MTB 237
Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: Boats (In alphabetical order)
Forum Name: Motor Torpedo Boats
Forum Description: Discussion on Motor Torpedo Boats
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=542
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 1:34pm
Topic: MTB 237
Posted By: Stormvogel
Subject: MTB 237
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 12:31pm
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Hello All.
Does anyone have any information on (or pics of) MTB 237. My Grandfather was her Chief Motor Mechanic (Alfred William Belcher, 'Portland Bill') and was there when she was sunk at the battle of Barfluer (see attached record). I also would like to find details of 237's crew and any info on the German forces that fought in the battle (I believe one was the tug Oceana).
Many thanks,
Stormvogel
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Replies:
Posted By: JAKW
Date Posted: 14 July 2008 at 9:08pm
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MTB 237 was part of Peter Dickens' 21st MTB flotilla and was sunk in the night of 6/7 August 1942 during the "second battle of Barfleur" as Peter Dickens designated it. See Chapter 1 of Peter Dickens' book "Night Action, MTB Flotilla at War". This is a book that should not be to hard to get. It contains most of the info you are searching for, but no photographs of MTB 237. I expect that due to the short life of MTB 237 it will be hard to find photographs.
MTB 237 was a Vosper MTB built by Camper & Nicholson and was brand new when it was lost (it was delivered 18 June 1942). For information on Vosper boats see Lambert & Ross - "Allied Coastal Forces of World War II", Vol. 2.
It was captained by Lt. Richard Guy Fison. During the battle Senior Officer Lt. Peter Dickens used MTB 237 as his "flagship". First Lieutenant was Lt. Robert (Bob) George Gaunt, the Spare Officer was Walter Gordon Lindsay (Fish) Salmon and the coxswain Leading Seaman Stiff.
The battle is also briefly mentioned in L.C. Reynolds "Home Waters MTBs & MGBs at War 1939-1945". This book is now rather hard to obtain and significantly more expensive than the book off Peter Dickens.
Jan
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Posted By: Stormvogel
Date Posted: 18 July 2008 at 10:44am
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Hi Jan, thanks for the info. I managed to find a copy of 'Night Action' on the ever useful Ebay. It was an fascinating read and filled in many of the blanks. Combined with the Coastal Forces Hertage trust's video of Bob Gaunt I'm begining to get an idea of what happened to 237 on that night.
I have a photo of my Grandfathers crew on VE day, when they were on MTB 488. The next line of research is to try and put names to those faces.
Thanks again for your help. Chris
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