RAF HSL 108

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HSL 108 was a RAF asr launch operating from Gorleston. In 1941 it was attacked in the North Sea by an Arado 196 and disabled. Picked up by seaplane, the crew was captured. The boat was recovered by the Germans and was later seen and photographed in Wilhelmshaven. It is believed to have been repaired and used by the Kriegsmarine (or possibly the Luftwaffe). Does anybody have any knowledge of this, and the boats eventual fate?

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Miked Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 February 2012 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Miked Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: RAF HSL 108 Posted: 08 February 2012 at 8:09pm
	HSL 108 was a RAF asr launch operating from Gorleston. In 1941 it was attacked in the North Sea by an Arado 196 and disabled. Picked up by seaplane, the crew was captured. The boat was recovered by the Germans and was later seen and photographed in Wilhelmshaven. It is believed to have been repaired and used by the Kriegsmarine (or possibly the Luftwaffe). Does anybody have any knowledge of this, and the boats eventual fate?

NickFenton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 July 2009 Location: Woking Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickFenton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 2012 at 10:10am
	Miked, I have a lot of information on HSL 108 but a similar quest for it's whereabouts now. HSL 108 was attempting to rescue my Father at the time it was lost and the crew spent the rest of the war in POW camps, many years alongside my Father and his crew. I have sent you a private message also. Regards, Nick

phil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 April 2009 Status: Offline Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote phil Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 2012 at 10:15am
	Fred Ingleton was on 108 , he used to live at Ringwood . I recall him telling me that she had been sunk

NickFenton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 July 2009 Location: Woking Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickFenton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 2012 at 10:40am
	Phil, Comments by Miked are correct. She was shot up with the death on one of her crew, the rest were captured. She was towed into port and made seaworthy again but l have no idea what happened to her. Tony Overill wrote a book about the incident as well. I have a lot more information if anyone is interested and l imagine that Miked is someone l have already been in correspondance with but at the moment, not sure who it is. Here is some of what l do have. The salvage of the boat was not simple and not without danger. It is therefore understandable that HSL 108 already promised to BSN (Befehlshaber der Sicherung) by Gruppe Nord was after inter-service wrangling handed over to Luftwaffe command of Ships/Boats, at Keil. The interests of the Kriegsmarine having to stand behind the wishes of the Luftwaffe. The HSL 108 was refurbished and pressed into duty by the Luftwaffe. Whilst in Sagan, Roger Daggett saw in a German magazine a picture of HSL 108 in German colours. It was being used for picking up survivors from the German ‘Lobster-pot’ survival buoys along the Dutch coast between Wilhelmshaven and Flushing (Now Vlissingen). During the war, many aircrew, both bomber and fighter command, reported sightings of an RAF Air-Sea rescue launch operating just off the Dutch Coast. This was likely to be HSL 108 but it is still not clear as to it’s ultimate fate. If you are able to find any further information, please let me know. Regards,

NickFenton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 July 2009 Location: Woking Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickFenton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2012 at 9:14pm
	Phil, any comments? Regards, Nick

phil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 April 2009 Status: Offline Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote phil Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2012 at 10:00pm
	I sat next to roger daggett at a dinner about eighteen years ago not knowing who he was . He told me all about his exploits with 108 , a facinating story . When they were captured they were actually all asleep on or below deck !

NickFenton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 July 2009 Location: Woking Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickFenton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2012 at 11:01am
	Phil, I have a lot more on the story of HSL 108n and what happened. How much more can you remember about what roger told you? I am happy to share with you what l have to date. Regards, Nick