Attacks by MAS boats on enemy submarines 1940-1943

[Platon Alexiades]

Although MAS boats are recorded in sinking one enemy submarine (the Soviet SHCH 214 sunk by MAS 571 in the Black Sea on 19 June 1942)., they appear to have had little success in tracking and attacking enemy submarines.

 

I think that fast boats in general were not really suitable for antisubmarine work in World War Two. I can think of very few examples when they were successful: U 561 sunk by HMS MTB 81 on 12 July 1943 and perhaps Flutto sunk by MTBs 640, 651 and 670 on 11 July 1943. The Soviet D-3 did sink C.B.5 but this was a midget and it was in port and Santorre di Santarosa was destroyed by MTB 260 but she was already disabled and aground.

 

I would be interested in listing specific claims by MAS boats of attacking enemy submarines even if they were not successful so any reader who can supply an instance of a MAS boat attacking an enemy submarine is welcome.

 

Many thanks,

 

Platon Alexiades

[Francesco De Domenico]

From "La lotta antisommergibile"  by Amm. Div. Vitaliano Rauber, USMM 1978:

 

List of actions evalued by Supermarina:

 

14.9.1940 MAS on a search mission, Sub sighting claimed and sinking believed (English sources: there were no submarines in the area);

 

5. and 6. 10.1940 MAS 520 & 521 on a search mission, sub sighting claimed, no result believed (there were no submarines in the area);

 

26.8.1941 Aircraft, MAS and A/S vessels on a search mission, sub sighting claimed, sub  believed damaged or sunk (there were no subs in the area);

 

27.8.1941 MAS on a search mission, oil stain sighted, sub believed damaged (unconfirmed);

 

18.9.1941 MAS and AS subchasers on a search mission, sub sighting claimed, sub believed sunk (unconfirmed by British sources);

 

25.10.1941 MAS 534 & 538, destroyers, torpedo-boats, AS subchasers on  escort & search missions, torpedo track sighted, sub believed damaged, (she was actually HMS TRIUMPH which suffered minor damage, probably during the attack by the two TBs escorting S/S MONROSA);

 

2.11.1941 MAS 538 on a search mission, hydrophonic contact, no result believed, (she was HMS PROTEUS which did not report any attack):

 

(more)

[Francesco De Domenico]

5.12.1941 torpedo-boat SIRTORI & MAS  engaged in  transfer & search sorties, torpedo track sighted, sub believed damaged (English sources: 2 submarines were in the area, but neither reported the attack against SIRTORI nor the A/S action);

 

10.3.1942 Aircraft, MAS, A/S vessels in a search mission, sighting & hydrophonic contact claimed, believed no result (there were no subs in the area);

 

(the reports from mid April to early July 1942 are missing)

 

11.8.1942 MAS & A/S vessels in a search mission, sighting and sonar contact claimed, sub believed damaged (P 42 was in the area but did not report any A/S hunt);

 

23.10.1942 MAS 555 & TB CLIMENE in  an escort mission, sub sighting claimed, sub believed damaged (HMS THRASHER was in the area but no A/S attacks were reported by her);

 

29.11.1942 MAS 547 & 543 and a seaplane on a search mission, sub visual sighting & hydrophonic contact reported, believed no result (no sub in the area reported any attack);

 

10/11.4.1943 MAS 507 & 510, RD 29 & 41, seaplane 8/188 Sqdr in an escort mission, visual sighting reported, no sub damage believed (the 11.4.1943 action was judged "efficient" by HMS SAFARI but no damage was reported);

 

9.6.1943 TB STOCCO,  ME 38 & 39 (ex MAS 438 & 439) on a search mission, visual sighting reported, believed no result or sub damaged (HMS UPROAR: no damage). 

 

 

[Francesco De Domenico]

Enemy submarines sunk:

 

HMS TRITON 7.12.1940 may have been hit during the A/S action by TBs ALTAIR & ANDROMEDA and the 13a Sqdr MAS off Brindisi or mined in that area

[Platon Alexiades]

Dear Francesco,

 

Many thanks for the quick reply and all the information. I believe some attacks are missing from the list and if anyone can add others he is most welcome.

 

All the best,

 

Platon