BNC Mersey-class, Patrouilleur A6 - refitted Brit with Belgian guns, later used by Germany

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  • (independent) BeNeLux tree
  • France: BeNeLux subtree
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The A6 (ex-HMT Brigadier) is a Belgian Mersey-class Admiralty trawler acquired after WWI. It served Belgium primarily as a patrol vessel, tasked with escorting convoys, transporting personnel, and patrolling territorial waters. Its Belgian armament consisted of 1× Cockerill C.47 F.R.C. Mod.31 gun and 2× 7.92 mm Maxim machine guns. A6 is historically notable for its operations along the French coast during the May 1940 campaign, and later service under German occupation as V1520 and V1815 in the Vorpostenflottille until being sunk off Boulogne in 1944.

TL;DR: WWI-era Mersey trawler in Belgian service (A6). Belgian fit = 1×C.47 F.R.C. Mod.31 + 2× 7.92 mm Maxims. Served Belgium, then Germans (V1520/V1815), sunk 1944.

Patrouilleur_6_02

(A6 ex H.M.S. Brigadier)

History

History

Origins & Belgian service. Built by Smith’s Dock Ltd, Middlesbrough, UK (FY 1530), laid down 11 Dec 1914, launched 1 April 1915. Served Royal Navy until 1919, then sold to Belgium and designated Pilote 6. Assigned to Corps de Marine in Oct 1939, A6 patrolled Belgian waters under the command of Lt Massart, S/Lt Jadot, and Lt Evrard.

May 1940 operations. During the Belgian campaign, A6 conducted convoy escort, coastal patrol, and personnel transport along the French coast. Departed Folkestone 25 May 1940 with orders to proceed to Caen, coordinating with French authorities in Ouistreham and Caen. Transported high-ranking personnel and staff, managing resupply, water, and fuel under wartime conditions.

German service. Captured by Germans in June 1940 at St Jean de Luz, recommissioned 1 June 1942 as V1520 in the 15th Vorpostenflottille, later transferred 15 Nov 1943 to 18th Vorpostenflottille as V1815. Served under the 2nd Sicherungsdivision, patrolling the Manche coast until sunk by Allied air attack off Boulogne on 15 June 1944.

Specifications

Belgian service (A6)

  • Builders: Smith’s Dock Ltd, Middlesbrough, UK.

  • Length: 130 ft (39.62 m)

  • Beam: 24 ft (7.32 m)

  • Draught: 13 ft (3.96 m)

  • Displacement: 321 tonnes

  • Speed: 9–10 kn

  • Power: 500 HP

  • Complement: ~27 (staff and personnel varied per mission)

Armament (Belgian fit, A6) Amount & Type Location
Main Battery 1× 47 mm (Cockerill C.47 F.R.C. Mod.31) Aft
MGs 2× 7.92 mm Maxim machine guns Mid-ship

Munitions used on the C. 47:

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.)

Place in War Thunder

A6 would be a Rank I (BR ~1.0–1.3) coastal patrol craft for Belgium, ideal for early-tier objectives, convoy defense, and historical campaign missions. Its May 1940 operations add a compelling narrative for players, and its later service as a German patrol vessel could inspire alternate scenarios. It is also one of few naval vessels with Cockerill-made guns.

Regarding nations

BeNeLux

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

UK

It could appear as a British tech tree event vehicle, because it was formerly a British ship (HMS Brigadier).

Germany

Could also appear as an event vehicle or captured vehicle in the german tech tree, as it was also used by the german navy.

Pictures

Pictures

image
image1141×1437 82.8 KB

Patrouilleur_6_02

A6 in May of 1940

consta11

A6 as V1520 in the 15th Vorpostenflottille

Sources

Sources
1 Like
2

+1 in a folder with other Mersey class boats