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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
PT 509 More Information please
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Hi,
I'm a costal rower from Jersey Channel Islands (Bay of St Malo). I'm just building a new pairs boat and I'm looking into some local history for a name. I was aware of a WW2 PT action in the bay we do most of our rowing in and I've carried out some research.
I'd be really please if the 509 lost in such a gallent action had a nick name and it's own logo, which I could perhaps respectfully transfer to my boat, with the approval of your association.
I've enjoyed the research and learnt alot about an element of post D day.
I'd also like to raise an issue about the categorisation of 509's loss. The reading I've done shows a remarkably courageous action in the full spirit of the Knights of the Sea. Yet the loss is recorded as a collision/sunk to avoid capture. As I read it they powered through a thick fog at 40k on a radar vector to get in close, took an amazing amount of shore cross fire as the fog cleared (you really should see the coastal defences that still remain here, that they lasted a second is amazing), then when on fire deliberately rammed the enemy vessel, all but one of the crew being lost (the Germans managing to disengage just before she exploded). Yet Lt Harry Crist and the crew seems to have recieved no recognition.
Posted By: Jaffa | Posted on: Mar 5, 2010 - 12:07pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Jaffa
Photos of those remaining Shore Batteries would be nice if you would be willing to snap a few photos or us. If you so not know how to post the pictures, send them to me, and I will..........
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 5, 2010 - 1:58pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Jaffa;
PT 509 RON 34 was nicknamed SASSIE SUE. I don't know if it had any artwork to go with that. These are the only photos I have seen of her: [url]http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/05509.htm[/url]
for a book and video go to this sight: [url]http://www.divernet.com/other_diving_topics/160276/pt_509_the_last_patrol_by_john_ovenden_and_paul_haslam.html[/url]
PTHQ also sells this video: [url]http://www.ptboats.org/08-0-05store-02-VIDEOS.html[/url]
Hope this helps.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 5, 2010 - 2:27pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Sure,
I think you'll be suprised at how preserved they are. The Germans basically made the Island a bunker and they were never attacked and damaged as in the Normandy landings.
The local preservation society has even put in some of the original guns. Jersey has always be strategic and well fortifide during the napolionic wars and it's interesting to see how the Germans worked their fortifications into those sited by the brits 200 years before.
[url]http://www.ciosjersey.org.uk/[/url] If you open this website the first photo is of a range finder on Noirmont Point the main battery that would have co ordinated the fire on 509 and the memorial plate for the crew.
The 1 and 2 on the Bunker map shows the position of the battery. These are only the renovated bunkers. My guess is that in addition to this battery there would have been 10 more cross firing positions.
Posted By: Jaffa | Posted on: Mar 5, 2010 - 2:59pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Thanks Ted,
very kind. Sassie Sue. The pictures are a real insight, I'm suprised how big she was. Must have been some sight at full speed. I'm so pleased to have seen her and not just the poignant remains she became.
Posted By: Jaffa | Posted on: Mar 5, 2010 - 3:07pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Jaffa;
I have contacted a person with a lot of knowledge of RON 34 boats and operations. While he does not have a photo of PT 509(which if you contact PTHQ, if they exist, I imagine there is only a handful, two of which I already showed you) he imagines that it is possible that PT 509 carried the Squadron 34 Insignia on the windscreen. so if you applied this to your craft plus the name, you would be in the ball park ...so to speak.
GO TO THIS WEBSITE TO VIEW RON 34 EMBLEM:[url]http://bluejacket.com/usn_ship_insig_mn_pt_specwar.html[/url]
TAKE CARE
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 5, 2010 - 9:07pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Thank you Ted,
a smart emblem (I presume a Wolf). If I was to use any of these names or artwork, is there a protocol I should use, seek permission or group I should approach. I'd like to ensure this remains a very respectful act. I mean the 41 knot 509 may feel a little aggrieved being associated with a 7 knot (if I'm lucky) scull!
Jaffa;
I have contacted a person with a lot of knowledge of RON 34 boats and operations. While he does not have a photo of PT 509(which if you contact PTHQ, if they exist, I imagine there is only a handful, two of which I already showed you) he imagines that it is possible that PT 509 carried the Squadron 34 Insignia on the windscreen. so if you applied this to your craft plus the name, you would be in the ball park ...so to speak.
GO TO THIS WEBSITE TO VIEW RON 34 EMBLEM:[url]http://bluejacket.com/usn_ship_insig_mn_pt_specwar.html[/url]
TAKE CARE
TED
Posted By: Jaffa | Posted on: Mar 6, 2010 - 3:09am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Jaffa;
As for protocol, I don't know who is left from RON 34, but once you are finished, I am sure the board would be glad if you could post some photos of your Sassie Sue.
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 6, 2010 - 8:37am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am
Jaffa: I have some other photos of the 509. Do you have an e-mail address?
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Mar 6, 2010 - 12:00pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm
Will;
You have other photos of 509? Can you post them on the board?
Take care,
TED
Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Mar 6, 2010 - 4:10pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am