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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 109
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Just a thought here??
Was wondering why the 109 was setting out there all alone and other 15 boats were out in 3/4 boat section attacking jap destroyers?
My father was on the 107 (one of a 4 boat section) at the time he said he saw the explosion of the 109. Why was the 109 alone???
anyone know
Posted By: james sullivan | Posted on: Oct 2, 2019 - 4:02pm
Total Posts: 13 | Joined: May 21, 2013 - 10:57am
The 109 was not alone. 15 boats went out that night, the ones with radar detected the destroyers and launched thirty torpedoes with no hits, They then retired, leaving the other boats on their own. Kennedy rendezvoused with Pt-162 and 169, and decided to spread out and wait for the destroyers to come back. Unfortunately, it was one of those pitch black nights where they could not see anything, and as Kennedy said when asked how he had become a hero replied, "it was involuntary, they sank my boat!"
Posted By: Stearman | Posted on: Oct 2, 2019 - 9:37pm
Total Posts: 150 | Joined: Nov 1, 2017 - 9:38pm
You can read the action report here, it is a good story: [url]https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/biographies-list/bios-k/kennedy-john-f/report-on-loss-of-pt-109.html[/url]
Your Father's boat is mentioned, it looks like they might have scored a hit!:
[green]When enroute to station Southeast of Gizo Island this section was circled by planes. At 0005, 2 ships were picked up by the radar on the PT 107. No previous contact report had been received, but a searchlight and gunfire had been seen to the North. PT 107 proceeded at high speed thru Ferguson Passage to attack, leaving the other 2 PTs behind. 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.[/green]
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Oct 3, 2019 - 6:33am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am