Dreyer, Christopher William Stuart (Oral history)

British officer commanded MTB 102, 3rd MTB Flotilla and MTB 30, 4th MTB Flotilla in GB coastal waters, English Channel and during Dunkirk evacuation, 1940; commanded 5th, 6th and 9th MTB Flotillas in GB coastal waters, 1942; commanded 24th MTB Flotilla in GB coastal waters and Mediterranean, 1943; served as staff officer with Operations Division (Coastal) and to Captain, Coastal Forces (Channel) in GB, 1944

REEL 1 Background in Oxford and at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, GB, 1918-1939: family; education; decision to join Royal Navy and education at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939; opinion of the German Navy; Royal Navy's shortage of anti-aircraft guns in 1939. Aspects of operations as officer with Coastal Forces in GB coastal waters, 1939-1940: posting to HMS Hornet, Gosport; question of uncertainty of function of Coastal Forces in 1939; disposition of motor torpedo boats in 1940. Recollections of operations commanding MTB 102 in GB coastal waters, English Channel and during Dunkirk Evacuation, 1940: taking command of MTB 102; character of MTB 102; escorting Dutch MTB into Portsmouth, 5/1940; transportation of liaison officer to Le Harve, France, 1940; transporting Admiral Fredric Wake-Walker during Dunkirk evacuation. REEL 2 Continues: Junker Ju 87 Stuka attack on his MTB; role as despatch boat; transporting General Harold Alexander back to GB; use of mole at Dunkirk; sight of troops on Dunkirk beaches; blocking of Dieppe harbour, France, 15/6/1940. Aspects of operations commanding MTB 30 in GB coastal waters, 1940: standing by during building of boat, 7/1940; speed of MTB 30; transfer away from Coastal Forces due to illness, 8/1940. Story of collection of HMS Ludlow from Canada, 1940-1941. Aspects of operations commanding 5th ,6th and 9th MTB Flotillas in GB coastal waters, 1942: taking command of flotillas in Dover; sinking aboard MTB 44 in English Channel, 8/1944. REEL 3 Continues: method of scuttling MTB 44; taking brief command of 9th MTB Flotilla in Dartmouth; sinking of German Auxiliary Cruiser Komet by MTB 236 commanded by Sub Lieutenant Robert Drayson, English Channel 14/10/1942; problems with MTB 42 not entering service; overcoming problem of German minefield off Dover; use of taut wire measuring gear. Recollections of operations commanding 24th MTB Flotilla in GB coastal waters and Mediterranean, 1943: taking command of flotilla and his own MTB 243 in Newhaven, 1/1943; role of flotilla in GB coastal waters; patrols in English Channel; method of transfer to Mediterranean, 3/1943. REEL 4 Continues: preparations for operations in Mediterranean; role of flotilla during invasion of Sicily, 7/1943; sinking of U-boat off Messina; encounter with German E-boats; return to GB after period of illness, 11/1943. Recollections of period as staff officer operations for Captain, Coast Forces (Channel) in GB, 1944: joining command after period as staff officer writing manual for Operations Division (Coastal); organisation of operations; preparations for D-Day; maintenance of security for landings; role of MTBs during landings; reasons for lack of success of E-boats during Normandy landings. REEL 5 Continues: Reflections of operations with Coastal Forces, 1940- 1944: performance of German E-boats; German failure to do more damage to East Coast convoys; comparison between MTBs and E-boats; handling of German naval POWs including repatriation of German officer who had learnt about MTB methods; hostilities only character of MTB crews; care of equipment by Wrens; calibre of hostilities only personnel; discomforts of operating MTBs; achievements of the MTBs of Coastal Forces.