XT Class

Proposed by Admiral Max Horton, Flag Officer Submarines, as a non-operational type of X-craft to be used for training purposes and to free up submarines employed as anti-submarine (A/S) targets for operational duties, originally to be known as Z-craft, they were subsequently reclassified as XT craft.

XT's were simplified X-craft, without side-cargo release gear, night periscope or automatic pilot. Additionally, the day periscope, projector compass and air-induction were all fixed in the raised position.

XT's were based at Loch Fyne and Campletown in Scotland, and Portsmouth and Harwich in the south of England, where experience gained by Royal Navy anti-submarine units proved invaluable when they had to deal with the threat posed by the midget submarines of the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) in the English Channel following the Normandy Landings.