Book excerpt: The major contribution made by coastal forces to the Allied war effort has had surprisingly little coverage in the literature of World War II. Motor torpedo boats, PT boats, motor gunboats, launches, and submarine chasers served with distinction throughout the war, and in every theater. They performed invaluable service as patrol boats, convoy escorts, minelayers and minesweepers, harbor defense vessels, light landing craft, RAF rescue boats, and transports for agents and clandestine missions.