Motor Gunboat 658: The Small Boat War in the Mediterranean

by Leonard C. Reynolds

From Gibraltar to Malta, from Malta to the Sicilian invasion, from Sicily to Sardinia, Corsica, and Yugoslavia: these were the stages where Motor Gunboat 658's exploits played out. With luck, its blazing guns sank many an enemy ship. Written by a man who joined the 658 at only 19 years of age, and stayed with it throughout the war, this thrilling memoir tells a tale of derring-do, comradeship, community, and spirit that no fiction can equal.

Genres: Nonfiction, World War II

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about the wartime service of HMS MGB 658 through the eyes of a young RNVR officer who started out as it's navigation officer and ended the war commanding it. MGB 658 spent it's career serving in the Mediterranean, fighting the axis navies on the coast of Italy and in the island campaigns in the Adriatic and the story is well told by Reynolds. He describes the actions of his boat in great detail and also their times in port, and these boats were crewed by a rich cast of characters which the author also introduces to the reader throughout the book. This is the best Coastal Forces book I have read.

[Norman]

Excellent read. Enthralling. 😀

[Chris O'Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A masterful and highly personal tale of the exploits of the crew who served in MGB 658. The very vivid recollections and associated tales of intense action interspersed by camaraderie and bonhomie really bring to life the service of an officer in a small WWII warship.