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MTB 623 the Norwegian 30th MTB Flotilla
  MTB 623 part of the 30th MTB Flotilla, later 54th MTB Flotilla. Based in the Shetlands this boat was lent to the Norwegian Navy. The boats usually operated in pairs together. MTB 623 was one of the D-classes that received the longest military service under Norwegian command (August 1942 January 1945)

IN MEMORIAM

poppy wreath

On this day: 28th May

Ordinary Seaman Thomas William Arter (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Ordinary Seaman William Boyd (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Able Seaman Alexander William Lorne Chalmers (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Stoker 2nd Class Frederick Robson Crowther (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Ordinary Seaman George Ewan (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Able Seaman Harry Fawcett (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Ordinary Seaman James Albert Banks Heggie (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Able Seaman Raymond Wilfred Higgins (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Able Seaman Dennis Hingley (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Able Seaman Gilbert Holder (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Able Seaman Peter Drew Howard (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Lieutenant Albert Henry Randell (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Able Seaman Charles Frederick Simon Ridler (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Leading Motor Mechanic Desmond Walker (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Stoker 1st Class Arthur Eric Wood (H.M.M.T.B. 732)
Able Seaman Alexander Hugh Duncan (H.M.S. Cicala)
Sub-Lieutenant Alan John King (H.M.S. Hornet)

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them


View the Remembrance Book

ANNIVERSARY

The Loss of MTB 732

La Combattante, a Hunt Class destroyer manned by the Free French Navy, which was involved in the friendly-fire incident with MTB 732. La Combattante was herself sunk in February 1945 when she hit a mine, and 117 of her crew were lost

The English Channel: 28th May 1944

The night of the 28th–29th May 1944 saw the largest single loss of life suffered by Coastal Forces through friendly fire, when MTB 732 was sunk by gunfire from the Free French destroyer La Combattante in the English Channel, after being mistaken for an E-boat.

MTB 732 acccompanied by MTB 739 had been ordered to search for two E-boats, sighted in an area of the Channel where La Combattante was also conducting a sweep. Despite both MTBs sending up recognition flares, the destroyer opened fire on MTB 732, sinking the boat, and killing 15 crew.