MMS-class (105ft), BNC M946

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The M946 (ex-MMS 266) 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 Frank Curtis shipyard in Totnes, England, she was laid down on 28 March 1942, launched on 19 August 1942, and commissioned on 13 December 1942. Initially serving as MMS 266, she was transferred to Belgium in May 1946. Renumbered M946 in 1950, she remained in service with the Belgian Naval Force until 1954. Like her sisters, M946’s role was primarily postwar mine clearance in Belgian and North Sea waters, but she also performed patrol and training duties. Her armament consisted of 1 × 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and 2 × 12.7 mm Browning machine guns, reflecting her peacetime operational focus.

TL;DR: Belgian MMS-class minesweeper M946, wooden postwar minesweeper with 1 × 20 mm and 2 × 12.7 mm. A niche Rank I BeNeLux coastal craft.

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History

History

Construction and Royal Navy Service

The M946, originally MMS 266, was built at Frank Curtis shipyard in Totnes, England, laid down on 28 March 1942, launched on 19 August 1942, and commissioned on 13 December 1942. As part of the 105 ft MMS-class of wooden-hulled minesweepers, she was designed to clear magnetic and contact mines in shallow coastal waters during World War II.

During her early service under the Royal Navy (1942–1946), MMS 266 conducted minesweeping operations along the UK and North Sea coasts, ensuring vital shipping lanes remained open and secure. Her crew consisted of a mix of British and Belgian sailors, with the Belgian contingent gradually increasing after 1943 as part of the efforts to rebuild the Belgian Navy in exile.

Belgian Service

On 20 May 1946, MMS 266 was formally transferred to the Belgian Navy. She became an essential part of postwar coastal defense and mine clearance operations, patrolling Belgian waters and supporting maritime safety. In 1950, she was renumbered M946. During her Belgian service, the vessel:

  • Cleared remaining WWII minefields along the Belgian coast
  • Performed coastal patrol and fisheries protection
  • Served as a training platform for Belgian naval cadets

After her decommissioning in 1954, M946 was sold on 25 August 1955 to A.R. Challis Ltd., London, for scrapping.

Commanding Officers (Belgian Service)

Name Period of Command
D.J. ELSE, RNVR 15 Nov 1942 – 14 Dec 1945
Lt. de Vaisseau E.G.J.J. POSKIN 20 May 1946 – 1 Aug 1946
Lt. de Vaisseau GRANDJEAN 1 Aug 1946 – 16 Sep 1947
Lt. de Vaisseau SCHLIM 16 Sep 1947 – 5 Jan 1949
Lt. de Vaisseau DE SCHUTTER 5 Jan 1949 – 7 Feb 1950
Lt. de Vaisseau DE SCHIETERE DE LOPHEM 7 Feb 1950 – 9 Oct 1950
Enseigne de Vaisseau DUMONT 9 Oct 1950 – 12 Dec 1950
Aspirant LIENART 12 Dec 1950 – 20 Dec 1951
Aspirant CRELOT 20 Dec 1951 – 24 Apr 1952
Enseigne de Vaisseau HUTSE 24 Apr 1952 – 15 Jun 1953

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 M946 would make an excellent rank I coastal vessel for a BeNeLux naval tree. Its light armament and low speed make it suitable for introductory coastal missions and postwar historical scenarios.

Possible additions include:

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

Pictures

Pictures

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AT1 and MMS 946 in 1951

Sources

Sources