Lfd. Nr.: 12642
| Seegebiet: | Westraum |
| Datum / Zeit: | 04.08.1943 02h04 |
| Ort des Gefechts: | bei Terschelling |
| Verbandsführer (S.O.): | Lt. Cotton / Lt. Gamble |
| Angreifer: | 17th MGB 605 604 610 612 606 ; 31st MTB 630 652 668 617 |
| Gefechtsbericht A: | During a sweep by M.G.B.s and M.T.S.s. of the convoy route from Texel eastwards last night a confused engagement with enemy trawlers took place in the early hours of today, during which M.G.B. 605 was hit and collided with M.G.B. 604 causing extensive damage to both vessels. M.G.B. 604 was towed home by M.T.B. 617, M.G.B. 605 returned home across the North Sea stern first. There were no casualties in our forces.[1]. -> Preliminary report on operation by 31st M.T.B. and 17th M.G.B. Flotillas night 3/4th August. (1) A unit composed of 5 M.G.Bs. and 4 M.T.Bs. was ordered to sweep convoy route from Texel as far eastward as possible. (2) M.G.Bs. 605, 604, 610, 612, 606, M.T.Bs. 630, 652, 668, 617 arrived in 53° 14' N. 04° 45' E. at 0001 and swept up convoy route 3 miles apart, M.G.Bs. being inshore. (3) M.G.B. narrative: First contact was made at 0204 at two miles range. M.G.Bs. altered to port and made enemy report to M.T.Bs. Enemy ships were not seen until they fired rocket flares and opened an indiscriminate fire on all directions until day light. Efforts to communicate with M.T.Bs. failed with the result that neither unit could inform the other of positions or intentions. Also the wild gunfire of the enemy made it appear that friendly forces were being engaged from time to time. In view of the confused situation a signal was made at 0315 ordering M.T.B.s to proceed to R/V in order that M.G.Bs. should have a clear field. This signal was not received. M.G.Bs. went in to attack at 0338 opening fire on the trawlers immediately afterwards. During the turn away M.G.B.6O5 was hit and collided with 604 causing extensive damage to both ships. Unit withdrew 605 returning across North Sea stern first and 604 being towed by M.T.B.617. (4) M.T.B. Narrative: M.T.Bs. observed gunfire at 0206 but received no signals owing to breakdown in communications. I.F.F. also failed. Unit closed ships firing and at 0246 engaged trawlers from the southward ceasing fire at u250 as it was feared that unit was firing at own M.G.Bs. an illusion caused by the wild fire of the enemy. M.T.Bs. attacked again at 0352 having spent the interval in trying to establish communication with the M.G.Bs. A third attack was made at 0428 after which unit with drew to cover M.G.Bs. (5) Casualties Nil. Damage. M.G.Bs. 605, 604 (collision). (C. in C. Nore 051256B to Admty.). |
| erkannte Gegner: | VP-Trawler-Verband |
| alliierte Erfolge: | keine |
| alliierte Verluste: | MGB 604, 605 beschädigt |
| tatsächliche Gegner: | VP-Position Bingen |
| Gefechtsbericht B: | 04/0206 Uhr hatte Vp.-Position "Bingen" bei Terschelling Gefechtsberührung mit 8 feindl. S-Booten. 2 S-Boote wurden mit Sicherheit, ein drittes wahrscheinlich versenkt und ein viertes beschädigt. Eigene Schäden entstanden nicht. Bei erneuter Gefechtsberührung mit 4 S-Booten 0523 Uhr wurde ein weiteres S-Boot versenkt. Nach Funkaufklärung wurde 1246 Uhr MTB 604 von MTB 617 geschleppt und erbat Schlepper- und Pumpenhilfe.[2] |
| Ausgewertete Quellen: | 1) Admiralty War Diary, 4.8.1943, page 107 und 5.8.1943, page 158 ; 2) KTB SKL A, 04.08.1943, S.69 ; |
| Letzte Änderung: | 22.11.2024 |