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Post a reply to: Loss of the 109
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[StartQuote] Would either of you gentlemen happen to remember how dark it was that night? I ask because a report mentions that the 162 saw the destroyer and I wonder why the 109 didn't. Or do you think the 109 just didn't have time to react? Here's a section from the report: [blue]DIVISION B. As hereinbefore set out, PTs 162 and 109 of Division B with PT 169 of Division A were in Blackett Strait off Vanga Vanga, as was PT 157, which however, was not in contact with them. Around 0215 the three were due East of Gizo Island headed South, in right echelon formation with PT 109 leading, PT 162 second and PT 169 last. PT 162 saw on a collision course, a warship headed Northward about 700 yards away. The PT 162 turned to fire its torpedoes, but they did not fire. The PT 162 finally turned to the Southwest upon getting within 100 yards of the warship, to avoid collision. Personnel aboard the PT 162 saw 2 raked stacks, and at least 2 turrets aft, and possibly a third turret. At the time of turning, PT 109 was seen to collide with the warship, followed by an explosion and a large flame which died down a little, but continued to burn for 10 or 15 minutes. The warship when it was about 3000 yards away headed toward them at high speed. The PT 169 stopped just before the warship hit PT 109, turned toward it and fired two torpedoes when abeam at 150 yards range. The destroyer straddled the PT 169 with shell fire, just after it a collision with PT 109, and then circled left toward Gizo Island at increased speed and disappeared.[/blue] Here's a link to the report I'm referring to: [url]http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-11.htm[/url] It sounds like your 107 scored a torpedo hit John: [blue]Inside of Ferguson Passage the PT 107 fired a spread of 4 torpedoes by radar. Shortly thereafter a dull red flash was seen in the direction of the target.[/blue] It also sounds like it was a heck of a confusing night. [EndQuote]
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