THE BROAD FOURTEENS ROYAL NAVY MOTOR TORPEDO BOATS IN WWII 25624

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Made in 1945, THE BROAD FOURTEENS is one of the excellent, dramatized accounts of WWII made by the Ministry of Information for morale purposes. The film shows the first posting, and eventual first action, of a newly-trained motor torpedo boat (MTB) crew. ('The Broad Fourteens' is the name given to a patrol area of the North Sea off the Dutch coast.) The film joins the boat and crew at the end of their training (probably HMS Bee, the Coastal Force working up base at Weymouth). The boats featured include 70’ Vosper 1942 class boats, 70’ British Power Boat motor gunboats and MTB 210 - a J Samuel White-built 70’ Vosper which later joined the 13th MTB Flotilla at Dover. The fictional MTB 181 is probably MTB 352, commanded by Lieutenant John M Moore RNVR which joined the 11th MTB Flotilla at Felixstowe after completing her work up. Also featured is MTB 354, commanded by Lieutenant Roland Plugge RN which was the SO's boat, 5th MTB Flotilla, at Dover. The German flak trawler is in fact an RN Isles Class trawler standing in.
(0:48) introduces the viewer to how the "broad fourteens" came to exist. Navy training is depicted (2:15). At the training commander’s office (2:25) the film shows the commander and the captain conversing about torpedo and battle experiences and strategies. The crew is shown going through their regular activities. They discuss the previous battles as they are called together. The commander and the captain (5:10) discuss the boat’s impending departure. 5:40 shows the operational base as crews and the commander busily arrive the base. (6:48) operation room as a crew brings a report to the commander. The captain talks about his crew alongside another (7:28). At mark 8:00 the film shows the crew’s residential life. The crew are shown prepping for the first operation as their boats head offshore (9:15) and into the deep sea. The captain is shown calculating the boat’s navigation on his map (10:20). A communication link is established (11:18) and the captain discusses how much longer it is till they get to the operation site. Back at the base (12:20) the crews left converse. The crews are seen at the starmouth arms (14:30), they enjoyed listening to their music at (15:00). The crew takes care of their ship (16:05).
The commander converses with the captain (16:45). The crew are shown in their rooms (17:18). (17:27) is the Starmouth Arms where the crew talk among themselves. The Starmouth Arms manager receives a call which got all crews back to their base (18:40). The commander gives a report (19:20) on the mission and key targets. The meeting closes (20:00) as all crew member are set as they start their engine and move on (21:15). On the deep sea is the navigation map (21:50). At mark 22:20, the crews stops for awhile and takes a break. They move on (22:53). The key target is seen (23:10) and the troops get ready for firing. All crew on set as they wait on the captain to give the go ahead to shoot (23:50). The captain makes the key calculations as the crew stands by for the torpedo release. He gives the go (24:47) and the torpedo is launched out. The torpedo engages the target (25:06). Reports about the operation are documented (25:30) as they proceed to rendezvous point. Two German gun boats are sighted (25:47) as they appear and fire at the crew (26:03). Firing continues till 26:45. There is alarm about fire at the cargo base as a crew is injured (27:00). The fire is attended to as firing continues (27:50). The report about the casualty and the op is documented (28:30). Explosives are launched across the sea towards the enemy gun boats (29:15) as they cool down the heat on them.
Meanwhile back at the base, the film shows the commander (30:00) receiving a visit from his superior, who asks about the mission report as he looks towards the map (30:40). At the battle front, the captain asks about news on the gun boats (31:11) as his underlings all wait in anxiety. The gun boats are sighted (31:38) as they closes on fast towards the crew. At mark 31:53, they opened fire against the boat. A crew is hit (32:15). A gun boat comes in their rescue (33:00) and defeats the enemy boat. Gregory and Johnny are shown wounded. The gun boat (34:00) makes reports and request the course as they depart for home port.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com

[@315jimb]

My Grandad is the one playing guitar in the film. We knew about him being in a film but have only just found it! Thank you for posting!

[@harbourdogNL]

Awesome!

[@glenndyer8271]

So glad you got to see it.

[@rockracing325]

My father who was an 18 years old Canadian who served on MTB 726 witch you can see listed on the docking board at 7:12 of movie was one of those great people that gave there service at such a young age for our freedom

[@harbourdogNL]

That's pretty cool!

[@markshrimpton3138]

Thank you for his service. These young men gave so much for our freedoms. My father was posted to the Far East in the British army.

[@dartmoor_dave]

Great little film. My father bought mtb98 (Greyling) after it had been given to the Maidstone Sea Scouts after the war, it was too big for them to maintain. Dad converted it to a very comfortable houseboat. It was moored at Rochester, dad sold it and it was moved several times and ended up further down the river still in use as a houseboat’. MTB 98 saw quite a lot of action in the English Channel and got badly shot up but survived, she was an early boat built of double diagonal mahogany on oak (I think) and powered by triple Packards. Her build was funded by the people of Litherland in war ship week and presented to the free French to crew. The only British member was the wireless operator who was later decorated by the the French president for services rendered. I still remember the patches in the hull, the cracked porthole glass and chunks out of the deck stantion.

[@dartmoor_dave]

If anyone is interested I have a copy of the build plans

[@barrymorley796]

My old geography master at school in the early 1950’s had been on MGB’s during the war and wrote a best selling book about the experience. He was L C Reynolds and the book was Gunboat 658. I still have my copy.

[@freebeerfordworkers]

I worked with two men who were on them in the 1960s and when they got into action. It really was close quarters stuff. One did not talk much about it and the other had no illusions about what he experienced and could get quite angry. During one action a couple of his friends had been badly hit and the CO who was unscathed was on the bridge blowing a horn shouting Tally Ho and rubbish like that. he said "The lads on the deck were shot to bits! I went on the bridge and told the ---- if he didn't stop blowing that ------- horn I'd stick it up his arse. Knowing his character, I could well believe he did.

[@harbourdogNL]

@@alasdairmmorrison74 You were there, were you?

[@davidgray3321]

I am amazed they could tell who the enemy was at night at sea with spray etc, I bet sometimes they got close and suddenly realised and then opened up. Whatever rank or role they were great men and women and kept us safe and free. Our thanks as an island nation will echo down the ages, some of them slumber in the sea that encircled and secured our liberty. Thank god.

[@1953PE]

My father served on MTB689 during WW2 and received the DSM from the king

[@cycleSCUBA]

I think of all tasks in W.W.II, the MTB crew would be the one I'd choose to do. Their hit and run daring was outstanding. They pulled their weight. We Will Remember Them.

[@notwocdivad]

My late Mother was a WREN in Ramsgate during WW2. Watching this I could see her going about her duties and waiting for the boats coming home just like the girls in the film. Love these wartime films with the men who were in it doing the acting! Thankyou.

[@harbourdogNL]

I know just what you mean, even though my Mum was in the WAAFs I can just imagine her when I see these old films, right down to her hairstyle at the time. I love watching these films, always makes me feel close to my parents.

[@ukexpat6893]

The home port used in the film is actually in Weymouth, Dorset. The MTB is berthed near what is now Weymouth Pavilion Theatre. Early in WW2 this part of the harbour was a shore base called HMS Bee which operated coastal forces with the crews living in the nearby guest houses. By 1944 it was an embarkation point for some of the US forces destined for "Omaha" beach, the main embarkation for "Omaha" beach was from nearby Portland Harbour. Nearly all the buildings visible in the film are still there to day.

[@abundantYOUniverse]

Wow thanks!

[@KrillLiberator]

I was watching for the boat operations, but three minutes in and I'm like "That's bloody Weymouth!" (I live here, y'see). How lovely to see the harbourside actually hasn't even changed much in the intervening eighty years.

[@m3cvfm]

@@KrillLiberator Yes I thought that was Weymouth too.

[@sarto7bellys]

@@KrillLiberator I thought exactly that as well

[@tonyb83]

Me too... its definitely Weymouth with the North, the Stone Pier and lots more. VERY SADLY in about 2020 the Council (of incomers) removed the WWII train lines along the quay. They did it for spurious heath and safety reasons. What is the world coming to ?

[@pauldg837]

I love these movies, it reminds me of the huge sacrafice that my father's generation made, for the freedoms that we take for granted today. Just ordinary men, called up to do their duty, and every single one of them did that. We owe all of them our gratitude.

[@number8485]

You said it all word for word

[@pauldg837]

@@number8485 Thank you very much, and I feel as strong as ever in what I wrote. Have a great day.

[@number8485]

@@pauldg837 😁👍🇬🇧

[@doctorshawzy6477]

all wasted..take a look at modern england....

[@coldblower1]

My uncle served on MTB'S throughout the war. He was a real hero. A golden generation.

[@curmudgeon1933]

In the mid-sixties my family lived on a converted MTB moored at D'Oyly Carte Island on the River Thames. It was originally commissioned as MTB 208. When my father bought it it had a rebuilt deck house and was plenty big enough for the 5 of us. Sadly it is much more difficult to get affordable residential moorings nowadays but back then there were maybe 15 houseboats on the island including an old coal barge, a Motor Gun Boat (MGB), and a submarine chaser, as well as my family's MTB, and various other smaller craft. Exciting times for a 10 year old, including having to take the ferry to go to school

[@oceanhome2023]

Curmudgeon Great story ! Thanks !

[@jerribee1]

I envy you.

[@redbaron1392]

Oh wow! My grandfather Fitzgerald served on 208 for more than 2 years

[@curmudgeon1933]

@@redbaron1392 MTB 208 is now moored at a boatyard in Sunbury, on the River Thames. Apparently it's being renovated.

[@billbillson3129]

Incredible! I was just wondering what I could buy one of those for and what it would cost to make it my home XD Thanks for sharing, ya old CURMUDGEON!!! XD XD

[@nemosis9449]

My dad served on HMS Ekins a destroyer from early 44 till the end of the war going out every few nights with MTB's and ML's looking for trouble with E boats which he said "they found"

[@Steve-bo6ht]

My granddad was Able Seaman Thomas Quigley served on both MGB & MTB based at looe in cornwall and was awarded the DSM D/JX.I4H05 and mentioned in dispatches for For skill and bravery in action against enemy E-boats, while serving in H.M. Motor Gun-Boats: incredible man and as a kid can remember going through all his stamp albums and him telling me of his story's around the world whilst in the British Navy.

[@andyharris17able]

I am sure you are very proud of granddad , rightly so . My own grandfather built these boats during the war in North Devon. 👍

[@Steve-bo6ht]

That's amazing really appreciate your reply Andy yes indeed incredible men that built and sailed these incredible boats.

[@andyharris17able]

@@Steve-bo6ht My own grandfather was a master shipwright , as was my uncle's , and last but not least my self . He told many years ago how fast they built them , and it was really fast . Thanks for your reply 😃

[@judyullmann7655]

My dad was in Holland, on the other side. They had a barrel of Guiness wash up below their position, must have been more than a few kegs afloat in those days. It was well appreciated.

[@JordKovacsik]

That's fascinating. I can picture that like I was there. Coastal defence I assume? There were so many lives entagled in that mess.

[@adeladd7638]

A lot of the Irish were pro German :)

[@scottgoodman8993]

They calmly faced the challenge and did their duty well.

[@TSH2020]

Love the dialogue and articulation. Well spoken with good sound recording level, unlike today with machine gun delivery, no articulation and sound levels here there and half way to Germany! My father was in submarines during the war, uncle in the RAF and Merchant Navy while my Grandad was in the Royal Scots. So proud of them!!

[@NickRatnieks]

I remember as a kid seeing old MTBs as house boats on the Thames where I lived. Their days of high speed action had gone and they were careworn even then- over 50 years ago. Good little film that is all the better for being cliche free and focusing on the reality of the task in hand.

[@davidwhite4874]

I used to see them on the River Arun at Littlehampton, too.

[@jonjon1432]

A freind of mine lived on an MGB Named Jet D'eau moored on taggs island near Hampton court in 1962 it still had its original motors and a great deal of "atmosphere " could be felt or imagined whenever I went on board , I was 9 years old

[@Tommy1882T]

great little film, my dad served on the mtbs based at hms beehive at felixtowe. met my mum there who served as a wren at the same base.

[@1953PE]

My father served on MTB 689 as orlikon gunner and coxwain

[@rapido2962]

My Father was a boat builder and during the war was stationed at Ramsgate - building and repairing the MTB's. I remember him telling me that he was amazed that some of them were still afloat on their return from action as they were so badly shot up!

[@ROBIN_SAGE]

Wonderful generation of people…. Godspeed to your father and everyone else who lived through and gave service to support the war at home too. My great grandparents worked at the B-24 bomber plant at Willow Run, Michigan. While their son (my grandfather) was flying in one as a Tail gunner… he was on the Ploesti mission, big week, etc. 54 missions over Europe. Survived the war.

[@roverboat2503]

This was filmed in Weymouth where I live. Fascinating to see that it hasn't changed much!

[@rwdyeriii]

An excellent movie telling the little known job of the men who served during World War 2 on the Torpedo Boats.

[@cornishrider]

Thank you so much I saw this film on channel 4 at some point in the late 80's aged 15 and have been trying to find it ever since!

[@williamfitch1408]

I knew a fella, the first one-armed man to circumnavigate the world in a yacht, who owned an MTB during the '60's. He used it as a blockade runner to ferry supplies to Radio Caroline.

[@heli-crewhgs5285]

I was puzzled by the term ‘blockade runner.’ Was it illegal to supply a pirate-radio vessel? Was ‘Caroline’ blockaded? If so, who by? The Royal Navy? U.K. Customs?

[@williamfitch1408]

@@heli-crewhgs5285 I dunno exactly. That's what he told me, and he was in company with other mariners of his generation, so I have no reason to doubt him. The government's frustration with a radio station broadcasting in UK territory led them to create Radio 1, which hired most if not all the DJ's.

[@user-mo8xg3kx9x]

My dad was a stoker on MTB670 aged 18 and straight off to the Med April 1943.

[@inthenameofjustice8811]

Superb little film that encapsulates what life was like for MTB crews. Brave men one and all.

[@Bill23799]

In case you were wondering why, in the briefing room, one officer had straight rings on his sleeves and the other had wavy rings that was because the one with wavy rings was in His Majesty's Royal Naval Reserves. Also known as the " Wavy Navy ".

[@electrolytics]

I did notice that but didn't have the slightest idea. Thanks.

[@neilclark2245]

RNVR - Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve - Wavy Navy. RNR had gold chain rings then

[@stevegreen54]

Great film, I love these old movies. My Dad was an ERA engineer, West Africa on a Corvette, HMS Kilderry, convoy protection 42-45 but after the war had a couple of years on an experimental MTB based at HMS Hornet Portsmouth. P1602 was the first all aluminium MTB with three Griffon Spitfire engines, capable of 40 knots plus. He spoke fondly of this boat but never saw action. Always said that the German E Boats were faster and diesel powered so less prone to major fires in action.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

stevegreen You are wrong on the engines, Griffon not used in MTB they were American made PACKARD M2500 purposed designed gas engines, Brits came begging for engines as aircraft engines in Britain were not allowed in boats, had to go to aircraft, and short supply. Same engine the US Navy used in all their PT Boats !!!

[@posei3960]

My late father was a morse code telegrapher on an MTB 352? During the war. Born 1926. They were made of sterner stuff in those days

[@Hairyegg]

Grandad was a stoker on one of those round Africa and Vietnam

[@parrot849]

Outstanding little film. I like that it avoids falling into the cliche-evoking dialogue that many of these types of short military re-enactments do. The actors do seem to be a wee bit older than what an average sailor would have been during the war, but that a tiny insignificant item.

[@jeffreycoulter4095]

Awesome movie! You'd never see anything like this anywhere. Thank you Periscope Films.

[@swaghauler8334]

Please rewind the film when you are done watching it.

[@scottgoodman8993]

My school teachers would become so vexed when they had to rewind the film before presenting it and also after.

[@tedthesailor172]

Quaint bit of archive material. Amazing how these things survive. I loved the roar of those huge engines...

[@alexhayden2303]

The U*S PT boats used 500 (US?) gallons per hour. (flat out)

[@davidelliott5843]

They had Packard Merlin V12 engines. They were powerful but did not last very long. Aero engines are not designed to handle the shock loading that high speed boats will deliver. After WW2, the type was fitted with 18 cylinder (36 piston) Deltic two stroke diesels. These were the same type was used by US PT boats in Vietnam. There's a YT film of some Swedish Deltics going at full chat. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gonUdK16aJ2tjpI

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

tedthesailor Those engines were PACKARD made in the USA M2500's !!!!

[@tedthesailor172]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Thank you - I know...!

[@harbourdogNL]

4:10 "Regular little assault craft, isn't she?" Hilarious!

[@dzulkafleysamad4980]

Remember reading war comics when i was a kid..and stories about fast attack torpedo boats was one of them.

[@kayserbondor]

My father’s cousin was the C/o of HMMTB 638, he was killed in an action off the Tunisian coast where an Italian boat the Sagittario and aircraft attacked his boat, April 1943.

[@SGBlackstar]

My late grandfather CPO RG Watts commanded MTB's in coastal waters and the Med 1940/42

[@elmerlarimer9026]

love this film thank you

[@32shumble]

Interesting to see Weymouth during the war. It hasn't actually changed that much.

[@nemo6686]

Thought I recognised it...

[@roverboat2503]

@@nemo6686 I live there. Hardly changed at all!

[@harbourdogNL]

Just the housing prices! I can't imagine what those quayside buildings sell for nowadays.

[@davidjones6956]

I loved this. Great stuff. When we worked as one.

[@bogthing1]

Great film. Thanks for posting.

[@stevengarduno1139]

W

[@tumbullweed]

There’s 1 of those boats by me under restoration it’s in the water I’ve seen it moving at speed that’s a sight to behold

[@99IronDuke]

Good film, thanks.

[@dirtydave2691]

Must be a pretty calm sea state. The Ratings in the engine all calmly sipping away.

[@davidelliott5843]

One of the crew says. "I think its a waste of good engines". Wartime boats used aircraft petrol engines which were not built to take the stress and failed regularly. They must have been scary to use with all that flammable fuel about. The Germans had bigger (but very fast) diesel powered Schnellboots (E-Boats). There's an ex MTB running around South Devon. It has the amazing Deltic engines so was re-engined post-war or it's a later hull. There is also an E-Boat near Plymouth to be restored by Kevin Wheatcroft (race track owner) but money has stopped progress.

[@andrewweir111]

David -perhaps for this reason the Admiralty commissioned the building of 9 Steam Gunboats by Denny, Glasgow powered by early steam turbines (with plans for many more). They were larger and extremely fast but had two initial limitations compared with MTB- Slow startup time because of the need to “flash” the boiler plus vulnerability to direct fire (no armour to protect boiler/turbines to save weight). My father was First Lt of SGB7 which after sinking a German ship in 1941, was scuttled after a direct hit to the boiler immobilised it. It was the only SGB lost during the war but no more were built and the remaining 8 were armoured. Fortunately all the crew were picked up and spent the war as POWs.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Actually they used marine engines, no aircraft types. Packard 2500's as I recall.

[@harbourdogNL]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKC2iZuCdrl6jac

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@WALTERBROADDUS Yes they were !!! The Brits came to the USA looking for boats, planes engines. The Brits had the Merlin earmarked for aircraft and PACKARD supplied their M2500's to the US Navy and the Brits, some 14,000 M2500's were built, thats 25oo cu in of supercharged engine, most were 1500 HP the later version went to 1850 !!! And no the M2500 was NOT a Packard built merlin, Packard did build the merlin but three years later and they went to the Brits for aircraft !! !

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 I suggest you reread my comments you are replying to? Packard Marine engines have nothing to do aircraft engines built under license.

[@abundantYOUniverse]

This was fantastic thanks

[@Mercmad]

A lot of the crew on these vessels were teenagers and early 20's . We live on a different planet today.

[@cageordie]

We really don't. Well, we have better tracking of birth records, so people like my old friend John MacDonald of the Back-of-Kepoch can't go to war with their trawler by saying they were 16 when they were actually 14. He was sunk while sweeping mines in the channel, but obviously survived. The youngest Brit to die in Afghanistan was 18, in the Falklands the youngest was 17. We still send the youngest we can to fight wars. They are more bidable and haven't learned they are mortal.

[@tedthesailor172]

That was spiffing. I loved the clipped and plummy middle-class accents. Top Hole...

[@keegan773]

Just as well they put their plummy spiffing accents on the line or you would be speaking German now.

[@flagwanker6346]

I remember the last two proper MTB’s. Brave Borderer and Brave Swordsman

[@ReddishB22]

What a great film!

[@harbourdogNL]

12:39. Now I know where the actor who portrayed Blakey on On The Buses got his inspiration from!

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Strange thing is that as far as I know the German e boats were faster than the mtb,s but these brave men still went out in foul weather for rescue and attack, true heroes

[@number8485]

E boats were a nasty thing to encounter and sank US shipping during D-Day rehearsals on Slapton beach with heavy loss of life. The screen destroyer had to suddenly go in for urgent maintenance. Shame there weren't any MTBs/MGBs available.

[@WildBillCox13]

Wow! You see that handler flinch every time the twin Vickers K guns are fired? I bet I would've felt the same. "Woah! That's too loud, too dangerous, and too close!"

[@harbourdogNL]

Yeah, I noticed that too, probably bloody deafened.

[@williamfitch1408]

Stirring stuff!

[@Bill23799]

A smashing film, thanks.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the "wavy" comment. Subscribe and consider becoming a channel member kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXWliGami8abi6c

[@jamierutherford1317]

Good little film. Did you notice at 5.00 min the Commander giving a left handed salute? We used to do that to snotties.

[@davebinks]

Yes, but a few seconds later, when they leave, the salutes were both right handed! Probably because these were actors, not actually sailors!

[@christianhaupt2637]

@@davebinks They were all actual Officers and Enlisted acting

[@heli-crewhgs5285]

What on earth are ‘snotties?’ If you must use slang, then explain yourself.

[@andybelcher1767]

@@heli-crewhgs5285 Midshipman. They were very young, starting at 12 in the 18th century, hence the nickname.

[@alancollard8939]

great pictures of weymouth dorset during the war or just after , this was a mtb base

[@PaulP999]

Can't remember its title but I have an interesting book (up in the loft maybe..?) written by someone who served on them. Quite often instead of the Hollywood dramatic high speed torpedo launch (which he says will send them plunging to the depths!) they would sneak across the bows of cargo targets and drop depth charges on short fuses. Many brutal battles with the deadly E-boats (S-boats more accurately) who, with their diesel engines, could take a lot of hits and were well armed. Must read it again soon.

[@harbourdogNL]

Go through the comments, someone else posted about their schoolmaster writing a book about his experiences...Gunboat 658

[@tobytaylor2154]

I kove these old films

[@simon-oy6um]

Good old weymouth harbour , wish i could have seen in the day 😊😊

[@stevenhall9349]

God bless those Brits. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@robertordewald8678]

Aye, those lads in the new fangled MTB's, what will they think of next? Radar? Armour?

[@Catcrumbs]

I wonder when they started giving the guys in the engine room hearing protection?

[@nitramnitram1966]

Catcrumbs Pardon?

[@Catcrumbs]

I said "I WONDER WHEN THEY STARTED GIVING THE GUYS IN THE ENGINE ROOM HEARING PROTECTION?". I SUPPOSE YOU'VE BEEN SUBJECT TO A SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCE?

[@martyn6792]

A fascinating film but also reading the comments about people's relatives

[@yarra01]

Interesting how at 4:55 the officer going up the steps salutes with his left hand, and then on saying goodbye, salutes with the correct (right) hand. :)

[@MauriatOttolink]

At 04:55 The senior officer, climbing the steps, returned the salute with his left hand. HIS LEFT HAND? Somebody (director?) must have put him right when they saluted at departure.

[@josephking6515]

Watch a movie. It's called _The Ship That Died Of Shame_ I can't remember if it was an MTB or an MGB. It was a quite good movie.

[@terryholloway1914]

Yep, Anthony Steele, Dickie Attenborough, great film.

[@davidjones332]

That was an MGB. The film's based on a Nicholas Monsarrat short story.

[@daveybernard1056]

Glancing too quickly, I read this as something about the " broad .410's"

[@cozmcwillie7897]

Those three Packard engines in one boat sounded so delicious. It's a common misconception that they are Rolls Royce Merlin engines made by Packard. However, the Packard marine engine was 25% bigger than the RR aero. For decades I believed them to be Merlin's after reading it in a novel.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Not Merlins. Packard Marine engines.

[@cozmcwillie7897]

@@WALTERBROADDUS Thanks. I found this out about 2 weeks ago and couldn't remember where I'd left this mistaken comment. I put it somewhere else too. If you come across it please let me know so I can do something about it.

[@wor53lg50]

What books that from then mate???? Or do you meen the Packards that was a copy of RR for license?, in fact was it because all MTB was built to the same copy of such licence only with alco and higgins given the licence to copy such boats as in pt6 the first ever, or was it because the factory got bombed at the time so they had to use american made packards because the licence of the english designed MTB was already in place???, if not why didn't the brits just shove their own engine in their fairmiles and vospers and Pt's???? After all they did design them and make them at home for their own aircraft??, so give me your source please?..

[@cozmcwillie7897]

In Wikipedia it says Packard marine engines were bigger than Merlin's, and that only the Canadians had had tried three Merlins in a MTB. It didn't give any figures I can remember except the Packard marine was a different engine, 25% bigger or 25% more powerful than a Merlin, better suited for boats. No doubt the Brits kept their RR's for Hurricane's Spitfire's etc. etc....the Packard's for boats.

[@wor53lg50]

@@cozmcwillie7897 (NO) figure's means irrelevant then?, and now people are realising how unreliable Wikipedia is these days? , unless it hasnt been taken from a source from history books or ones on the subject in question, then it should be taken with a pinch of salt im affraid and one should do a further assessment on their own research to gain some insight and not to just rely on what they have been told on the net as gospel..

[@MrConan89]

Apparently the Americans worked out that just rolling the torpedoes over the side was just as effective as the projectile launch.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Actually what happened is a change to aerial type torpedoes. They were lighter and did not need tubes.

[@stevemerrick4044]

The original US torpedos were from WW1 and notorious for not exploding...

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Wasn't there a serial in The Victor based on the exploits of an MTB commander?

[@freshfresh5205]

Where can I find the song in this film “you’ll never get to heaven in an mtb”. P.s. it’s so refreshing to be able to hear clearly pronounced English. My hearing problems are made no more when people try to pronounce words correctly instead of being lazy or even attacking people for wanting to pronounce properly.

[@Dirty_Orcman]

@Destraex It's an old British (originally US ) song in the form of a "call and response round". The main singer of each verse often makes up the words, (so therefore getting this exact song is going to be difficult) and then the other singers repeat, and there's a chorus e.g. C) "You'll never get to Heaven" R) "You'll never get to Heaven" C) "in an MTB (insert as appropriate, I remember a verse where it was TR7- a type of car)" R) "in an MTB" C) "'cos (short for because) an MTB" R) "'cos (short for because) an MTB" C) " only goes to sea!" R) " only goes to sea!" (C&R) - repeat all lines together (Chorus) The base song is called "I Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More" and some sample lyrics can be found at www.bethsnotesplus.com/2018/07/aint-gonna-grieve-my-lord-no-more.html. Also, this video will give you an idea of the tune (and some lyrics) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6HXk2yMn9hseac (and other places). The main singer involves each of the others by making up a verse about each of them.

[@DavidWoods-rk8st]

Wow when I served with rn I was drafted aboard one myb to Denmark and back the exhaust glowed white hot

[@seangreene64]

Any body know of any war films of this type. Love the old British war movies.

[@patlee6]

Try "The ship that died of shame". British MTBs & MGBS in action, a good story too. Early on is a scene of dozens of MTBs ready for scrapping or sale.

[@EndingSummerwithRalph]

That is a horrible crime caper film, IMO.

[@kebab6597]

I had a couple of uncles that served on the MBT,s out of the Tyne they covered a huge stretch of the North Sea from there

[@kebab6597]

OOP,s typo MTB

[@ljd8520]

Those were the days we were still proud to call ourselves British !

[@twotone3070]

I still am, well English. It's all the others.

[@wor53lg50]

So am i ,four years on,and i always will be untill the day i croak, so keep it up bruver and stay strong., 👍.

[@chrisgrant7026]

Got a kick out of the "Canadian" with the British accent. Good of them to acknowledge our contribution, though. 9:16 I'll take the tall one on the left.

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

He was Canadian, all right, speaking the way educated Canadians used to speak, before we were completely drowned in American "culture".

[@kleinjahr]

@@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry Ayup. Though we do have our own regional accents. I spent twenty odd years in the Maritimes. Coming from Southern Ontario they thought I was a Yank. Moved back to Southern Ontario, tey tink I'm a Newfie.

[@scruffscruffeton986]

@@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry We had the chance of American know how, British government, and French culture. We got American culture, French government, and British know how.

[@ronwilken5219]

@@kleinjahr welcome back!

[@grumpyoldfart4167]

God Bless the HMS Queen Elizabeth and all who sail in her!

[@glenspryszak6005]

Pip Pip. Cheerio...

[@m1t2a1]

I'll bet they were as good as PT-73, star of Mchale's Navy. North 75 west. Look at a compass rose. North is obvious. 75 degrees is roughly ENE. West is west. I've never heard a more confusing bearing in my life. 34:33

[@tonyb83]

Was part of this this filmed in Weymouth, Dorset? From 9.20 to 9.30 it looks like the Nothe Fort in amongst and the trees and Stone Pier with the chalk hills and cliffs across other bay at Rinagstead.

[@davidwatson8118]

People may laugh at the Brits and their colonial back up, but they smashed the crap out of their foes more than once.

[@jep1103]

Actor James Robertson justice narrating

[@LBS4]

Anyone know the song at 15:01? It’s driving me crazy....... TY

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

What sort of MTB was that representing. I thought that all active service UK MTB's had either 3 or 4 engines, mainly Packard or Isotta but that one only appeared to have 2 engines or was that just artistic licence by the film makers.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

May have been swapped out from originals and only two used !!!

[@richmcintyre1178]

If you watch these with the Closed Captioning on you'll die laughing. CC has a problem with a proper British accent.

[@harbourdogNL]

These training and propaganda films are priceless.One wonders of the originals exist, and if they could be transferred/scanned at a higher resolution??

[@daveroberts1099]

Inspiration for Mac Hails navy ?

[@hhoward14]

Wonderful film of the period, full of detail, but I did not understand the "course for home" as : "naught seventy five west" Which in my head seems like the reciprocal of what they want, or even their outward bound course. I expect they did things their own way... Anyway, first rate..

[@bitsnpieces11]

I think they were based in Britain and patrolled off the Dutch coast. That would mean their base would be to the west of where they patrolled and west was the way to get home.

[@hhoward14]

Yes it would be westerly , but it would not be 075deg. that would be to the eastward.

[@dolvaran]

I heard it as North 75 West, which would make it (perhaps) 285deg. I've never heard a course given that way though. West by North (281.5deg), or 285 would be much more expected.

[@hhoward14]

Well. I can't argue too much because your ears may well be sharper than mine, but I did listen lots of times, and made it as I said. I believe that in those days the Navy would have said: "OH 75 deg", rather than naught, and for some considerable time, the more modern Navy would have said:"ZERO 75 deg, and quoted the course for home... As this film seems full of authentic detail, I thought I should believe historical fact, but that one puzzles me. Maybe the internet will come up with a real crew man... Best regards.

[@ukexpat6893]

If they were somewhere off the Dutch coast I think a course of North 75 West which is 285 degrees could have send them somewhere near Weymouth, Dorset which is where the harbour in the movie was actually filmed. This method of naming courses was often used in that era.

[@DriftinDoug]

Those "Canadians" had strong British accents

[@davey2363]

At 20.03 you see one piece oiled cotton overalls made by Barbour.

[@risasb]

5:44 of interest, the mechanic at right.

[@spikespa5208]

Yup!

[@dianebrodie2956]

Too many ads.

[@joelspringman7748]

Were they very different from the American PT Boats?

[@thisnicklldo]

Not really. Roughly similar length, speed, armament, plywood construction, crew size and purpose. There were many versions of RN MTB's and USN PT boats, so a geek would be able to point out many detail differences within and between the fleets. I believe the 3 x Packard marine engines in the commonest Vosper MTB's were also used in many PT boats. To be fair, what I know about PT boats mostly comes from watching the movie PT-109 as a boy when it was first released, so no expert on them.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@thisnicklldo You are correct most PT and MTB's and MGB' were very similiar and all powered by three Packard M2500 Gas engines, there were may versions as the war went on but all very similiar !!

[@johnallen7807]

And now we can't (or won't?) stop a single rubber dinghy crossing the Channel! God help us!

[@doctorshawzy6477]

Looking at England today you realize their sacrifice was in vain!

[@davebinks]

Strange comment. They still speak English where I live, not German, and we elect our own government.

[@twotone3070]

@@davebinks But there is little respect for anyone or anything. Celebrity is valued over a trade, violence or the threat of it are the norm and that's just the politicians.