MMS-class (105ft), BNC M944

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The M944 (ex-MMS 191) 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 MacDuff Engineering & Shipbuilding, MacDuff (Banff), she was laid down in September 1941, launched in May 1942, and entered service with the Royal Navy in July 1942. Initially serving as MMS 191, she was later transferred to Belgium on 1 July 1946. Renumbered M944 in 1950, she remained in service with the Belgian Naval Force until February 1954. Like her sisters, M944’s role was primarily postwar mine clearance in Belgian and North Sea waters, though she also performed patrol and training duties. Her armament was modest, consisting of 1 × 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and 2 × 12.7 mm Browning machine guns, reflecting her peacetime tasks rather than combat operations.

TL;DR: Belgian MMS-class minesweeper M944, wooden postwar minesweeper with 1 × 20 mm and 2 × 12.7 mm.

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History

History

Construction

  • Shipyard: MacDuff Eng. & S.B, MacDuff (Banff), Scotland (UK)
  • Laid down: 2 September 1941
  • Launched: 2 May 1942
  • Commissioned (RN): 11 July 1942

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Best wishes postcard for Christmas by its Belgian RNSB crew.

Initially serving under the Royal Navy as MMS 191, she displaced 163 tons standard and 175 tons full load, belonging to the 105 ft MMS-class of shallow-water minesweepers, ideal for the North Sea.

Belgian Service

On 1 July 1946, she was transferred to the Belgian Navy and entered service as M191, later renumbered M944 in 1950. In Belgian service she performed:

  • Mine clearance in Belgian coast and North Sea
  • Patrol and training duties for naval cadets

She remained in service until 1 February 1954, before being returned to the Royal Navy. Afterward, she was sold and served various civilian roles, including as “SYRINGA” under A.G. Swan from 1964 to 1979, and later restored as a memorial/training vessel at Stoke Creek on the Medway River.

Commanding Officers (Belgian service)

Name Period of Command
Lt. de Vaisseau A.J.F. Blasin 1 Feb 1946 – 22 Jun 1946
Lt. de Vaisseau E.G.J.J. Poskin 22 Jun 1946 – 26 Sep 1949
Lt. de Vaisseau A.J.P. Schlim 26 Sep 1949 – 1 May 1951
Aspirant Vandelpitte 1 May 1951 – 1 Feb 1954
Aspirant Naudts 1 Feb 1954 – 23 Aug 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 M944 would be a decent rank I coastal vessel for a BeNeLux naval tree. Its extremely light armament and slow speed make it unsuitable for higher ranks but ideal for an introductory vehicle.

Possible nations include:

  • A rank I tech tree vessel in a BeNeLux tree
  • A French coastal fleet Benelux subtree option
  • Alternatively, a premium/event ship in the British tree

Sources

Sources
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YES! I’ve gone through and said yes to all 32 of your suggestions!!!!

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3

Oh, thanks! That’s very kind of you.

4

I have way too much time to burn, so being an active part of the community is pretty good as far as options go

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5

+1 honestly I think that Benelux coastal could do well against the current French coastal ships

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