The Story of The PT 509
This page is dedicated to the memory of the crew of the PT 509 whose sacrifice
will not be forgotten.
-
All that was left of the PT 509 is at last found. A Squadron 34 PT Boat
looks on.
Background
PT 509 was part of Squadron 34, stationed in the English Channel. Squadron
34's duties varied, including but not limited to performing escort duty,
rescue missions, taking part in the D-Day invasion, drawing fire from German
shore batteries and patrolling the waters harassing German Minesweepers.
It was during one of these patrols that PT 509, along with PTs 500, 503,
507, and 508 engaged a convoy of German Minesweepers.
9 August 1944
From the logs of Squadron 34...
9 August 1944, this striking force made it's first contact with enemy
shipping. PTs 508 and 509 were on patrol off Point La Corbeire, Isle of
Jersey. At 0530, a convoy of six enemy ships, believed to be enemy M-class
minesweepers was picked up by the vectoring ship. The visibility at the
time was approximately four-hundred yards. PTs 503, 500 and 507, also on
patrol were vectored into the area, made contact, fired torpedos and retired.
PTs 508 and 509 were also vectored toward the target and made a torpedo
attack. PT509 after firing its torpedos, opened fire on the enemy craft
at close range. One explosion, as a result of torpedo fire was heard and
one vessel suffered damage by PT gun fire. PT 508 retired after firing
her torpedos and when she heard PT 509 engage the enemy with gunfire she
discovered that the PT 509 was directly in her line of fire toward the
enemy, as a result PT 5008 could not immediatley open fire. PT 508
heard PT 509 say over the radio "I am directly in the middle" but when
she had circled about to port, she found no trace of the PT 509.
10 August 1944
An aircraft in search of possible wreckage of the PT 509 sighted a body
later identified as that of Wypick, W. P. GM3/c USNR of the PT 509.
20 August 1944
A shrapnel and gun-fire riddled portion of the PT 509 was found afloat
in the Channel. Intelligence reports indicate that 4 German M-class minesweepers
suffered moderate to heavy damage as a result of PT 509's gunfire in which
she engaged the enemy at point-blank range. It is the opinion of this command
that the officers and men of PT 509 carried out the task assigned them
in the highest traditions of the United States Navy. Lt. H. J. Sherertz,
aboard the PT 503 in company with the PT 507 patrolled in the area in an
attempt to find some trace of the PT 509 or its survivors. At 0800 the
morning of PT 509's attack on the enemy sweeps, the PTs 503 and 507 located
two enemy M-class minesweeps by radar in the thick fog which had closed
in. PT fired her port fish (only torpedo remaining on board) and the opened
fire on the nearest minesweeper. PT 507 opened fire and both boats withdrew
under cover of smoke. PT 503 scored hits on the enemy craft's bridge and
structure and PT 507 registered a number of hits as a result of accurate
strafing. The PTs suffered 37MM, 20MM, and small calibre hits from the
enemy. Both boats suffered a number of personnel casualties.
The Rest of the Story
All but one crew member of the PT 509 were lost. PAGE, John L., RdM3/c
gives his account.
Statement of PAGE, J.L., RdM3/c concerning the action of USS PT 509
against a German Minesweeper off point La Corbiere Isle of Jersey. PAGE
is the only known survivor of the action.
U.S.S. PT 509 after maneuvering into position fired one torpedo at a
range of 700 yards. No results were observed. It was the decided to close
target and make a firing run. This was done at a range of 200 yards and
a speed of something over 1500 RPMs. In the course of the firing run there
was much return fire from the enemy. One shell hit and apparently killed
Lieutenant (junior grade) Pavlis who was at the wheel. Another heavy calibre
hit the chart house setting it on fire and wounding PAGE. Pavlis fell to
the deck and the boat went out of control and rammed the enemy ship at
right angles. Force of impact was so great that the bow was stoved in and
the PT 509 momentarily was lodged into the side of the enemy ship.
PAGE was severely wounded but managed to crawl out of the chart house up
to the focsle deck. There the Germans threw him a line and pulled him aboard
- his right arm was broken and he held on with his left arm. Although the
509 was lodged in to the enemy ship, the ship continued underway. PAGE
estimated there were 75-100 Nazi troops aboard all of whome fired small
arms and threw hand grenades at PT personnel.
PAGE was half conscious aboard the German ship and a minute or two after
he was aboard, he felt a blast plus terrific heat "as if I opened a blast
furnace door and closed it quickly". This leads PAGE to believe the 509
exploded. However he did not actually see it explode. The Germans were
able to free the boat from where it had rammed by boat hooks and crow bars.
Lieutenant (junior grade) Mathes was in the chart house with PAGE when
the initial shell penetrated the chart house and caught it afire. Mathes
was not hit and the last PAGE saw of him was when he went below to get
confidential gear for destruction.
PAGE has no recollection of Lieutenant Christ at all. As PAGE crawled
from the chart house to the foc'sle deck he saw Pavlis lying on the deck
with his mouth open evidently dead. PAGE noticed 37MM gunner was dead.
PAGE was given first aid treatment aboard the enemy ship as she proceeded
to St. Helier. Was asked detailed questions at St. Helier by Gestapo agent
relative to radio and radar and where based but refused to answer except
to give name, rate, serial number. Was then taken to Hospital where his
wounds were treated after approximately 75 Germans were treated who were
wounded during the attack.
PAGE was in officer's hospital and had 37 wounds. Remained in hospital
from 9 August to middle of January. Had leg, back, and chest wounds. Stated
that German surgeon was excellent but hospital very dirty.
A few days after the action the bodies of Horsefield, Bricker and Shaffroth
floated ashore and were given decent burial rites by American prisoners
and English town authorities.
PAGE stated that radar was working efficiently all the time.
PAGE noticed Ausley evidently dead with his face blown off.
Summary
Thus ends the sad but heroic tale of the PT 509. You may view another picture
of the wreckage or a picture of the
PT 503, which was involved in this action.
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