- Yes.
- No.
- In a future Dutch/BeNeLux techtree.
- In the French BeNeLux sub-tree
- Other (Please explain in the comments).
- I said “No” in the first question.
Today I’m going to suggest a class of Higgins boats operated by the Netherlands Navy.
These are the Dutch Higgins 70-class Submarine Chasers!
HNLMS H 8
Source: Foto's
History
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Two boats under construction at the Higgins factory in New Orleans. The boats seen here are either HNLMS OJR 1, OJR 2, OJR 3 or OJR 4.
Source: Foto'sThe story of these boats started In 1941, when the Dutch Navy put in an order for eight submarine chaser boats at the Higgins factory in New Orleans. Dedicated submarine chasers was something the Dutch Navy did not have at that point, all small boats were either classed as “Torpedobotorboten” (Motor Torpedo Boats) or “Kanonneermotorboten” (Motor Gun Boats). So this puts these eight new boats in a bit of an odd spot at the time. However they were classed as submarine hunters (In Dutch that is “Onderzeebootjagers”) so they were not seen as Motor Gun Boats.
Two photos taken of HNLMS OJR 3 and OJR 4 whilst getting loaded onto a boat to be shipped to the Dutch East Indies
Source: Foto's
Source: Foto'sThe eight boats ordered were given the names HNLMS OJR 1 up to OJR 8. What exactly OJR stands for, or why that was chosen is unknown to me. The eight boats would be constructed in groups of two, and the first two boats arrived on the 10th of December 1941. Followed by the next two on the 22nd of December 1941. Then there was a short wait untill the next two boats arrived on the 1st of February 1942.
Sadly the HNLMS OJR 2 and OJR 3 would both explode on the 2nd of February 1942 due to an fuel explosion.
Japan would ofcourse begin their invasion of the Dutch East Indies on the 10th of January 1942, and by begin March of that year only the HNLMS OJR 1 and OJR 4 were combat ready. HNLMS OJR 5 and OJR 6 which had arrived in Febuary were not yet ready for combat. And the final two boats ordered, HNLMS OJR 7 and OJR 8, had not been shipped to the Dutch East Indies yet.
On the 2nd of March, just a few days before the Dutch surender, all remaining OJR boats in the Dutch East Indies would be destroyed by their own crews. This would leave only the last two boats still in New Orleans intact.
The two remaining boats (HNLMS OJR 7 and OJR 8) would be send over to Willemstad, Curaçao, instead. There the boats were given slightly different names. Instead of the OJR names, they now got a simple H name, HNLMS H 7 and H 8 (Their original number was kept, only the OJR was changed).
The two boats would continue to have an active service there. They were assigned to a Motor Torpedo Flotilla and would carry out patrol and rescue missions. Throughout the war the two boats would recieve Asdic systems (Sonar) to further improve their anti submarine duties.
Another thing that was changed over time were the engines. The original four Kermath engine were very problematic, and so they were repalced with two Packard engines.
Some sources mention that a 20mm autocannon was also added to the two boats, but I cannot find any photos to proof this.HNLMS H 7 and H 8 would survive the war, and would be taken out of service and send for scrap in January 1946.
It might be a bit confusing following allong with all the OJR and H names of the boats, so I will simply make a little list here to simplfy things:
OJR 1: Taken into service, and destroyed on the 2nd of March 1942.
OJR 2: Taken into service, and blew up by a fuel explosion.
OJR 3: Taken into service, and blew up by a fuel explosion.
OJR 4: Taken into service, and destroyed on the 2nd of March 1942.
OJR 5: Arrived in the Dutch East Indies, but was destroyed before going into service.
OJR 6: Arrived in the Dutch East Indies, but was destroyed before going into service.
OJR 7: Renamed to H 7, and served throughout the war in Curaçao.
OJR 8: Renamed to H 8, and served throughout the war in Curaçao.
HNLMS H7 and H 8 on a trial run new New Orleans
Source: Foto's
Design
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HNLMS H 8 fully loaded with depth charges
Source: Foto'sThe Higgins 70-class boats were 21,34 metres long, had a beam of 5,02 metres and a draft of 1,42 metres, and displaced 48 tons. They had a crew of 12 men and were able to reach a top speed of 24 knots.
The boats were powered by four 650 hp Kermath engines. On two of the boats these would be replaced with two Packard engines, mostly like around 1.350 hp each.
One of the two Kermath engine packs getting lifted into HNLMS OJR 1, OJR 2, OJR 3 or OJR 4.
Source: Foto's
The engine room inside of HNLMS H 8
Source: Foto'sThe Higgins 70-class were armed with two twin 12,7mm AN-M2 machine gun turrets located behind the bridge. Some sources say that two of the boats were also given an extra 20mm autocannon, but I lack any kind of photos to proof this.
A closeup of one of the machine gun turrets onboard HNLMS H 8
Source: Foto'sThese boats being submarine chasers means that they are ofcourse equipped with a lot of depth charges. The boats have ten depth charge racks on the sides of the hull, with five per side. Two more depth charge racks are located on the rear, and lastly two depth charge throwers are put on the middle of the boats, and can fire depth charges towards the sides.
Two small storage racks are also on the boats, which can carry three depth charges each. Giving it a total storage of 6 depth charges. And adding everything together we come to a total of 20 depth charges carried onboard these boats.
The depth charge throwers onboard either HNLMS H 7 or H 8
Source: Foto's
Ingame
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The Higgins 70-class would be an nice little addition to the game in my opinion. Ingame they would function as very low BR Motor Gun Boats. Unless Gaijin suddenly adds submarines that is. The two 12,7mm machine gun turrets have excellent firing angles so no matter in what direction you are sailing in, at least one turret can always fire upon the enemy.
Now where should these boats go to? As usualy with my Dutch vehicle suggestions, I ofcourse want to see this ingame in a Dutch or BeNeLux techtree. Ofcourse the BeNeLux has been added to France, so this is now the only option where Dutch vessels will go to. But it must be said that the Netherlands and France have nothing in common, and do not make sense to combine together ingame.
In the French tree the Higgins 70-class would be a pretty good addition. The Rank 1 tier for France is a bit on the weaker side, and this Higgins 70-class would give France a nice reserve tier Motor Gun Boat.
Specifications
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Displacement: 48 tons
Length: 21,34 m
Beam: 5,02 m
Draft: 1,42 m
Powerplant: 4 x 650 hp Kermath engines
Maximum speed: 24 knots (44.45 km/h)
Crew: 12 menArmament: [1]
2 x 2 12,7 mm AN-M2 machine guns
10 x Depth charge racks on the sides of the boat (5 per side)
2 x Depth charge racks on the rear of the boat
2 x Depth charge throwers with one for each side of the boat
2 x Additional storage for three more depth charges[1]: Sources mention that two boats of the class, HNLMS H 7 and H 8, were given an extra 20mm autocannon during the war. But I have no photos to proof this was actually done.
HNLMS H7 and H 8 on a trial run new New Orleans
Source: Foto's
And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed reading about this little boat class.
See you on the battlefield!
Sources
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History and information:
Extra sources:
Photos: