German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40
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German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40
Hi,
In the British Official History, The War at Sea Volume I: The Defensive, the author discusses [p. 111] the fitting out of an armed merchant raider in late 1939 - early 1940 at a base loaned to the Germans by the Soviet Union near Murmansk. Does anyone have anymore details of such a base. What it was used for, how long the Germans used it for and what happened in June 1941 would be interesting to understand.
Thanks.
Regards
Tom
In the British Official History, The War at Sea Volume I: The Defensive, the author discusses [p. 111] the fitting out of an armed merchant raider in late 1939 - early 1940 at a base loaned to the Germans by the Soviet Union near Murmansk. Does anyone have anymore details of such a base. What it was used for, how long the Germans used it for and what happened in June 1941 would be interesting to understand.
Thanks.
Regards
Tom
Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40
There were plans to use a harbor at the Litsa Bay near Murmansk to supply and repair German submarines in their operations in northern waters. Several German merchant vessels (re-designated as military supply ships) visited this harbor in late-1939 or 1940, but not a single German submarine came. After German occupation of Norway the "base" became redundant anyway and any plans were abandoned.
No idea what is the raider story. Probably that's some kind of derivative of the "Komet"'s journey to the Pacific via the Arctic route.
No idea what is the raider story. Probably that's some kind of derivative of the "Komet"'s journey to the Pacific via the Arctic route.
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Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40
Art,
Thanks for the reply, I'll see if I can dig out anything else.
Regards
Tom
Thanks for the reply, I'll see if I can dig out anything else.
Regards
Tom
- Juha Tompuri
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Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40
Juha,
Thanks - I don't think that supplies an answer though - the British OH is quite specific in reporting that a German armed merchant raider was fitted out there - guns and torpedo tubes I suppose - but vague as to time, I'll keep looking to see if I can find where Roskill got his information from.
Regards
Tom
Thanks - I don't think that supplies an answer though - the British OH is quite specific in reporting that a German armed merchant raider was fitted out there - guns and torpedo tubes I suppose - but vague as to time, I'll keep looking to see if I can find where Roskill got his information from.
Regards
Tom
Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40
The rather authorative military history journal of the Russian Ministry of Defence Voenno-Istorechskiy Zhurnal published the article "Secret of Basis Nord" by A.V. Beznosov in issue No.7/1990.
It would be interesting if the Russian forum members can give some comments,
regards
Carl
It would be interesting if the Russian forum members can give some comments,
regards
Carl
Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40
Basis Nord was no more than one merchant ship at anchorage in fjord. No subs or AMR visited her. Only AMR which was in Far North, COMET, pass secretly without touching land at any place.