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Topic: Ron 15 War Diary, Part 2 |
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Nuge210
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 18, 2009 - 10:35am
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Tonight, sixty five years ago, was one of the strangest happenings for PTs
in the Med.
PTs 204 and 213 of Ron 15, and the 304 of Ron 22 were on patrol south of Vada Rocks ( about 50 miles NE of Bastia, Corsica ).They engaged two enemy flak lighters, but did not gain good firing position for torpedoes, because of illumination from shore batteries.
Five torpedoes were eventually fired from around three quarters of a mile with no results. However the one Mark 13 fired by the 304, had an apparent erratic run and struck the 204, lodging in the lazarette. The torpedo travelled only one hundred yards and wasn't fully armed. All this while under heavy gunfire from the flak lighters.
L.H. Riggsby, TM2c, was awarded the Bronze Star for stuffing a towel into the impeller mechanism, preventing further arming.
Steve Nugent |
Total Posts: 323 | Joined:
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 18, 2009 - 12:27pm
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Hi Steve,
One of the message board members posted this picture about a year ago. It is the PT 204 after the Mark 13 torpedo hit the stern. This photo was taken inside the aft crews quarters/storage area after it hit. Evidently it had not armed yet! Jerry PT 658 restoration crew
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Nuge210
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 18, 2009 - 12:42pm
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Hi Jerry,
Thanks for that info, I'll try to find it.
Steve Nugent |
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Nuge210
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: May 18, 2009 - 12:43pm
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Ooops, you already did !!!
Thanks again.
Steve Nugent |
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