ML 220 1st ML Flotilla

[Bradl3y]

Hi,

I'm seeking information about HM ML220 which I believe was part of the 1st ML Flotilla

It seems that ML220 first skipper from August 1941 to 1942 was a Lieutenant Ray Worledge (Australian volunteer- died 2009) & sub lieutenant Ted Burnham and it was the first ML fitted out to lay mines. The telegraphist serving on board was called Harry G. Brunsdon and he may have served in ML220 throughout the war.

It seems also that my uncle may have served on ML220 during Operation Neptune (June 1944) and that, during the D-day invasion, the boat struck the Calvados Rocks. I know my uncle, namely JOHN ALLAN BRADLEY (born 1923) of Halifax, Yorkshire received his second 'survivors leave' following this incident- but ML220 survived the war.

If any person has any information about ML220 I would like to hear from them. Unfortunately, I do not have my uncles war service records at this time. I believe members of crew were mentioned in despatches during Op.Neptune. I do have a photo of my uncle (believed taken after the war and while at a port in Europe- cameras were STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED).

[RogerP]

Hello 'Bradl3y',

I have some info on ML 220 while Ray Worledge was her CO, taken from "Fairmile Ships of the Royal Australian Navy, vol I". It seems to be reasonably comprehensive covering six pages which I could either scan and e-mail or photocopy and post, whichever you prefer. If interested send me a 'personal message' with your e-mail/postal address and I'll be happy to help.

Brian Holmes visits this forum as well and has quite a database which could provide further info. If he doesn't pop up here, I'll post a message on the World Naval Ships Forum.

Cheers,
Roger P.
Bendigo, Australia.

[Bradl3y]

Hi Roger,

Thank you for your post re ML220.
I'm pretty new to the forums and started my research only a few weeks ago.
I would appreciate any info on the boat or skipper an my email is brdlyandrew@aol.com

The photo of my uncle was probably taken around 1945 perhaps even after VE day.
He had survivors leave in late 1943 and joined ML220 early 1944- I don't have his war service records.
I know he told me he received survivors leave the second time after his boat hit rocks of the French coast - which must have been during D-day when ML220 ran onto the Calvados Rocks off the coast of Normandy.

Regards

Andy

[RogerP]

Andy,

Have responded to your 'pm' and will scan and send the info I have on ML 220.

Cheers,
Roger.

[cdsc123]

ML220 post-war; as you can see she appears to have had a 3rd layer of planking which runs half way up her topsides; this could be something to do with her striking rocks. She may have ended up as yacht Viscilla based in France by 1966, unsure about this though.

[RogerP]

Thanks 'cdsc123',

Nice photo of '220', thankyou for sharing it with us.

According to 'Allied Coastal Forces vol I' by John Lambert & Al Ross the only info about her post war is "ML2220; RNVR 12.47; sold 20.8.56" so your little snippet of info could add to that and who knows what other info may come to light.

[Bradl3y]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all the information about ML220 and the photo.

It sounds as though it was a very happy boat and fitted out better than most.

Being new to the site- can I just add how impressed I am with the site and moreover with it's members!

Best wishes

Andy

[Brian Holmes]

ML_220 Tough Brothers, Teddington 2/41
New Year Honours 1942
MID SLt George Raymond Worledge RANVR

For minesweeping off the north coast of France 9 - 12/44
MID TSLt Ernest Charles Nunn RNVR
MID AB Paul Collier P/JX426954

Known Crew
TLt J A G Williamson RNVR (Commanding Officer)
TSLt Ernest Charles Nunn RNVR
SLt George Raymond Worledge RANVR (Commanding Officer)
AB Paul Collier P/JX426954

Wartime Activities
1/7/41 50th ML Flotilla
ML 101, ML 103, ML 104, ML 185 and ML 220
1/7/41 At Dover
1st ML Flotilla
ML 185, ML 206, ML 207, ML 220, ML 222, ML 224, ML 450 and ML 571Based on Portsmouth
Operation Neptune Invasion of Normandy
Attached to the 6th Minesweeping Flotilla for assault
Minesweeping off the north coast of France 9 - 12/44

Post War Fate
ML2220
12/47 Solent Division RNVR – HMS Wessex
M2220, P2220 and P6001
7/49 Bow badly damaged and under repair for several weeks. Temporarily replaced by ML 586
20/8/56 Sold
1958 Beached in very poor state in St Ouens Bay, Jersey

[Bradl3y]

Brian,

Thank you for the comprehensive information re ML220

A sad end to a fine boat.

[RogerP]

Yes Brian,

I wish to echo Andy in saying a big thankyou for your info.

[Peploe]

I have several photos from my father's album showing Ml 220 with ML 206, in Copenhagen at the end of the war as well as other places. Kiel, Flensburg, Bornholm etc

[candler]

Dear All,
Not sure if these posts are still running. My father was on ML220 in 1946 in Norway apparently to quell a mutiny of German mine sweeper crews after the trial of Admiral Doenitz at Nurenburg. I have a few photos some may also have.

[Gray207]

Seeing the thread on ML 220 reminded me of a film I came across on the Imperial War Museum’s website whilst researching my father’s book. It was shot during the immediate aftermath of one of the most heroic battles of the Normandy invasion and shows ML 220 at the forefront of things. ML 220 was a member of same flotilla as ML 207, the 1st ML flotilla, and, like 207, was also attached to the 6th mine sweeping flotilla that swept channel 5 on D-Day.

The full recording shows the scene on June 10th at Port-en-Bessin, one of two small harbours on the Normandy landing beaches; the other being Courseulles-sur-Mer. Port-en-Bessin was located on the boundary between Gold and Omaha beaches and, as explained, was the scene of one of the most courageously fought actions of the invasion. It was spearheaded by the elite Royal Marines 47 Commando and described as, “The most spectacular of all commando exploits during the invasion”, by Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart, Director General of the British Political Warfare Executive during World War II. More recently Major General Julian Thompson, who led 3 Commando Brigade in the 1982 Falklands War and who subsequently served as commander of Special Forces RM, wrote, “In my opinion the operation by 47 RM Commando at Port-en-Bessin was one of the great feats of arms of any unit, Royal Marines, Army, Navy or Air Force of any nation in the Second World War."

The marines overcame all manner of setbacks, including 200 feet high cliffs, entrenched gun emplacements, hidden flame throwers and FLAK ships, together with serious logistic and equipment failures but eventually won through against incredible odds – besides the Nazi's fearsome defences and firepower, they were outnumbered 4 to 1. With immense courage, one of the commandos’ officers, Captain Cousins, and four of his men took on a strategically placed machine gun post. An action that proved the decisive turning point in the battle leading to the 47th eventual victory. Triadically, the Captain lost his life in the attack and was subsequently recommended for the Victoria Cross for his leadership and bravery. To the disgust of the commandos, the recommendation was turned down by those sitting in judgement on such matters back in Whitehall.

The battle for Port-en-Bessin was finally won on 8th of June and the film was shot on the 10th with the Nazi forces no more than a mile beyond the cliff tops. Costal forces vessels were performing all manner of tasks at the time. It is unclear exactly what ML 220 was doing, other than the fact the ship is right at the sharp end of things, though it gives a good indication of how involved the 1st ML flotilla was. There are several short views of ML 220 in the film. The clearest starts at 5 minutes and 50 seconds in and can be viewed by following the link below. There is also a second film that includes some of the views shown in the first together with other footage. It can be viewed by following the same link:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item ... 1060008109


I’ve included some stills taken from the film below.

ML 220 is flying a series of signal flags in the film. One of these flags also appears to be being flown ashore in one of the films. I’ve tried to decipher the signal by looking it up in my copy of the Seaman’s Pocketbook, but the result doesn’t make much sense. The top flag looks to be the letter flag ‘S’, the middle a number 3 and the bottom either a 9 or a zero, so S30 or S39, which is no doubt code. It would be interesting to find out the true meaning.

For those interested, there are lots of excellent descriptions of the Battle of Port-en-Bessin online. A good starting point is the Wikipedia entry at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of ... #Aftermath