Where Are Those Boats Now

RAF HSL 108

Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Where Are Those Boats Now
Forum Description: Tell everybody where those old boats are
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=827
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 11:42pm

Topic: RAF HSL 108

Posted By: Miked
Subject: RAF HSL 108
Date 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?

Replies:

Posted By: NickFenton
Date 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

Posted By: phil
Date 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

Posted By: NickFenton
Date 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,

Posted By: NickFenton
Date Posted: 28 May 2012 at 9:14pm

Phil,

any comments?

Regards,

Nick

Posted By: phil
Date 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 !

Posted By: NickFenton
Date 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