R-60, 61 and 62 destruction at Helsinki 140941
- Juha Tompuri
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R-60, 61 and 62 destruction at Helsinki 140941
14th September 1941 Räumboote R-60, 61 and 62 blew up at Helsinki.
I have read about some rumours of sabotage, but has the real reason of the destruction been verified?
Accident?
Regards, Juha
I have read about some rumours of sabotage, but has the real reason of the destruction been verified?
Accident?
Regards, Juha
Re: R-60, 61 and 62 destruction at Helsinki 140941
German accounts about this case not lead to any defined conclusion. Some withnesses talk about some unknow people running from boats, but no strong proofs. Waterbombs accidental explosions was also proposed but not proved 100%. From other side, no claims for destruction from soviet side was made. I think this was accident by crew carelessness which germans prefer to hide during investigations.
- Juha Tompuri
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Re: R-60, 61 and 62 destruction at Helsinki 140941
Hi,
What ever it was that went off that night, it was something very powerful - depth charge size or similar amount of explosives.
Regards, Juha
What ever it was that went off that night, it was something very powerful - depth charge size or similar amount of explosives.
Regards, Juha
- Juha Tompuri
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Re: R-60, 61 and 62 destruction at Helsinki 140941
Some photos from Finnish Defence Forces archives http://sa-kuva.fi/
Mentioned to have been taken 14th September at Katajanokka Navy harbour, Helsinki - so most probably they are about the Räumboote R-60, 61 and 62 explosions, fires and damages after them.
Mentioned to have been taken 14th September at Katajanokka Navy harbour, Helsinki - so most probably they are about the Räumboote R-60, 61 and 62 explosions, fires and damages after them.
- Juha Tompuri
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- Joined: 11 Sep 2002, 21:02
- Location: Mylsä
Re: R-60, 61 and 62 destruction at Helsinki 140941
It is a bit strange that three Swedish destroyers shared a similar accident three days later on the 17:thJuha Tompuri wrote:14th September 1941 Räumboote R-60, 61 and 62 blew up at Helsinki.
I have read about some rumours of sabotage, but has the real reason of the destruction been verified?
Accident?
Regards, Juha
No proofs where found but sabotage where seen as most probable cause.
Note that Swedish navy escorted German ship to and from Finland at this time.
Cheers
/John
Re: R-60, 61 and 62 destruction at Helsinki 140941
The same day in Helsinki died Leutnant zur See Axel Goetzke.He will receive a posthumos Ritterkreuz on 27.12.1941 as Kommandant R 16.I guess it was one of the victims of the explosion.
Re: R-60, 61 and 62 destruction at Helsinki 140941
Correct, but he was commander of R.61, not R.16