PO Leslie Wilfred Pratt DSM MTB 83

[alextero]

Hello there
I am researching PO PRATT DSM life story and i was hoping somebody could help with some details of mtb's he served on or any other information that might be relevant.Thanks in advance alextero.

[Brian Holmes]

MTB_83 Vosper, Portsmouth and Porchester 22/5/42

New Year Honours 1944
MID Lt Dennis John Long

Birthday Honours 1944
MID AB Edward Ernest Perry C/JX310048

For minelaying in the Nore Command area (Gazette Date - 1/8/44)
DSM POMtrMch Daniel Welsh P/MX125283

For an action off the Dutch coast 8/7/44
MID Tel John Mushet C/JX341890

For actions in the Nore area during which an enemy minesweeper and merchant ship were sunk 14/9/44 and 8/10/44
DSC TLt Jack Donald Crouch Coombs RNVR
DSM APO Leslie Wilfred Pratt P/SD/X1583

Known Crew
LT D G Filer RNVR Commanding Officer 14/05/42
Lt David Felce RNVR (Commanding Officer)
Lt Dennis John Long HMS Beehive MID 1942 MTB 83 MID 1944
TLt Jack Donald Crouch Coombs RNVR
TSLt D E G Hunt RNVR First Lieutenant 14/05/42
POMtrMch Daniel Welsh P/MX125283
APO Leslie Wilfred Pratt P/SD/X1583
LSea William Murray
AB Edward Ernest Perry C/JX310048
Tel John Mushet C/JX341890


Wartime Activities
Minelaying in the Nore Command area (Gazette Date - 1/8/44)
9/11/42 MTB 83, MTB 233, (Two other boats returned early with defects) intercept a convoy off Terschelling. A heavy RAF raid outward bound for Germany provides a chance diversion
2233 MTB 83 and MTB 233 fire four torpedoes at the overlapping fourth, fifth and sixth vessels in the convoy and disengage. Two torpedoes hit the German vessel Rotersand and the third hits the Swedish collier Abisko (3085 tons). The ship is repaired and brought to Emden. In the resulting confusion two further vessels strike mines. The escort consisted of the escort vessel F4, minesweepers M4, M7 and M8 and four Vps.
27-8/2/43 MTB 83, MTB 93 and MTB 222 are despatched to intercept a convoy off Egmond. The convoy is not sighted but MTB 83, MTB 93 and MTB 222 are fired on by patrol vessels.
16-17/7/43 MTB 83, MTB 93, MTB 238 (Senior Officer) and MTB 245 are on patrol off Ymuiden when they sight a convoy of three small merchant ships escorted by two armed trawlers. Seven torpedoes are fired. At the time, one sinking is claimed but that is not borne out by post war investigations.
22nd MTB Flotilla
MTB 25, MTB 83, MTB 88, MTB 93, MTB 238, MTB 245 and MTB 347
Based on the Nore
Operation Neptune
Invasion of Normandy
8/7/44 Action off the Dutch coast
Actions in the Nore area during which an enemy minesweeper and merchant ship were sunk 14/9/44 and 8/10/44
14-5/9/44 MTB 83, MTB 88, MTB 223, MTB 232, MTB 233, MTB 234 (Senior Officer) and MTB 244 are on patrol off Terschelling and attack a convoy. Division 1, lead by MTB 234 attacks from inshore but are detected and beaten off. Division 2, lead by MTB 232, then attacks from seaward achieving hits on a 2000 ton merchant ship from 1500 yards. Division 1 makes a second attack, fire torpedoes, but miss.

Post War Fate
3/48 For disposal

[alextero]

Thanks Brian for the information on MTB 83 much appreciated.I was hoping that someone would know what other MTBs he served on and dates concerned and any photographs that might be relevant.Thanks a lot again alextero.

[cdsc123]

wireless operator on MTB 83;