Did the German Army Used Sturmboots and landing crafts during WWI?

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Did the German soldiers of the Kaiser's Army used sturmboots and landing crafts during WWI on the Western and Eastern Fronts?

Edward L. Hsiao

[Edward L. Hsiao]

I'm talking about the use of them on rivers and lakes during WWI. Also the use of armed steam launches for German commando raids behind enemy lines. Any finding of their use yet?
Edward L. Hsiao

[Helmut0815]

Well I doubt that the Imperial German Army had something similar to WWII Sturmboote.
During amphibious operations like "Albion" in September 1917 against Estonia's Moon Sound archipelago the german landing forces used naval cutters and so called "Pferdeboote" (horse boats). The latter looked like WWII Higgins boats but had no engine. They were pulled to the beach by tugs or ropes. They could carry 8 - 10 horses or 2 field guns or one 15cm howitzer or 70 troops.

Operation Albion: Naval cutter

Operation Albion: Horse boats

best regards


Helmut

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Dear Helmut,

Thank for your answer and the pictures you gave me. Learned something new to a old type of transportation of soldiers and stuff!


Edward L. Hsiao

[Alanmccoubrey]

Notice that while they may have looked like Higgins boats, their rudders and ramps were both at the same (stern) end which must have made beaching fun.

Also the Germans intended landing horses in a very similar manner if they had ever actually executed Sealion in 1940.