB 659 on 18 July 1944 were at 02.40hrs, intercepted a convoy that consisted of the flak schooner VEGA, two I-boats (Is 96 & 97) escorted by five S-boats from the 7th S-boat Flotilla in the Mljet Channel. During the action, another convoy appeared, including the I-boats Is 74, 96, 102; I-boats 74 & 96 were detached to support the flak schooner VEGA. I-97 (Workshop boat) was sunk with the loss of 1-crew member & another seven wounded. The flak schooner VEGA was badly damaged with heavy loss of life to passengers & crew. MTB 649 was damaged, with five crew members wounded.

• MTBs 670, 651, 667 on 25 July 1944 departed Komiza, Croatia, on patrol.

• MTBs 670, 651, 667 on 26 July 1944 were at 00.15hrs intercepted a small craft & shortly afterwards sighted a convoy that consisted of four S-boats from the 7th S-boat Flotilla (Ss 151, 155, 156, 157) in front of the flak schooner VEGA & two I-boats (Is 74 & 96) astern of VEGA. At 00.24hrs, MTB 670 fired a star shell at the VEGA, which started a major fire & sank. MTB 651 engaged & sank the two I-boats (Is 74 & 96) by gunfire before the MTBs rescued sixty-five people from the three sunk vessels (MTB 667 rescued fifty from the I-boats, MTB 670 recovered thirteen survivors from the sea & MTB 651 captured two men in a small boat heading for shore). MTB 667 lost 1-crew member who fell between the boats when attempting to board one of the I-boats & his body was never recovered. During the action, the four S-boats had dashed east away from the action. MTBs 651 & 670 moved south, leaving MTB 667 alone. The four S-boats, seeing MTB 667 alone, return to the attack. However, MTBs 651 & 670 sprinted out of concealment as the S-boats passed the burning schooner. The S-boats fired five torpedoes at MTB 667, which all missed before they fired five more torpedoes at MTBs 651 & 670, which also missed. The MTBs engaged the S-boats, badly damaging S 151. At 01.15hrs, MTB 651 was hit by gunfire, stopping the boat’s engines & putting the guns out of action & they had to be towed back to base by MTB 670. MTB 667 & 670 were both slightly damaged by shellfire.

• MTBs 670, 667 & MGB 662 on 7 August 1944 departed Komiza on patrol. At 22.00hrs, near Vir, a convoy was sighted & consisted of two naval ferry barges (MFPs 936 & 986) & their escort, the minesweeper R 14 from the 6th R-boat Flotilla. At 22.12hrs, the German convoy altered course & moved closer to the shore. MGB & MTBs closed to attack when the Germans opened fire, hitting MGB 662, the engine room & putting the engines out of action. The Germans continued to hit MGB 662 repeatedly as its engine room & the two Oerlikon ammunition lockers were on fire. MGB 662 was in trouble, with 1-crew member dead & 9 others wounded. MFP 963 was moved closer to finish off MGB 662, but MTB 670 fired one torpedo & sank MFP 963. MTBs 667 & 670 then focused their gunfire onto MFP 986, which caught fire, capsized & sank & R 14 was driven onshore. MTB 667 recovered six survivors, as MTB 670 went to assist MGB 662. MGB 662 had an RAMC Captain on board as a passenger who treated the wounded crew members & prisoners. MGB 662 had suffered severe damage & was towed back to Komiza. The Germans later refloated & repaired R 14; also, they found other survivors from the MFPs.

• MTBs 670, 634, 638 & MGBs 659, 660, 662, 674 (57th MTB/MGB Flotilla) on 1 October 1944 were at Komiza, Croatia

• MTBs 649, 667, 670 & MGBs 659, 662 on 5 December 1944 the following awards were Gazetted for their service during the actions in the Adriatic & the Aegean in 1943/44: MGB 659 TLt Barlow was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, PO O’Hare was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Able Seaman Hemmings was Mentioned in Dispatches; MGB 662, TALtCdr Bligh was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross, which he was awarded for his actions on 5 April 1944, TSLt Darracott was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross, which he was Gazetted on 21 November 1944, POMtMech Mechanic Reeves, LMtMech Hughes, Able Seamen Allbright, Loryhan & Whiteley were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, LStoker Abbott, Stoker Mayo & Able Seaman Kelly were was Mentioned in Dispatches; MTB 649, Tel McMillan was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal; MTB 667, TLt Jerram, TSubLt Sargent, Leading Seaman Buckingham, Tel Crofts & Stoker Adams were Mentioned in Dispatches; MTB 670, TLt Hewitt was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Able seaman Turner was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, TSubLt Finlay, POMtMech Goplen, Able Seamen Boswell & Holdway were Mentioned in Dispatches.

• MTBs 670, 634, 637, 638 & MGB 659, 660, 662, 674 (57th MTB/MGB Flotilla) on 13 December 1944 were operating in the Adriatic out of Brindisi.

• MTB 670 & MGB 660 (57th MTB/MGB Flotilla) on 5 February 1945 were on patrol in the northern Adriatic when they had a radar contact, which they investigated. The contact was three MAS boats that scattered & escaped before the MTBs could engage.

• MTB 670 & MGB 660 on 19 March 1945 were patrolling the northern Adriatic when they sighted 70ft enemy vessels. MTB 670 fired two torpedoes but missed. The vessel was driven ashore & was burnt; later, they captured two of the crew.

• MTBs 670 & 703 on 4 April 1945 were at Pag, supporting a partisan advance, when three enemy coastal craft approached. The MTBs engaged & drove the craft off.

• MTBs 670, 697 & MGBs 643, 658 on 12 April 1945 took part in the landing on the island of Rab with four partisan vessels. Note, the following awards were Gazetted: MTB 670, TLt Hewitt was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross, which he was awarded on 6 December 1944, TSubLt Young, Able Seamen Conway & Harrison were Mentioned in Dispatches; MTB 697, Lt Booth was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, PO Reason & Able seaman Walker were Mentioned in Dispatches.

• MTBs 670, 697 & MGBs 643, 658 on 13 April 1945 at 02.15hrs picked up two large radar contacts 4 miles away entering Planinski Channel. The MTBs & MGBs closed on the contacts, line abreast when they sighted destroyers, TAs 40 & 45 from the 2nd Escort Flotilla. MTB 670 fired two torpedoes & hit TA 45 & the ship broke in half before it sank, with the loss of 80 men out of a complement of 150. During the attack, the destroyer TA40 headed for Pola.

• MTBs 670, 634, 651 on 1 May 1945 at 22.30hrs departed Ancona to intercept a 20 plus convoy between Trieste & Tagliamento. Seven MTBs from the 28th MTB Flotilla sailed independently to assist & three MLs were placed on standby to the south to assist if needed.

• MTBs 670, 634, 651 on 2 May 1945 at 03.45hrs were ordered to return to base due to weather conditions. At 07.00hrs, MTBs 634, 651, 670 reached rendezvous & aircraft reported more than 40 vessels, including two destroyers, showed no sign of surrendering as they fired on the aircraft. The MTBs proceeded towards the convoy flying white flags. MTB 634 visually signalled the largest ship in the convoy without getting any response. At 11.05hrs, MTB 634 came alongside one unit of R-boats & through an interpreter, the Germans stated they had no intention to surrender. They had left Trieste to avoid being captured by partisans. The MTB by now had around 30 ships within 100yds of them & they sent an urgent signal for reinforcements. MTB 634 suggested a conference of all convey captains on the R-boat. While waiting for the conference to start, MTB 634 was approached by a small boat flying the Croatian flag, which requested transport for their 500 troops who wished to surrender. The conference was held, but the Germans were unaware of the war's progress and did not want to surrender. It was then suggested that the convoy captains should speak to their crews. Shortly after that, two small transports, a schooner & an F-lighter, surrendered to MTB 670 & the three MLs arrived to assist. That afternoon, the R-boats agreed to surrender to New Zealand troops in Tagliamento. However, on entering the harbour, all the R-boats run themselves aground. MTB 670 tried to stop the R-boats but only ran aground themselves. MGBs 643, 645, 646, 662 arrive at Tagliamento at 19.30hrs to assist the three MTBs.

• MTBs 670, 651, 656 & MGBs 643, 645, 646, 662 on 3 May 1945 were at Tagliamento guarding the surrendered ships. At 05.00hrs, MGBs 643 & 645 round-up & take in tow three adrift vessels in the harbour. Also, MGBs 646 & 662 take a F-lighter & escort them into the harbour with prize crews on board. During the morning, MTBs & MGBs start to tow German ships out of the harbour to a collection point to be towed to Ancona. At 12.30hrs, the first convoy left Tagliamento for Ancona. MGB 643 towing an F-lighter. MGB 645 towing F-lighter F509. MGB 646 towing the barge KARL & a caique. ADRIA, SIGISMUND & a small craft sail under their own power. MGB acts as a pickup boat. At 18.45hrs, MGB 645 takes the SIGISMUND & a small craft sail in tow. At 19.45hrs, MGB 662 tow parts for the fourth time from F509 & is sunk by gunfire from MGB 662. At 13.45hrs, a second convey leaves Tagliamento for Ancona. MTB 651 towing EDDIE & a small craft. MTB 656 towing an F-lighter. MTB 670 towing an F-lighter. Two F-lighters & a small hospital ship sail under their own power. MGB 662 acts as a pickup boat. Eight miles from Tagliamento, one of the F-lighters, which was having problems with its steering, was taken in tow by MGB 662. At 21.30hrs, MGB 662 tow part, but the F-lighter continues under its own power.

• MTBs 670, 651, 656 & MGBs 643, 645, 646, 662 on 4 May 1945 arrived at Ancona with their prizes. MGB 662 arrived later after taking the F-lighter back in tow at 04.00hrs.

• MTBs 670, 634, 651 on 11 September 1945 the following awards were Gazetted for the surrender of German forces in the Adriatic: MTB 634, TALtCdr Bligh was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire); MTB 651, TLt Ennis was Mentioned in Dispatches; MTB 670, TSubLt Finlay was Mentioned in Dispatches.

• MTBs 670, 633, 634, 637, 638, 698, 700 & MGBs 642, 643, 658, 659, 674 on 25 January 1946 were being transferred to the Royal Egyptian Coast Guard & departed Malta for Alexandria with the four destroyers, HMS CHAPLET, CHEQUERS, CHEVRON & JERVIS, each towing three MTB, despite the threat of stormy weather. Soon after departure, the convoy of MTBs, MGBs & destroyers were hit by the storm & the MTBs & MGBs started to corkscrew in the high wind & waves. Soon the MTBs & MGBs started to get swamped & foundered as the towlines parted. Over the next two days (26 & 27 January), each boat was found & sunk by gunfire to prevent the MTBs & MGBs from becoming a shipping hazard.

[Stanbridge76]

Hi John
What a response,you have certainly been doing your homework.Is there a way to know the crew list for these operations.
Regards
Bernie

[John110547]

Hi Bernie
Sorry, I have no crew record for MTB 670.
John

[Stanbridge76]

Hi John
Do you know if any crew list's exist and how I can access them.
Regards
Bernie

[John110547]

Hi Berine

Have you tried the Naval Historical Branch at Portsmouth or the National Archives at Kew?

Regards
John