Re: North Korean MTB's

["Joseph S. Bermudez Jr." <joseph_bermudez@compuserve.com>]

Ed, et. al.,

> Thanks for the information.  I'll see if I can identify these craft from an
> old Naval Institute Press "Combat Fleets of theWorld."  If not, I'll try some
> old Janes.
> 
Sorry its taken so long to offer this reply. Since I don't have a copy of
the original message I hope that what follows addresses the question.

At the time of the KW the KPN consisted of 1-2 ex-Soviet fleet minesweepers,
a small number of ex-Soviet torpedo boats (mostly believed to be "G-5" Class
motor torpedo boats), and a small number of ex-Japanese inshore
minesweepers. Almost all these were sunk by UNC action or retreated to PRC
or Soviet ports.

During the later part of the war the Soviets provided additional patrol and
torpedo boats to the KPN which operated primarily out of PRC bases, although
some were still station in Soviet ports (but apparently not allowed to
conduct operations from them). Even prior to the signing of the Armistice
Agreement these forces moved progressively further south along the DPRK
coast operating from small ports or fishing villages (as well as some of the
bigger ports). With the signing of the Armistice Agreement these forces
moved completely to DPRK ports.

>From the mid-war to early post-war period the combatants of the KPN
consisted primarily of "P-4" Class motor torpedo boats and "MO V" submarine
chasers.

Regards, Joe

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.
joseph_bermudez@compuserve.com
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request