M.21, October 1942

bdennis · Post by **bdennis** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:34 pm

A German ship was in collision with the British MTB29 in the early hours of 6 October 1942, in the Channel. The KM ship is identified as M.21 in the reference I have found.

Does anyone have more information about the German ship?

Thanks in advance,

Bruce

FAlmeida · Post by **FAlmeida** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:16 am

Minensuchboot M 21 / 2. Minensuchflottille
Escort search service and mine search service before the Netherlands, in the canal zone and before west France (usually the base is in the Brest)

Cheers, Fernando

bdennis · Post by **bdennis** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:23 pm

Thanks for the reply. Here is a summary of what I have on the event. MTB29 was part of a mixed force of MTBs and MGBs working together under Lt Com Hitchins on that night. They were stopped for a conference between the C.O.s and had killed all their engines including auxiliary motors. This was to allow them to use hydrophones. Suddenly they came under fire from port and astern, the attacking German ships achieving complete surprise. MTBs 29 and 30 were close and collided as they got under weigh, MTB29 pulling away to starboard and disappearing into the night. All four MTBs and both MGBs were now under weigh and scattering to escape the fire of the unknown number of German ships which were assumed to be S-boote and a running firefight developed. At some point about five minutes later several of the Allied crews saw a boat burning in the water and took it to be a German vessel. It was only later, after the engagement when the surviving Allied craft rendezvoused, that the fear that it had been MTB29 burning began to take hold.

There is a record, obtained postwar from captured German documents, that a German vessel named M.21 had rammed an Allied MTB or MGB in a battle on that night. The time and place are right for the loss of MTB29, but the English language summary does not identify the German ship or its formation other than “M.21”.

The action took place “…off Blankenberge…”, I do not as yet have a more exact description. Any further information about the M.21 and the 2nd MS Flotilla would be appreciated.

I will keep looking into the event and (eventually) post my findings.

Bruce