Greetings from Canada I am searching for any info on my relative who died on 21 June 1942 . He was listed in the CWGC as based at HMS NILE. No grave so assumed died at sea. Another ref suggests he was serving on ML 1069. His name is LT. LP Douglas, a Canadian with the RCNVR. I assume HMS Nile was the lodging area for the RN ships based at Alexandria but cannot find any ref to ML 1069 in the list of lRN Med losses. The date of his death suggests that his boat may have been involved in the seige of Tobruk..or enroute to Tobruk. Any further info on the man or his boat would be gratefully received. I am especially interested to know what type of boat ML1069 was, Fairmile B perhaps ? Wayne Parksville Canada
Hi Wayne, I've come up with the following info on HDML 1069. Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) Admiralty Type. Displacement: 46/54 tons Dimensions: 70(pp) 72(oa) x 15 x 4.25 / 5.5 ft. Machinery: 2-shaft Gardner diesel motors. B.H.P. 300; or Gleniffer diesel motors. B.H.P, 320; or Thornycroft diesel motors, B.H.P, 260 = 11.5 knots. Armament: 1 -1pdr, 4 - 303 in (2x2) MG's. Complement: 10. Builder: Watercraft (East Molesey) Note: Built 1940 -44, 1 - 20mm gun was added aft in most and some also had the 1 pdr, forward, replaced by a 20mm gun. A successful Admiralty design was the round bilge HDML for patrol work in estuarial and coastal waters. It was of simple construction which enabled it to be built in yards abroad, not all of which possessed the facilities available in the UK. It was easily maintained and was a most sea-kindly craft. Capable of a wide range of employment it was in demand in every theatre of operations. HDML 1069 is listed with the war losses for 1942. Hope this is a help Regards Peter.
Hello peter Thank you for your response, first I have heard of a 72 ft HDML. by Watercraft ( Mosley ) Would it be possible to provide me with your ref for the HDML loss and boat info, would like to read any refs in full, now that you have me on the right track..., I am unable to find anything that looks official re loss at Tobruk in June 1942. One ref advises me that it was lost by German field guns firing into the harbour..and as well could you provide me with a photo. I wish to build a scale model of this craft as a memorial and need photos. I am unable to find any on the web. Thanks again John ballacallin@shaw.ca
My reference for the above post is, 'Warships Of World War II' by H T. Lenton & J J. Colledge. Published by Ian Allan, London 1964. The photos are from the same source. The following is an extract from 'Chronology Of The War At Sea 1939 - 1945. By J. Rohwer & G. Hummelchen. 20 -21 June 1942. On 20 June Tobruk is taken by the german Afrika Korps and the 3rd MTB Flotilla (Lt-Cdr. Kemnade) consiting of S36, S54, S55, S56, S58 and S59, operates from Derna against British ships fleeing from Tobruk. On 21 June, in an engagement, the South African auxitiary minesweeper Parktown is sunk and S58 (Lt. Geiger) badly damaged. In addition, one motor yacht, six LCs and two motor launches are sunk or captured. Regards Peter
I know next to nothing of boats but I can offer you a picture of HDML 1070, only one number off. View attachment 589 HDML 1070, underway in coastal waters. The vessel was 72 ft and powered by Gardner engines. From the IWM at: http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/qryPhotoImg.asp (found by entering 'hdml') you can order their shots as 10x8's and a little more interrogation of their search engine might just pinpoint the exact boat. There are certainly a few more detail shots on there. Also this chap sells fittings in 1/24th for modellers: http://www.hslmouldings.co.uk/hdml_fittings.htm Good luck. Adam.
Thank you for your response to my request. I am now confident that i have the correct type of boat, photos of the boat and a source for photos. I will now start my plans to build a memorial model of an HDML. Your time spent and concern is much appreciated Hornell
Just been reading your thread about ML1069. Have a look at the site below the dates seem to be about OK. It's all in German but never mind the photos and pictures will help I hope. The following extract from WLB - stuttgart (in search box type Boote)is in relation to an action involving the 2 British MLs. One of the MLs sank was I think ML1069. 20.– 21.6.1942 Mittelmeer Am 20.6. wird Tobruk durch das dt. Afrika-Korps eingenommen. Unternehmen der 3. S-Fl. (Kptlt. Kemnade) mit S 36, S 54, S 55, S 56, S 58 und S 59 von Derna aus gegen aus Tobruk flüchtende brit. Schiffe. 21.6.: Im Gefecht wird der südafrikan. Hilfsminensucher Parktown (250 BRT) versenkt, S 58 (Oblt. Geiger †) schwer beschädigt. Außerdem 1 Motorsegler und 6 LCS sowie 2 ML versenkt oder aufgebracht. S 55 (Oblt. Weber) kapert LCT 150 (296 ts).
