Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisations

basically id like to know what the Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisations were and what was there role in the WW2.

 

Well, I'm not exactly sure which nation you are addressing this towards but, Japan for one had such units. Their Naval Base Forces were typically organized such:

1-3 Subchaser divisions of 3 boats each.
1-3 Minesweeper divisions of 3 boats each.
Some of these vessels could be designed purpose built craft while others might be civilian vessels requsitioned for use by the navy.
A Defense Unit that varied between a battalion and regiment in size of naval infantry. This unit also typically had several 3 - 5" guns for coastal defense.
A signals unit.
A harbor master unit of 100 or so men to manage port services.
A samll air group or division of 6 to 12 seaplanes for patrol and reconnissance duties.
Late in the war occasionally an SNLF was also attached.

A typical unit might be the 4th Base Defense Force based at Truk (12/40):

5th Gunboat Unit with the Keijo Maru, Seikai Maru, and Nikkai Maru.
14th Minesweeper Division with the Tama Maru, Tama Maru #2, Nagoromo Maru and, Noshiro Maru #2.
56th Subchaser Division with the Tama Maru #8, Toshi Maru #3 and, Kotosuki Maru #5.
57th Subchaser Division with the Takunan Maru #2, Shonan Maru #15, and Kokko Maru.
4th Base Defense Unit.
17th Air Group with 6 seaplanes and the Koei Maru acting as a tender.
8th Special Signals Station

 

For the British see Julian Thompson 'The Royal Marines'. This goes into some detail on the MNBDO.

Two were created early in the war, almost as a way of using 'surplus' marines. It role was to defend the Naval base, and was to man guns, AA, and provide an Infantry Battalion for defence. As can be imagined it was anything but mobile!

MNBDO 1 - January 1941 sent to Crete. Arrived Egypt as Greece was being evacuated and around half of the MNBDO found shipping to Crete in order to 'turn Suda Bay into a second Scapa'. MNBDO depolyed 2nd AA Reg around Suda, Canea and Heraklion, Coast Gunners at Maleme and Rethymno and S searchlight battery and Reg HQ of 11th Searchlight Reg (without Lights) in the Suda area. The Searchlight BAttery deployed as infantry with Rifles and Lewis guns. After Crete the MNBDO was refitted and sent to Indian Ocean, although its 11th Battalion took part in the disaterous raid on Tobruk. MNBDO 1 then trained in India for amphibious landings.

MNBDO 2 - Arrived Egypt early '43. Some units deployed for Sicily op.

Due in part to the need of manpower for Normandy the rather backward and wasteful MNBDOs were disbanded to reallocate the manpower to Commandos and landing craft. Only one part of the MNBDOs was kept. The 5th AA Bde was formed for service with 21st Army Group using units from both MNBDOs.

For further info try the book I mentioned at the start. Sorry for the rather quick summary!

RED

 

thanks so much for your advice and info, my father in law has never found out what his dad did during the war and now we are starting to be able to tell him thanks again to you guys!!

 

No worries!

Let us know if ya need anything else...

RED