Gefechte S-Boote vs. MGB 28/29.05.1943

[Darius]

Hallo TW,

hier noch Ergänzungen zu dem mit drei Datensätzen bereits in der MTB- und MGB-Gefechte Datenbank berücksichtigten Geschehens in der Nacht 28./29.05.1943:
https://www.historisches-marinearchiv.de/projekte/mtb_mgb/ausgabe.php?where_value=119

a) Das sussexhistoryforum hat dicht gemacht.
Hier aber der Inhalt des von mir gesicherten und im o.g. Datensatz verlinkten Dokumentes ADM 267/121:

Extracted from file ADM 267/121 at the National Archives.
H.M.M.G.B. 108,
Ramsgate
29th May, 1943.

Sir,

I have the honour to submit the following report concerning the proceedings of Force B, H.M.M.G.Bs. 110 (S.O.) 118, 116 and 108 on the night of 28th-29th May.

2. The Force proceeded in accordance with Vice Admiral Dover's 261126 B May to patrol on the West Dyck on the meridian 20° East and act in support of forces carrying out operation N.L. 83 and 84.

3. At 0230 an alarm report of two trawlers was received from M.T.B.221 in Dunkerque East Channel. Gunfire was observed to the South East. The force was proceeding in line ahead, course S 55° E, speed 20 knots. At 0245 course was altered to N 10° E and four enemy trawlers were sighted on the starboard beam steering a similar course.

4. An order was received from M.G.B. 110 to turn 90° together to starboard towards the enemy. Fire was opened at 0247 and after the first attack one trawler was seen to be on fire. She continued to burn fiercely until later in the action when she exploded. M.G.B. 116 then withdrew to make good defects on 2 pounder gun. M.G.B.108, being astern of M.G.B.116, lost contact with the two leading boats and attacked the last of the enemy ships, which was set on fire, silenced and stopped. Shortly afterwards the fire was extinguished, although no more opposition was offered.

5. M.G.Bs. 110 and 118 pressed home a second attack together inflicting great damage upon the leading ships, but after this M.G.B.118 lost contact with the leader while clearing a stoppage in her two-pounder gun. When this was done, she made another attack on the leading trawler which caught fire. Several E-Boats, whose fire was heavy and accurate, were observed. It was then that the Captain and First Lieutenant of M.G.B. 118 were wounded. She withdrew at high speed and secured in Ramsgate at 0430.

6. No account can be given of M.G.B. 110's movements between the time when M.G.B.118 lost her and the time when she appeared and was challenged by M.G.B.108. On rejoining the engagement was continued by M.G.B.110 and 108.

7. The Senior Officer then decided to board the trawler mentioned at the end of Paragraph 4. This boat was sinking by the stern and the decks were clear. Survivors could be heard shouting in the water, but none could be seen. As M.G.B.110 was manoeuvering round the trawler's stern, six E-Boats were observed approaching from the Westward at high speed. Boarding was abandoned and in single line ahead M.G.B.110 led towards the enemy boats which were fired upon until the return fire became so severe that our boats were compelled to turn together to starboard and withdraw in line abreast at - speed to the North East at 0345.

8. Most of the enemy's fire was concentrated on M.G.B.110 and at that time not more than 100 yards distant from M.G.B.108, it was observed that devastating fire was raking her decks and superstructure causing sheets of flame to emit from her after magazine hatch. It is considered that M.G.B.110 was then obliged to stop, since contact with her was suddenly lost. A wide search was made but no trace of her could be found. To the North East two E-Boats could be seen on fire with three or four of an escort standing by. It is possible that there was burning beside them a third boat which, it is feared, may have been M.G.B.110.

9. M.G.B.108 waited till dawn to see if M.G.B.110 could be seen anywhere and then proceeded to V Buoy at 0350, where M.G.B.116 was waiting and the two boats returned in company securing in Ramsgate at 0520.

10. It is submitted that with the aid of the new camouflage it was found possible by M.G.B.108 to approach dead slow within 300 yards of individual boats without being seen. This proved twice to be a most successful method of attack.

11. The accuracy of gun fire of all M.G.Bs. throughout the action was outstanding.

12. The following damage was sustained by our own craft:

M.G.B. 110    Lost

M.G.B. 108    20m.m. hole in port bow.
                    20m.m. hole on port side of wheelhouse.

M.G.B. 118    20m.m. hole on starboard bow and on starboard side.
                    Slight superficial damage to hull and superstructure.

The following casualties were sustained:-

M.G.B. 118    Sub-Lieutenant P.G. Lee, D.S.C., R.N.V.R. Commanding Officer.  Seriously wounded.
                    Mid. R.A. Varlow, R.N.V.R.                                                        Wounded.
                    Carrington, A.  A/B     C/JX 393915                                           Wounded
                    Francis, D.J.   O/Sea.  P/JX 369576                                           Wounded.

13. The skill and daring with which Lieutenant Richards led the force was outstanding and an unforgettable example to those who followed him. Our hopes for the safety of him and his crew are high.

...

[Darius]

...

b) Dazu noch weitere Details zu den im KTB Skl, 05/1943, enthaltenen Angaben zum Wrack von vmtl. eben dem MGB 110:
https://www.historisches-marinearchiv.de/projekte/mtb_mgb/ausgabe.php?where_value=119

Ein franz. Fischkutter mit deutschem Überwachungspersonal hat ein anscheinend in dem Gefecht in der Nacht zum 29. schwer beschädigtes engl. S-Boot vor Gravelines verankert. Einzelheiten hierzu fehlen noch [4]. Das nach dem Gefecht am 28./29.5. vor Gravelines festgestellte Wrack eines engl. S-Bootes ist beim Abschleppen gesunken [5].

Die Angaben stammen aus dem KTB der 2. Sicherungsdivision:

29.05.1943:

16.33 Uhr, FS.G 4169 von Seekdt. Pas de Calais. "MF-Kutter von Gravelines hat auf Pos. 02 Grad 15 Min. Ost, 51 Grad 04 Min. Nord Wrack eines vermutlich engl. S-Boots festgestellt und zwecks späterer Bergung verankert. Wrack liegt St.B. unter Wasser, B.B. über Wasser. Bezeichnung am Bug röm. zwei. Es wird um Bergung gebeten."

31.05.1943:

Absichten:
[...] 5) V 1806, V 1803, V 1813, "v.d.Gröben", M 444, Schlepper D 126 S Dünkirchen - Boulogne. Suche nach Wrack engl. S-Boot.[...]

06.35 Uhr: FS Geheim von "v.d.Gröben".
"Wrack engl. S-Boot 2300 Uhr auf 54 Grad 4,8 Min. Nord, 2 Grad 11,5 Min. Ost gefunden. Wrack etwa 6-8m des Vorschiffes, Bezeichnung am Bug 11 D. Wrack wurde bereits vom Wasser überspült.
0110 Uhr Schlepper Schleppverbindung hergestellt, 0125 Uhr meldet Schelpper Verbindung gebrochen, Wrack wahrscheinlich unterschnitten. Wrack wurde nicht mehr gesichtet. Weiteres Suchen wegen Aussuchtslosigkeit des Einschleppens abgebrochen. Marsch nach Boulogne angetreten.

Es kann mit Bestimmtheit angenommen werden, dass die Bezeichnung "11 D" = Zahl 110 ist. Es handelt sich simit um ein Wrackteil (abgerissenes Vorschiff von etwa 6-8m Länge des vesenkten MGB 110). Ein weiterer Bergungsversuch wird unternommen, obwohl das Vorschiff gesunken zu sein scheint. Es hatte wahrscheinlich nur geringen Auftrieb durch eine Luftblase.

 

Darius