BNC Mersey-class, Patrouilleur A5 - Dunkirk evacuator and patrol craft

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The A5 (ex-HMT James Adams) is a Belgian Mersey-class Admiralty trawler acquired post-WWI. It served primarily as a patrol craft along Belgian waters, tasked with escorting convoys, monitoring for mines, and transporting personnel. Its Belgian armament consisted of 1× C.47 F.R.C. Mod.31 gun and 2× 7.92 mm Maxim machine guns. A5 is particularly notable for participating in the Dunkirk evacuation (Operation Dynamo) in June 1940, successfully transporting over 230 personnel under heavy Luftwaffe bombardment.

TL;DR: WWI-era Mersey trawler in Belgian service (A5). Belgian fit = 1×C.47 F.R.C. Mod.31 + 2× 7.92 mm Maxims. Famous for Dunkirk evacuation.

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(A5 ex H.M.S. James Adams)

History

History

Origins & Belgian service. Built by Cochrane & Sons, Selly, UK (FY 3555), laid down 1916, launched 7 July 1917, commissioned 29 Oct 1917. Served Royal Navy until 1920, then sold to Belgium and designated Pilote 5 before becoming A5 under Corps de Marine in 1940. Belgian crew complement ~27, with 234 personnel embarked during the Dunkirk evacuation.

Missions & Dunkirk Evacuation. A5’s Belgian role focused on coastal patrol, mine destruction, and convoy escort. On 1 June 1940, A5 evacuated 234 soldiers from Dunkirk under heavy air attack, sustaining minor casualties. The ship navigated mine-infested waters, often in fog, demonstrating exceptional seamanship. It also assisted French vessels such as P55 La Cherbourgeoise and coordinated with pilot boats like BP 16 during convoy operations. A5 was interned in Portugalete, Spain on 26 June 1940, returning to Belgium in 1946.

Post-war career. After WWII, A5 served briefly in the Belgian Navy as Pilote 5, later becoming SLB 5 and finally P 5 for the Cadets of the Belgian Navy section in Brussels, renamed CONSTANT VANDERMEER. The ship functioned as a stationary training vessel before being retired circa 1950.

Specifications

Belgian service (A5)

  • Length: 138 ft (42.06 m)

  • Beam: 23 ft (7.01 m)

  • Draught: 13 ft (3.96 m) / 4.50 m reported

  • Displacement: 337 tonnes (gross)

  • Speed: 9–10 kn

  • Complement: ~27 (234 embarked during Dunkirk)

Armament (Belgian fit, A5) Amount & Type Location
Main Battery 1× 47 mm (C.47 F.R.C. Mod.31) Aft
MGs 2× 7.92 mm Maxim machine guns Mid-ship

Belgian munition types for the C.47 F.R.C. Mod.31 gun

Designation Gun Caliber Type Velocity Weight Penetration Notes Fire rate
O.E.A. C.47 F.R.C. Mod.31 47 mm HE 450 m/s 1,665 kg n/a TNT filler, Obus Explosif en Acier (O.E.A.)
O.R.A.Tr. CC.47 F.R.C. Mod.31 47 mm APBC 675 m/s 1,578 kg 63mm at 0 meters, 0° Obus de Rupture en Acier Traçant (O.R.A.Tr.)

Builders: Cochrane & Sons, Selly, UK.

Place in War Thunder

A5 would be a Rank I (BR ~1.0–1.3) coastal patrol option, representing Belgium’s 1939–40 naval operations. It could be used for convoy escort, light coastal defense, and early-tier objective play. Its historical Dunkirk role adds a compelling narrative for the vehicle.

Regarding nations

BeNeLux

Could appear in the independent BeNeLux tree or the France BeNeLux subtree as a unique historical patrol craft.

Pictures

Pictures

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The A5 on-way to Dunkirk

Chalutier_A5_02

The A5 at Oostende

Sources

Sources
1 Like
2

+1 would be great to see more Dunkirk ships (Why doesn’t Britain have MTB 102 yet?)

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3

Exactly! We’re missing so many gunboats and patrol craft that could be fun to play at low BR’s.

1 Like