8 August 1944 Part 4

8 August 1944 US Navy Fisher recalls leaving Cherbourg aboard PT 503

Editorial note: Personal recollection, not a contemporary war diary. The approximate 1630 departure differs from the official reports.

This undated personal account describes the 8–9 August action from Fisher’s position aboard PT 503. Fisher identifies himself as a Radioman 2 who also served on the stern 40 mm Bofors gun. It is presented alongside the contemporary squadron report as a separate source, set F. Fisher states that he was not privy to attack planning and refers readers to Commander Russell Schuster’s report; that report is not included in this source. [F page 1]

Fisher remembers PT 503 leaving Cherbourg with PT 500, PT 507, PT 508 and PT 509 at approximately 1630. He activated the radio and radar nets, then took the port firing position on the stern 40 mm gun. Boyd Brumm occupied the starboard firing position; Faucher and Kramer loaded. Fisher returned to the chart room several times for radio and radar adjustments, otherwise remaining at the gun. [F page 1]

US Navy. Donald E. Fisher, undated personal recollection of PT 503, source set F, page 1. Supplied compilation: Jersey Convoy Action 13 to 14 August 1944.docx. Set letters and page or screenshot numbers refer to that compilation.