Night Action: MTB Flotilla at War

by Peter Dickens

Here is Captain Dickens' full, vivid account of the heroic night-time feats and forays of Britain's MTBs. Small and primitive, the motor torpedo-boats had neither radar nor voice radio: it was their reckless daring that made them such dangerous predators to Germany's mighty coastal traffic. By dark they stalked, disputing narrow seaways where no large vessel could be risked, defying certain death as they careened against enemy convoys, aiming the deadly underwater missiles that proved so vital to the outcome of WWII naval warfare.

Genres: History, Military Fiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair enough; Dickens was probably a better commander than he was writer, but this is still worth reading.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously the writing gene failed to make it into the DNA of Peter Dickens, the great-grandson of Charles Dickens. Very dry, a little presumptuous and makes you wonder how he came to command a MTB (Motor Torpedo Boat) flotilla. But at times does give credit to those who deserved it, both officer and enlisted alike. Also cites the bravery and courage of his German opponents.
British MTBs seemed to suffer the same logistical difficulties the U.S. PT (Patrol Torpedo) boats did with regard to spare parts and engine reliability. Dickens regularly comments about arriving on station with only a few of the boats he set out with. But it doesn't matter as many of his boats always seem to miss their targets! Lucky for the Germans.
Interestingly enough, one of his best boat commanders was a Scot named Jamie Fraser. The way Dickens describes him make you think of a certain character from the Diana Gabaldon novels. But alas, this Jamie Fraser is lost in a clash with German convoy escorts off the Dutch coast. Dinna fash, we still have our fictional character, at least for now.

[Au Yong · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a dearth of books about coastal craft and their contributions to the naval war. The few books that were written by those who took part in these operations are mostly not easily available anymore in the second hand book market.
For that reason alone, this book should stand out as one of the few books written by the Few. The author was the great grandson of Charles Dickens. He showed not only his naval abilities (or as was characteristic of him, his disabilities) as a junior commander of the 21st MTB Flottilla with the rank of lieutenant but also his literary bent.
There are many literary quotations or allusions throughout a book purportedly about the coastal forces of the Royal Navy.
His prose is fluid and flowing. So are the detailed descriptions of the naval actions, brief and sharp while they lasted. There are numerous maps that would gladden the heart of any sea salt, complete with positions of vessels engaged, wind direction, even sea and visibility conditions.

[Erik Empson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about the British use of small motor torpedo and gunboats to disrupt Axis shipping in the coastal waters of the North Sea. It shows how extemporised the strategy was, and how tactics evolved over time. The prose is sometimes very dense and information heavy but diagrams of the disposition of the boats are provided which are invaluable. The author is honest about his frustrations concerning poor equipment and misguided directives from the Admiralty, and provides a frank and at times touching account of the difficulties and hardships encountered by these brave sailors - many of whom came from the Volunteer Reserve.

[Chris O'Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very personal, very intense and often detailed account of one man's war in Motor Torpedo Boats. The patriotism of the author drives a penetrating thread through this lively and swashbuckling autobiography of one of the Royal Navy's decorated wartime heroes. His accounts of battle are vivid. His accounts of camaraderie are touching. His accounts of war are inspiring. And his writing style is very readable indeed. A true classic.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging narrative of this rarely covered battle front of WWII. Dickens has an interesting voice, quite unlike even other English authors I've encountered from his day and age. The dry wit and humility is there, but the voice takes some getting used to.

Recommended for any interested in fast boats or WWII in the North Atlantic theater.

[Jell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of life in small fast boats in WW2

[Curtiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another first-person war memoir by Bantam War Books about naval warfare in torpedo boats of the Royal Navy.