35th MTB Flotilla, HMS “Beahive”, 26th January, 1945.

Sir,

I have the honour to submit the report of the Commanding Officer, MTB 451 with regard to the proceedings of a unit of the 35th MTB Flotilla under his command on the night of the 22nd/23rd January, 1945.

2. It is submitted that the Senior Officer did well to make this initial contact with the enemy so rapidly as he did on the very brief information passed by loud hailer from Tongue Sand Fort.

3. The approach of the unit was observed by the enemy and he had turned away and laid much smoke before the range could be closed decisively.

4. It is most unfortunate that Commander-in-Chief’s 0400 was not received as the unit could not have been more than 8 miles distant at the time and its receipt might have had decisive results.

5. It is submitted that the chances of success of future operations in this area would be considerably enhanced if R/T communications between the Fort and Coastal Forces was established. At the present moment the initial information consists of two, possibly three plots from the Fort upon which the Senior Officer must act, and if in the next few minutes the enemy makes a bold alteration of course it is probable that the interception will fail.

Further it is not considered possible to secure to the Fort for long periods except in calm weather, and probably not possible at all if the wind is south of east. If securing is not practicable then it will be a most difficult task to remain within loud hailer distance of the Fort for more than a few minutes at a time as the tide runs strongly and it is not practicable to start up engines at very frequent intervals and/or keep them running at dead slow for long periods without prejudicing their efficiency.

In these conditions R/T becomes an essential part of the defence if the enemy is to be intercepted before he reaches the swept channel.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Lieutenant, RNVR, Senior Officer 35th MTB Flotilla. UNQUOTE