La Pomone Class Torpedo Boats in Allied Service 1940-44

[ptdockyard]

Does anyone have a good photo of any of the following ships while in Allied Service?
-Branlebas
-Bouclier H.20
-La Cordeliere H,25
-La Flore H.63
-L'Incomprise H.47
-La Melpomene H.56

I know that these ships saw restricted use after the Branlebas foundered December 1940. I still see them coming up in searches on their names as being used here and there as escorts. Did they see any action against Germn forces in the Channel?

Thanks,

Dave G.
The PT Dockyard.

[ptdockyard]

I may answer my own question, as I just ordered the following:


Les Torpilleurs de 600tw du type La MELPOMENE by Charles SALOU

[capu.rossu]

During all the war, the 600 tonnes torpedos were out of commission except somme escorts convoy during end of 1940 and first half-year of 1941.
If, in the beginning, British include this ships in the list of Royal Navybut the activity of them was poor because,they have not crew able to manage engines who are very "delicate".
When the ships are retroceded to the FNFL, only the La Melpomène was in service. Free French are poor in crew and the Flower corvette were more efficients ships.
The La Melpomène was in service until the 8 december 1943.

here, three photos who show the La Melpomène during escort duty on FNFL flag







Regards
Alain

[ptdockyard]

Alain,
Thank you once again. Very nice photos. It looks like I will be making a few changes to my model looking at this!

The Armament looks like:
1-100mm
2- .50 cal Brownings on the bridge.
2- quad Hotchkiss 8mm
2 2pdr Pom Pom aft

Dave

[capu.rossu]

According to Marc Saibène "Les Torpilleurs Légers Français 1937 - 1945 - Marines Editions - 09/2004), the La Melpomène has the following guns :
1/100 mm forward
2/pom-poms aft on the roof
2 quadruple 8 mm near the searchlight
2/13,2 Browning on news fin.
2 TLT of 550 mm
These modifications are realized between september and november 1941.
Regards
Alain