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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
PT205 RON15
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I have been trying for a long time to amplify or clarify some information about PT205. According to my sources, during the early months of 1944 when RON15 was in the waters off the coast of Southern France leading up to the invasion of Southern France (or possibly shortly after the invasion), the PT205 had an encounter with a German F Lighter. F Lighters were heavily armed and armored cargo carrying barges used by the German Coastal Forces in that area. The ensuing gunfight did not go well for PT205 as she was hit with at least 1 88mm cannon shell. The blast was enough to blow several sailors off the boat and kill half of the crew. The boat did not sink however and was towed back to port later on and repaired and a new crew placed on the boat. Has anybody seen a squadron action report that describes this incident? Is there a casualty list? Who died in this attack? Was it covered up for some reason? I would like to know exactly when and where it occurred and if you can find any information about this action, please let me know.
Thanks! Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR
Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Feb 26, 2022 - 11:03pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm
I could swear that I read about that about several years ago but I can't find where... frustrating. Sorry Jerry, if I find it I'll post here. I'm pretty sure there is a good article on it though.
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Feb 28, 2022 - 4:58pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
I scanned through the war diary and action reports for RON 15 and could find nothing like what you described in the reports. And nothing that included PT 205. I only found 4 RON 15 KIAs in 1944, all at different times.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Mar 2, 2022 - 5:36pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm
Thanks guys! I havent been able to find anything at all. You are my last hope!
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR
Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Mar 7, 2022 - 6:42pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm
I agree with Charlie, nothing in the War Diary regarding the 205 much at all. She was used as an inter-base transport all of July '44 , and likely previous to that month. The last mention of the 205 was that she was in Bizerte 31July 1944.
The 205 was with the 215 and 216 in August of 1943, when they had a running gun battle with two E Boats. Although the 205 was hit a few times, there weren't any casualties. The 216 had for men wounded.
Steve
Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Aug 5, 2022 - 8:56am
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am
Has anybody been able to locate the Deck Logs of PT205 from June 1944 to October 1944? That would solve the issue. I wonder if they have them at NARA?[:-confused2-:][:-confused2-:]
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR
Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Aug 5, 2022 - 3:38pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm
No luck yet. I found the/a deck log section, but no sign of PT boats within yet. There is some commentary between someone else seeking PT deck logs and one of the archives staff members, which leads me to believe very little has been digitized yet, and what was being done came to a halt with covid.
Heck of an interesting story, though. Now I want to know what went down.
Posted By: Joe Reese | Posted on: Aug 10, 2022 - 3:47pm
Total Posts: 85 | Joined: Aug 2, 2022 - 11:02am
I just checked the list. PT 205's log is not at NARA. In fact, PT 201 - 218 is missing.
In fact RON 15's log is also missing.
Charlie
Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Aug 10, 2022 - 6:41pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm