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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Mosquito was very apt for PTBoats Insignias
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=2586

I was just thinking about how annoying a single mosquito can be let alone a number of the peky creatures. In the same way, eben if they didn't do a lot of damage to enemy ships, the Mosquito Fleets of PT boats did keep a number of enemy ships tied up in support roles that they would not have been needed for were not for the constant patrols of the PT boats. Ditto for enenmy aircraft patrols. I often wonder just how much resources the enemy, especially Japan, dedicated to combating the PT boat Mosquito Fleets?

No matter what though, it must be accepted that these Iron Men in Wooden Boats (or men with True Grit) of the Mosquito Fleets, made significant contributions to the war effort.

There's a Scots song, 'Flowers of Scotland' that has a line in that is so very applicable to those Iron Men in Wooden Boats, "When will we see yer likes again?"

When the nations need such men again will they rise to the occassion as those Iron Men in Wooden Boats did?

Cheers from Pondering Peter

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: May 2, 2012 - 7:33pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

Very well said. One must remember that although we sometimes get caught up in the technical aspect of the boats, we sometimes forget just what these men faced. When you really sit back and think about a wooden boat facing off against ships, it boggles the mind. Take into consideration that not one ounce of protection was afforded these brave sailors when fighting these ships, barges, shore batteries, and planes, it really puts things into perspective. Owning a boat for most of my Life, I have had the chance to pilot that boat in the darkness, and my mind always wonders back to those days for the PT BOAT MEN. Patrolling in enemy held waters, in the dark must have been nerve racking, but can you imagine how you must have felt when you came face to face with a Japanese or German Capital ship.

It is no wonder why these men became my heroes at such an early age. Loving boats anyway, it was simple for me to love these sleek wooden PT BOATS, although in the beginning I never knew how much they would effect my Life. Meeting wonderful PT BOATERS over the past 35 years is certainly the highlight of my Life. PT BOATS has consumed my Life, and I am proud to help educate the younger generation as to what these boats did. "IRON MEN" is an understatement, they were the greatest generation, and real life heroes.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 3, 2012 - 4:51am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Well said Frank!
Victor

Victor K Chun

Posted By: victorkchun | Posted on: May 3, 2012 - 8:51am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered