I'm looking for any information pertaining to the small schooner used by the LRDG to land its forces on various islands during the campaign in the Balkans.

The small ship was named MFV La Palma and set sail from Rodi Harbour. She is off either Greek or Italian decent. She could carry 1 jeep lashed to the forward deck and about 12,000lbs of freight along with about 24 men and their personal equipment.

She looks to have here controls cabin about 2/3rds back on the upper structure. Made of wood of unknown origin. She could possibly have been a fishing trawler of some kind before activation with the LRDG. From all accounts she had only a single prop? Not sure about that and also ran on diesel. No sailing rig.

If anyone knows of the ship in more detail I would love the info. please. I need all I can as I would like to build her. I only have one photo from the front right side showing the various weaponry carried. These include Oerliken, 2pdr, and a set of twin .50s

Thanks
Sean

Hi Sean,

She was one of 2 converted fishing boats. Here's a picture of her in Bari Harbour, probably the same one you have.



She was used in the Aegean Sea try Google 'LRDG in the Aegean Sea' and you should get some useful back ground information. Make a very interesting project.

I would hazard a guess she might be a Greek Fishing Boat, but don't have any further info at the moment.

Al