Mediterranean MTBs at War Short MTB Flotilla Operations, 1939-45

 

The definitive account of operations in the Mediterranean carried out by the Royal Navy's 'short' MTBs during the Second World War. It is a companion volume to 'Dog Boats at War' by Len Reynolds. Many boats were lost, and many men. They served their country well, and their story - which deserves its place in the annals of the history of the Royal Navy - has received scant recognition in official accounts. This book sets the record straight. The flotillas in this theatre were made up of a wide variety of classes, and varied in length from 40ft to 78ft. Such was the development in capability through the years from 1937 to 1945, that the primitive poorly-armed boats of the early days contrasted vividly with the powerful, sophisticated and well-armed boats that finished the war. Compared with the Dog Boats, the short MTBs were generally capable of greater speeds, presented a much smaller silhouette when attacking and were able to approach an enemy more quietly. Less vulnerable to the threat of mines, their primary function was as carriers of torpedoes - their main attack weapon. The conditions in which they operated were largely dictated by the progress of the Allied armies on land, and were characterised by the use of Advanced and Mobile Bases, or even temporary camouflaged hiding-up places which became commonplace in the Aegean and Adriatic. The crews often found themselves in places of great beauty steeped in historical grandeur: some compensation, at least, for the inconvenience of time-consuming refuelling, the rarity of spare parts, inadequate mail, the shortage of fresh food and a long wait for home leave. The book follows the story of these 'short' flotillas from Malta to Alexandria, through disaster in Crete, to support of the 8th Army along the coast of North Africa, to more reverses at Tobruk in the summer and autumn of 1942. Then, with victory at El Alamein and the landings in Algeria, it describes new challenges with increasing resources and success. The authoritative text is well supported by eyewitness accounts and detailed source notes. Fully illustrated with a selection of archive photographs, many rare and previously unpublished.

 

LC Reynolds & HF Cooper

Hardcover with d/w large format 202pp Sutton Publishing 1999 1st Ed

 

Fine/Fine

Book Code:  SH1593