MMS-class (105ft), BNC M945

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The M945 (ex-MMS 193) 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 Blt Cherd & Mac Renzie shipyards in Banffshire, she was laid down in September 1941, launched in May 1942, and entered service with the Royal Navy in August 1942. Initially serving as MMS 193, she was later transferred to Belgium on 1 February 1946. Renumbered M945 in 1950, she remained in service with the Belgian Naval Force until 23 August 1954. Like her sisters, M945’s role was primarily postwar mine clearance in Belgian and North Sea waters, though she also performed fisheries protection and patrol duties. Her armament consisted of 1 × 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and 2 × 12.7 mm Browning machine guns, suitable for peacetime operations rather than combat.

TL;DR: Belgian MMS-class minesweeper M945, wooden postwar minesweeper with 1 × 20 mm and 2 × 12.7 mm. Ideal Rank I BeNeLux coastal craft.

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History

History

Construction and Royal Navy Service

The M945, originally designated MMS 193, was constructed at the Herd & MacKenzie shipyard in Buckie, Scotland. The vessel was laid down on 2 September 1941, launched on 5 May 1942, and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 14 August 1942. As part of the 105 ft MMS-class, she was designed for coastal mine clearance operations, featuring a wooden hull to mitigate the risk of magnetic mines.

Belgian Service

On 1 October 1943, MMS 193 was transferred to the Belgian Section of the Royal Navy, a unit comprising Belgian personnel operating under British command during World War II. This transfer marked a significant step in the formation of the Belgian Navy, which would later become an integral part of NATO’s maritime forces.

Following the war, MMS 193 was returned to the Royal Navy on 30 January 1957 and subsequently sold to R. De Smedt in Antwerp, Belgium, for scrapping.

Commanding Officers (Belgian service)

Name Period of Command
Lt. de Vaisseau P.H.V.M. Van Waesberghe 1 Feb 1946 – 20 Aug 1946
Lt. de Vaisseau A.J.F. Blasin 20 Aug 1946 – 5 Jan 1947
Lt. de Vaisseau H.O. Vervynck 5 Jan 1947 – 24 Nov 1948
Lt. de Vaisseau J.L.J.C. Defrenne 24 Nov 1948 – 5 Jan 1949
Lt. de Vaisseau H.E.M.G. de Schietere de Lophem 5 Jan 1949 – 7 Feb 1950
Lt. de Vaisseau Steens 7 Feb 1950 – 15 Aug 1950
Lt. de Vaisseau De Piere 15 Aug 1950 – 26 Aug 1950
Lt. de Vaisseau Lemaire 26 Aug 1950 – 4 Nov 1950
Aspirant Naudts 4 Nov 1950 – 29 Jul 1952
Aspirant Everaert 31 Jul 1952 – 1 Apr 1953
Aspirant Hutse 1 Apr 1953 – 23 Aug 1953
Aspirant Devillers 28 Aug 1953 – 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 M945 would serve as another rank I coastal vessel for a BeNeLux naval tree. Its light armament and low speed make it unsuitable for higher ranks but perfect for introductory coastal missions.

Possible additions 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

Pictures

Spoiler

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In 1949

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In 1947

Sources

Sources