New Picture of Soviet MTB SM-3 Black Sea Fleet

[PT Dockyard]

Here is a picture that purports to be a closeup of the one-off steel hulled prototype MTB SM-3. She was active in the Black Sea 1941-44, often operating with the only D-3 MTB ( also the prototype) in the same theater.




http://waralbum.ru/129168/

I checked it against similar shots of D-3 boats and it appears that this boat is considerably longer between the fronts of the torpedoes and the wheelhouse, which would be right for the SM-3.

I love the early prototype boats. So far this is only the third shot I have found. The other two are distance shots and grainy.



Dave G

[lupodimare89]

Interesting photo!

And about SM-3, apart the shared sinking of barge F-334 (1942, with D-3 prototype) and Elbe-5 (1944, with other 2 G-5 class units), after some talks on tsushima.net "surfaced" an interesting last-stand-engagement when she faced alone a group of S-boats (S-26, S-28, S-49 and S-102): the soviet mtb manage to escape the larger enemies and hit S-49 (causing 2 wia, including the commander).

Another less successful engagement occurred earlier on 18 June 1942.
SM-3 (and D-3 prototype) reported to have received gunfire from coast (with 2 Kia and 2 wia), but probably they actually had a skirmish with an unidentified italian MTSM, that reported to have been attacked.
Possibly the MTSM suffered 1 wia (the KTB i've found mention 2 Italian WIA that night, one for sure was on MAS-571 that had commander mortally wounded after fighting with a small convoy of boats).

[PT Dockyard]

I read years back that she was also involved in torpedoing an Italian CB class sub at dock but I cannot find that account anywhere.

The whole SM series is fascinating to me and with all of the data on Russian designs on the web I am amazed that more has not surfaced.

SM 1&2: Steel hulled boats built 1931. Used on Lake Ladoga in WW2. Started with three torpedoes in troughs aft but were converted to lay mines.

SM-3: above
SM-4: Steel hulled boat used in the Baltic


Dave G
The PT Dockyard
http://www.ptdockyard.com

[PT Dockyard]

Here is another shot of the SM-3

[lupodimare89]

Yeah, you'r right.

However, that was surely the D-3, and submarine sunk was CB-5.

This is the full list i've collected for both the mtbs

D-3
13 June 1942. D-3 torpedoed and sunk Italian submarine CB-5. No causalities.
18 June 1942. SM-3 and D-3 chased and damaged an Italian MTSM craft. Got some damages (together had 2 KIA, 2 WIA)
1 August 1942. SM-3 and D-3 torpedoed and sunk German MFP F-334

SM-3
18 June 1942. SM-3 and D-3 chased and damaged an Italian MTSM craft. Got some damages (together had 2 KIA, 2 WIA)
1 August 1942. SM-3 and D-3 torpedoed and sunk German MFP F-334
23 October 1942. While being chased by enemy MTBs, manage to strafe the German motor torpedo S-49 (2 WIA)
8 May 1944: with TK-304 and TK-344, they manage to torpedo and sunk ligher Elbe-5 (1188 GRT)


On the last event for SM-3, are often also listed the sinking (with artillery) of German boats "G-3102" and "Cornelis Anni".
Both are today discredited.
Addittionally i've read Elbe-5 grt as "1185".
Cargo still unknown (probably military material or evacuated troops).


PS:
I've read in old posts that you researched of Civil War battles: i've tried to made such research too and i'm interested about some events. We could talk on private messages about it.

[lupodimare89]

I should re-fix my previous message, because after reading and talks on tsushima.su it appears the claim of success for May 1944 cannot be confirmed.
"Elbe-5" apparently sunk by Soviet ground base artillery. So-far it is a bit unclear which ships or boats they engaged, i found a scant reference about a possible contanct with German auxiliary motorboats strragglers of the evacuation: so maybe that was the contact even if apparently no clear loss.