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Watch these short videos about the Wildfire III Minesweepers.
Minesweepers: https://youtu.be/aTsYiZFzv5M
D day minesweepers: https://youtu.be/ZjlA5LxCAsg
Clearing the Scheldt: https://youtu.be/8ELsc9T3Lbw
The Relief of Holland: https://youtu.be/GghYEFHmOfY
MMS 171, Built by Frank Curtis, Totnes. Launched 20 December 1941. Completed April 1942. Sold November 1945.
MMS 171 formed part of the 110th Flotilla from the Nore Command where she had a near miss and was damaged.
MMS 171 took part in Operation Calendar Two, clearing the Scheldt Estuary of mines and opening up the port of Antwerp to supply the Allied armies who by then had over extended supply lines reaching all the way back to the Normandy Landing Beaches.
The men of the MMS 171 received high praise and awards for their courage.
MID, Mentioned in Dispatches.
George Daniel GANT, L/KX115090, Engineman, 4 Sep 45, MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage and determination while serving in HM Minesweepers in clearing a passage into Rotterdam, Yjmuiden and Den Helder thereby making possible the swift relief of Holland. Op FIREBALL.
DSC, Distinguished Service Cross.
Lt. RNVR John Henry Lloyd SULMAN. 5 Oct 43 DSC. Minesweeping - DSC awarded for courage and skill in many successful minesweeping operations in Mediterranean waters.
OFFICERS from Navy List August 1942.
Temp. Skipper Lieut., R.N.R., C. A. Evans (act.) 13 Apr 42.
Temp. Skipper R.N.R., H. Batchelor. July 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, H. L. Sulman. (In Command) 18 Mar 43.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, (2) H. Wood (act) 20 Aug 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List Dec. 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, H. Wood (act) (In Command) 20 Aug 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List June. 1944.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, R. A. Crossley-Holland (In Command) 23 Feb 44.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, E. E. Brierley. 3 Mar 44.
OFFICERS from Navy List January 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, R. A. Crossley-Holland (In Command) 23 Feb 44.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, E. E. Brierley. 3 Mar 44.
OFFICERS from Navy List July 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, R. A. Crossley-Holland (In Command) 23 Feb 44.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, E. E. Brierley. 3 Mar 44.
Motor Minesweeper's were purpose built, wooden, shallow draft, minesweepers with both SA and LL sweeping capabilities. SA is Sweep Acoustic, a device similar to a Kanga Hammer which makes a loud thumping noise which explodes acoustic mines. LL (double L) is a pair of electric cables which are towed parallel to each other on floats and emit a strong electric pulse which generates a magnetic field which detonates magnetic mines.
Four Hundred and two Motor Minesweeper were built for the Royal Navy between 1940 and 1945.
Admiralty type; 1 to 118 and 123 to 313
Displacement 165 Tons
Length: 105 Feet (32 metres)
Beam: 23 Feet (7 metres)
Draft: 9 feet 6 inches. (2.9 Metres)
Engine: Diesel. 500 BHP.
Speed: 12.65 Miles per hour. (11 knots)
Complement: 20 Officers and men.
Armament: Two 20 mm Anti-aircraft guns
Two machine guns.
MMS 171
Motor Minesweeper MMS 171 would have looked the same as her sister ship, MMS 192. Note, the Acoustic “hammer” on the bow in the up position used to sweep for acoustic mines and the drum on the stern for the LL cables used to detonate magnetic mines.