Blasting boat MTR

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Blasting boat MTR
The explosive device MTM
The explosive device MTM
Ship data
country Italy 1861Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) Italy
Ship type Explosive boat
Shipyard Baglietto
Launch of the type ship October 1942
Units built 8 + 12 MTRM
Ship dimensions and crew
length
6.11 m ( Lüa )
width 1.40 m
Side height 1.00 m
Draft Max. 0.40 m
displacement 1.0
 
crew 1
Machine system
machine Alfa-Romeo AR 6c (2.5 l displacement)
Machine
performance
95 PS (70 kW)
Top
speed
29.0 kn (54 km / h)
propeller 1

The explosive vessel MTR (MTR = Motoscafo Turismo Ridotto) was an explosive vessel produced in small series for the Italian Navy , which was based on its predecessor, the explosive vessel MTM . The previous model did not correspond to the flexibility expected by the Italian naval command with regard to the transport of the boats. Above all, however, the cumbersome overland journeys, which could only take place at night due to the Allied air sovereignty, forced a rethink. In order to avoid the laborious process of bringing the boats into the water, the naval management insisted that the new type of explosive device:

  1. It should be possible to transport piggyback on a conventional submarine and
  2. all the positive properties of the previous model (drive, propulsion, ignition mechanisms, driving range, etc.) should take over in smaller dimensions.

The draft of the MTR, which had been postponed at that time, moved into the focus of naval management. This should combine all proven properties. The Cantieri Navali Baglietto shipyard in Varazze was once again commissioned to build the hull . The machine parts were again supplied by the company CABI from Milan . After the prototype was completed, it was subjected to extensive tests in August and September 1942. Although the new explosive device met the specifications of the naval management, the latter was disappointed and only ordered eight boats, which were delivered in October 1942.

Calls

The first use of the explosive device MTR took place on July 18, 1943. For this purpose, three of these boats were brought piggyback on the Italian submarine Ambra near the port of Augusta ( Sicily ). There, the explosive devices were supposed to attack the allied escort ships at anchor. However, the submarine was sighted by aircraft and so badly damaged in the subsequent attack that the operation had to be canceled. However, the ambergris managed to escape before it was completely destroyed.

Another mission should take place on 7./8. September 1943. For this purpose, four MTRs were brought into the Strait of Gibraltar by the Italian submarine Murena in order to disrupt the shipping routes there. However, this operation was overtaken and canceled by the Cassibile Armistice . After this armistice, the Kingdom of Italy split into the northern Italian Social Republic (RSI) and southern Italy, which was loyal to the Allies. This had the consequence that the naval units of the RSI fell under German control. This also included four MTR explosives, which were still in use until spring 1945.

Specifications

The specifications of the MTR explosive vessel are almost identical to those of the MTM explosive vessel . After the arrival of the machine parts, the wooden hull was finally assembled by members of the Navy and, following its intended purpose, received an explosive charge weighing 330 kg from Triolil Valley in the bow area . As in the previous model, the steering position of the explosive vessel was located in the stern area in order to ensure even weight distribution between the explosive charge in the bow and the pilot and the machine in the stern. In front of the pilot, all the operating and control instruments of the explosive device were also housed. In addition, the pilot had a magnetic compass and paddles, which should allow a noiseless approach to the enemy.

Type MTRM

The modification of the explosive vessel MTRM (MTRM = Motoscafo Turismo Ridotto Modificato) is almost identical to the explosive vessel MTR . Like the MTR , the MTRM was designed so that it could be brought to the target area by a conventional submarine.

Both the hull ( Baglietto Varazze) and the machine parts (CABI Milan) were taken over from the MTR with the same dimensions . The only exception in the MTRM was a minor modification in the control position of the explosive vessel. However, this has not been further verified. However, it must have been small, since even the Italian naval command did not differentiate between MTR and MTRM. A total of 12 of these boats were ordered and delivered in October 1942. There are no documented operations of this type of explosive device. It can be assumed that no differentiation was made due to the similarity of the two types.

Intended use

The purpose of the explosive device, like its predecessors, was that the pilot should slowly approach his target and, from a certain distance or when he discovered it, should race towards it at full throttle. Between 100 and 200 meters before the impact, the pilot should block all command devices of the blasting boat and unlock the explosive charge. Immediately afterwards he was to be catapulted out with a floating raft using a small detonator. If this failed, he had to jump off. If the explosive boat hit its target, a detonation mechanism attached to the bow in the form of a folded down hook was triggered. This in turn triggered a small explosive belt that ran amidships through the boat. The boat should break in two. The bow of the ship in which the explosives were located was detonated with a delay by a water pressure detonator set to a depth of 1 meter. With this, the attacked enemy ship should be maximally damaged or sunk. In order to bridge distances that were beyond the reach of the explosive device, it was transported to the target area by a conventional submarine and released there.

Individual evidence

  1. Harald Fock: Naval small weapons. Manned torpedoes, small submarines, small speedboats, explosives yesterday - today - tomorrow. Nikol, Hamburg 1996, ISBN 3-930656-34-5 , pp. 111, 118.