The Forgotten Flotilla – Tank Landing Craft – A talk by Michael Bendon, author

This presentation will address the research journey into vessels of ‘The Forgotten Flotilla’ listed as ‘lost, location unknown’ in the 1941 Mediterranean campaigns. It will also focus on the heroes who served in them.

Background

While participating in the excavation of an ancient harbour city in western Crete in 2008, Michael developed a keen interest in a World War Two wreck near the harbour entrance lying in only a few metres of water.

The wreck along with others close by turned out to be Tank Landing Craft Mk1. These craft were prototype vessels developed by the British and first deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean in 1941. Despite the crucial support these craft provided in the Mediterranean campaigns, it was apparent that no one quite knew what became of them. They were The Forgotten Flotilla.

Michael’s research widened to encompass twenty of the TLC Mk1 lost and lead him through five countries. Because the TLC were classed as auxiliary vessels they were not tracked as closely as commissioned warships.

About the Author

Michael Bendon is an archaeologist and researcher based in Sydney. For more than 30 years, he has worked on numerous excavations around the Mediterranean, including sites in Israel, Egypt and Portugal, and has also directed a site in Germany.