In games of Cruel Seas, players assemble boats of all shapes and sizes – today, we’ve got some Explosive new choices for your fleets!
Fairmile B Minesweeper
The Fairmile B class Motor Launch weighed in at 85 tonnes and 112 feet long. Crewed by 16 men it could make in the region of 20 knots through its 1200 hp petrol engines. The coastal forces were able to convert the Fairmile B into quite a varied assortment of roles – we see it here configured as a minesweeper. Vessels of this type saw action during the siege of Malta, using their shallow draught to avoid mines that would have scuppered larger trawlers.
Linse Explosive Motorboats
Devised in the last years of the war, the Linse boats were one of the Kriegsmarine’s last gasps – designed for special operations against Allied shipping in harbour. These 6ft plywood boats operated in squadrons of three, two suicide boats and a command boat. The two suicide boats would be piloted up until the final approach, where the pilot would bail out and the command boat would use a remote control to guide the explosive-laden boat to its target.
Operated by the Kriegsmarine K-Verband from September 1944 onwards, these boats saw limited use, but are the perfect addition to any Kriegsmarine Fleet in Cruel Seas.
MT Barchino Explosive Motorboats
Developed in the inter-war years by the Royal Italian Navy, these explosive boats were developed for special operations and would inspire the German Linse program. They were designed to be launched from a mothership, making a silent approach while avoiding any harbour defences, before the pilot locked the rudder and rammed it against the side of an unsuspecting ship.
The Barchini would first see action against the British fleet moored at Crete’s Souda Bay, severely damaging the heavy cruiser HMS York and sinking the Norwegian tanker Pericles.
Begin your Cruel Seas MTB action with the Starter Set Strike Fast, Strike Hard!
Conor Trainer
Dan Hewitson
