- Yes
- No
- (independent) BeNeLux tree
- France: BeNeLux subtree
- Britain
- other
- no/negative
The M942 (ex-MMS 188) was a Belgian postwar minesweeper of the MMS-class (Motor Minesweeper), built in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Constructed at Wilson Noble shipyards in Fraserburgh, Scotland, she was laid down on 2 September 1941, launched on 5 March 1942, and entered service with the Royal Navy on 28 May 1942. Initially serving as MMS 188, she was later transferred to Belgium on 1 February 1946. Renumbered M942 in 1950, she remained in service with the Belgian Naval Force until July 1954. Like her sisters, M942’s role was primarily postwar mine clearance in Belgian and North Sea waters, though she also performed limited patrol and research duties. Her armament consisted of 1 × 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and 2 × 12.7 mm machine guns, suitable for peacetime operations.
TL;DR: Belgian MMS-class minesweeper M942, wooden postwar minesweeper with 1 × 20 mm and 2 × 12.7 mm. A niche Rank I BeNeLux coastal craft.
History
History
Construction
- Shipyard: Wilson Noble, Fraserburgh Moray Forth, Scotland (UK)
- Laid down: 2 September 1941
- Launched: 5 March 1942
- Commissioned (RN): 28 May 1942
Initially serving under the Royal Navy as MMS 188, she displaced 163 tons standard and 175 tons full load, part of the Motor Minesweeper 188 class, designed for shallow-water mine clearance in the North Sea.
Belgian Service
On 1 February 1946, she was transferred to the Belgian Navy and entered service as MMS 188, later renumbered M942 in 1950. In Belgian service she performed:
- Mine clearance in Belgian coast and North Sea
- Patrol duties and limited hydrographic research
In januari of 1949She remained in service until July 1954, before being sold for scrapping on 25 August 1955 to A.R. Challis Ltd., London.
Commanding Officers (Belgian service)
Name Period of Command Lieutenant de Vaisseau A.C.C. Gheur 1 Feb 1946 – 31 Jan 1947 Lieutenant de Vaisseau Cornez 31 Jan 1947 – 26 Jul 1947 Lieutenant de Vaisseau K.J.J. Gallice 26 Jul 1947 – 5 Jan 1949 Lieutenant de Vaisseau H.O. Vervynck 5 Jan 1949 – 15 Aug 1950 Lieutenant de Vaisseau N.J.A. Steens 15 Aug 1950 – 22 Sep 1951 Aspirant Hutse 22 Sep 1951 – 7 Apr 1952 Lieutenant de Vaisseau Grandjean 7 Apr 1952 – 24 Sep 1952 Aspirant Devillers 24 Sep 1952 – 1 Feb 1954
Specifications
Dimensions:
- Length: 36 m (32 m pp)
- Beam: 7.18 m
- Draught: 2.51 m
Displacement: 163 t standard, 175 t full load
Propulsion:
- 1 × National diesel engine (375 hp)
- 1 shaft, 1 propeller
- Fuel: 22 tons of diesel
Speed: 9.5–10 knots; 7 knots while sweeping
Range: 4,000 nautical miles at 7 knots
Crew: 18 (2 officers + 16 men)
Minesweeping gear:
- Magnetic sweep LL (Mark II or IV)
Armament:
Weapon Type Mounting Quantity Oerlikon 20 mm cannon Single mount 1 Browning M2 12.7 mm MG Single mount 2
Place in War Thunder
The M942 would be an ideal rank I coastal vessel for a BeNeLux naval tree. Its light armament and limited speed make it unsuitable for higher ranks but excellent as an introductory vehicle.
Possible additions include:
- Rank I tech tree vessel in a BeNeLux tree
- French coastal fleet BeNeLux subtree
- Alternatively, a premium/event ship in the British tree if that were to be seen as desireable over a native British one.
Pictures
Pictures
Sources
Sources
- Belgian Navy archives, MMS 188 / M942
- Marine Belge: https://marinebelge.be/mms188.html
- Wikipedia: MMS-class minesweeper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMS-class_minesweeper