MTBs in action on 12.12.1942

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   Hello all,
On 12.12.1942 a terrific battle opposited a German convoy and a Britannic Task Force composed of 6 destroyers off Dieppe (Normandy). During this battle two German Sperrbrecher were torpedoed while the 4 escort ships succeeded in escaping safely.The operation codename was "Operation KI" and the destroyers were HMS Whitshed, Worcester, Vesper, Albrighton, Borcklesby and the Norwegian Eskdale.
Because you are specialists with this topic, I was wondering if a few MTB took part to the battle ? Was it common to add MTBs in escort of such a Task Force ? Is there a possibility to know more about the potential MTBs action in this battle (the case there were MTBs) ? Is there another specialized phorum dealing with MTBs where I could get an answer ?
Many thanks for any help and best regards,
MAX

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MAXX Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote MAXX Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: MTBs in action on 12.12.1942 Posted: 24 May 2006 at 5:56pm
	Hello all, On 12.12.1942 a terrific battle opposited a German convoy and a Britannic Task Force composed of 6 destroyers off Dieppe (Normandy). During this battle two German Sperrbrecher were torpedoed while the 4 escort ships succeeded in escaping safely.The operation codename was "Operation KI" and the destroyers were HMS Whitshed, Worcester, Vesper, Albrighton, Borcklesby and the Norwegian Eskdale. Because you are specialists with this topic, I was wondering if a few MTB took part to the battle ? Was it common to add MTBs in escort of such a Task Force ? Is there a possibility to know more about the potential MTBs action in this battle (the case there were MTBs) ? Is there another specialized phorum dealing with MTBs where I could get an answer ? Many thanks for any help and best regards, MAX

johnk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 March 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1355	Post Options Post Reply Quote johnk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 May 2006 at 6:06pm
	Hello Maxx, Can't add any technical details to your questions, but this is certainly a good place to start, a number of people on the site have good historical knowledge, and I hope they will see your post soon and assist you, welcome aboard. John K

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 May 2006 at 10:53pm
	Hello Maxx I cannot answer your question regarding this particular action but if you read one of several excellent books (Battle of The Narrow Seas,We Fought Them In Gunboats,MGB 658 etc) you will see that conditions suitable for MTB ops were moonless flat calm nights,and the targets were generally small coastal convoys escorted by E/R-Boats,armed trawlers and corvettes so I would imagine that it would have been rare for MTBs to escort fighting ships in their missions (except for a number of notable exceptons such as The Channel breakout of the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau,Dieppe and Operation Chariot). Regards,Christian

E.S.ChildsDrum1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 02 March 2005 Status: Offline Points: 43	Post Options Post Reply Quote E.S.ChildsDrum1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 July 2006 at 10:12pm
	Hello Max. Usually MTBs went hunting in three`s or four`s and as stated on moonless flat seas becaus the boat is a weopons platform andwith it Jinking about on a rough sea it is dificult to aim the guns or fire torpedoes accurately But most of the time was spent laying in wait for something to come along and most times they returned home empty handed. But when things did happenthey often took on six E-boats or lighters at a time using the Nelson touch, that is Cutting through the enemy line in line astern firing from both sides and then leaving a confused enemy shooting at each other. Good hey. Ted Drum1
	E.S.Childs

dgray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 November 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 580	Post Options Post Reply Quote dgray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 July 2006 at 11:35pm
	I've searched too. Can only find Destroyers mentioned. 12 Dec, 1942 The British destroyers HMS Whitshed, HMS Worcester and HMS Vesper, the British escort destroyers HMS Brocklesby and HMS Albrighton, and the Norwegian escort destroyer Eskdale attacked German shipping in the English Channel. Eskdale torpedoed and sank Sperrbrecher 144/Beijerland (387 BRT) off Le Treport, France and Whitshed torpedoed and sank Sperrbecher 178/Gauss (1236 BRT) off Dieppe, France.
	Don Only a number, not even a name. How shall posterity hear of thy fame?