German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40

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Tom from Cornwall
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German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40

#1

Post by Tom from Cornwall » 24 Oct 2020, 15:59

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

Art
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Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40

#2

Post by Art » 24 Oct 2020, 20:10

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.


Tom from Cornwall
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Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40

#3

Post by Tom from Cornwall » 24 Oct 2020, 20:41

Art,

Thanks for the reply, I'll see if I can dig out anything else.

Regards

Tom

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Juha Tompuri
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Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40

#4

Post by Juha Tompuri » 08 Nov 2020, 20:58

Basis Nord:
viewtopic.php?f=61&t=183995

Regards, Juha

Tom from Cornwall
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Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40

#5

Post by Tom from Cornwall » 08 Nov 2020, 21:51

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

CF Geust
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Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40

#6

Post by CF Geust » 11 Nov 2020, 12:52

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

igorr
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Re: German Base "near Murmansk" - 1939-40

#7

Post by igorr » 27 Nov 2020, 04:39

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.

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