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Topic: PT 515 Cherbourg |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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 Posted on: Dec 30, 2018 - 1:40am
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I believe Chip Marshall told us the structure on the starboard bow was to hold a rescue net, possibly on the boats used for OSI operations. I am not positive about this though.
The locker in front of the port bridge wing may have been for a rubber boat, A drawing for slightly later boats shows a similar locker and that is what it was for.
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Dec 30, 2018 - 1:52am
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Much obliged Jeff. I read parts of the "Secret Flottillas" book and I was surprised to learn how often PT boats (especially PT boats/MTBs in the Med) were used for covert operations. A rather well-known one was operation "Ginny".
Regards,
Arjan
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Dec 30, 2018 - 12:55pm
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I noticed there is quite a bit of newsreel footage of the Channel PT boats on Critical Past. One clip was shot from PT 515 :
Crew members of PT 515 in the twin Browning turrets apparently also wore the oversized helmets used for earphones :
PT 504 :
One of the boats had a shark mouth :
A Higgins PT boat with similar cradles discussed earlier:
I read in the Coastal Forces book that the 20mm Oerlikon on PT 515 was exchanged by a 37mm gun at a certain point. I think the pic with the Jeep shows PT 515 with the latter gun (although it's not easy to see).
Arjan
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 30, 2018 - 4:19pm
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Arjan:
You are correct, there were several cameras and "reporters", around. Once CDR. JDB invited John Ford into the fold. cameras were everywhere.
TED
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Dec 31, 2018 - 9:36am
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Arjan;
This one is an 80' ELCO, not a Higgins. I have never seen a RON 34 or RON 35 boat with a Sharks mouth painted on it!!!!
https://i.imgur.com/HwG3uDN.jpg
Learn something new everyday!
Thanks,
Take care,
TED
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Jan 4, 2019 - 1:26pm
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I wonder about the function of the square lid/small hatch ahead of the foremost port dead light on the foredeck. Could this have been for the anchor line ? Ron 34 and 35 boats also had an object that looks like a roller in between this square lid and the toe rail. Perhaps for hoisting the anchor ? These two objects are shown in the third from last photo posted by David Waples (Mr. Frank's photo collection) .
Regards,
Arjan
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 4, 2019 - 1:57pm
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Arjan;
Yes that is the chain locker hatch. The other item is s float. you can see another in the photo 7th from end (crewman wearing flak vest).
Take care,
TED
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Jan 4, 2019 - 2:39pm
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Thanks once more Ted ! By the way, Al Ross mentions that the port 20mm Oerlikon on PT 509, 515, 517, 519 and 520 was later exchanged by a 37 mm gun. The Critical Past footage shows that PT 504 could also be added to this list.
Regards,
Arjan
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JerseySandy
New Member
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Posted on: Jan 8, 2019 - 1:47pm
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Here is the PT-502 entering Cherbourg. Photo Credit National Museum of the US Navy 11 July 1944
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