28 February 1945

28 February 1945 PT 457 attacks a landing craft

Source: US Navy MTB Squadron 30, war diary; NARA RG 38, NAID 139916137; scan 0215 (S27).

Summary: At 0100 PT 457 sighted two targets rounding Cape de la Hague from the south. After unanswered challenges and shots overhead she fired at one target, identified under searchlight as an LCM and believed sunk. PT 459 later investigated a third target which proved to be a rock. The second original target disappeared. PT 456 and PT 461 reinforced the patrol; a search supported by Borum’s searchlight found nothing further. PT 457 and PT 461 sailed again at 2050 for Channel Islands patrol.

Additional source: US Navy MTB Squadron 30, Report of Action of PTs 456, 457, 459 and 461, dated 1 March 1945, supplied screenshots of pages 1–2 (S41–S42). These describe the existing 28 February action, not a second engagement.

Report detail: PT 457 and PT 459 sighted two small landing craft rounding Cap de la Hague from the south at about five knots. With all hands at General Quarters, PT 457 repeatedly challenged them, then fired warning shots before opening fire with .50 calibre, 37 mm and 40 mm guns. Under searchlight illumination the target appeared a rusty, battered LCM. PT 457 closed to within 100 yards, then turned away from rocks in the dangerous waters of St Martin’s Bay. The target could not subsequently be found and was believed sunk. The second LCM disappeared. PC 564, PT 456, PT 461 and Borum supported the subsequent searches, which found no further evidence. No US personnel casualties were sustained.

The report records 160 rounds of .50 calibre ammunition, compared with 150 in the February diary; both give four 40 mm rounds and thirty 37 mm rounds. Its narrative prints longitude 2°57′30″ W for station 1, whereas the February diary gives 1°57′30″ W for the later night station; retain the source distinction and do not silently correct the report coordinate.

Cross-reference: NAV-19450228-CAP-DE-LA-HAGUE. The 1 March report and 17/25 April endorsements document the 28 February engagement; administrative entries are not additional engagements.

Source: US Navy MTB Squadron 30, war diary; NARA RG 38, NAID 139916137; scan 0215 (S27).
Additional source: US Navy MTB Squadron 30, Report of Action of PTs 456, 457, 459 and 461, dated 1 March 1945, supplied screenshots of pages 1–2 (S41–S42). These describe the existing 28 February action, not a second engagement.
External source images (CSV contains no embedded images): New embedded diary images named by date/27 February 1945 - USN Squadron 30 - NAID 139916137 - Image 06 - scan 0215.jpg; New embedded diary images named by date/1 March 1945 - Squadron 30 action report page 1 - Image S41.png; New embedded diary images named by date/1 March 1945 - Squadron 30 action report page 2 - Image S42.png
NARA catalog: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/139916137