Bourne, Frederick William Parnell (Oral history)

British officer served aboard ML 101, 50th Motor Launch Flotilla, Coastal Forces in English Channel, 12/1941-1/1942; served aboard HMS Fernie, 1st Destroyer Flotilla in English Channel and North Sea, 2/1942-6/1942; commanded MTB 344, Coastal Forces attached to Small Scale Raiding Force in English Channel, 8/1942-5/1943; commanded MTB 348, 11th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla, Coastal Forces in GB coastal waters and North Sea, 5/1943-5/1945; commanded MGBs 2003 and 2009, Coastal Forces in GB coastal waters, 1945

REEL 1 Recollections of operations commanding MTB 344, Coastal Forces attached to Small Scale Raiding Force in English Channel, 8/1942-5/1943: background to joining Coastal Forces, 12/1941; taking command of MTB 344, 8/1942; role supporting Small Scale Raiding Force, Combined Operations; capture of German prisoners of war during raid on lighthouse at Casquets, Alderney, Channel Islands, 2/9/1942-3/9/1942; memories of commanders of Small Scale Raiding Force, Majors Gus March-Phillipps and Geoffrey Appleyard; raid on Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes, France in which Gus March-Phillipps was killed, 12/9/1942-13/9/1942; disbandment of Small Scale Raiding Force, 4/1943; his last raid on St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, 8/1/1943; use of Belgian navigator, Lieutenant Hendrik van Riel; raid on Sark, Channel Islands, 3/10/1942; effects of German prisoners of war being found dead with hands tied after raid; his tactics in waiting for returning commandos. REEL 2 Continues: armament of MTB 344; reaction from remark by Admiral John Hughes-Hallett about lack of efficacy of Small Scale Raiding Force activities. Recollections of operations commanding MTB 348, 11th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla,Coastal Forces in North Sea, 5/1943-5/1945: joining 11th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla at HMS Beehive, Felixstowe, 5/1943; 'cucumber' sweeps off the Netherlands coast; interception of German convoy off Netherlands coast, 1/10/1944; German use of trawlers to protect convoys; work plotting sources of V weapon launchings; comparison between motor torpedo boats and E-boats; transfer to motor gun boats and taking command of MGB 2003, 6/1945; duties with MGB 2003 and MGB 2009, 1945; prior recollections of minelaying operations with ML 101, 50th Motor Launch Flotilla in English Channel, 12/1941-1/1942. Aspects of operations as officer aboard HMS Fernie, 1st Destroyer Flotilla in English Channel and North Sea, 2/1942-6/1942: convoy escort duties; action with German E-boats escorting auxiliary cruiser Michel (HSK-9), 15/3/1942. REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of operations commanding MTB 344, Coastal Forces attached to Small Scale Raiding Force in English Channel, 8/1942-5/1943: brief command of MTB 52 with 11th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla prior to taking command of MTB 344; further memories of Major Gus March-Phillipps and Geoffrey Appleyard; how Small Scale Raiding Force commando carried bow and arrow to deal with guard dogs during Operation Fahrenheit, 11/11/1942-12/11/1942; size of Small Scale Raiding Force.