The Adventures Of Harvey Knight - 4

Sometimes everything comes together as planned. Lt Cdr Knight's fourth mission as flotilla commander was just that!

Once again it was a simply convoy attack; three freighters with a light escort. With the moon over the coast Knight sent his three boats - his own MTB 413, Orion James' MTB 430 and Lennox Dean's MGB 91 - straight into the middle of the convoy. No fancy tactics; just straight at  them.

Quickly spotting two freighters, Knight's crew deftly torpedoed the first.

Lt James launched a difficult attack against the third freighter ...

... and sunk that.

Two freighters went down in one turn. The escorts - a KFK and two R-boats - fired a few shots and inflicted light damage, but were no real threat.

James and Dean sped away ...

... whilst Knight provided covering fire. There seemed to be no reason to go after the third freighter and risk tangling with the escorts.

The three British boats fled into the night, and home.

Two freighters sunk in one mission did a lot to enhance Knight's reputation, and gave the three boats involved some much needed experience. Indeed only Lt Ewan McDonald's MGB 103 was still a little green, and he would get a chance on the next mission.

The light damage was easily repaired and the only really fly in the ointment was Knight's inability to create much improvement in his flotilla's gunnery, despite him scheduling some special training.