Type 123B MTB, No.158 - The "Meritorious Torpedo Boat"

R_nminbiY_n · October 7, 2022

Project 123bis MTB, No.158

History:

In the 1950s, after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China, the PLAN purchased a large amount of warships from the Soviet Union. This included Project 123 motor torpedo boats, which they would purchase about 90, before starting local production of the vessel as the Type 5220 motor torpedo boat. These boats formed the backbone of the PLAN coastal forces during its early years and regularly fought against the Nationalist forces who were attempting to enforce a naval blockade.

In November 1954, MTBs of the PLAN 31st Battalion began patrolling off the coast of Zhejiang to attack any Nationalist vessels. 2 weeks later radar stations found the frigate Taiping (ex-USS Decker) patrolling near the Dachen Islands, and 4 torpedo boats, numbered 155, 156, 157, and 158 set off to launch an attack, intercepting it by noon and commencing a torpedo assault. The frigate spotted the boats and attempted to flee to safer waters, where it would be under the cover of coastal artillery, but was hit by a torpedo at the bow and sank. This was the PLAN's largest naval victory in the Chinese Civil War. Other such naval victories were also achieved using the Pr.123 boats, such as the sinking of the minesweeper Jianmen and the landing ship Taisheng.

One of the torpedo boats, possibly No.158, is preserved in the Military Museum in Beijing.

Specifications: (simple copy-paste of the Pr.123bis really)

Armament:

2x2 12.7mm DShK (2000 rounds)

2x 450mm torpedo tubes

6 Depth Charges

Displacement:

17.9 tons standard

20.5 tons full

Length: 19.67m

Beam: 3.4m

Draft: 0.75m