In the Atlantic's English Channel, the US deployed four squadrons (2 of 12 boats, one of six and one of three boats) during 1944. Being the British home waters the US craft often were assigned secondary missions. Squadron 2 of 3 boats spent most of the time assigned to the OSS and preformed drop off and pick up duties of agents along the European coast. During the period after the Normandy Invasion, most of the boats manned a protective screen near the beaches and conducted many rescues of crewmen from ships which had hit mines.

Between June 25th and 28th four-five US PT boats engaged shore batteries protecting Cherbourg. Most of the other actions occurred in the Le Havre area during August. In the Le Havre area the US employed the British tactic of a DD or DE controlling ship. Once Le Havre fell, most PT boats were used as couriers and ship escorts between Britain and French harbors. Some of the engagements in the Le Havre area during 1944 are listed below.

Engagements 1944: English Channel

Aug 6. DD? 'HMS Thornborough' + 3 PTs(510, 512, 514) vs 3 GE S-boats
Aug 8. DD 'Maldy' + 5 PTs (500, 503, 507, 509, ?) vs 6 GE MineSweepers
Aug 8. 3 PTs (511, 520, 521) vs 5 GE R-boats + 1 MS or armed trawler
Aug 10. 3 PTs (515, 518, 513) vs 4 GE R-boats + 1 S-boat + 1 armed trawler
Aug 11. DE 'Borum' + 2 PTs(500, 502) vs 2 GE MineSweepers
Aug 13. DE 'Borum' + 2 PTs(498, 505) vs 5 GE MineSweepers
Aug 24. 3 PTs (511, 520, 514) vs 4 GE S-boats + shore batteries
Aug 25. 3 PTs (513, 516, 519) vs 2 GE S-boats + 2 R-boats
Aug 26. 3 PTs (511, 520, 514) + DE? 'Retalick'vs 5 GE Landing craft + shore Btys
Aug 26 same action but in a different sector. HMS 'Middleton' + 4 BR MTBs vs R-boats + landing craft + shore btys.

More US Patrol Boat Operations During World War Two

Introduction
English Channel Engagements 1944
South Pacific Engagements 1941-1945
Mediterranean Engagements 1943-1945
PT Boat Squadrons, Numbers And Boat Models Used Plus Other Notes