11 April 1945

11 April 1945 PT 458 attacks an armed trawler and Alderney batteries reply

Source: US Navy MTB Squadron 30, war diary; NARA RG 38, NAID 140053943; scan 0095 (S30).

Summary: PT 458 and PT 459 began Channel Islands patrol and a Joburg radar search at 0005. PT 457 joined the search. At 0618 PT 458 sighted the target and at 0621 opened fire with all guns on a vessel identified as a German armed trawler. She closed to 400 yards, circled and withdrew under smoke at 0624. Alderney shore batteries fired on the PTs; PT 458 suffered an engine casualty. The boats returned at 0815. PT 457 and PT 459 sailed again at 2033.

Editorial note: No sinking is asserted by this diary paragraph. The associated separate action report is NAID 139990810. Do not relocate this action to Sark on the basis of a later narrative when the diary names Alderney batteries.

Source: US Navy MTB Squadron 30, war diary; NARA RG 38, NAID 140053943; scan 0095 (S30).
External source images (CSV contains no embedded images): New embedded diary images named by date/11 April 1945 - USN Squadron 30 - NAID 140053943 - Image 04 - scan 0095.jpg
NARA catalog: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/140053943