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Transferred to the RN on 2 January 1947.

Motor Torpedo Boat HMS MTB 355 (MTB 355)

10 Dec 1943
Six MTB's from the 11th MTB flottila conducted a sweep of the Dutch coast between Egmond en IJmuiden during the night of 9/10 December 1943. The boats involved were MTB's MTB 355 (Senior Officer), MTB 348, MTB 350, MTB 351, MTB 352 and MTB 360.

They arrived off the coast off Egmond at 2041/9 and proceeded on the sweep. At 2217/9 in position 250° IJmuiden 14.2 nautical miles they listened using hydrophones. At 2331/9 they proceeded to the south-east. At 0010/10 ships were sighted bearing red 45° at a range of 3 to 4 miles. At 0015/10 radar contact was obtained bearing red 30° at 16000 yards. As a result the Senior Officer decided that the enemy were proceeding south and the unit split up into two divisions, 1st Division; MTB 355, 352 and 360 and the 2nd Division; MTB 350, 351 and 348.

The 2nd Division remained stopped with the 1st division proceeded at 9 knots to gain a position for attack. The convoy was proceeding at 6 knots and was observed to consist of two large MV's, four E or R boats and five trawlers.

At 0037/10 the enemy opened fire on the 1st Division but the fire was low and hit the water ahead. The leading MV was seen to fire with 20mm and 40mm guns with larger guns firing star-shell. At 0039/10, MTB 355 and 352 fired both their torpedoes at the leading MV. They then disengaged to starboard while laying smoke and set course to rejoin the 2nd Division which reported seeing two large red explosions at the time of the attack.

At 0122/10, MTB 348 and 360 were ordered to attack from ahead of the convoy while MTB 355 and 352 made a diversion astern. The convoy had separated and the diversion was made on the MV that had been hit and the attack was made on the part of the convoy that had proceeded on, consequently the diversion was not effective. At 0139/10 MTB 348 and 360 fired both torpedoes at the other large MV in the convoy from 700 to 800 yards range. No result was observed.

MTB 350 and 351 were then ordered to attack from ahead of the convoy. At 0229/10 they sighted an object which was approached to within 100 yards. It was found the be the bow of the MV stricking out of the water, in position 311°, Noordwijk 3.9 miles. Four E or R boats were standing by. They opened fire and MTB 350 and 351 retired at high speed while making smoke.

At 0305/10, MTB 355 and 352 rejoined MTB 348 and 360. Weather was then deteriorating. At 0320/10, MTB 350 reported that MTB 351 had defective steering. MTB 350 was ordered to attack again.

At 0352/10, they sighted the convoy and attempted to attack but heavy spray and enemy fire made visibility difficult. She then disengaged and rejoined MTB 351.

At 0400/10, they made another attempt to attack the convoy but also without success.

At 0425/10, the Senior Officer decided that the weather conditions had become too bad for a successful attack and ordered them to rejoin the other boats and after they had done so course was set to return to base.

It was thought that a merchant vessel of over 2000 tons had definitely been sunk. [We have so far been unable to identify this vessel.] (1)

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