(From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
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(From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
This thread it’s a preserved version of latest updated page on the currently (hopefully not forever) closed forum “Soviet-empire”. Years ago I begun a process of reading, studying and researching entirely for hobby/amateur interest the history of naval warfare involving the Soviet Union. Years by years, my interests expanded to other conflicts (Russian and Spanish Civil Wars, Cold War conflicts etc.) often poorly described in mainstream media and sites. It doesn’t claim to be definitive or error-free, but I believe it’s valuable or interesting for people curious to see aspects of less known naval warfare (especially in English). This and my other works can be obviously used or re-posted for not-commercial purpose on other sites/forums, I've sadly seen how there is some commercial exploitation (publications of few books i am absolutely not involved at all!). Obviously these "authors" probably never checked the original sources or bothered to notice how each of these works it's not immutable and sometimes changes and corrections happens after years.
Work is essentially a cross-work produced after years of Questions&Answers with authors and readers on this forum (axishistoryforum.com (user author igor /Igor Borisenko), Tsushima.su (in particular authors M. Morozov) and wlb-stuttgart.de in addition to various Russian sites as well as Navypedia.
This work also included a good deal of personal researching on direct sources as for “War Diary – General Naval Staff Operations Divisions” translated in English by the US Navy and the DEFE Ultra files released by the UK Government. An extra useful source was the Norwegian-focused warsailors.com and related forum focusing on Norwegian merchant fleet.
There are likely other episodes still unknown to me, and mistakes to be corrected, however I believe this is(was) the first and most detailed chronology in English of all the Soviet naval battles-engagements-skirmishes during the war.
NOTE: The current pages are identical to the last-updated version on Soviet-Empire forum
The pages include:
1)Axis losses caused by minefield laid by Soviet ships.
2)Axis aircrafts shot down by Soviet ships (only confirmed/known cases to me)
3)Axis naval losses by Soviet planes only if occurred during or immediately after a naval engagement.
4)Soviet naval losses on mines or aircrafts only if occurred during or immediately after a naval engagement, or when an enemy aircraft was also shot down.
This page do NOT include:
1)Axis losses by Soviet aircrafts, aircraft-laid mines or coastal artillery on separate actions
2)Soviet losses by aircrafts, mines or artillery if not involved in the above-mentioned cases.
3)Extremely minor skirmishes without damages or casualties on both sides and nothing relevant worth mentioning.
Submarine actions are sporadically included if described gunnery fighting or ramming incidents
ARCTIC
During WINTER WAR NAVAL CAMPAIGN
30 November 1939
Soviet auxiliary minesweepers T-895 and T-897 captured two motorboats (both ~ 30tons, carrying civilians) that attempted to evacuate Finnish civilians from Rybachi Peninsula. Boats pressed on in service as auxiliary patrol boats SK-617 and SK-618.
1 December 1939
Soviet torpedo boat Groza, while escorting auxiliary minesweepers T-895 and T-897, encountered and captured the abandoned Finnish trawler Syväri (238 GRT) (also classified as auxiliary minesweeper and named Suomi-14). Finnish forces scuttled most of their vessels in the Arctic, but Syväri spared because of her bad engine status: the Soviet Navy still recovered and pressed her on in service as test vessel MIP-1.
Battles during the GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR / WW2:
30 June 1941
A German bomber Ju-87 (GroupIV,1st training squadron, serial 5878) shot down by anti-aircraft gunfire from Soviet destroyers Uritskyi and Valerian Kuybyshev. Pilot wounded but escaped to German lines, co-pilot killed. Solely Uritskyi claimed victory but it is possible the other ship achieved it. Submarine chaser MO-223 claim over a Ju-88 discredited: MO-121 was also damaged claiming to have shot down a Ju-87, but the sole victory is confirmed to destroyers.
11 July 1941
A German bomber Ju-87 (serial Nr. 5424) shot down by the Soviet submarine chaser MO-141 north-west of Murmansk, while suffering damage. Both crewmembers survived, reached the shore and German lines. A second German bomber Ju-87 (serial 5469) was also lost while flying back to the base when the engine caught fire possibly due ship’s anti-aircraft hits: after an emergency landing the aircraft completely burned (crew saved).
13 July 1941
A small convoy formed by the Soviet auxiliary patrol ship Passat and the unarmed small ships RT-67 and RT-32 (both were towing pontoons) was attacked and destroyed by the German destroyers Z-4, Z-7, Z-10, Z-16 and Z-20. (all the soviet ships were sunk except the RT-32 that run aground and was lost due it, same fate for the pair of towed pontoons)
The Passat attempted to make resistance with her 45mm guns fire but it was an unequal battle with an already written outcome.
19 July 1941
During an attack performed by 9 “Stuka”, German bomber Ju-87 (serial 5502 "L1 + FW", crew MIA) shot down by the combined anti-aircraft fire from auxiliary patrol boat Shtil and auxiliary minesweeper T-31, the patrol ship however was sunk.
24 July 1941
The Soviet transport Meridian (840 GRT) was sunk by the German destroyers Z-4, Z-7, Z-16 and Z-20.
6 August 1941
The armed soviet motorboat Polyarnik faced the German submarine U-451, a single shell of 45mm hit the submarine and rebounded without explosion, the German commander decided to dive and retreat.
10 August 1941
The German destroyers Z-4, Z-10 and Z-16 found and attacked the soviet auxiliary patrol ship Tuman. As the previously sunk Passat, the Tuman was armed only with 45mm guns and despite her resistance she was sunk. This time however other Soviet forces reacted: coastal artillery fired against the German ships and an air raid of bombers SB-2 managed to inflict damage to the destroyer Z-16 (often it's wrongly said that Z-4 was damaged by coastal artillery, instead of Z-16).
Due the increased Soviet reactions and the little value of the target sunk, Germans decided to stop this kind of destroyers's raids on Soviet waters.
26 August 1941
German submarine U-571 torpedoed the Soviet depot ship Marija Uljanova (3870 GRT), causing the total loss of the ship.
While the Soviet destroyer Uritskyi took care of supporting the depot ship, the destroyer Valerian Kuybyshev launched depth charges.
U-571 was hit and damaged and a leak from the door of the tower was going to sink the unit, if it had not been for the efforts of the crew to save her.
11 September 1941
Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-11 and TK-12 attacked a convoy with torpedoes but missed. Among the German escort, patrol ship V-6109 Nordwind returned fire and scored one hit on TK-12.
14 September 1941
The soviet motor torpedo boats TK-13, TK-14 and TK-15 of D-3 class had the first clash with the enemy. They met the larger German patrol ships V-6109 Nordwind and V-6111 Franke. During the short engagement, the V-6109 Nordwind got one hit.
15 September 1941
Soviet auxiliary patrol ship SKR-25 Briz lightly damaged with depth charges the German submarine U-752
16 September 1941
A German bomber Ju-88 (Group II, 30th Squadron, serial 3306) shot down by anti-aircraft fire from corvette Sapfir and submarine chaser MO-252. Crew saved. Germans officially report the plane as lost due crashing, while the two Soviet ships claimed two planes.
6 October 1941
The first victory for a Soviet motor torpedo boat in Arctic is achieved by TK-12 of D-3 class, she managed to sink with torpedo the Norwegian coaster Bjørnungen (165 GTR). The ship was carrying materials for a railway.
25 November 1941.
German submarine U-578 attacked with ramming and heavily damaged by Soviet auxiliary patrol ship SKR-25 Briz. The damage is quite heavy, with a hole and leak into the ballast tanks and needed repairs.
On the same day there was the first combined British-Soviet naval action: the British heavy cruiser HMS Kenya and the British destroyers HMS Bendouin and HMS Intrepid and the Soviet ones Gremyashchyi and Gromkyi, made a raid on enemy coast, resulting in the bombing of Vardo. Bombing had little effects: some wires teared.
3 December 1941
The soviet large submarine K-3 had missed with 4 torpedoes the German merchant Altkirch (4713 GRT) and was then heavily attacked with depth charges by the German submarine-chasers UJ-1403, UJ-1416 and UJ-1708. The submarine touched the bottom and got damages, being forced to emerge. Crew of the submarine was prepared to make a last stand and faced in gunfire battle the three enemy ships. The K-3 opened fire with all the weaponry, and 39 shells of 100mm and 47 of 45mm were shot. Enemy submarine chasers had only 20mm and 88mm guns and fired 60 shells (of the main 88mm guns) without scoring hits. The German submarine chaser UJ-1708 directly hit on the bow at the fifth volley of the submarine and sunk with all crew. The other submarine chasers withdrew (some sources wrongly claim that also UJ-1403 was damaged).
17 December 1941
Another British-Soviet naval action: the German destroyers Z-23, Z-24, Z-25 and Z-27 attacked the British minesweepers HMS Hazard and HMS Speedy, damaging the last one (one direct hit, 2 wounded). The British heavy cruiser HMS Kent escorted by the Soviet destroyers Sokrushitelnyi and Groznyi, sailed to face the enemy but the Germans already retreated, leaving the minesweepers.
19 February 1942
Soviet submarine ShCh-403 was at first attacked and missed with ramming on surface by the German minelayer Brummer, then the submarine was successfully rammed by the auxiliary minesweeper M-1503. The ShCh-403 also damaged by artillery fire yet managed to dive and survived (even if Germans believed to have sunk the submarine). However the commander Kovalenko was on the tower during the ramming, was knocked out of the submarine falling in water, and was later recovered by Germans. He was wounded and had a leg amputated, later he will be brought in prison camp and shot in 1944.
He was one of the two soviet submarine commander captured in action by enemy during the conflict.
7 March 1942
Soviet merchant Izhora (2815 GTR) part of convoy QP-8 to United States, was attacked by a large German naval group (including the battleship Tirpitz) and to sink her are needed 11 direct hits of 150mm and 43 of 127mm, to be finished by depth charges launched at close distance by destroyer Z-14 after torpedoes missed.
The merchant managed to give a radio alert and the enemy failed to intercept the convoy PQ-12, while British aircraft of carrier HMS Victorious forced the enemy to retreat. The whole crew of the Izhora was killed (31 KIA + 1 POW later dead in prison).
16 March 1942, the German merchant Utlandshorn (2643 GRT) was sunk by the mines laid close Petsamo. Often is wrongly reported as sunk by mines laid by motor torpedo boats, but the field was laid by the submarine chasers. Mines were laid by MO-122, MO-123, MO-153 and MO-163 on 7 December 1941 (only the last two units laid the field) or 21 January 1942 (all 4 made the field).
24 March 1942
German submarine U-585 possibly received damage after depth charges launched by Soviet destroyer Gremyashchyi and five British minesweepers HMS Speedwell, HMS Harrier, HMS Hussar, HMS Niger and HMS Gossamer (all Halcyon-class). The Allied group did not reported depth charges attacks, but it’s possible they simply launched few charges randomly “just in case” (a common occurrence during war). The submarine forced to sail back to base, even if damage was repaired quickly (submarine went missing in the subsequent mission).
29 March 1942.
Battle of Convoy PQ-13
A rare naval battle involving Soviet destroyers facing opponents of similar size (a similar event occurred only also during the Constanta Battle in Back Sea, 1941).
Soviet destroyers Gremyashchyi and Sokrushitelnyi were sailing alongside HMS Eclipse during a convoy escort involving a gunnery fight with German destroyers.
German destroyers Z-24, Z-25 and Z-26 previously engaged the cruiser HMS Trinidad: the British ship suffered an own torpedo hit (due failure and circular run of the torpedo), but damaged Z-26.
Soviet destroyer Sokrushitelnyi spotted an unidentified ship, firing 20 shells and claiming one hit on the enemy.
Russian sources has been cautious to identify the attacked ship, also suggesting a possible friendly-fire incident (against the destroyer HMS Fury, or even the very same cruiser HMS Trinidad: the first destroyer indeed suffered British friendly fire attack but this is unrelated).
The war diary of HMS Eclipse however disclose a more interesting point: the British commander believed the Soviets committed a friendly-fire attack on HMS Trinidad, so decided to follow the (supposedly) friendly mysterious ship leaving behind Gremyashchyi and Sokrushitelnyi, just to realize she was indeed facing the damaged Z-26.
During the subsequent gunnery battle, HMS Eclipse inflicted further damage on Z-26, before suffering her own due the arrival of Z-24 and Z-25 and retreating. The Germans scuttled the heavily damaged Z-26 and left. German account of the battle further reinforce the Sokrushitelnyi participation, stating that after the encounter with the cruiser, Z-26 was chased by two different Allied destroyer, identifying the first one as larger (this match the difference between the British and Soviet unit).
11 April 1942
During Convoy QP-10, a German Ju-88 bomber (serial 880197 4D+GA, crew MIA) probably shot down by anti-aircraft fire from Soviet destroyer Gremyashchyi, but maybe also by British merchant Empire Cowper (7164 GRT). Bombers just mortally hit the British merchant ship; and aircraft crashed 100 meters in front of Soviet merchant Kiev (4853 GRT) torpedoed and sunk the next day by submarine U-436. Other sources giving the loss to other British merchant or as shared victory with Soviet destroyer Sokrushitelnyi are wrong.
Other two Ju-88 bombers (both from II./KG30) suffered significant damages while a third one suffered light damage with pilot wounded: however these cannot be likely attributed to Soviet ships due lack of indication/specific claims and heavy presence of more numerous British escort units (5 destroyers and 4 minesweepers, while Soviets had only Gremyashchyi and Sokrushitelnyi).
24 April 1942
Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-13 and TK-14 found the enemy submarine U-454, the first unit launched torpedo but missed the target, then the TK-14 launched depth charges and caused moderate damages to the enemy.
29 April 1942
During an air raid on Murmansk, German bomber Ju-88 (Nr.140210 "4D + GH") and Ju-88 (Nr.0883701 "4D + CK) were shot down by anti-aircraft fire from ships in the harbor (7 killed, 1 POW). Soviet corvette Smerch opened fire against the Ju-88 and while made no claims, it is possible she shot down one or both, while sources state it was ground anti-aircraft fire.
1-2 May 1942
Battle of Convoy QP-11
On day 1 May, German destroyers Z-24 and Z-25 attacked convoy QP-11, sinking with torpedo the Soviet merchant Tsiolkovsky (2847 GTR) and damaging with gunfire the British destroyer HMS Amazon.
The next day, Soviet destroyers Sokrushitelnyi and Gremyashchyi, the British HMS Forested and HMS Foresight and British minesweepers HMS Hussar, HMS Gossamer, HMS Niger and HMS Harrier escorted the heavy British cruiser HMS Edinburgh that has been torpedoed by submarine U-456.
Sadly before the beginning of the battle, the Soviet destroyers had to left due lack of fuel, and they were replaced by the corvette (patrol ship) Rubin and the tug n°22.
German destroyers Z-7, Z-24 and Z-25 attacked the Allied ships: HMS Edinburgh, despite damage managed to fire against the enemy and mortally hit the Z-7 while Z-24 was damaged as the British destroyers HMS Forested and HMS Foresight, while the same HMS Edinburgh had to be self-sunk due to damages (she got another torpedo by Z-24).
The actions of the Rubin during the battle are probably destined to be secret because the ship was officially part of the NKVD naval force and documents about her are now in possession of FSB Russian secret service.
According to British forces, the minesweepers were engaged in battle and fired against the enemy even if it can't be said if they caused some kind of damage to the enemy, and Rubin fought with them.
It's known that at some point Rubin and HMS Gossamer tried to tow away the Edinburgh but failed due lack of engine's power and the large weight of the cruiser (however the Soviet sources states that actually it was the tug n°22 that tried to tow the cruiser, probably the British sources merged the two units). Rubin fought close HMS Harrier at the point that due to misunderstanding the two ships collided and caused some little damage to each other. It's interesting that after the battle the Soviet commander of Rubin wrote a personal letter to HMS Harrier's commander to apologize about the collision (British often reports it as a act of gallantry between allied forces)
3 May 1942
During Convoy PQ-15 (contemporary to QP-11), Soviet Icebreaker Krasin opened fire with 76mm guns against an incoming assault of He-111. The German torpedo bomber He-111 (n°4950, crew MIA) hit by anti-aircraft fire was almost going to crash on the ship but Krassin managed to avoid it stopping the course. During the assault, the British merchant Botawon (5848 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk, while a second He-111 was damaged by British escort ships. Icebreaker Krasin was a famous ship, having served before the war as explorer and rescue ship during a number of events and by the time of WWII was considered a capable ship despite in need of constant repairs, rising the interests of the US Coast Guard that offered to buy her in 1941. Ship is currently preserved as museum-ship.
12 May 1942
The soviet large submarine K-23 had missed with 4 torpedoes the German merchant Karl Leonhard (6115 GRT), then the escort forced the submarine to surface with depth charges and started a gunfire battle. German submarine chaser UJ-1101 fired 78 shells of 88mm, while UJ-1110 fired 44 shells of same caliber. However the submarine counter-fire with 100mm was heavy and only the third submarine chaser UJ-1109 kept firing before calling help from German aircrafts. It was only with the arrival of German bombers Ju-88 that the K-23 was forced to dive and probably damaged to be then finished by UJ-1109 with depth charges.
This engagement, that share similarities with the battle of 3 December 1941, had a different outcome due the presence of German aircraft but the submarine had managed to defend and repulse the enemy during the surface engagement.
K-23 had previously scored 2 victories (sunk a merchant with torpedo and damaged a minesweeper with mine).
17 May 1942
A raid by German Ju-88 bombers at Yokanga sunk the Soviet auxiliary patrol ship SKR-21, while SKR-22 and SKR-25 were damaged. 6 Soviet sailors died and 24 were wounded. A German Ju-88 bomber (n°882033 from II./KG30) suffered damages from the anti-aircraft fire but returned to the airfield.
28 May 1942
During an air raid on Murmansk, Germans made four raids against shipping in harbor but without damage reported. One Ju-87 (n°5709 from I./StG5) was hit and lost while attempting an emergency landing not reaching the airfield. The victory his shared by Soviet fighters of 122nd IAD PVO, ground anti-aircraft battery and fire from Soviet destroyer Gremyashchyi.
29 May 1942
During Convoy PQ-16, Soviet destroyers Sokrushitelnyi, Groznyi and Valerian Kuybyshev took cover of the last transit protection: most of the other Allies escort previously departed and the ones left had depleted ammunition. The three soviet units opened a coordinated barrage with 130mm guns against an incoming attack, shooting down a German Ju-88 bomber (n°882100 "4D + EM", crew MIA). Anti-aircraft fire also damaged a German torpedo-bomber He-111 (I./KG26) suffering 1 crewmember wounded and making an hard landing in airdrome. The Soviet destroyers can collectively share these two victories, because no specific claim can be identified (first two destroyers claimed 2 aircrafts and third destroyer claimed one alone). No merchant was lost during this phase. Soviet aircrafts engaged also in protection but the Soviet ace Safonov on fighter “Kittyhawk” was killed when his aircraft shot down by a Ju-88 recce aircraft. An additional Ju-88 (1760 "4D + CM") lost by Soviet fighter, possibly shot down by Safonov himself. German bomber Ju-88 (serial 430244) crashed while landing on Kirkenes airfield on day 30 May, after air-damage suffered again from the same ace Safonov.
1 June 1942
During an air raid on Murmansk, 21 bombers Ju-88 and 14 Ju-87 covered by Bf-109 and Bf-110 made three raids on Murmansk ports aiming at the shipping (including ships from Convoy PQ-13).
American merchant Empire Starlight (6854 GRT) (previously damaged by air attacks during the Convoy) and the smaller Soviet merchant Subbotnik (325 GRT) hit by Ju-87 and sunk. Soviet aircrafts and air defense claimed up to 8 planes shot down, however only a German Ju-87 (n°6234 "L1 + CV" from I./StG5) was truly lost (pilot survived and reached German lines, co-pilot MIA): shared victory between anti-aircraft defense and Soviet destroyer Gremyashchyi.
19 August 1942
An interesting surface clash occurrred when Soviet auxiliary minesweepers T-904 and T-885 chased in surface the two German submarines U-456 and U-209 (the latter briefly opened fire). U-456 previously attacked Soviet auxiliary patrol ship SKR-19, while also the hydrographic vessel Polyarnik was in the area. No ship or submarine suffered damage.
25 August 1942
The Germans made the only attempt to operate a major warship in Kara Sea.
The pocket battleship (heavy cruiser) Admiral Scheer could have inflicted heavy damage intercepting the convoy EON-18 and other ships, but found the armed icebreaker Alexander Sibiryakov. This Soviet unit was a famous ship, and questioned the larger one that at first used US Flag and claimed to be the Tuscaloosa cruiser, soon the trick was discovered and the Germans fired a shell and expected the surrender of the Soviets. There was no surrender and even if it was an impossible battle to win (or survive), the Sibiryakov attacked the cruiser even if less armed than the opponent (76mm guns against 280mm) making a brave resistance that surprised the enemy, also it's important that she alerted the closer Soviet radio station of the presence of such enemy warship. The Soviet ship was sunk (of 88 crew, 22 were saved and captured by enemy, 13 of them including commander survived in the concentration camps. A sailor managed to reach a desert island and survived 34 days (thanks to some food that was brought by the sea from the sinking point of the ship) before being rescued by an hydroplane). Another sailor was killed in the life-boat when attempted to attack the capturing enemy party with an axe.
The sacrifice of the ship, that faced the enemy battleship and alerted about her presence, become a famous war episode of the Soviet Navy during the war.
26 August 1942
Battle of Dikson
Thanks to the sacrifice of the Sibiryakov, the battleship Admral Scheer found no target on sea and the ship was forced to attack a secondary target.
The small harbor of Dikson was poorly defended (larger Soviet warships were at Murmanks and Archangelsk), but the Admiral Scheer was faced with courage by the guard-ship (armed merchant) Deznev that opened fire with her 76mm.
During the engagement the Deznev was hit by 4 direct shells and heavily damaged but survived even if run aground, also the merchant Revolutsioner received 3 hits and minor damages. Coastal artillery (two old guns) of 152mm fired too and even if the enemy warship wasn't hit, she retreated (thinking there could be stronger coastal guns).
Minimal damage was done (the radio station quickly returned operative even before the Admiral Scheer returned in harbor) and the only true naval target (the merchant Kara of 3235 GRT, still loaded with ammunitions) remained undamaged.
18 September 1942
Soviet destroyers Sokrushitelnyi and Gremyashchyi opened a barrage fire against incoming He-111 torpedo bombers against Convoy PQ-18. Immediately at the beginning of the action, German bomber He-111 (n°7168) exploded mid-air after direct hit from Gremyashchyi main 130mm gunfire, before the other ships could start their own fire. The attack was coordinated with bombers Ju-88 and American merchant Kentucky (5446 GRT) sunk after bomb hits. Germans lost a Ju-88 (n°2130) shot down by escort: it is impossible to define the ship responsible. It is worth to stress how the Soviet destroyers numbered four units, in addition to the above-mentioned ones also Uritskyi and Valerian Kuybyshev and all Soviet ships reported an aggressive anti-aircraft while the reduced British escort had depleted ammunition (in a similar way to what occurred during PQ-16). This second victory is considered shared by the destroyers, in addition to damages inflicted to bomber Ju-88 (n°1562) that suffered moderate damage (30%) with 4 wounded, while bomber Ju-88 (n°6599) suffered heavy damages (70%) without casualties.
7 November 1942
Soviet tanker Donbass (7925 GRT) was sunk by German destroyer Z-27 (part of “Operation FB”, independent sailing of ships not arranged in convoy due temporary lack of escort), was also sunk the submarine-hunter BO-78. Tanker attempted defense with 76mm but her range was insufficient.
12 November 1942
9 Soviet submarine chasers of MO-4 class laid a successful small field of 18 mines at Petsamo.
19 November 1942
The auxiliary torpedo boat (decoy-ship) Schiff-18 Alteland was sunk on mines that were just laid the night between 18 and 19 November, by 10 MO-4 submarine chasers, close Kirkenes.
30 November 1942
German merchant Westsee (5911 GRT) (cargo of hay and straw) and German merchant Hans Rickmers (5226 GRT) (cargo of hay and straw) struck mines laid by MO-4 class chasers on 12 November, the second merchant was actually heavily damaged, run aground, and finished by soviet coastal artillery, while the first one directly sunk.
On this same day other mines were laid by 7 MO-4 class chasers.
19 January 1943
Battle of Sytlefjord
Soviet Northern Fleet had been reinforced with new ships from the Pacific Fleet. Two of them were the leader destroyer Baku (the larger active Soviet-made unit in North during the War) and the destroyer Razumnyi were quickly involved in action when attacked a German convoy close Sytlefjord.
Baku attacked first, launching 4 torpedoes. It was the first and only Soviet torpedo attack in the North Fleet done by a destroyer-size unit. The other torpedo-launcher could not be used due ice and no hit obtained.
The German convoy was formed by minelayer Skaggerak, the submarine chasers UJ-1104 and UJ-1105 and the minesweeper M-322 and M-303.
In the following gunfire battle no damage was inflicted on either side (despite the widespread mistake that Razumnyi got one hit from a minesweeper).
Also the claim of Baku sinking the merchant Tanja (137 GTR) is not correct, the ship being lost due storm on another location. Excessive caution and overestimation of enemy force were an habit for all the soviet destroyer's operation: in many cases, heavy damages could have been inflicted but the Soviet warships often fired at the medium-large distance.
1 February 1943
The large patrol ship V-5909 Coronel sunk on the MO-4's mines laid on 30 November 1942
17 February 1943
A German Ju-88 bomber (serial 881203 "4N + EH") hit by anti-aircraft fire from Soviet merchant Andre Marti (2352 GRT). Crew saved, but plane crash-landed and was completely lost. It was the only fully confirmed case when a Soviet merchant managed to shot down an enemy aircraft in Arctic (not a shared victory). Ship sailed independently (“Operation FB”).
March 1943
New mines are laid by the soviet submarine chasers MO-113, MO-114 and MO-115 of MO-4 class
14 April 1943
Norwegian tug Pasvik (238 GRT) was sunk by the mines laid by MO-113, MO-114 and MO-115 of MO-4 class laid the previous month. This victory has been assigned for years to submarine L-22.
15 April 1943
Soviet defector motorboat Shchuka (46 GRT) with six crewmembers reached the German-controlled shore during a resupply mission with a cargo of food. Germans recovered the cargo and intended to use the boat but the submarine chasers MO-123 and MO-133 shelled and destroyed her with three direct hits. It is the only full victory scored by soviet MO-4 class in Arctic (excluding the successful fields of mines).
18 April 1943
Soviet motor torpedo boat TK-13 got two hits by German R-boats, while R-63 got machine guns hits on return but without real damage. The same minesweeping boat however got two hits by other two German minesweepers because of accidental friendly-fire.
11 May 1943
A German fighter Fw-190 (serial 524, pilot Günter Busse KIA), was shot down in Motovka Bay by fire from Soviet submarine chaser MO-112. Other sources previously claimed by ground artillery, but modern research indicate the MO-112 as solely responsible. The submarine chaser was towing the auxiliary minesweeper n°404 (due engine failures) when seven enemy fighters attacked them, the minesweeper suffered a direct bomb hit and grounded in shallow place without human losses.
5 June 1943
A group of German aircrafts attacked a small but locally important Soviet convoy in Motovka Bay (tug n°21 towing the barge S-1, escorted by four submarine chasers:MO-111, MO-113, MO-122, MO-133). An aerial engagement begun and were shot down 5 Soviet “Hurricane” fighters (plus other 4 previously shot down) for the loss of 1 German Bf-109 fighter (serial 7480, pilot Helmut Steinle), two Soviet pilots died. Germans dispatched a seaplane Do-24 (serial 0094) to attempt recovering the pilot but it accidentally turned upside down while touching the sea: Soviet submarine chaser MO-116 (ex-MO-123) approached the seaplane while under enemy air attack, captured 2 prisoners and sunk the seaplane with gunfire, other 4 crewmembers died (all declared MIA). The German fighter pilot was missing in action, while the barge delivered the cargo and passengers (10 new 122mm artillery guns and 60 artillerymen). Both Soviet fighters and boats claimed multiple German fighters shot-down, but the Bf-109 assigned to fighters.
12 June 1943
During a series of air raids in Motovka Bay to intercept a Soviet convoy of motorboats, German fighter Bf-109 (serial 14237, pilot killed) shot down by submarine chasers MO-131 and MO-136. MO-131 suffered damages during the attack (1 killed, 8 wounded), but no motorboat was lost that day.
18 June 1943
While attacking a group of Soviet motorboats in Motovka Bay, German fighter Fw-190 (serial 135488) crashed after accidentally touching the mast of motorboat OS-4. Another German Fw-190 (serial 135528) shot down by anti-aircraft fire from auxiliary patrol ship Priliv: other sources wrongly report it was shot-down by fire from motorboat Chelyuskinets but while attacked without success by three planes, she made no claims. Both German pilots died.
21 June 1943
Norwegian motorboat Foula (109 GTR) was sunk with gunfire by Soviet motor torpedo boat TK-13, while carrying cargo and personnel of the Luftwaffe after also being damaged by fire of German aircrafts. Boarding the motorboat, found a German (POW) and a Norwegian alive (both wounded), a second Norwegian picked from water but died of wounds and a third Norwegian was already dead onboard. Germans believed the boat was attempting to defect and intentionally attacked her, but apparently, she just had the engine broken and drifted in Soviet waters. The captured Norwegian however later not considered as a prisoner and joined the Norwegian partisans as radio operator, surviving also a subsequent German capture. It would likely be never clear if Norwegians attempted defection since beginning or maybe they exploited the incident.
5 July 1943
Soviet submarine M-106 was rammed and sunk by German submarine-chaser UJ-1217 on surface (previously the submarine was damaged with depth charges and forced to surface by the same unit together UJ-1206, UJ-1212 and UJ-1214). It was one of the 2 soviet submarines lost on surface due ramming by enemy ships (additionally to one sunk by submarine), and the only one in Arctic. Two months later the soviet submarine M-107 will take revenge on the loss of the brother, sinking the same UJ-1217 with torpedo. M-106 had scored no victory before the sinking.
18 August 1943
Soviet auxiliary patrol boats SKA-222 (ex-drifter Nokuyev) and SKA-211 (ex-drifter Tayfyn) successfully unloaded a cargo of shells when attacked while anchored at berth, in Eyna harbor in Motovka Bay. Gunners managed to lightly damage an Fw-190 (serial 2167, damage at 10%) during a first raid, but when both the ships left they faced a second heavy attack. SKA-222 sunk alongside motorboat PMB-61 (that was towing her after earlier damage), while SKA-211 suffered damages and grounded (other sources wrongly report lost). Soviet aircrafts attempted to defend the ships but failed and lost 4 “Hurricane” (2 pilots killed) and 3 Yak-1 fighters. Germans lost only one Bf-109 (serial 15597, pilot Christian Stolz MIA) shot down by patrol boats (or ground artillery according other source).
15 September 1943
Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-13 and TK-14 attacked the German merchant KT-3 (834 GRT) escorted by the MFPs F-196 and F-226. The merchant suffered a single bullet hit.
21 September 1943
German merchant Antje Fritzen (4330 GRT) was sunk by mines laid by MO-4 class submarine chasers on 11 February or the ones laid 6 April (can’t be said from which field). The last field of April was laid by MO-111, MO-113, MO-114, MO-121, MO-131 and MO-133. The ship sunk with a cargo of 742t of food, 361t rations, 2019t of concrete, 100t of ammunitions and 130t of building materials. Often incorrectly claimed as victim by Soviet motor torpedo boats, but they only observed the sinking even if TK-15 made a torpedo launch against the abandoned sinking ship but apparently without scoring hit.
8 December 1943
New mines are laid by submarine chasers MO-112, MO-113 and MO-131.
12 December 1943
On the new mines, was sunk the German patrol ship V-6106 (24 KIA). Sometimes she's wrongly listed as sunk in the following battle of 22 December.
22 December 1943
During a Soviet motor torpedo boats attack on an enemy convoy, TK-13 managed to torpedo and sunk the merchant Maria (200 GTR). TK-14 was sunk by gunfire of minesweeper M-365 or patrol ship V-6108 (both claimed a sinking) with 5 POWs captured by V-6115 (this patrol ship also collided with the TK-14), which took the prisoners.
Also TK-12 (commander wounded), TK-22 and TK-201 were damaged by gunfire, while Germans suffered casualties by machine guns fire on patrol ship V-6115 (1 KIA, 1 WIA) and minesweeper M-274 (7 WIA). Also on patrol ship NKI-10 there were 2 WIA due to accidental explosion.
19 January 1944
New mines are laid by submarine chasers MO-112, MO-113 and MO-131 in Varangerfjord.
25 January 1944
On the new mines laid on 19 January, was sunk the German tanker Mil (244 GRT).
9 April 1944
With 3 submarine chasers, 4 minesweepers and 6 patrol boats, Germans ambushed the group of Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-212, TK-213, TK-216 and TK-218. The first unit was sunk by submarine chaser UJ-1219. 2 POW
22 April 1944
Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-13 and TK-15 attacked a German convoy composed of merchants Paloma, Petropolis and tender Rau-7, escorted by minesweeping boats R-153, R-154, R-157, R-173, R-202 and R-223. Torpedoes missed the merchant Petropolis and return fire from the escort caused casualties on both TK-13 (1 WIA) and TK-15 (2 KIA, 2 WIA). Coastal artillery of both sides opened fire without scoring further hits.
29 April 1944
A pair of German MFP (armed landing motor-barges) was attacked by motor torpedo boats TK-211, TK-213, TK-215, TK-219, TK-220 and TK-221. F-295 received machine gun fire and there was a sailor wounded, the second unit was F-252.
7 May 1944
Norwegian motorboat Moder-2 (124 GTR) sunk after being set on fire by Soviet (ex-British) motor torpedo boats TK-215, TK-218, TK-219, that boarded and captured the enemy ship. 15 POWs, including the collaborationist Norwegian major of Vadso. All Norwegian prisoners returned after war, except one who joined the partisans and died in 1945.
8 May 1944
German ambushed, with patrol ships V-6101, V-6102, V-6107 and V-6108, the Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-217 and TK-209.
First ship was sunk by V-6107 (2 KIA, others were saved by TK-209), Germans had 5 wounded by machine guns, 2 sailors were wounded also on TK-209. The next day TK-209 exploded, quite clearly as result of the battle damage (3 KIA).
28 June 1944
German merchants Paloma and Nerissa escorted by 10 R-boats were attacked by Soviet MTBs. TK-239 manage to torpedo and sunk Nerissa (992 GTR), while R-160 and R-223 fired back but without hits. Merchant ship was empty
15 July 1944
A large engagement: a convoy attack done by 8 Soviet MTBs erupted in fierce fighting. At first it was damaged the Norwegian motorboat Rossfjord that fired back, she was carrying Germans on board but there are no data of losses when she was heavily damaged by TK-240, TK-242 and TK-243. Other units, TK-238, TK-239 and TK-241 met Hugin (124 GTR) (cargo of lumber) that was boarded by TK-239, got one POW, additionally to 2 KIA and 2 WIA, then it was heavily damaged with charges. The ship didn’t sunk but was not repaired and was then blow up in October by Germans. TK-239 was then attacked and hit by M-251, M-252 and M-31 but was finished by R-154 and R-202 (5 POW, 7 KIA), Germans suffered 1 WIA on R-154.
TK-238 was damaged (3 WIA) too, as TK-242 while on TK-243 there was a light wounded. Motorboat Storegga (41 GTR) with a cargo of ammunitions, was lost. Unlikely due to German friendly fire by R-boats because they were more distant, more likely by shelling of damaged TK-239 just before her sinking. Storegga (as Hugin) didn’t sunk but was beached and lost. Other sources claim Storegga as victim of TK-12 or TK-13.
The action was part of the "Combined Operation RV-6", but did not saw results obtained against this convoy by other crafts (airplanes, submarines etc...)
19 August 1944
Another big battle erupted with 14 Soviet attacking MTBs, 6 enemy merchants and 18 enemy escort ships.
Before the MTBs engagement, the soviet submarine M-201 attacked the convoy and managed to torpedo and sink the enemy patrol ship V-6112 Friese.
TK-219 managed to torpedo and sunk the merchant Colmar (3992 GTR), (cargo of 1500t of cement, 642 t of feed, 12 t of ammunition) , and the patrol ship V-6102 Köln was torpedoed and sunk by TK-215 and TK-222 suffering 20 KIA and 5 WIA. TK-215 received hit with one wounded.
German minesweeper M-202 managed to sunk TK-203 (9 pow, 6 KIA) while TK-206 and TK-214 hit with machine guns fire the patrol ship V-6104 (1 WIA).
Minesweeping boat R-151 got 12/15 machine guns hits in battle with no casualties by friendly fire and by TK-205 (she received hits too) after being taken by cross-fire. Also TK-204 received hits in battle (no casualties) and two more boats received this kind of machine guns hits.
22 August 1944
German submarine U-344 is usually reported as sunk by British aircrafts. There is still a possibility that was instead sunk by the Soviet destroyer Zguchyi (ex-American) the day after with depth charges. Only finding the wreck could shed lights on this event.
26 August 1944
German submarine U-957 sunk with gunfire the Soviet hydrographic ship Nord: the Soviet ship was armed but managed to fire only a single shell of 45mm that barely missed the submarine (18 KIA, 4 POW)
5 September 1944
German submarine U-362 attacked and sunk with depth charges by Soviet minesweeper T-116 (ex-American of Admirable class). U-362 is the only enemy submarine surely sunk by Soviets in Arctic with depth charges. The wreck explored by Soviet divers.
6 September 1944
On mines previously laid by the Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-172, TK-192, TK-213 and TK-214, was sunk the German minesweeping boat R-304.
14 September 1944
German minesweeper M-252 damaged by unexploded torpedo hit (by impact) when attacked by TK-211, TK-242 and TK-243. In the next gunfire exchange, TK-242 got machine guns 22 hits but no casualties while M-252 had 10 WIA by gunfire.
15 September 1944
Failed attempt to attack convoy by 6 Soviet motor torpedo boats. TK-13 (a veteran unit) was sunk by German R-boats (9 POW), there was another sailor wounded on TK-214 that got damage. No German casualties. A squadron of 15 Il-2 bombers attempted to give support but without effect.
25 September 1944
3 German patrol ships escorting the MFP F-152 were attacked by TK-202, TK-222, TK-242 or TK-208 and TK-240 (there were 2 groups attacking at same time). Patrol ship V-6101 sunk by torpedo with 34 KIA and 9 WIA. No damages on Soviet side by reaction fire.
For the first time in Arctic, the operation was successfully coordinated with Air Force: 33 fighter-bombers Il-2, 14 fighters Yak-9 and 24 ex-American fighters Kittyhawk attack the convoy: the F-152 hit and grounded as the V-6105. Also V-6110 and the just arrived (joined the convoy after the MTBs attack) minesweeping boat R-309 damaged. The MFP was also named D.152.P and used as floating workshop (some spare parts were also lost).
12 October 1944
3 Soviet TK attacked a convoy, the minesweeper M-303 was sunk with torpedo by TK-241 with 52 KIA, no damages on Soviets with reaction fire. The same group of Soviet motor torpedo boats, TK-230, TK-238, TK-241 and TK-246 apparently also torpedoed and sunk German merchant Capadose (135 GRT) (NOTE: this victory fully researched only since 2015! There are some discrepancies in descriptions and time of the clash, with scarce details on German documents but they include a description of a surface attack with defensive machineguns fire from the same small merchant before her sudden sinking after torpedo hit).
21 October 1944
6 Soviet motor torpedo boats attacked convoy, minesweeping boat R-311 was hit and heavily damaged by unexploded torpedo from TK-230 (boat towed to Vardo). Minesweeper M-31 torpedoed and sunk by TK-237 or TK-244. (56 KIA). TK-230 damaged by German reaction fire.
23 October 1944
A German seaplane BV-138 (3(F)/SAGr130, serial 0135) suffered troubles and landed on sea north of Morzhovets island: the seaplane sent distress signals and was located by Soviet seaplanes MBR-2 and the Soviet hydrographic vessel Mgla seized it: crew of 5 surrendered without resistance. Soviet destroyer Zhguchiy was dispatched to tow the seaplane away but due heavy storm took water and sunk (1 soviet died while attempting to prevent the sinking).
26 October 1944
Soviet Navy carried a heavy bombing attack against both the harbors of Vardo and Vadso. (The first one was already attacked in 1941 with British units). Soviet leader destroyer Baku lead the attack’s group, formed by the veteran destroyer Gremyashchyi and the ex-Pacific Fleet destroyers Razumnyi and Razyaryonnyi. They fired the large number of 597 shells of 130mm. Some damages were inflicted at Vardo including the Norwegian fishing boat Spurven (ext 45 GRT) destroyed. Previously reported as a drifter-boat, observed by the Soviets after the liberation of city, it is the only target destroyed related to action by Soviet destroyers in Arctic.
5 December 1944
Submarine U-387 was lightly damaged by light fire of 20mm at close range from destroyer Deyatelnyi (ex-American). Submarine was then sunk on the same mission.
9 December 1944
Soviet destroyer Zivuchyi (ex-American) rammed and damaged German submarine U-1163, forcing the submarine to return at base, the damage will block the u-boat for 2 months.
Soviets believed that Zivuchyi rammed and sunk U-387: this one is usually described by Western sources as victim of British corvette HMS Bamborough Castle. Has also been considered possible however that Soviet leader destroyer Baku and destroyer Derzkyi (ex-American) sunk the submarine with depth charges, however further recent analysis seems to confirm that they attacked U-318 causing light damage. Only recovering the wreck could give a definitive solution.
5 January 1945.
Germans attempted a propagandistic blow.
Submarines U-295, U-318 and U-716 carried each one two midget submarines of Biber class on the hull, the purpose was to torpedo and sunk in harbor the Soviet battleship Archangelsk (ex-British HMS Royal Sovereign). The mission however failed due to weather and unexpected vibrations that damaged all the six Biber submarines.
Hitler and the Kriegsmarine were obsessed with the Archangelsk: a number of plans to sink the battleship were attempted (apart the Biber's attack, also other submarines attempted to torpedo her with conventional attacks, but could not find her or were struck in anti-submarine nets).
Archangelsk saw not real war activity and the blow wanted to be purely propagandistic. The German plans were never realized and Archangelsk fired her only (blank) shots during the celebrations for the Victory Day.
16 January 1945
Often it's said that soviet destroyer Deyatelnyi (ex-American) was sunk by German submarine U-997 or U-956. The ship could be the only Soviet destroyer sunk by enemy submarine in action, however both the claims have poor explanations. The first submarine wasn't on mission (previous campaign concluded on 29 December, next one starts only on 22 February), second submarine, that has an uncompleted war diary, report an attack on convoy on 12 January with explosion, but the destroyer sunk on day 16.
It's probable that Deyatelnyi was sunk by accidental detonation of depth charges while attacking the same submarine: the 7 survivors were on the bow and reported an huge explosion on stern, on the Deyatelnyi had just made a general alarm for submarine presence and was going to launch the depth charges. The explosion on stern gives credit to the hypothesis that one of the first charges was accidentally detonated on the ship, blowing up the others.
20 January 1945
Soviet destroyer Razyaryonnyi torpedoed and badly damaged by submarine U-293. It's the most important Soviet warship confirmed hit by an enemy submarine (after her (by importance) there was the torpedo boat Storm, torpedoed and damaged in Black Sea).
20 March 1945
German submarine U-997 was damaged by depth charges of Soviet torpedo boat Smerch (Uragan class) with support of some submarine chasers (possibly BO-131, BO-133, BO-135 and BO-136). Damage was light, but submarine was forced to return at base.
5 April 1945
German submarine U-716 was attempting to torpedo the Soviet merchant Kirov (ex-American of the mass-built Liberty class), but suffered a small collision with one of the three escorting destroyers: Karl Liebknecht, Uritskyi or Druznyi (this one was ex-American). The collision was little (actually it was just a little contact with the submarine's periscope) and not noticed by the destroyer, but the periscope of the submarine was damaged and the U-716 was forced to return to base.
22 April 1945
Soviet destroyer Karl Liebknecht attacked with gunfire German submarine U-997 that got damages at periscope, and was forced to return at the base. Soviets believed to have sunk the submarine U-286, but she possibly sunk by British frigates HMS Loch Insh, HMS Anguilla and HMS Cotton on 29 April. It is also possible that U-286 was sunk by mines laid by British minelayer HMS Apollo and British destroyers HMS Obedient, HMS Opportune and HMS Orwell before April 29 (submarine had to communicate back before such date), and there is also the possibility that it was sunk by Soviet destroyer Zarkyi (ex-American) shortly after the attack of Karl Liebknecht. Only the recovery of the wreck could explain the cause of sinking.
On the same day, U-294 was damaged with depth charges by the same destroyer Karl Liebknecht and/or shortly after by destroyer Derzkyi (ex-American) and submarine chaser BO-131. Submarine suffers a number of damages and is forced to return.
The Karl Liebknecht was the only Soviet destroyer to have caused the damage of three different enemy submarines during the war (even if including shared successes).
Work is essentially a cross-work produced after years of Questions&Answers with authors and readers on this forum (axishistoryforum.com (user author igor /Igor Borisenko), Tsushima.su (in particular authors M. Morozov) and wlb-stuttgart.de in addition to various Russian sites as well as Navypedia.
This work also included a good deal of personal researching on direct sources as for “War Diary – General Naval Staff Operations Divisions” translated in English by the US Navy and the DEFE Ultra files released by the UK Government. An extra useful source was the Norwegian-focused warsailors.com and related forum focusing on Norwegian merchant fleet.
There are likely other episodes still unknown to me, and mistakes to be corrected, however I believe this is(was) the first and most detailed chronology in English of all the Soviet naval battles-engagements-skirmishes during the war.
NOTE: The current pages are identical to the last-updated version on Soviet-Empire forum
The pages include:
1)Axis losses caused by minefield laid by Soviet ships.
2)Axis aircrafts shot down by Soviet ships (only confirmed/known cases to me)
3)Axis naval losses by Soviet planes only if occurred during or immediately after a naval engagement.
4)Soviet naval losses on mines or aircrafts only if occurred during or immediately after a naval engagement, or when an enemy aircraft was also shot down.
This page do NOT include:
1)Axis losses by Soviet aircrafts, aircraft-laid mines or coastal artillery on separate actions
2)Soviet losses by aircrafts, mines or artillery if not involved in the above-mentioned cases.
3)Extremely minor skirmishes without damages or casualties on both sides and nothing relevant worth mentioning.
Submarine actions are sporadically included if described gunnery fighting or ramming incidents
ARCTIC
During WINTER WAR NAVAL CAMPAIGN
30 November 1939
Soviet auxiliary minesweepers T-895 and T-897 captured two motorboats (both ~ 30tons, carrying civilians) that attempted to evacuate Finnish civilians from Rybachi Peninsula. Boats pressed on in service as auxiliary patrol boats SK-617 and SK-618.
1 December 1939
Soviet torpedo boat Groza, while escorting auxiliary minesweepers T-895 and T-897, encountered and captured the abandoned Finnish trawler Syväri (238 GRT) (also classified as auxiliary minesweeper and named Suomi-14). Finnish forces scuttled most of their vessels in the Arctic, but Syväri spared because of her bad engine status: the Soviet Navy still recovered and pressed her on in service as test vessel MIP-1.
Battles during the GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR / WW2:
30 June 1941
A German bomber Ju-87 (GroupIV,1st training squadron, serial 5878) shot down by anti-aircraft gunfire from Soviet destroyers Uritskyi and Valerian Kuybyshev. Pilot wounded but escaped to German lines, co-pilot killed. Solely Uritskyi claimed victory but it is possible the other ship achieved it. Submarine chaser MO-223 claim over a Ju-88 discredited: MO-121 was also damaged claiming to have shot down a Ju-87, but the sole victory is confirmed to destroyers.
11 July 1941
A German bomber Ju-87 (serial Nr. 5424) shot down by the Soviet submarine chaser MO-141 north-west of Murmansk, while suffering damage. Both crewmembers survived, reached the shore and German lines. A second German bomber Ju-87 (serial 5469) was also lost while flying back to the base when the engine caught fire possibly due ship’s anti-aircraft hits: after an emergency landing the aircraft completely burned (crew saved).
13 July 1941
A small convoy formed by the Soviet auxiliary patrol ship Passat and the unarmed small ships RT-67 and RT-32 (both were towing pontoons) was attacked and destroyed by the German destroyers Z-4, Z-7, Z-10, Z-16 and Z-20. (all the soviet ships were sunk except the RT-32 that run aground and was lost due it, same fate for the pair of towed pontoons)
The Passat attempted to make resistance with her 45mm guns fire but it was an unequal battle with an already written outcome.
19 July 1941
During an attack performed by 9 “Stuka”, German bomber Ju-87 (serial 5502 "L1 + FW", crew MIA) shot down by the combined anti-aircraft fire from auxiliary patrol boat Shtil and auxiliary minesweeper T-31, the patrol ship however was sunk.
24 July 1941
The Soviet transport Meridian (840 GRT) was sunk by the German destroyers Z-4, Z-7, Z-16 and Z-20.
6 August 1941
The armed soviet motorboat Polyarnik faced the German submarine U-451, a single shell of 45mm hit the submarine and rebounded without explosion, the German commander decided to dive and retreat.
10 August 1941
The German destroyers Z-4, Z-10 and Z-16 found and attacked the soviet auxiliary patrol ship Tuman. As the previously sunk Passat, the Tuman was armed only with 45mm guns and despite her resistance she was sunk. This time however other Soviet forces reacted: coastal artillery fired against the German ships and an air raid of bombers SB-2 managed to inflict damage to the destroyer Z-16 (often it's wrongly said that Z-4 was damaged by coastal artillery, instead of Z-16).
Due the increased Soviet reactions and the little value of the target sunk, Germans decided to stop this kind of destroyers's raids on Soviet waters.
26 August 1941
German submarine U-571 torpedoed the Soviet depot ship Marija Uljanova (3870 GRT), causing the total loss of the ship.
While the Soviet destroyer Uritskyi took care of supporting the depot ship, the destroyer Valerian Kuybyshev launched depth charges.
U-571 was hit and damaged and a leak from the door of the tower was going to sink the unit, if it had not been for the efforts of the crew to save her.
11 September 1941
Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-11 and TK-12 attacked a convoy with torpedoes but missed. Among the German escort, patrol ship V-6109 Nordwind returned fire and scored one hit on TK-12.
14 September 1941
The soviet motor torpedo boats TK-13, TK-14 and TK-15 of D-3 class had the first clash with the enemy. They met the larger German patrol ships V-6109 Nordwind and V-6111 Franke. During the short engagement, the V-6109 Nordwind got one hit.
15 September 1941
Soviet auxiliary patrol ship SKR-25 Briz lightly damaged with depth charges the German submarine U-752
16 September 1941
A German bomber Ju-88 (Group II, 30th Squadron, serial 3306) shot down by anti-aircraft fire from corvette Sapfir and submarine chaser MO-252. Crew saved. Germans officially report the plane as lost due crashing, while the two Soviet ships claimed two planes.
6 October 1941
The first victory for a Soviet motor torpedo boat in Arctic is achieved by TK-12 of D-3 class, she managed to sink with torpedo the Norwegian coaster Bjørnungen (165 GTR). The ship was carrying materials for a railway.
25 November 1941.
German submarine U-578 attacked with ramming and heavily damaged by Soviet auxiliary patrol ship SKR-25 Briz. The damage is quite heavy, with a hole and leak into the ballast tanks and needed repairs.
On the same day there was the first combined British-Soviet naval action: the British heavy cruiser HMS Kenya and the British destroyers HMS Bendouin and HMS Intrepid and the Soviet ones Gremyashchyi and Gromkyi, made a raid on enemy coast, resulting in the bombing of Vardo. Bombing had little effects: some wires teared.
3 December 1941
The soviet large submarine K-3 had missed with 4 torpedoes the German merchant Altkirch (4713 GRT) and was then heavily attacked with depth charges by the German submarine-chasers UJ-1403, UJ-1416 and UJ-1708. The submarine touched the bottom and got damages, being forced to emerge. Crew of the submarine was prepared to make a last stand and faced in gunfire battle the three enemy ships. The K-3 opened fire with all the weaponry, and 39 shells of 100mm and 47 of 45mm were shot. Enemy submarine chasers had only 20mm and 88mm guns and fired 60 shells (of the main 88mm guns) without scoring hits. The German submarine chaser UJ-1708 directly hit on the bow at the fifth volley of the submarine and sunk with all crew. The other submarine chasers withdrew (some sources wrongly claim that also UJ-1403 was damaged).
17 December 1941
Another British-Soviet naval action: the German destroyers Z-23, Z-24, Z-25 and Z-27 attacked the British minesweepers HMS Hazard and HMS Speedy, damaging the last one (one direct hit, 2 wounded). The British heavy cruiser HMS Kent escorted by the Soviet destroyers Sokrushitelnyi and Groznyi, sailed to face the enemy but the Germans already retreated, leaving the minesweepers.
19 February 1942
Soviet submarine ShCh-403 was at first attacked and missed with ramming on surface by the German minelayer Brummer, then the submarine was successfully rammed by the auxiliary minesweeper M-1503. The ShCh-403 also damaged by artillery fire yet managed to dive and survived (even if Germans believed to have sunk the submarine). However the commander Kovalenko was on the tower during the ramming, was knocked out of the submarine falling in water, and was later recovered by Germans. He was wounded and had a leg amputated, later he will be brought in prison camp and shot in 1944.
He was one of the two soviet submarine commander captured in action by enemy during the conflict.
7 March 1942
Soviet merchant Izhora (2815 GTR) part of convoy QP-8 to United States, was attacked by a large German naval group (including the battleship Tirpitz) and to sink her are needed 11 direct hits of 150mm and 43 of 127mm, to be finished by depth charges launched at close distance by destroyer Z-14 after torpedoes missed.
The merchant managed to give a radio alert and the enemy failed to intercept the convoy PQ-12, while British aircraft of carrier HMS Victorious forced the enemy to retreat. The whole crew of the Izhora was killed (31 KIA + 1 POW later dead in prison).
16 March 1942, the German merchant Utlandshorn (2643 GRT) was sunk by the mines laid close Petsamo. Often is wrongly reported as sunk by mines laid by motor torpedo boats, but the field was laid by the submarine chasers. Mines were laid by MO-122, MO-123, MO-153 and MO-163 on 7 December 1941 (only the last two units laid the field) or 21 January 1942 (all 4 made the field).
24 March 1942
German submarine U-585 possibly received damage after depth charges launched by Soviet destroyer Gremyashchyi and five British minesweepers HMS Speedwell, HMS Harrier, HMS Hussar, HMS Niger and HMS Gossamer (all Halcyon-class). The Allied group did not reported depth charges attacks, but it’s possible they simply launched few charges randomly “just in case” (a common occurrence during war). The submarine forced to sail back to base, even if damage was repaired quickly (submarine went missing in the subsequent mission).
29 March 1942.
Battle of Convoy PQ-13
A rare naval battle involving Soviet destroyers facing opponents of similar size (a similar event occurred only also during the Constanta Battle in Back Sea, 1941).
Soviet destroyers Gremyashchyi and Sokrushitelnyi were sailing alongside HMS Eclipse during a convoy escort involving a gunnery fight with German destroyers.
German destroyers Z-24, Z-25 and Z-26 previously engaged the cruiser HMS Trinidad: the British ship suffered an own torpedo hit (due failure and circular run of the torpedo), but damaged Z-26.
Soviet destroyer Sokrushitelnyi spotted an unidentified ship, firing 20 shells and claiming one hit on the enemy.
Russian sources has been cautious to identify the attacked ship, also suggesting a possible friendly-fire incident (against the destroyer HMS Fury, or even the very same cruiser HMS Trinidad: the first destroyer indeed suffered British friendly fire attack but this is unrelated).
The war diary of HMS Eclipse however disclose a more interesting point: the British commander believed the Soviets committed a friendly-fire attack on HMS Trinidad, so decided to follow the (supposedly) friendly mysterious ship leaving behind Gremyashchyi and Sokrushitelnyi, just to realize she was indeed facing the damaged Z-26.
During the subsequent gunnery battle, HMS Eclipse inflicted further damage on Z-26, before suffering her own due the arrival of Z-24 and Z-25 and retreating. The Germans scuttled the heavily damaged Z-26 and left. German account of the battle further reinforce the Sokrushitelnyi participation, stating that after the encounter with the cruiser, Z-26 was chased by two different Allied destroyer, identifying the first one as larger (this match the difference between the British and Soviet unit).
11 April 1942
During Convoy QP-10, a German Ju-88 bomber (serial 880197 4D+GA, crew MIA) probably shot down by anti-aircraft fire from Soviet destroyer Gremyashchyi, but maybe also by British merchant Empire Cowper (7164 GRT). Bombers just mortally hit the British merchant ship; and aircraft crashed 100 meters in front of Soviet merchant Kiev (4853 GRT) torpedoed and sunk the next day by submarine U-436. Other sources giving the loss to other British merchant or as shared victory with Soviet destroyer Sokrushitelnyi are wrong.
Other two Ju-88 bombers (both from II./KG30) suffered significant damages while a third one suffered light damage with pilot wounded: however these cannot be likely attributed to Soviet ships due lack of indication/specific claims and heavy presence of more numerous British escort units (5 destroyers and 4 minesweepers, while Soviets had only Gremyashchyi and Sokrushitelnyi).
24 April 1942
Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-13 and TK-14 found the enemy submarine U-454, the first unit launched torpedo but missed the target, then the TK-14 launched depth charges and caused moderate damages to the enemy.
29 April 1942
During an air raid on Murmansk, German bomber Ju-88 (Nr.140210 "4D + GH") and Ju-88 (Nr.0883701 "4D + CK) were shot down by anti-aircraft fire from ships in the harbor (7 killed, 1 POW). Soviet corvette Smerch opened fire against the Ju-88 and while made no claims, it is possible she shot down one or both, while sources state it was ground anti-aircraft fire.
1-2 May 1942
Battle of Convoy QP-11
On day 1 May, German destroyers Z-24 and Z-25 attacked convoy QP-11, sinking with torpedo the Soviet merchant Tsiolkovsky (2847 GTR) and damaging with gunfire the British destroyer HMS Amazon.
The next day, Soviet destroyers Sokrushitelnyi and Gremyashchyi, the British HMS Forested and HMS Foresight and British minesweepers HMS Hussar, HMS Gossamer, HMS Niger and HMS Harrier escorted the heavy British cruiser HMS Edinburgh that has been torpedoed by submarine U-456.
Sadly before the beginning of the battle, the Soviet destroyers had to left due lack of fuel, and they were replaced by the corvette (patrol ship) Rubin and the tug n°22.
German destroyers Z-7, Z-24 and Z-25 attacked the Allied ships: HMS Edinburgh, despite damage managed to fire against the enemy and mortally hit the Z-7 while Z-24 was damaged as the British destroyers HMS Forested and HMS Foresight, while the same HMS Edinburgh had to be self-sunk due to damages (she got another torpedo by Z-24).
The actions of the Rubin during the battle are probably destined to be secret because the ship was officially part of the NKVD naval force and documents about her are now in possession of FSB Russian secret service.
According to British forces, the minesweepers were engaged in battle and fired against the enemy even if it can't be said if they caused some kind of damage to the enemy, and Rubin fought with them.
It's known that at some point Rubin and HMS Gossamer tried to tow away the Edinburgh but failed due lack of engine's power and the large weight of the cruiser (however the Soviet sources states that actually it was the tug n°22 that tried to tow the cruiser, probably the British sources merged the two units). Rubin fought close HMS Harrier at the point that due to misunderstanding the two ships collided and caused some little damage to each other. It's interesting that after the battle the Soviet commander of Rubin wrote a personal letter to HMS Harrier's commander to apologize about the collision (British often reports it as a act of gallantry between allied forces)
3 May 1942
During Convoy PQ-15 (contemporary to QP-11), Soviet Icebreaker Krasin opened fire with 76mm guns against an incoming assault of He-111. The German torpedo bomber He-111 (n°4950, crew MIA) hit by anti-aircraft fire was almost going to crash on the ship but Krassin managed to avoid it stopping the course. During the assault, the British merchant Botawon (5848 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk, while a second He-111 was damaged by British escort ships. Icebreaker Krasin was a famous ship, having served before the war as explorer and rescue ship during a number of events and by the time of WWII was considered a capable ship despite in need of constant repairs, rising the interests of the US Coast Guard that offered to buy her in 1941. Ship is currently preserved as museum-ship.
12 May 1942
The soviet large submarine K-23 had missed with 4 torpedoes the German merchant Karl Leonhard (6115 GRT), then the escort forced the submarine to surface with depth charges and started a gunfire battle. German submarine chaser UJ-1101 fired 78 shells of 88mm, while UJ-1110 fired 44 shells of same caliber. However the submarine counter-fire with 100mm was heavy and only the third submarine chaser UJ-1109 kept firing before calling help from German aircrafts. It was only with the arrival of German bombers Ju-88 that the K-23 was forced to dive and probably damaged to be then finished by UJ-1109 with depth charges.
This engagement, that share similarities with the battle of 3 December 1941, had a different outcome due the presence of German aircraft but the submarine had managed to defend and repulse the enemy during the surface engagement.
K-23 had previously scored 2 victories (sunk a merchant with torpedo and damaged a minesweeper with mine).
17 May 1942
A raid by German Ju-88 bombers at Yokanga sunk the Soviet auxiliary patrol ship SKR-21, while SKR-22 and SKR-25 were damaged. 6 Soviet sailors died and 24 were wounded. A German Ju-88 bomber (n°882033 from II./KG30) suffered damages from the anti-aircraft fire but returned to the airfield.
28 May 1942
During an air raid on Murmansk, Germans made four raids against shipping in harbor but without damage reported. One Ju-87 (n°5709 from I./StG5) was hit and lost while attempting an emergency landing not reaching the airfield. The victory his shared by Soviet fighters of 122nd IAD PVO, ground anti-aircraft battery and fire from Soviet destroyer Gremyashchyi.
29 May 1942
During Convoy PQ-16, Soviet destroyers Sokrushitelnyi, Groznyi and Valerian Kuybyshev took cover of the last transit protection: most of the other Allies escort previously departed and the ones left had depleted ammunition. The three soviet units opened a coordinated barrage with 130mm guns against an incoming attack, shooting down a German Ju-88 bomber (n°882100 "4D + EM", crew MIA). Anti-aircraft fire also damaged a German torpedo-bomber He-111 (I./KG26) suffering 1 crewmember wounded and making an hard landing in airdrome. The Soviet destroyers can collectively share these two victories, because no specific claim can be identified (first two destroyers claimed 2 aircrafts and third destroyer claimed one alone). No merchant was lost during this phase. Soviet aircrafts engaged also in protection but the Soviet ace Safonov on fighter “Kittyhawk” was killed when his aircraft shot down by a Ju-88 recce aircraft. An additional Ju-88 (1760 "4D + CM") lost by Soviet fighter, possibly shot down by Safonov himself. German bomber Ju-88 (serial 430244) crashed while landing on Kirkenes airfield on day 30 May, after air-damage suffered again from the same ace Safonov.
1 June 1942
During an air raid on Murmansk, 21 bombers Ju-88 and 14 Ju-87 covered by Bf-109 and Bf-110 made three raids on Murmansk ports aiming at the shipping (including ships from Convoy PQ-13).
American merchant Empire Starlight (6854 GRT) (previously damaged by air attacks during the Convoy) and the smaller Soviet merchant Subbotnik (325 GRT) hit by Ju-87 and sunk. Soviet aircrafts and air defense claimed up to 8 planes shot down, however only a German Ju-87 (n°6234 "L1 + CV" from I./StG5) was truly lost (pilot survived and reached German lines, co-pilot MIA): shared victory between anti-aircraft defense and Soviet destroyer Gremyashchyi.
19 August 1942
An interesting surface clash occurrred when Soviet auxiliary minesweepers T-904 and T-885 chased in surface the two German submarines U-456 and U-209 (the latter briefly opened fire). U-456 previously attacked Soviet auxiliary patrol ship SKR-19, while also the hydrographic vessel Polyarnik was in the area. No ship or submarine suffered damage.
25 August 1942
The Germans made the only attempt to operate a major warship in Kara Sea.
The pocket battleship (heavy cruiser) Admiral Scheer could have inflicted heavy damage intercepting the convoy EON-18 and other ships, but found the armed icebreaker Alexander Sibiryakov. This Soviet unit was a famous ship, and questioned the larger one that at first used US Flag and claimed to be the Tuscaloosa cruiser, soon the trick was discovered and the Germans fired a shell and expected the surrender of the Soviets. There was no surrender and even if it was an impossible battle to win (or survive), the Sibiryakov attacked the cruiser even if less armed than the opponent (76mm guns against 280mm) making a brave resistance that surprised the enemy, also it's important that she alerted the closer Soviet radio station of the presence of such enemy warship. The Soviet ship was sunk (of 88 crew, 22 were saved and captured by enemy, 13 of them including commander survived in the concentration camps. A sailor managed to reach a desert island and survived 34 days (thanks to some food that was brought by the sea from the sinking point of the ship) before being rescued by an hydroplane). Another sailor was killed in the life-boat when attempted to attack the capturing enemy party with an axe.
The sacrifice of the ship, that faced the enemy battleship and alerted about her presence, become a famous war episode of the Soviet Navy during the war.
26 August 1942
Battle of Dikson
Thanks to the sacrifice of the Sibiryakov, the battleship Admral Scheer found no target on sea and the ship was forced to attack a secondary target.
The small harbor of Dikson was poorly defended (larger Soviet warships were at Murmanks and Archangelsk), but the Admiral Scheer was faced with courage by the guard-ship (armed merchant) Deznev that opened fire with her 76mm.
During the engagement the Deznev was hit by 4 direct shells and heavily damaged but survived even if run aground, also the merchant Revolutsioner received 3 hits and minor damages. Coastal artillery (two old guns) of 152mm fired too and even if the enemy warship wasn't hit, she retreated (thinking there could be stronger coastal guns).
Minimal damage was done (the radio station quickly returned operative even before the Admiral Scheer returned in harbor) and the only true naval target (the merchant Kara of 3235 GRT, still loaded with ammunitions) remained undamaged.
18 September 1942
Soviet destroyers Sokrushitelnyi and Gremyashchyi opened a barrage fire against incoming He-111 torpedo bombers against Convoy PQ-18. Immediately at the beginning of the action, German bomber He-111 (n°7168) exploded mid-air after direct hit from Gremyashchyi main 130mm gunfire, before the other ships could start their own fire. The attack was coordinated with bombers Ju-88 and American merchant Kentucky (5446 GRT) sunk after bomb hits. Germans lost a Ju-88 (n°2130) shot down by escort: it is impossible to define the ship responsible. It is worth to stress how the Soviet destroyers numbered four units, in addition to the above-mentioned ones also Uritskyi and Valerian Kuybyshev and all Soviet ships reported an aggressive anti-aircraft while the reduced British escort had depleted ammunition (in a similar way to what occurred during PQ-16). This second victory is considered shared by the destroyers, in addition to damages inflicted to bomber Ju-88 (n°1562) that suffered moderate damage (30%) with 4 wounded, while bomber Ju-88 (n°6599) suffered heavy damages (70%) without casualties.
7 November 1942
Soviet tanker Donbass (7925 GRT) was sunk by German destroyer Z-27 (part of “Operation FB”, independent sailing of ships not arranged in convoy due temporary lack of escort), was also sunk the submarine-hunter BO-78. Tanker attempted defense with 76mm but her range was insufficient.
12 November 1942
9 Soviet submarine chasers of MO-4 class laid a successful small field of 18 mines at Petsamo.
19 November 1942
The auxiliary torpedo boat (decoy-ship) Schiff-18 Alteland was sunk on mines that were just laid the night between 18 and 19 November, by 10 MO-4 submarine chasers, close Kirkenes.
30 November 1942
German merchant Westsee (5911 GRT) (cargo of hay and straw) and German merchant Hans Rickmers (5226 GRT) (cargo of hay and straw) struck mines laid by MO-4 class chasers on 12 November, the second merchant was actually heavily damaged, run aground, and finished by soviet coastal artillery, while the first one directly sunk.
On this same day other mines were laid by 7 MO-4 class chasers.
19 January 1943
Battle of Sytlefjord
Soviet Northern Fleet had been reinforced with new ships from the Pacific Fleet. Two of them were the leader destroyer Baku (the larger active Soviet-made unit in North during the War) and the destroyer Razumnyi were quickly involved in action when attacked a German convoy close Sytlefjord.
Baku attacked first, launching 4 torpedoes. It was the first and only Soviet torpedo attack in the North Fleet done by a destroyer-size unit. The other torpedo-launcher could not be used due ice and no hit obtained.
The German convoy was formed by minelayer Skaggerak, the submarine chasers UJ-1104 and UJ-1105 and the minesweeper M-322 and M-303.
In the following gunfire battle no damage was inflicted on either side (despite the widespread mistake that Razumnyi got one hit from a minesweeper).
Also the claim of Baku sinking the merchant Tanja (137 GTR) is not correct, the ship being lost due storm on another location. Excessive caution and overestimation of enemy force were an habit for all the soviet destroyer's operation: in many cases, heavy damages could have been inflicted but the Soviet warships often fired at the medium-large distance.
1 February 1943
The large patrol ship V-5909 Coronel sunk on the MO-4's mines laid on 30 November 1942
17 February 1943
A German Ju-88 bomber (serial 881203 "4N + EH") hit by anti-aircraft fire from Soviet merchant Andre Marti (2352 GRT). Crew saved, but plane crash-landed and was completely lost. It was the only fully confirmed case when a Soviet merchant managed to shot down an enemy aircraft in Arctic (not a shared victory). Ship sailed independently (“Operation FB”).
March 1943
New mines are laid by the soviet submarine chasers MO-113, MO-114 and MO-115 of MO-4 class
14 April 1943
Norwegian tug Pasvik (238 GRT) was sunk by the mines laid by MO-113, MO-114 and MO-115 of MO-4 class laid the previous month. This victory has been assigned for years to submarine L-22.
15 April 1943
Soviet defector motorboat Shchuka (46 GRT) with six crewmembers reached the German-controlled shore during a resupply mission with a cargo of food. Germans recovered the cargo and intended to use the boat but the submarine chasers MO-123 and MO-133 shelled and destroyed her with three direct hits. It is the only full victory scored by soviet MO-4 class in Arctic (excluding the successful fields of mines).
18 April 1943
Soviet motor torpedo boat TK-13 got two hits by German R-boats, while R-63 got machine guns hits on return but without real damage. The same minesweeping boat however got two hits by other two German minesweepers because of accidental friendly-fire.
11 May 1943
A German fighter Fw-190 (serial 524, pilot Günter Busse KIA), was shot down in Motovka Bay by fire from Soviet submarine chaser MO-112. Other sources previously claimed by ground artillery, but modern research indicate the MO-112 as solely responsible. The submarine chaser was towing the auxiliary minesweeper n°404 (due engine failures) when seven enemy fighters attacked them, the minesweeper suffered a direct bomb hit and grounded in shallow place without human losses.
5 June 1943
A group of German aircrafts attacked a small but locally important Soviet convoy in Motovka Bay (tug n°21 towing the barge S-1, escorted by four submarine chasers:MO-111, MO-113, MO-122, MO-133). An aerial engagement begun and were shot down 5 Soviet “Hurricane” fighters (plus other 4 previously shot down) for the loss of 1 German Bf-109 fighter (serial 7480, pilot Helmut Steinle), two Soviet pilots died. Germans dispatched a seaplane Do-24 (serial 0094) to attempt recovering the pilot but it accidentally turned upside down while touching the sea: Soviet submarine chaser MO-116 (ex-MO-123) approached the seaplane while under enemy air attack, captured 2 prisoners and sunk the seaplane with gunfire, other 4 crewmembers died (all declared MIA). The German fighter pilot was missing in action, while the barge delivered the cargo and passengers (10 new 122mm artillery guns and 60 artillerymen). Both Soviet fighters and boats claimed multiple German fighters shot-down, but the Bf-109 assigned to fighters.
12 June 1943
During a series of air raids in Motovka Bay to intercept a Soviet convoy of motorboats, German fighter Bf-109 (serial 14237, pilot killed) shot down by submarine chasers MO-131 and MO-136. MO-131 suffered damages during the attack (1 killed, 8 wounded), but no motorboat was lost that day.
18 June 1943
While attacking a group of Soviet motorboats in Motovka Bay, German fighter Fw-190 (serial 135488) crashed after accidentally touching the mast of motorboat OS-4. Another German Fw-190 (serial 135528) shot down by anti-aircraft fire from auxiliary patrol ship Priliv: other sources wrongly report it was shot-down by fire from motorboat Chelyuskinets but while attacked without success by three planes, she made no claims. Both German pilots died.
21 June 1943
Norwegian motorboat Foula (109 GTR) was sunk with gunfire by Soviet motor torpedo boat TK-13, while carrying cargo and personnel of the Luftwaffe after also being damaged by fire of German aircrafts. Boarding the motorboat, found a German (POW) and a Norwegian alive (both wounded), a second Norwegian picked from water but died of wounds and a third Norwegian was already dead onboard. Germans believed the boat was attempting to defect and intentionally attacked her, but apparently, she just had the engine broken and drifted in Soviet waters. The captured Norwegian however later not considered as a prisoner and joined the Norwegian partisans as radio operator, surviving also a subsequent German capture. It would likely be never clear if Norwegians attempted defection since beginning or maybe they exploited the incident.
5 July 1943
Soviet submarine M-106 was rammed and sunk by German submarine-chaser UJ-1217 on surface (previously the submarine was damaged with depth charges and forced to surface by the same unit together UJ-1206, UJ-1212 and UJ-1214). It was one of the 2 soviet submarines lost on surface due ramming by enemy ships (additionally to one sunk by submarine), and the only one in Arctic. Two months later the soviet submarine M-107 will take revenge on the loss of the brother, sinking the same UJ-1217 with torpedo. M-106 had scored no victory before the sinking.
18 August 1943
Soviet auxiliary patrol boats SKA-222 (ex-drifter Nokuyev) and SKA-211 (ex-drifter Tayfyn) successfully unloaded a cargo of shells when attacked while anchored at berth, in Eyna harbor in Motovka Bay. Gunners managed to lightly damage an Fw-190 (serial 2167, damage at 10%) during a first raid, but when both the ships left they faced a second heavy attack. SKA-222 sunk alongside motorboat PMB-61 (that was towing her after earlier damage), while SKA-211 suffered damages and grounded (other sources wrongly report lost). Soviet aircrafts attempted to defend the ships but failed and lost 4 “Hurricane” (2 pilots killed) and 3 Yak-1 fighters. Germans lost only one Bf-109 (serial 15597, pilot Christian Stolz MIA) shot down by patrol boats (or ground artillery according other source).
15 September 1943
Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-13 and TK-14 attacked the German merchant KT-3 (834 GRT) escorted by the MFPs F-196 and F-226. The merchant suffered a single bullet hit.
21 September 1943
German merchant Antje Fritzen (4330 GRT) was sunk by mines laid by MO-4 class submarine chasers on 11 February or the ones laid 6 April (can’t be said from which field). The last field of April was laid by MO-111, MO-113, MO-114, MO-121, MO-131 and MO-133. The ship sunk with a cargo of 742t of food, 361t rations, 2019t of concrete, 100t of ammunitions and 130t of building materials. Often incorrectly claimed as victim by Soviet motor torpedo boats, but they only observed the sinking even if TK-15 made a torpedo launch against the abandoned sinking ship but apparently without scoring hit.
8 December 1943
New mines are laid by submarine chasers MO-112, MO-113 and MO-131.
12 December 1943
On the new mines, was sunk the German patrol ship V-6106 (24 KIA). Sometimes she's wrongly listed as sunk in the following battle of 22 December.
22 December 1943
During a Soviet motor torpedo boats attack on an enemy convoy, TK-13 managed to torpedo and sunk the merchant Maria (200 GTR). TK-14 was sunk by gunfire of minesweeper M-365 or patrol ship V-6108 (both claimed a sinking) with 5 POWs captured by V-6115 (this patrol ship also collided with the TK-14), which took the prisoners.
Also TK-12 (commander wounded), TK-22 and TK-201 were damaged by gunfire, while Germans suffered casualties by machine guns fire on patrol ship V-6115 (1 KIA, 1 WIA) and minesweeper M-274 (7 WIA). Also on patrol ship NKI-10 there were 2 WIA due to accidental explosion.
19 January 1944
New mines are laid by submarine chasers MO-112, MO-113 and MO-131 in Varangerfjord.
25 January 1944
On the new mines laid on 19 January, was sunk the German tanker Mil (244 GRT).
9 April 1944
With 3 submarine chasers, 4 minesweepers and 6 patrol boats, Germans ambushed the group of Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-212, TK-213, TK-216 and TK-218. The first unit was sunk by submarine chaser UJ-1219. 2 POW
22 April 1944
Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-13 and TK-15 attacked a German convoy composed of merchants Paloma, Petropolis and tender Rau-7, escorted by minesweeping boats R-153, R-154, R-157, R-173, R-202 and R-223. Torpedoes missed the merchant Petropolis and return fire from the escort caused casualties on both TK-13 (1 WIA) and TK-15 (2 KIA, 2 WIA). Coastal artillery of both sides opened fire without scoring further hits.
29 April 1944
A pair of German MFP (armed landing motor-barges) was attacked by motor torpedo boats TK-211, TK-213, TK-215, TK-219, TK-220 and TK-221. F-295 received machine gun fire and there was a sailor wounded, the second unit was F-252.
7 May 1944
Norwegian motorboat Moder-2 (124 GTR) sunk after being set on fire by Soviet (ex-British) motor torpedo boats TK-215, TK-218, TK-219, that boarded and captured the enemy ship. 15 POWs, including the collaborationist Norwegian major of Vadso. All Norwegian prisoners returned after war, except one who joined the partisans and died in 1945.
8 May 1944
German ambushed, with patrol ships V-6101, V-6102, V-6107 and V-6108, the Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-217 and TK-209.
First ship was sunk by V-6107 (2 KIA, others were saved by TK-209), Germans had 5 wounded by machine guns, 2 sailors were wounded also on TK-209. The next day TK-209 exploded, quite clearly as result of the battle damage (3 KIA).
28 June 1944
German merchants Paloma and Nerissa escorted by 10 R-boats were attacked by Soviet MTBs. TK-239 manage to torpedo and sunk Nerissa (992 GTR), while R-160 and R-223 fired back but without hits. Merchant ship was empty
15 July 1944
A large engagement: a convoy attack done by 8 Soviet MTBs erupted in fierce fighting. At first it was damaged the Norwegian motorboat Rossfjord that fired back, she was carrying Germans on board but there are no data of losses when she was heavily damaged by TK-240, TK-242 and TK-243. Other units, TK-238, TK-239 and TK-241 met Hugin (124 GTR) (cargo of lumber) that was boarded by TK-239, got one POW, additionally to 2 KIA and 2 WIA, then it was heavily damaged with charges. The ship didn’t sunk but was not repaired and was then blow up in October by Germans. TK-239 was then attacked and hit by M-251, M-252 and M-31 but was finished by R-154 and R-202 (5 POW, 7 KIA), Germans suffered 1 WIA on R-154.
TK-238 was damaged (3 WIA) too, as TK-242 while on TK-243 there was a light wounded. Motorboat Storegga (41 GTR) with a cargo of ammunitions, was lost. Unlikely due to German friendly fire by R-boats because they were more distant, more likely by shelling of damaged TK-239 just before her sinking. Storegga (as Hugin) didn’t sunk but was beached and lost. Other sources claim Storegga as victim of TK-12 or TK-13.
The action was part of the "Combined Operation RV-6", but did not saw results obtained against this convoy by other crafts (airplanes, submarines etc...)
19 August 1944
Another big battle erupted with 14 Soviet attacking MTBs, 6 enemy merchants and 18 enemy escort ships.
Before the MTBs engagement, the soviet submarine M-201 attacked the convoy and managed to torpedo and sink the enemy patrol ship V-6112 Friese.
TK-219 managed to torpedo and sunk the merchant Colmar (3992 GTR), (cargo of 1500t of cement, 642 t of feed, 12 t of ammunition) , and the patrol ship V-6102 Köln was torpedoed and sunk by TK-215 and TK-222 suffering 20 KIA and 5 WIA. TK-215 received hit with one wounded.
German minesweeper M-202 managed to sunk TK-203 (9 pow, 6 KIA) while TK-206 and TK-214 hit with machine guns fire the patrol ship V-6104 (1 WIA).
Minesweeping boat R-151 got 12/15 machine guns hits in battle with no casualties by friendly fire and by TK-205 (she received hits too) after being taken by cross-fire. Also TK-204 received hits in battle (no casualties) and two more boats received this kind of machine guns hits.
22 August 1944
German submarine U-344 is usually reported as sunk by British aircrafts. There is still a possibility that was instead sunk by the Soviet destroyer Zguchyi (ex-American) the day after with depth charges. Only finding the wreck could shed lights on this event.
26 August 1944
German submarine U-957 sunk with gunfire the Soviet hydrographic ship Nord: the Soviet ship was armed but managed to fire only a single shell of 45mm that barely missed the submarine (18 KIA, 4 POW)
5 September 1944
German submarine U-362 attacked and sunk with depth charges by Soviet minesweeper T-116 (ex-American of Admirable class). U-362 is the only enemy submarine surely sunk by Soviets in Arctic with depth charges. The wreck explored by Soviet divers.
6 September 1944
On mines previously laid by the Soviet motor torpedo boats TK-172, TK-192, TK-213 and TK-214, was sunk the German minesweeping boat R-304.
14 September 1944
German minesweeper M-252 damaged by unexploded torpedo hit (by impact) when attacked by TK-211, TK-242 and TK-243. In the next gunfire exchange, TK-242 got machine guns 22 hits but no casualties while M-252 had 10 WIA by gunfire.
15 September 1944
Failed attempt to attack convoy by 6 Soviet motor torpedo boats. TK-13 (a veteran unit) was sunk by German R-boats (9 POW), there was another sailor wounded on TK-214 that got damage. No German casualties. A squadron of 15 Il-2 bombers attempted to give support but without effect.
25 September 1944
3 German patrol ships escorting the MFP F-152 were attacked by TK-202, TK-222, TK-242 or TK-208 and TK-240 (there were 2 groups attacking at same time). Patrol ship V-6101 sunk by torpedo with 34 KIA and 9 WIA. No damages on Soviet side by reaction fire.
For the first time in Arctic, the operation was successfully coordinated with Air Force: 33 fighter-bombers Il-2, 14 fighters Yak-9 and 24 ex-American fighters Kittyhawk attack the convoy: the F-152 hit and grounded as the V-6105. Also V-6110 and the just arrived (joined the convoy after the MTBs attack) minesweeping boat R-309 damaged. The MFP was also named D.152.P and used as floating workshop (some spare parts were also lost).
12 October 1944
3 Soviet TK attacked a convoy, the minesweeper M-303 was sunk with torpedo by TK-241 with 52 KIA, no damages on Soviets with reaction fire. The same group of Soviet motor torpedo boats, TK-230, TK-238, TK-241 and TK-246 apparently also torpedoed and sunk German merchant Capadose (135 GRT) (NOTE: this victory fully researched only since 2015! There are some discrepancies in descriptions and time of the clash, with scarce details on German documents but they include a description of a surface attack with defensive machineguns fire from the same small merchant before her sudden sinking after torpedo hit).
21 October 1944
6 Soviet motor torpedo boats attacked convoy, minesweeping boat R-311 was hit and heavily damaged by unexploded torpedo from TK-230 (boat towed to Vardo). Minesweeper M-31 torpedoed and sunk by TK-237 or TK-244. (56 KIA). TK-230 damaged by German reaction fire.
23 October 1944
A German seaplane BV-138 (3(F)/SAGr130, serial 0135) suffered troubles and landed on sea north of Morzhovets island: the seaplane sent distress signals and was located by Soviet seaplanes MBR-2 and the Soviet hydrographic vessel Mgla seized it: crew of 5 surrendered without resistance. Soviet destroyer Zhguchiy was dispatched to tow the seaplane away but due heavy storm took water and sunk (1 soviet died while attempting to prevent the sinking).
26 October 1944
Soviet Navy carried a heavy bombing attack against both the harbors of Vardo and Vadso. (The first one was already attacked in 1941 with British units). Soviet leader destroyer Baku lead the attack’s group, formed by the veteran destroyer Gremyashchyi and the ex-Pacific Fleet destroyers Razumnyi and Razyaryonnyi. They fired the large number of 597 shells of 130mm. Some damages were inflicted at Vardo including the Norwegian fishing boat Spurven (ext 45 GRT) destroyed. Previously reported as a drifter-boat, observed by the Soviets after the liberation of city, it is the only target destroyed related to action by Soviet destroyers in Arctic.
5 December 1944
Submarine U-387 was lightly damaged by light fire of 20mm at close range from destroyer Deyatelnyi (ex-American). Submarine was then sunk on the same mission.
9 December 1944
Soviet destroyer Zivuchyi (ex-American) rammed and damaged German submarine U-1163, forcing the submarine to return at base, the damage will block the u-boat for 2 months.
Soviets believed that Zivuchyi rammed and sunk U-387: this one is usually described by Western sources as victim of British corvette HMS Bamborough Castle. Has also been considered possible however that Soviet leader destroyer Baku and destroyer Derzkyi (ex-American) sunk the submarine with depth charges, however further recent analysis seems to confirm that they attacked U-318 causing light damage. Only recovering the wreck could give a definitive solution.
5 January 1945.
Germans attempted a propagandistic blow.
Submarines U-295, U-318 and U-716 carried each one two midget submarines of Biber class on the hull, the purpose was to torpedo and sunk in harbor the Soviet battleship Archangelsk (ex-British HMS Royal Sovereign). The mission however failed due to weather and unexpected vibrations that damaged all the six Biber submarines.
Hitler and the Kriegsmarine were obsessed with the Archangelsk: a number of plans to sink the battleship were attempted (apart the Biber's attack, also other submarines attempted to torpedo her with conventional attacks, but could not find her or were struck in anti-submarine nets).
Archangelsk saw not real war activity and the blow wanted to be purely propagandistic. The German plans were never realized and Archangelsk fired her only (blank) shots during the celebrations for the Victory Day.
16 January 1945
Often it's said that soviet destroyer Deyatelnyi (ex-American) was sunk by German submarine U-997 or U-956. The ship could be the only Soviet destroyer sunk by enemy submarine in action, however both the claims have poor explanations. The first submarine wasn't on mission (previous campaign concluded on 29 December, next one starts only on 22 February), second submarine, that has an uncompleted war diary, report an attack on convoy on 12 January with explosion, but the destroyer sunk on day 16.
It's probable that Deyatelnyi was sunk by accidental detonation of depth charges while attacking the same submarine: the 7 survivors were on the bow and reported an huge explosion on stern, on the Deyatelnyi had just made a general alarm for submarine presence and was going to launch the depth charges. The explosion on stern gives credit to the hypothesis that one of the first charges was accidentally detonated on the ship, blowing up the others.
20 January 1945
Soviet destroyer Razyaryonnyi torpedoed and badly damaged by submarine U-293. It's the most important Soviet warship confirmed hit by an enemy submarine (after her (by importance) there was the torpedo boat Storm, torpedoed and damaged in Black Sea).
20 March 1945
German submarine U-997 was damaged by depth charges of Soviet torpedo boat Smerch (Uragan class) with support of some submarine chasers (possibly BO-131, BO-133, BO-135 and BO-136). Damage was light, but submarine was forced to return at base.
5 April 1945
German submarine U-716 was attempting to torpedo the Soviet merchant Kirov (ex-American of the mass-built Liberty class), but suffered a small collision with one of the three escorting destroyers: Karl Liebknecht, Uritskyi or Druznyi (this one was ex-American). The collision was little (actually it was just a little contact with the submarine's periscope) and not noticed by the destroyer, but the periscope of the submarine was damaged and the U-716 was forced to return to base.
22 April 1945
Soviet destroyer Karl Liebknecht attacked with gunfire German submarine U-997 that got damages at periscope, and was forced to return at the base. Soviets believed to have sunk the submarine U-286, but she possibly sunk by British frigates HMS Loch Insh, HMS Anguilla and HMS Cotton on 29 April. It is also possible that U-286 was sunk by mines laid by British minelayer HMS Apollo and British destroyers HMS Obedient, HMS Opportune and HMS Orwell before April 29 (submarine had to communicate back before such date), and there is also the possibility that it was sunk by Soviet destroyer Zarkyi (ex-American) shortly after the attack of Karl Liebknecht. Only the recovery of the wreck could explain the cause of sinking.
On the same day, U-294 was damaged with depth charges by the same destroyer Karl Liebknecht and/or shortly after by destroyer Derzkyi (ex-American) and submarine chaser BO-131. Submarine suffers a number of damages and is forced to return.
The Karl Liebknecht was the only Soviet destroyer to have caused the damage of three different enemy submarines during the war (even if including shared successes).
Last edited by lupodimare89 on 24 Dec 2022, 20:09, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
VOLGA RIVER / CASPIAN SEA:
NOTE: Information for these sections are scarce, fragmented and poorly described in Soviet/Russian literature compered to activity of the main Fleets. Enemy never operated in these waters (except for the Iranian Navy and the never-realized plans to operate Italian MAS boats in Caspian Sea).
The large entry on 27/August and the following one for Late July were not present in the latest-uploaded version on the Soviet-empire forum!
27 August 1941
The Soviet Caspian Flotilla reached Bandar-Pehlevi harbor to land troops, in coordination with the Red Army offensive in the northern Iran.
Exact composition of the Soviet task force is unclear, but the most notable warships included gunboat Krasnyy Azerbaydzhan and the three old torpedo boats Markin, Bakinskiy Rabochiy and Sovetskiy Dagestan.
Reports of a raid by Iranian fighter-bombers remain unclear and with poor details: few bombs dropped without effect and planes fled. While modern-day Iranian sources claim resistance with ground artillery, by Soviet account their firing was short-lived and three volleys from the warships was enough to convince the enemy to give-up resistance.
The actual Iranian Caspian Flotilla was weak and made no resistance: a motorboat sailed close the Soviet units with a white flag to surrender.
Ships surrendered included: relatively modern patrol boats Azerbaijan, Gilani and Mazandaran, auxiliary gunboats Ramsar and Nowshahr, small motor crafts n°1 and n°2, royal ship Shahsavar, one anti-fire ship and transport ship Nahrang (70tons). The Soviet Navy would temporarily integrate the three patrol boats (renaming them SKA-1, SKA-2 and SKA-3), returned to Iran in 1946. However the transport ship Nahrang was never returned, because originally was a Russian vessel, as well as civilian tugs Almas, Mashalak, one floating crane and one auxiliary boat attached to dredger Mazandaran (the dredger was returned).
Late July 1942
Starting on 27 July, the Soviet Volga’s ships begun claiming shooting down enemy aircrafts during the prolonged Battle of Stalingrad. The activity of small gunboat BK-33 is remembered (a 1125-class gunboat, with a modified 76mm anti-aircraft armament) with a first claim followed by a second one on 29 July.
A first enemy loss is confirmed on day 30 July, with a bomber He-111 (KG-55. Pilot Walter John(?) and crew KIA) crashed by river craft’s fire: it’s possible that it was related to BK-33’s anti-aircraft activity or maybe some other boat.
31 October 1942
Soviet submarine chaser Minyor claimed to have shot down an attacking Ju-88 bomber.
There is no recorded Luftwaffe loss for that type of aircraft, however Germans reported a bomber He-111 (I./KG100, serial n°7429, crew MIA) as missing between 31 Oct/1 Nov on Caspian Sea. It appears possible that the submarine chaser confused the type of aircrafts (or later Soviet literature made the mistake).
The Kriegsmarine and the Heer (German Army) never operated in the Volga River during the conflict.
However, the Luftwaffe airdropped naval mines on the river, inflicting some losses at the supply boats and barges directed to Stalingrad and the escort units. The largest and most notable losses include the riverine gunboats Krasnyy Dagestan and Krasnogvardeets, respectively lost on 17 and 26 May 1943.
While other units were lost by German mines (and many more due constant German air attack), it is worth to remember that among the auxiliary minesweepers working to sweep and clean the river from mines there was the reportedly all-women crewed T-611.
The Soviet Union pioneered the presence of women on ships during the ‘30s including the first women appointed as captains of civilian ships. During the War, some women captained merchants taking part at the Arctic convoys with much surprise of the Allied western press.
While the naval operations in Volga to support the Red Army at Stalingrad saw no engagements against enemy forces, its strategic importance was a invaluable despite the large losses suffered by German air attacks and directly contributed to prolonging the city’s resistance and ultimately leading to the victory.
20 June 1943
A German He-111 bomber (1./KG100, with onboard the group’s commander, Major Paul Klaas) shot down by anti-aircraft gunfire from gunboat Lenin. All 4 onboard were found on a rubber-boat and captured by Soviet fishing boats (group’s commander killed while making resistance to the fishermen).
It is also possible the bomber was hit by defensive fire from tanker Krest’yanin (5220 GRT) (at the time loaded with 6000tons of aviation fuel).
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MANCHURIA
NOTE: An essential source for the Far East and Manchuria operations is author K.B.Strelbitskiy, the work further refined and corrected by modern author Alexander Shirkorad.
The two incidents (scarce details) occurred in 1942 and 1943 not original included in the past uploaded page on Soviet-empire forum!
Unclear date – spring of 1935
A first incident occurred during the years of border conflict between Soviet Union and Japanese Empire.
A Japanese boat carrying soldiers moved between Poyarkovo and Konstantinovka islands in Amur River, with support of artillery shelling.
Soviets dispatched the guard boat Otvazhnyy, opening fire with support of border guards.
During the action, the Otvazhnyy suffered a direct hit (probably by ground artillery) with damage, and the captain wounded, however soon patrol vessels arrived in reinforcement and in the end the Japanese boat was seized (reportedly up 150 prisoners).
It is worth to remember that during these years both sides seized vessels, but these appears to be mostly river-police operations rather than naval engagements). However many other skirmishes occurred, the most bloody on the Kanchazu Island and Dongan incidents.
30 June 1937
Kanchazu Island incident
In Amur River, Soviet gunboats BK-72, BK-74 and the Border-Guard patrol boat n°308 come under fire by Japanese ground artillery, sinking BK-72. Patrol boat n°308 received only bullets hits. Commander of BK-72 and other 4 crewmembers KIA (including one drawn while swimming away from the wreck), and 6 WIA among the 11 survivors. Western claim of Soviet suffering “37 killed” completely mistaken and straight from Japanese propaganda (moreover the lost boat was part of the older “K” class and not a 1124-class gunboat as widely reported!).
Some sources said BK-72 recovered by Soviets, but really, Japanese raised her. It is unclear if she saw service or eventually scrapped.
28 May 1939
Dongan Incident
Since the previous day, the Soviet Border Guards heavily confronted Manchurian forces around a small island on the Ussuri River. Manchurian forces landed 80 troops on Soviet-controlled small islands but they took casualties and retreated. Among the losses, there was the Japanese commander of the landing party and the commander of patrol boat En Min. Border Guards concentrated machinegun-fire on the boats, crippling the riverine patrol boat En Min that grounded on the Manchurian side of the river (total loss). The larger Ji Min suffered heavy damages too: a Border Guard KM-type patrol boat took her in tow while covered by two BK gunboats of the Amur Flotilla. Ji Min did not enter service because of her bad state.
Contrary to most reported sources, the captured boat wasn’t the 15-tons “Yi Min” (of On Min class, and sister ship of En Min), but a slightly larger 25-tons variant.
May 1942
Soviet aircrafts reportedly strafed two Manchurian patrol boats in Khanka Lake. Scarce details of this incident
30 September 1943
Two Manchurian patrol boats had a skirmish with at least one Soviet guard boat in Srednyaya channel.
SOVIET-JAPANESE WAR (1945)
9 August 1945
Soviet gunboat BK-63 intercepted and captured a riverine ferry close Saratovka in Amur River. There were 79 prisoners
On the same day, the Soviet patrol boat KM-113 intercepted another riverine ferry in Amur River. This time occurred the only direct engagement between ships with Soviet suffering from enemy fire: KM-113 received damage with 13 bullet holes. However, the ferry surrendered after the fight, with 26 prisoners.
On the same day, Soviet gunboats BK-61 and BK-62 intercepted and captured another riverine ferry close Sindunya in Amur River. There were 117 prisoners.
On the same day, Soviet gunboat BK-64 captured a police-boat close Bibikov in Amur River (6 POW).
On the same day, during the landing at Fuyan (in Amur River) Soviet gunboats BK-13, BK-21, BK-22 and BK-24 (all 1124) seized a motorboat. Interestingly, these gunboats had rocket-launchers on deck and used them against the Japanese defense.
On the same day, Soviet patrol boats of the Border Guard, sunk two steamers and seized another steamer and four barges in the Amur River, close Huma.
10 August 1945
Raid in Sakhalyansky harbor
Soviet gunboats BK-45, BK-46, BK-55, BK-56 (of 1124 class) and BK-71, BK-73, BK-74 and BK-75 (all unique “K” class gunboats) and other unidentified units sunk 2 police-boats and 4 cargo scows moored at Sakhalyansky in Amur River during an aggressive riverine assault on the small harbor. BK-74 suffered minor damage by ground fire from Japanese troops. Other sources apparently increase the number of police-boats sunk from 2 to 6 by mistake.
In addition, the steamer Shao Sin (no detail known, except power of steam engine of 200hp) alongside 16 to 20 different boats (up to 20tons each) captured. Some sources describe these seizures as successes for the Soviet gunboats, but it appears seizures achieved by disembarked troops.
On the same day a barge (alternatively described as a cargo scow) captured by still unidentified Soviet gunboat, close Manchzhoutune in Amur River.
On the same day, a tug with a barge captured by still unidentified Soviet boats close Raohe in Ussuri River.
Unclear who seized them: possibly gunboats BK-31, BK-32, BK-33 and BK-34 (all 1125class) but other Soviet vessels involved in Raohe operation, including larger riverine gunboats).
On the same day, Soviet gunboats BK-28, BK-29 and 2 patrol boats (RPK type of the Border Guard) sunk the Manchurian riverine patrol boats Shun Tsu (formerly the Far-Eastern soviet gunboat Bars sunk by storm on 22 October 1922), Shuan An and Shuan Kai, in addition to 11 fishing boats, in Lake Khanka. Previously the Manchurians abandoned and partially scuttled the first two guard-boats and intentionally grounded the third vessel; still considered victories/destructions of enemy combatants.
11 August 1945
Soviet reports the capture of a police-boat and 18 small landing crafts close Fujin (Sungari River).
Currently unclear if seizures achieved by Soviet boats or by ground troops.
Between 12 and 13 August 1945
More than 50 small landing crafts (exact number not reported) captured in Lake Khanka by local Soviet patrol boats. Unclear but likely the seizures actually involved disembarked troops.
15 August 1945
Two still unidentified Soviet gunboats captured a police-boat in Lake Khanka.
A group of unidentified Soviet gunboats captured the Manchurian small gunboat Hai Yuang in Sungari River, close Jiamusi. Soviet sources identified her just with hull-number (n°203). Navigation maps for the river seized onboard the vessel.
18 August 1945
Unidentified Soviet gunboats sunk an armed ship and 3 barges in Sungari River, at Sanxin.
According Soviet sources, the armed ship (steamer) opened fire against Soviet vessels while attempting to flee from Sanxin, but shelled and sunk by Soviet fire. This poorly-described incident seems to be the most significant naval fighting occurred in the region. Also one passenger ship, 6 tugs, 2 dredgers and 19 barges captured. (Note: another Soviet source indicate 5 tugs seized rather than 6, and no barge sunk by soviet fire; the passenger ship seized also described simply as a steamer).
OCEAN PACIFIC/ FAR EAST
The brief mention of the incidents between 1939 and 1940 was not originally included in the past uploaded page on Soviet-empire forum!
Similarly to the border conflict occurred on river area during the pre-war years, a number of incidents occurred between Soviet Union and Japan: these resulted often in seizures of fishing boats or even merchants, but all these incidents can be classified as board-guard operations and often resulted in fines and restitution of ships.
5 September 1937
Soviet patrol boats n°112 and n°125 of the NKVD seized the Japanese schooner Asakadze Maru (300 tons): while inspecting the vessel they found (differently from previous border accident with genuine fishing boats) weapons, ammunition and communication spy devices. She was indeed a spy-ship that operated close Soviet waters at least since 1936 (onboard were found photos of Soviet ships took that year). 16 POWs (including 3 Koreans).
24(?) July 1938
Two Soviet patrol boats intercepted and seized another Japanese spy-ship schooner, the Hokuyo Maru. Once again, weapons and radio devices found onboard.
Summer 1938
On unspecified data, according some Soviet sources, the Soviet submarine ShCh-102 intercepted a Japanese vessel, apparently a fishing vessel, but onboard were found naval mines, leading to the seizure of the vessel. Modern Russian sources found no further information about this alleged event and it remains unconfirmed.
Between 1939 and 1940 there were numerous incidents with seizure of fishing vessels. Warships on both side (Japanese cruiser Yubari and destroyer Minekaze, Soviet guard-ship Dzerzhinsky) took direct involvement, even if there was no serious consequences or exchange of gunfire.
SOVIET-JAPANESE WAR (1945)
9 August 1945
Japanese sources speak about a gunfire destroying the Japanese merchant Ikutsu Maru (1398 GRT), but actually no Soviet warship or motor torpedo boat attack was carried that day, it’s probably a mistake and ship was sunk by air attack. Name also reported “Ibiza Go Maru” or “Ikutsu Go Maru” is wrong.
Between 9 and 10 August 1945
Two soviet motor torpedo (Vosper class) boats seized a fishing boat (schooner) and took 3 POW (Korean sailors). Schooner was sunk or abandoned on sea and lost.
10 August 1945
Japanese merchant Riuko Maru n°2 (2230 GRT)(cargo of 2500 tons of fish) was seized close Kamchatka (near mouth of river Vorovskaya) by soviet patrol boats. A large number of fishing trawlers (59!) that previously had been allowed to fish in such waters, was also seized/captured but by infantry (there was a total amount of 405 POW, including 58 on Riuko Maru n°2).
On the same day, 3 Motor torpedo boats attacked Rajin (today Rason) claiming 3-4 victories: the wreck of Japanese merchant Ikutso Maru (1398 GRT)(cargo of 1500tons of broomcorn) was wrongly believed to be also torpedoed by them. Now it is confirmed they scored one victory: Japanese merchant Kari Go (3111 GRT) torpedoed and sunk (Japanese wrongly believed sunk by aircraft). Victory scored by TK-534, TK-573 ( both G-5 class) and TK-562 (A-1 class).
On the same day, motor torpedo boats TK-566, TK-567, TK-570, TK-580 and TK-587 (all Vosper type) made an attack against Seisin (today Chonjin): 11 torpedoes launched and claimed up 6 targets hit. Actually, there was a single success: Japanese merchant Taishun Maru (2857 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk later while on towing. Japanese believed to have been a submarine attack.
11 August 1945
Largest Soviet motor torpedo boat attack against Rajin (today Rason).
At first, TK-549 and TK-550 attacked the harbor and launched four torpedoes: the Japanese merchants Enpo Maru (6873 GRT), Edamitsu Maru (6872 GRT) and Tensho Maru (3035 GRT) were hit. All the targets previously damaged by Soviet aircrafts but were still floating while abandoned by crew. Some hours later other 6 motor torpedo boats attacked: TK-563 scored two further hits on Edamitsu Maru and Enpo Maru while TK-568 finished Tensho Maru.
12 August 1945
Japanese merchant Hozugawa Maru (875 GRT)(cargo of graphite), believed to be under repetitive attack by 3 enemy submarines and was grounded close Seisin to evade the supposed attack. Actually there was a group of 4 Soviet motor torpedo boats but the Soviets did not notice the merchant that still was lost as consequence. The wreck was subjected to attack by TK-589 on 13 August (torpedo hit), and on 15 August (by TK-567 and TK-587, missing her). The ships has also been previously damaged by air attack on 9 August.
On that same day, the Japanese merchant Tsushima Maru (3516 GRT) was often reported as victim of attack but she was actually missed by TK-597, torpedo hit the pier (ship was later scuttled to evade capture the next day). Once again Japanese believed a submarine attack.
14 August 1945
A friendly fire incident occurred close Seisin, because of thick fog conditions. Soviet torpedo boat Vyuga and submarine chaser BO-307 opened fire against BO-306 (misidentified for assumed Japanese vessel): she received damages (6 KIA, 10 WIA).
15 August 1945
Soviet torpedo boat Vyuga operating close Seisin, claimed to have shot down a Japanese Nakajima Ki-97 fighter. So far, there is no confirmation for this claim.
16 August 1945
Soviet torpedo boat Metel sunk with 102mm gunfire a Japanese motor schooner, loaded with troops, close Seisin (today Chonjin). It’s the only full destruction of enemy naval target recorded for a Soviet torpedo boat during the ww2 (even if Uragan-class was classified as “Guard Ships” Soviets). It’s also the only full victory achieved by a major soviet warship (cruisers/destroyers/torpedo boats) in Far East. (Other Japanese units were captured that day at Seisin, but were seized by naval infantry, not by specific soviet ships).
18 August 1945
Battle of Shumshu
During the landing of Shumshu, the soviet self-propelled barge n°1 hit and damaged reportedly by a Japanese floating battery. All 3 soviet crewmember wounded and 18 carried soldiers were killed. It was the only naval clash with a Soviet vessel suffering damage by enemy gunfire action in Pacific.
It is possible the barge actually shelled by the Japanese battery placed into the ex-Soviet tanker Mariupol (7024GRT) that grounded on 14 November 1943. Soviet frigate Kirov shelled the grounded Mariupol setting it afire and suppressing the battery. The ship was effectively used as a stationary naval battery and quite well-armed: including one 102mm and one 76mm guns and additional Japanese anti-aircraft guns.
The proper amphibious landing on the island was costly for the soviets: five landing ex-American landing ships (DS-1, DS-5, DS-9, DS-43 and DS-47)( sources mentioning other losses are mistaken) lost due Japanese ground artillery, but after difficulties a beachhead was established. Soviet coastal artillery, naval gunfire (directed by minelayer Okhotsk) and air support begun to extinguish the Japanese resistance.
The few Japanese available aircrafts attacked the Soviet ships engaged in the operation: a group of 3 torpedo bomber Nakajima B5N and 3 Nakajima Ki-43 fighters attacked all with light bombs and inflicted light damages to the Soviet frigate Kirov (2 WIA).
Another pair of aircrafts made a separate attack: a torpedo bomber Nakajima B5N (pilot Araya and other 2 KIA) armed with bombs and a fighter Nakajima Ki-43 attacked the Soviet minesweeper T-525. The torpedo-bomber shot down by the anti-aircraft fire from minesweeper without inflicting damages (Soviets wrongly claimed 2 planes shot down): Japanese claimed for long time the torpedo bomber inflicted exaggerated losses: sinking alone 2 patrol ships before crashing on a “Kamikaze” suicide attack on a “destroyer (no actual destroyer took part at operations!).
Some sources claim the Soviet auxiliary minesweeper T-152 fell victim of a “Kamikaze” strike, but there is no actual document or report describing her loss for such reason nor actual Japanese claim on her.
In addition, the large Soviet tanker Taganrog (10448 GRT) (ex-American USNS Cedar Creek) shot down close Shumshu Island the Japanese seaplane Nakajima A6M2-N (901st Naval Air Corps; pilot Shotsuka Ryoji KIA). Soviet sources misidentified it as a twin-engine bomber. The pilot departed without order on personal initiative for a suicide “Kamikaze” mission, remains of the plane recovered by the ship.
19 August 1945
Close Maoka (today Kholmsk at Shakalin), the Soviet patrol boat PK-31 (MO-4 class, manned by NKVD), destroyed with 45mm gunfire a Japanese schooner.
On the same day, in Maoka harbor, the soviet troop transport Izmail captured a schooner and two barges. The soviet troop transport Vsevolod Sibircev captured five small landing crafts (17-meters Toku Daihatsu series). (Other units captured that day, but were seized by naval infantry).
During the landing in Maoka a friendly fire incident occurred: patrol boat PK-35 accidentally grounded and fought with her artillery against Japanese troops. Soviet torpedo boat Zarnitsa saw the bursts of shots and believed it was Japanese artillery from shore: she scored two hits on PK-35 (6 WIA), before the friendly fire attack stopped. Soviet submarine chaser BO-302 towed PK-35 to safety.
20 August 1945
Soviet torpedo boat Metel recovered the abandoned Japanese tanker Horai Maru n°14 (834 GRT)(no cargo). The ship has been previously damaged by Soviet aircraft and then grounded on 10 August in Panova Bay. Even if the ship has been abandoned and classified as lost, the recovery was part of the reason of the Guards award to the torpedo boat.
According other source, the merchant seized was Matsuura Maru (3185 GRT) that was grounded on 30 July.
On the same day, at Shumshu Island, the Soviet minelayer Okhotsk and patrol ship Kirov repelled enemy air attack. With the defeat of Japanese forces into the island (22 August), five fighter planes and one torpedo bomber seized by ground forces. The torpedo bomber Nakajima B5N was in damaged conditions, apparently as result of the attack against minelayer Okhotsk on 20 August due ship’s anti-aircraft fire. Okhotsk also suffered some damage with 3 KIA and 13 WIA, while also Kirov lightly damaged without casualties. A Soviet “Aircobra” fighter also shot-down (pilot rescued).
22 August 1945
Unidentified soviet motor torpedo boats captured two auxiliary minesweepers (schooners converted for that purpose) attempting to flee Genzan (today Wonsan). The Soviet Navy identified the vessels simply as schooners, without realizing their military nature (effectively they were simple harmless schooners, in appearance).
Naval infantry seized other units.
23 August 1945
Soviet landing ship DS-2 (former American LCI class) captured a barge, during landing operations in Kurili islands.
24 August 1945
Soviet auxiliary minesweeper T-155 captured a schooner in Kurili islands.
28 August 1945
Soviet minesweepers T-589 and T-590 anchored in Rubetsu Bay at Etorofu (Iturup) Island: reconnaissance groups of sailors seized five self-propelled barges (later used for amphibious landing).
31 August 1945
Soviet minesweeper T-590 departing from Rubetsu Bay to land troops at Kunashiri Island captured a Japanese schooner.
NOTE: Information for these sections are scarce, fragmented and poorly described in Soviet/Russian literature compered to activity of the main Fleets. Enemy never operated in these waters (except for the Iranian Navy and the never-realized plans to operate Italian MAS boats in Caspian Sea).
The large entry on 27/August and the following one for Late July were not present in the latest-uploaded version on the Soviet-empire forum!
27 August 1941
The Soviet Caspian Flotilla reached Bandar-Pehlevi harbor to land troops, in coordination with the Red Army offensive in the northern Iran.
Exact composition of the Soviet task force is unclear, but the most notable warships included gunboat Krasnyy Azerbaydzhan and the three old torpedo boats Markin, Bakinskiy Rabochiy and Sovetskiy Dagestan.
Reports of a raid by Iranian fighter-bombers remain unclear and with poor details: few bombs dropped without effect and planes fled. While modern-day Iranian sources claim resistance with ground artillery, by Soviet account their firing was short-lived and three volleys from the warships was enough to convince the enemy to give-up resistance.
The actual Iranian Caspian Flotilla was weak and made no resistance: a motorboat sailed close the Soviet units with a white flag to surrender.
Ships surrendered included: relatively modern patrol boats Azerbaijan, Gilani and Mazandaran, auxiliary gunboats Ramsar and Nowshahr, small motor crafts n°1 and n°2, royal ship Shahsavar, one anti-fire ship and transport ship Nahrang (70tons). The Soviet Navy would temporarily integrate the three patrol boats (renaming them SKA-1, SKA-2 and SKA-3), returned to Iran in 1946. However the transport ship Nahrang was never returned, because originally was a Russian vessel, as well as civilian tugs Almas, Mashalak, one floating crane and one auxiliary boat attached to dredger Mazandaran (the dredger was returned).
Late July 1942
Starting on 27 July, the Soviet Volga’s ships begun claiming shooting down enemy aircrafts during the prolonged Battle of Stalingrad. The activity of small gunboat BK-33 is remembered (a 1125-class gunboat, with a modified 76mm anti-aircraft armament) with a first claim followed by a second one on 29 July.
A first enemy loss is confirmed on day 30 July, with a bomber He-111 (KG-55. Pilot Walter John(?) and crew KIA) crashed by river craft’s fire: it’s possible that it was related to BK-33’s anti-aircraft activity or maybe some other boat.
31 October 1942
Soviet submarine chaser Minyor claimed to have shot down an attacking Ju-88 bomber.
There is no recorded Luftwaffe loss for that type of aircraft, however Germans reported a bomber He-111 (I./KG100, serial n°7429, crew MIA) as missing between 31 Oct/1 Nov on Caspian Sea. It appears possible that the submarine chaser confused the type of aircrafts (or later Soviet literature made the mistake).
The Kriegsmarine and the Heer (German Army) never operated in the Volga River during the conflict.
However, the Luftwaffe airdropped naval mines on the river, inflicting some losses at the supply boats and barges directed to Stalingrad and the escort units. The largest and most notable losses include the riverine gunboats Krasnyy Dagestan and Krasnogvardeets, respectively lost on 17 and 26 May 1943.
While other units were lost by German mines (and many more due constant German air attack), it is worth to remember that among the auxiliary minesweepers working to sweep and clean the river from mines there was the reportedly all-women crewed T-611.
The Soviet Union pioneered the presence of women on ships during the ‘30s including the first women appointed as captains of civilian ships. During the War, some women captained merchants taking part at the Arctic convoys with much surprise of the Allied western press.
While the naval operations in Volga to support the Red Army at Stalingrad saw no engagements against enemy forces, its strategic importance was a invaluable despite the large losses suffered by German air attacks and directly contributed to prolonging the city’s resistance and ultimately leading to the victory.
20 June 1943
A German He-111 bomber (1./KG100, with onboard the group’s commander, Major Paul Klaas) shot down by anti-aircraft gunfire from gunboat Lenin. All 4 onboard were found on a rubber-boat and captured by Soviet fishing boats (group’s commander killed while making resistance to the fishermen).
It is also possible the bomber was hit by defensive fire from tanker Krest’yanin (5220 GRT) (at the time loaded with 6000tons of aviation fuel).
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MANCHURIA
NOTE: An essential source for the Far East and Manchuria operations is author K.B.Strelbitskiy, the work further refined and corrected by modern author Alexander Shirkorad.
The two incidents (scarce details) occurred in 1942 and 1943 not original included in the past uploaded page on Soviet-empire forum!
Unclear date – spring of 1935
A first incident occurred during the years of border conflict between Soviet Union and Japanese Empire.
A Japanese boat carrying soldiers moved between Poyarkovo and Konstantinovka islands in Amur River, with support of artillery shelling.
Soviets dispatched the guard boat Otvazhnyy, opening fire with support of border guards.
During the action, the Otvazhnyy suffered a direct hit (probably by ground artillery) with damage, and the captain wounded, however soon patrol vessels arrived in reinforcement and in the end the Japanese boat was seized (reportedly up 150 prisoners).
It is worth to remember that during these years both sides seized vessels, but these appears to be mostly river-police operations rather than naval engagements). However many other skirmishes occurred, the most bloody on the Kanchazu Island and Dongan incidents.
30 June 1937
Kanchazu Island incident
In Amur River, Soviet gunboats BK-72, BK-74 and the Border-Guard patrol boat n°308 come under fire by Japanese ground artillery, sinking BK-72. Patrol boat n°308 received only bullets hits. Commander of BK-72 and other 4 crewmembers KIA (including one drawn while swimming away from the wreck), and 6 WIA among the 11 survivors. Western claim of Soviet suffering “37 killed” completely mistaken and straight from Japanese propaganda (moreover the lost boat was part of the older “K” class and not a 1124-class gunboat as widely reported!).
Some sources said BK-72 recovered by Soviets, but really, Japanese raised her. It is unclear if she saw service or eventually scrapped.
28 May 1939
Dongan Incident
Since the previous day, the Soviet Border Guards heavily confronted Manchurian forces around a small island on the Ussuri River. Manchurian forces landed 80 troops on Soviet-controlled small islands but they took casualties and retreated. Among the losses, there was the Japanese commander of the landing party and the commander of patrol boat En Min. Border Guards concentrated machinegun-fire on the boats, crippling the riverine patrol boat En Min that grounded on the Manchurian side of the river (total loss). The larger Ji Min suffered heavy damages too: a Border Guard KM-type patrol boat took her in tow while covered by two BK gunboats of the Amur Flotilla. Ji Min did not enter service because of her bad state.
Contrary to most reported sources, the captured boat wasn’t the 15-tons “Yi Min” (of On Min class, and sister ship of En Min), but a slightly larger 25-tons variant.
May 1942
Soviet aircrafts reportedly strafed two Manchurian patrol boats in Khanka Lake. Scarce details of this incident
30 September 1943
Two Manchurian patrol boats had a skirmish with at least one Soviet guard boat in Srednyaya channel.
SOVIET-JAPANESE WAR (1945)
9 August 1945
Soviet gunboat BK-63 intercepted and captured a riverine ferry close Saratovka in Amur River. There were 79 prisoners
On the same day, the Soviet patrol boat KM-113 intercepted another riverine ferry in Amur River. This time occurred the only direct engagement between ships with Soviet suffering from enemy fire: KM-113 received damage with 13 bullet holes. However, the ferry surrendered after the fight, with 26 prisoners.
On the same day, Soviet gunboats BK-61 and BK-62 intercepted and captured another riverine ferry close Sindunya in Amur River. There were 117 prisoners.
On the same day, Soviet gunboat BK-64 captured a police-boat close Bibikov in Amur River (6 POW).
On the same day, during the landing at Fuyan (in Amur River) Soviet gunboats BK-13, BK-21, BK-22 and BK-24 (all 1124) seized a motorboat. Interestingly, these gunboats had rocket-launchers on deck and used them against the Japanese defense.
On the same day, Soviet patrol boats of the Border Guard, sunk two steamers and seized another steamer and four barges in the Amur River, close Huma.
10 August 1945
Raid in Sakhalyansky harbor
Soviet gunboats BK-45, BK-46, BK-55, BK-56 (of 1124 class) and BK-71, BK-73, BK-74 and BK-75 (all unique “K” class gunboats) and other unidentified units sunk 2 police-boats and 4 cargo scows moored at Sakhalyansky in Amur River during an aggressive riverine assault on the small harbor. BK-74 suffered minor damage by ground fire from Japanese troops. Other sources apparently increase the number of police-boats sunk from 2 to 6 by mistake.
In addition, the steamer Shao Sin (no detail known, except power of steam engine of 200hp) alongside 16 to 20 different boats (up to 20tons each) captured. Some sources describe these seizures as successes for the Soviet gunboats, but it appears seizures achieved by disembarked troops.
On the same day a barge (alternatively described as a cargo scow) captured by still unidentified Soviet gunboat, close Manchzhoutune in Amur River.
On the same day, a tug with a barge captured by still unidentified Soviet boats close Raohe in Ussuri River.
Unclear who seized them: possibly gunboats BK-31, BK-32, BK-33 and BK-34 (all 1125class) but other Soviet vessels involved in Raohe operation, including larger riverine gunboats).
On the same day, Soviet gunboats BK-28, BK-29 and 2 patrol boats (RPK type of the Border Guard) sunk the Manchurian riverine patrol boats Shun Tsu (formerly the Far-Eastern soviet gunboat Bars sunk by storm on 22 October 1922), Shuan An and Shuan Kai, in addition to 11 fishing boats, in Lake Khanka. Previously the Manchurians abandoned and partially scuttled the first two guard-boats and intentionally grounded the third vessel; still considered victories/destructions of enemy combatants.
11 August 1945
Soviet reports the capture of a police-boat and 18 small landing crafts close Fujin (Sungari River).
Currently unclear if seizures achieved by Soviet boats or by ground troops.
Between 12 and 13 August 1945
More than 50 small landing crafts (exact number not reported) captured in Lake Khanka by local Soviet patrol boats. Unclear but likely the seizures actually involved disembarked troops.
15 August 1945
Two still unidentified Soviet gunboats captured a police-boat in Lake Khanka.
A group of unidentified Soviet gunboats captured the Manchurian small gunboat Hai Yuang in Sungari River, close Jiamusi. Soviet sources identified her just with hull-number (n°203). Navigation maps for the river seized onboard the vessel.
18 August 1945
Unidentified Soviet gunboats sunk an armed ship and 3 barges in Sungari River, at Sanxin.
According Soviet sources, the armed ship (steamer) opened fire against Soviet vessels while attempting to flee from Sanxin, but shelled and sunk by Soviet fire. This poorly-described incident seems to be the most significant naval fighting occurred in the region. Also one passenger ship, 6 tugs, 2 dredgers and 19 barges captured. (Note: another Soviet source indicate 5 tugs seized rather than 6, and no barge sunk by soviet fire; the passenger ship seized also described simply as a steamer).
OCEAN PACIFIC/ FAR EAST
The brief mention of the incidents between 1939 and 1940 was not originally included in the past uploaded page on Soviet-empire forum!
Similarly to the border conflict occurred on river area during the pre-war years, a number of incidents occurred between Soviet Union and Japan: these resulted often in seizures of fishing boats or even merchants, but all these incidents can be classified as board-guard operations and often resulted in fines and restitution of ships.
5 September 1937
Soviet patrol boats n°112 and n°125 of the NKVD seized the Japanese schooner Asakadze Maru (300 tons): while inspecting the vessel they found (differently from previous border accident with genuine fishing boats) weapons, ammunition and communication spy devices. She was indeed a spy-ship that operated close Soviet waters at least since 1936 (onboard were found photos of Soviet ships took that year). 16 POWs (including 3 Koreans).
24(?) July 1938
Two Soviet patrol boats intercepted and seized another Japanese spy-ship schooner, the Hokuyo Maru. Once again, weapons and radio devices found onboard.
Summer 1938
On unspecified data, according some Soviet sources, the Soviet submarine ShCh-102 intercepted a Japanese vessel, apparently a fishing vessel, but onboard were found naval mines, leading to the seizure of the vessel. Modern Russian sources found no further information about this alleged event and it remains unconfirmed.
Between 1939 and 1940 there were numerous incidents with seizure of fishing vessels. Warships on both side (Japanese cruiser Yubari and destroyer Minekaze, Soviet guard-ship Dzerzhinsky) took direct involvement, even if there was no serious consequences or exchange of gunfire.
SOVIET-JAPANESE WAR (1945)
9 August 1945
Japanese sources speak about a gunfire destroying the Japanese merchant Ikutsu Maru (1398 GRT), but actually no Soviet warship or motor torpedo boat attack was carried that day, it’s probably a mistake and ship was sunk by air attack. Name also reported “Ibiza Go Maru” or “Ikutsu Go Maru” is wrong.
Between 9 and 10 August 1945
Two soviet motor torpedo (Vosper class) boats seized a fishing boat (schooner) and took 3 POW (Korean sailors). Schooner was sunk or abandoned on sea and lost.
10 August 1945
Japanese merchant Riuko Maru n°2 (2230 GRT)(cargo of 2500 tons of fish) was seized close Kamchatka (near mouth of river Vorovskaya) by soviet patrol boats. A large number of fishing trawlers (59!) that previously had been allowed to fish in such waters, was also seized/captured but by infantry (there was a total amount of 405 POW, including 58 on Riuko Maru n°2).
On the same day, 3 Motor torpedo boats attacked Rajin (today Rason) claiming 3-4 victories: the wreck of Japanese merchant Ikutso Maru (1398 GRT)(cargo of 1500tons of broomcorn) was wrongly believed to be also torpedoed by them. Now it is confirmed they scored one victory: Japanese merchant Kari Go (3111 GRT) torpedoed and sunk (Japanese wrongly believed sunk by aircraft). Victory scored by TK-534, TK-573 ( both G-5 class) and TK-562 (A-1 class).
On the same day, motor torpedo boats TK-566, TK-567, TK-570, TK-580 and TK-587 (all Vosper type) made an attack against Seisin (today Chonjin): 11 torpedoes launched and claimed up 6 targets hit. Actually, there was a single success: Japanese merchant Taishun Maru (2857 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk later while on towing. Japanese believed to have been a submarine attack.
11 August 1945
Largest Soviet motor torpedo boat attack against Rajin (today Rason).
At first, TK-549 and TK-550 attacked the harbor and launched four torpedoes: the Japanese merchants Enpo Maru (6873 GRT), Edamitsu Maru (6872 GRT) and Tensho Maru (3035 GRT) were hit. All the targets previously damaged by Soviet aircrafts but were still floating while abandoned by crew. Some hours later other 6 motor torpedo boats attacked: TK-563 scored two further hits on Edamitsu Maru and Enpo Maru while TK-568 finished Tensho Maru.
12 August 1945
Japanese merchant Hozugawa Maru (875 GRT)(cargo of graphite), believed to be under repetitive attack by 3 enemy submarines and was grounded close Seisin to evade the supposed attack. Actually there was a group of 4 Soviet motor torpedo boats but the Soviets did not notice the merchant that still was lost as consequence. The wreck was subjected to attack by TK-589 on 13 August (torpedo hit), and on 15 August (by TK-567 and TK-587, missing her). The ships has also been previously damaged by air attack on 9 August.
On that same day, the Japanese merchant Tsushima Maru (3516 GRT) was often reported as victim of attack but she was actually missed by TK-597, torpedo hit the pier (ship was later scuttled to evade capture the next day). Once again Japanese believed a submarine attack.
14 August 1945
A friendly fire incident occurred close Seisin, because of thick fog conditions. Soviet torpedo boat Vyuga and submarine chaser BO-307 opened fire against BO-306 (misidentified for assumed Japanese vessel): she received damages (6 KIA, 10 WIA).
15 August 1945
Soviet torpedo boat Vyuga operating close Seisin, claimed to have shot down a Japanese Nakajima Ki-97 fighter. So far, there is no confirmation for this claim.
16 August 1945
Soviet torpedo boat Metel sunk with 102mm gunfire a Japanese motor schooner, loaded with troops, close Seisin (today Chonjin). It’s the only full destruction of enemy naval target recorded for a Soviet torpedo boat during the ww2 (even if Uragan-class was classified as “Guard Ships” Soviets). It’s also the only full victory achieved by a major soviet warship (cruisers/destroyers/torpedo boats) in Far East. (Other Japanese units were captured that day at Seisin, but were seized by naval infantry, not by specific soviet ships).
18 August 1945
Battle of Shumshu
During the landing of Shumshu, the soviet self-propelled barge n°1 hit and damaged reportedly by a Japanese floating battery. All 3 soviet crewmember wounded and 18 carried soldiers were killed. It was the only naval clash with a Soviet vessel suffering damage by enemy gunfire action in Pacific.
It is possible the barge actually shelled by the Japanese battery placed into the ex-Soviet tanker Mariupol (7024GRT) that grounded on 14 November 1943. Soviet frigate Kirov shelled the grounded Mariupol setting it afire and suppressing the battery. The ship was effectively used as a stationary naval battery and quite well-armed: including one 102mm and one 76mm guns and additional Japanese anti-aircraft guns.
The proper amphibious landing on the island was costly for the soviets: five landing ex-American landing ships (DS-1, DS-5, DS-9, DS-43 and DS-47)( sources mentioning other losses are mistaken) lost due Japanese ground artillery, but after difficulties a beachhead was established. Soviet coastal artillery, naval gunfire (directed by minelayer Okhotsk) and air support begun to extinguish the Japanese resistance.
The few Japanese available aircrafts attacked the Soviet ships engaged in the operation: a group of 3 torpedo bomber Nakajima B5N and 3 Nakajima Ki-43 fighters attacked all with light bombs and inflicted light damages to the Soviet frigate Kirov (2 WIA).
Another pair of aircrafts made a separate attack: a torpedo bomber Nakajima B5N (pilot Araya and other 2 KIA) armed with bombs and a fighter Nakajima Ki-43 attacked the Soviet minesweeper T-525. The torpedo-bomber shot down by the anti-aircraft fire from minesweeper without inflicting damages (Soviets wrongly claimed 2 planes shot down): Japanese claimed for long time the torpedo bomber inflicted exaggerated losses: sinking alone 2 patrol ships before crashing on a “Kamikaze” suicide attack on a “destroyer (no actual destroyer took part at operations!).
Some sources claim the Soviet auxiliary minesweeper T-152 fell victim of a “Kamikaze” strike, but there is no actual document or report describing her loss for such reason nor actual Japanese claim on her.
In addition, the large Soviet tanker Taganrog (10448 GRT) (ex-American USNS Cedar Creek) shot down close Shumshu Island the Japanese seaplane Nakajima A6M2-N (901st Naval Air Corps; pilot Shotsuka Ryoji KIA). Soviet sources misidentified it as a twin-engine bomber. The pilot departed without order on personal initiative for a suicide “Kamikaze” mission, remains of the plane recovered by the ship.
19 August 1945
Close Maoka (today Kholmsk at Shakalin), the Soviet patrol boat PK-31 (MO-4 class, manned by NKVD), destroyed with 45mm gunfire a Japanese schooner.
On the same day, in Maoka harbor, the soviet troop transport Izmail captured a schooner and two barges. The soviet troop transport Vsevolod Sibircev captured five small landing crafts (17-meters Toku Daihatsu series). (Other units captured that day, but were seized by naval infantry).
During the landing in Maoka a friendly fire incident occurred: patrol boat PK-35 accidentally grounded and fought with her artillery against Japanese troops. Soviet torpedo boat Zarnitsa saw the bursts of shots and believed it was Japanese artillery from shore: she scored two hits on PK-35 (6 WIA), before the friendly fire attack stopped. Soviet submarine chaser BO-302 towed PK-35 to safety.
20 August 1945
Soviet torpedo boat Metel recovered the abandoned Japanese tanker Horai Maru n°14 (834 GRT)(no cargo). The ship has been previously damaged by Soviet aircraft and then grounded on 10 August in Panova Bay. Even if the ship has been abandoned and classified as lost, the recovery was part of the reason of the Guards award to the torpedo boat.
According other source, the merchant seized was Matsuura Maru (3185 GRT) that was grounded on 30 July.
On the same day, at Shumshu Island, the Soviet minelayer Okhotsk and patrol ship Kirov repelled enemy air attack. With the defeat of Japanese forces into the island (22 August), five fighter planes and one torpedo bomber seized by ground forces. The torpedo bomber Nakajima B5N was in damaged conditions, apparently as result of the attack against minelayer Okhotsk on 20 August due ship’s anti-aircraft fire. Okhotsk also suffered some damage with 3 KIA and 13 WIA, while also Kirov lightly damaged without casualties. A Soviet “Aircobra” fighter also shot-down (pilot rescued).
22 August 1945
Unidentified soviet motor torpedo boats captured two auxiliary minesweepers (schooners converted for that purpose) attempting to flee Genzan (today Wonsan). The Soviet Navy identified the vessels simply as schooners, without realizing their military nature (effectively they were simple harmless schooners, in appearance).
Naval infantry seized other units.
23 August 1945
Soviet landing ship DS-2 (former American LCI class) captured a barge, during landing operations in Kurili islands.
24 August 1945
Soviet auxiliary minesweeper T-155 captured a schooner in Kurili islands.
28 August 1945
Soviet minesweepers T-589 and T-590 anchored in Rubetsu Bay at Etorofu (Iturup) Island: reconnaissance groups of sailors seized five self-propelled barges (later used for amphibious landing).
31 August 1945
Soviet minesweeper T-590 departing from Rubetsu Bay to land troops at Kunashiri Island captured a Japanese schooner.
Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
Arctic
30.6.41 - Ju.87 has no co-pilot, there was only TAG.
19.7.41 - soviet haven't minesweeper official designations like T-31. M/S has index TSCH-NNN and bord number. So you say about TSCH-386 with board number 31.
24.7.41 - MERIDIAN was survey ship, not transport.
14.9.41 - TKA Nr.14 didn't participate attack.
7.11.42 - ship has name SKR Nr. 78, not BO. BO stay for "Big subchasers", they arrived later from USA. And this ship was patrol boat - requisitioned fishing trawler.
19.11.42 - SCHIFF 18 never be any kind of "torpedo boat", just another requisitioned civil ship classified as decoy ship but worked as ordinary patrol boat. She sunk on mines of MO-boats laid on 18.11.42 near Kirkenes, not Petsamo.
17.2.43 - this was Ju.88D-1 - recon plane, not bomber
18.8.43 - Bf.109 with Stolz was shot down by AA far to south from Arctic shores, near Louhi.
22.8.44 - U.344 was sunk very far away from soviet operational zone, west from Bear Island.
20.3.45 - U.997 was attacked NW from Kildin and SMERCH conducted her attack north from that island. Perhaps she attacks U.716 or 968.
30.6.41 - Ju.87 has no co-pilot, there was only TAG.
19.7.41 - soviet haven't minesweeper official designations like T-31. M/S has index TSCH-NNN and bord number. So you say about TSCH-386 with board number 31.
24.7.41 - MERIDIAN was survey ship, not transport.
14.9.41 - TKA Nr.14 didn't participate attack.
7.11.42 - ship has name SKR Nr. 78, not BO. BO stay for "Big subchasers", they arrived later from USA. And this ship was patrol boat - requisitioned fishing trawler.
19.11.42 - SCHIFF 18 never be any kind of "torpedo boat", just another requisitioned civil ship classified as decoy ship but worked as ordinary patrol boat. She sunk on mines of MO-boats laid on 18.11.42 near Kirkenes, not Petsamo.
17.2.43 - this was Ju.88D-1 - recon plane, not bomber
18.8.43 - Bf.109 with Stolz was shot down by AA far to south from Arctic shores, near Louhi.
22.8.44 - U.344 was sunk very far away from soviet operational zone, west from Bear Island.
20.3.45 - U.997 was attacked NW from Kildin and SMERCH conducted her attack north from that island. Perhaps she attacks U.716 or 968.
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
Greetings igor thanks for the various tips, some (like Ju-87/Meridian/Schiff18) it's things i had noted but slipped.
The most significant thing that I would clarify better it's the last entry:
20.3.45 attack on U-997. I believed that came straight out of some tsushima Q&A, if Smerch&sub.chasers attacked another boat, who conduced the attack on U997 in your opinion?
The most significant thing that I would clarify better it's the last entry:
20.3.45 attack on U-997. I believed that came straight out of some tsushima Q&A, if Smerch&sub.chasers attacked another boat, who conduced the attack on U997 in your opinion?
Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
It is hard to say because i have no data about british activity. U.997 watched "destroyer JERVIS type" but this may be mistake.
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
Ok thanks, i missed that there have been some updates on HM for Arctic submarine. This case for U-997 it's clearly attributed to HMS MYNGS and HMS ALNWICK CASTLE.
There are a couple of other incidents that could deserve some clarification however, one it's a double attack (light damages) reported by U-318 on 6/December/44 and 9/December/44 against convoy JW-62.
Originally i related here to the attack of Baku and destroyer Derzkyi (originally one of the version of U-387's sinking, now assigned to British), on the other hand re-checking on tsushima.su that the first attack on 6/Decemb should be related to Zhestkiy (Жесткий) alone and the second one on 9/December to Живучий (Zhivuchiy) and Razumnyy. What do you think it's more likely? I understand that this is also kinda a complicated-uncertain matter.
Also an interesting indication that both U-716 and U-363 suffered some damage by depth charges apparently while operating against Soviet convoy PK-9 and then returning to base. First sub. on 23 April, second on 24 April (periscope only damage). On tsushima.su i've only airplane attacks on these days, but maybe they occurred earlier on 22 April?
The entire fighting for the convoy it's interesting, and while many things seems blurred we could describe them in this way:
Just after midnight of 21, a Catalina attack on U-997 (reported some damage) match with claim of pilot Captain Lyatin
First DC attack by Karl Liebknecht then followed by Derzkiy + BO-131 against U-294 (damaged)
Second DC by Karl Liebnecht e BO-225 against ???
Norwegian transport Idefjord torpedoed by U-997, Zhostkiy attack her.
First Derzkiy attack a submarine, but then Onega torpedoed by U-997. Subsequent famous attack by Karl Liebknecht (gunfire etc.). Seems likely Derzkiy attacked also same sub.
I suppose the unidientified sub. attacked was the still U-977.
U-716 and U-363 COULD be related respectively to the subsequent attacks committed by Dostoynyy At 1303 hours (results observed) and then Zhostkiy + BO-228 against U-363 (no results observed and indeed only periscope damage)
There are a couple of other incidents that could deserve some clarification however, one it's a double attack (light damages) reported by U-318 on 6/December/44 and 9/December/44 against convoy JW-62.
Originally i related here to the attack of Baku and destroyer Derzkyi (originally one of the version of U-387's sinking, now assigned to British), on the other hand re-checking on tsushima.su that the first attack on 6/Decemb should be related to Zhestkiy (Жесткий) alone and the second one on 9/December to Живучий (Zhivuchiy) and Razumnyy. What do you think it's more likely? I understand that this is also kinda a complicated-uncertain matter.
Also an interesting indication that both U-716 and U-363 suffered some damage by depth charges apparently while operating against Soviet convoy PK-9 and then returning to base. First sub. on 23 April, second on 24 April (periscope only damage). On tsushima.su i've only airplane attacks on these days, but maybe they occurred earlier on 22 April?
The entire fighting for the convoy it's interesting, and while many things seems blurred we could describe them in this way:
Just after midnight of 21, a Catalina attack on U-997 (reported some damage) match with claim of pilot Captain Lyatin
First DC attack by Karl Liebknecht then followed by Derzkiy + BO-131 against U-294 (damaged)
Second DC by Karl Liebnecht e BO-225 against ???
Norwegian transport Idefjord torpedoed by U-997, Zhostkiy attack her.
First Derzkiy attack a submarine, but then Onega torpedoed by U-997. Subsequent famous attack by Karl Liebknecht (gunfire etc.). Seems likely Derzkiy attacked also same sub.
I suppose the unidientified sub. attacked was the still U-977.
U-716 and U-363 COULD be related respectively to the subsequent attacks committed by Dostoynyy At 1303 hours (results observed) and then Zhostkiy + BO-228 against U-363 (no results observed and indeed only periscope damage)
Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
6.12.44 exactly at time, when ZHESTKIY and her fellow escort of convoy IB-30 attacked "sub" near Danilov island, U.318 surfaced in another place to investigate registered sound echo but find nothing
Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
In attacks 9.12.44 U.318 has no damages.
"Second DC by Karl Liebnecht e BO-225 against ???"
It was U.997, you right.
"First Derzkiy attack a submarine, but then Onega torpedoed by U-997. Subsequent famous attack by Karl Liebknecht (gunfire etc.). Seems likely Derzkiy attacked also same sub"
There was 2 variants: U.307 and 286. But U.307 leave survivors and they say nothing about this attack AFAIK. Only U.286 left, she can be damaged in that attack.
Can't say anything about other attack - too little data. U.363 damaged 24.4.45 in 12.37 by some british corvette
"Second DC by Karl Liebnecht e BO-225 against ???"
It was U.997, you right.
"First Derzkiy attack a submarine, but then Onega torpedoed by U-997. Subsequent famous attack by Karl Liebknecht (gunfire etc.). Seems likely Derzkiy attacked also same sub"
There was 2 variants: U.307 and 286. But U.307 leave survivors and they say nothing about this attack AFAIK. Only U.286 left, she can be damaged in that attack.
Can't say anything about other attack - too little data. U.363 damaged 24.4.45 in 12.37 by some british corvette
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
These are the two exact entries from HM, that have mistakes sometimes but generally speaking on these Uboat reports have been fairly good.
https://www.rgo.ru/ru/murmansk/english/ ... er-war-0/u
You've nothing for the 6.12 attack? I mean for for other possible attacks on the sub before observing the attack on
There was 2 variants: U.307 and 286. But U.307 leave survivors and they say nothing about this attack AFAIK. Only U.286 left, she can be damaged in that attack.
Ok, THIS is quite big (and kinda headache-giving considering that's YET another revision of what happened).
I believed it was sorta concluded that the famous gunfire-surface action with old claiming of sinking U-286 was re-assigned to U-997. Now you say me that U-997 wasn't involved? The damaged reported ((db-aanval in AC88, schade periscoop, terugmars (TF) ))) another mistake?
PS: The article i linked still mentioned U-997 as the target by Karl Liebknecht's gunfire... without damage.
But also mentions that (apart the earlier Catalina attack) a depth-charge attack caused some of it. It's a guessing game at this point...
On a separate note: the article say the wreck was found! But i've not truly understood what it imply, it seems to still give some credit to the Soviet destroyers with sinking U-286 (opened hatch? means sunk while in surface?)
23499 06.12.1944 23u00 2 U318 13 WILL Josef 2 Angriff eines Geleitschiffs JW62-escorts db-aanval in AC88 tot 05u45, lichte schade AC88
23500 09.12.1944 02u26 1 U318 13 WILL Josef 2 Angriff eines Geleitschiffs JW62-escorts in AC88, db tot 07u26, groep 7 escorts, lichte schade AC88
I was fairly certain there was a recent Russian article (essentially focused on U-387 and U-286 losses) mentioning it wasn't directly damaged but collided against the seabed.In attacks 9.12.44 U.318 has no damages.
https://www.rgo.ru/ru/murmansk/english/ ... er-war-0/u
You've nothing for the 6.12 attack? I mean for for other possible attacks on the sub before observing the attack on
There was 2 variants: U.307 and 286. But U.307 leave survivors and they say nothing about this attack AFAIK. Only U.286 left, she can be damaged in that attack.
Ok, THIS is quite big (and kinda headache-giving considering that's YET another revision of what happened).
I believed it was sorta concluded that the famous gunfire-surface action with old claiming of sinking U-286 was re-assigned to U-997. Now you say me that U-997 wasn't involved? The damaged reported ((db-aanval in AC88, schade periscoop, terugmars (TF) ))) another mistake?
PS: The article i linked still mentioned U-997 as the target by Karl Liebknecht's gunfire... without damage.
But also mentions that (apart the earlier Catalina attack) a depth-charge attack caused some of it. It's a guessing game at this point...
On a separate note: the article say the wreck was found! But i've not truly understood what it imply, it seems to still give some credit to the Soviet destroyers with sinking U-286 (opened hatch? means sunk while in surface?)
Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
Damages of U.318 on 6.12.44 - nothing besides brocken glasses. I can not accept these even as "light damage".
On 9.12.44 U.318 indeed was pressed very hardly, she can't even distinguish various explosions, but single damage was broken preventor in battery.
I can't say why A. Kuznetzov wrote his statement. U.318 discovered problem with tube Nr.5 on 11.12.44 - it won't close, but after some trying works again without repair.
U.387 found back in 2013 in place of attack HMS BRAMBOROUGH CASTLE.
U.997 send f/t on 27.4.45 - in it mentioned Catalina's attack and little damage to driving shaft via DC. Nothing about shelling, surfacing etc.
There is of course some possibility that sub show her tower for little time and didn't notice this... but in any case no words about shell's hits. A. Kuznezov wrote about it in his article btw.
Hitting of U.286 in 22.4.45 attacks is only version which pehaps never can be proved or disproved.
Wrack of U-boat was found almost exactly in place of attack HMS COTTON 29.4.45. It still not identified for 100% but it must be U.286.
On 9.12.44 U.318 indeed was pressed very hardly, she can't even distinguish various explosions, but single damage was broken preventor in battery.
I can't say why A. Kuznetzov wrote his statement. U.318 discovered problem with tube Nr.5 on 11.12.44 - it won't close, but after some trying works again without repair.
U.387 found back in 2013 in place of attack HMS BRAMBOROUGH CASTLE.
U.997 send f/t on 27.4.45 - in it mentioned Catalina's attack and little damage to driving shaft via DC. Nothing about shelling, surfacing etc.
There is of course some possibility that sub show her tower for little time and didn't notice this... but in any case no words about shell's hits. A. Kuznezov wrote about it in his article btw.
Hitting of U.286 in 22.4.45 attacks is only version which pehaps never can be proved or disproved.
Wrack of U-boat was found almost exactly in place of attack HMS COTTON 29.4.45. It still not identified for 100% but it must be U.286.
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
Ok, thanks again for the clarification.
It seems to me that the likely candidates for the minor depth charge damage on U.997 can be simply assessed as collective action of Karl Liebknecht/Zhostkiy/Derzkiy (the DCs attack immediately before and after torpedoing the two merchant vessels).
Concerning U-286, there are some alternative options for the sinking of HMS Goodall on 29 November?
Also, going back to U-716 it's a pity there is nothing possibiliy related to actions against the convoy.
On tsushima.su i found also a mention to another submarine i never read on other sources or HM:
Damage to sub is confirmed? If there are no direct claims it's possible it was some unreported launch of depth charges?
PS: the story of this convoy it's interesting, but pretty much haunting for the number of unresolved things.
I guess being at the end of the war doesn't help.
It seems to me that the likely candidates for the minor depth charge damage on U.997 can be simply assessed as collective action of Karl Liebknecht/Zhostkiy/Derzkiy (the DCs attack immediately before and after torpedoing the two merchant vessels).
Concerning U-286, there are some alternative options for the sinking of HMS Goodall on 29 November?
Also, going back to U-716 it's a pity there is nothing possibiliy related to actions against the convoy.
On tsushima.su i found also a mention to another submarine i never read on other sources or HM:
Code: Select all
Much less clarity with the second boat - U-481. On the one hand, she accurately attacked the PK-9 ships - at 03.45 on April 22, 1945, in the area of Cape Nemetsky, the boat fired three LUT torpedoes at the Soviet EM, after which it heard two explosions (one of the torpedoes got stuck in the TA). At 03.50, the attacked EM counterattacked the submarine with depth charges. The boat received damage to the electrical system or electric motors, as a result of which it fell to the ground at a depth of 220 m. A subsequent inspection showed that the upper deck was damaged, the wheelhouse fence was deformed, all transmitters were out of order, due to damage to the TBC, a large solar trace stood out on the surface, temporarily lost the ability to dive. At 01.00 on April 25, after determining the amount of damage, the submarine began returning to the base and arrived in Kilbotten on May 3.
PS: the story of this convoy it's interesting, but pretty much haunting for the number of unresolved things.
I guess being at the end of the war doesn't help.
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
have some comments:
the site Luftwaffe in Norway Luftwaffe.No has a listing of Luftwaffe damaged and lost aircraft It looks like all you mentioned lost are there except:
23 Oct 44 Bv-138 3(F)/SAGr 130 is not mentioned in looking at the Luftwaffe-sur-zee it's not mentioned there either could you have the wrong date ect?
1-2 may 42 the Z-7 has a name Herman Schoemann which it is known by
5 Jun 43 BCRS V5 page 159 has the 27 and 78 IAP losing 6 Hurricanes shot down and 4 bellyland do to battle damage vs 2 109s shot down also see the loss list in Luftwaffe.no
18 Aug 45 you mention the frigate Kirov. The only Kirov I can find of this period is a cruiser of the Baltic Fleet.
1-2 may 42 the HMS Edinburgh was a 6-inch light cruiser
I may have more
the site Luftwaffe in Norway Luftwaffe.No has a listing of Luftwaffe damaged and lost aircraft It looks like all you mentioned lost are there except:
23 Oct 44 Bv-138 3(F)/SAGr 130 is not mentioned in looking at the Luftwaffe-sur-zee it's not mentioned there either could you have the wrong date ect?
1-2 may 42 the Z-7 has a name Herman Schoemann which it is known by
5 Jun 43 BCRS V5 page 159 has the 27 and 78 IAP losing 6 Hurricanes shot down and 4 bellyland do to battle damage vs 2 109s shot down also see the loss list in Luftwaffe.no
18 Aug 45 you mention the frigate Kirov. The only Kirov I can find of this period is a cruiser of the Baltic Fleet.
1-2 may 42 the HMS Edinburgh was a 6-inch light cruiser
I may have more
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
Greetings and thanks again,
Date when the seaplane stranded on the island is possibly earlier. That was when it was captured and subsequently lost in the towing incident.
I suppose could have been lost in the first clash before the battle moved over the convoy?
While i knew of Z-7 and HMS Edinburgh, a clarification for this:
Dzerzhinsky and Kirov had 3 guns of 102mm, they were the second most-armed Soviet vessels employed against the Japanese after minalyer Okhotsk (armed with 3 - 130mm guns).
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23 Oct 44 Bv-138 3(F)/SAGr 130 is not mentioned in looking at the Luftwaffe-sur-zee it's not mentioned there either could you have the wrong date ect?
Interesting. I am not entirely certain, because the aerial-fighting wasn't my focus on this, but there should have been two semi-separate aerial-fighting. Do you have identity of the second Bf-109 lost? (serial and/or group, pilot name+fate).5 Jun 43 BCRS V5 page 159 has the 27 and 78 IAP losing 6 Hurricanes shot down and 4 bellyland do to battle damage vs 2 109s shot down also see the loss list in Luftwaffe.no
I suppose could have been lost in the first clash before the battle moved over the convoy?
While i knew of Z-7 and HMS Edinburgh, a clarification for this:
She was sister-ship of Dzerzhinsky: quite a pair of peculiar vessels. Built in Italy for the Border Guard, as many Soviet vessels of medium-large "patrol ship" type they were classified as "Guard Ship". The term here ("frigate") like "torpedo-boats" for the more commono Uragan-class and "corvette" for the few Arctic ships was obviously not used by Soviet/Russian texts, but more in line with the western classification standards to differentiate them.18 Aug 45 you mention the frigate Kirov. The only Kirov I can find of this period is a cruiser of the Baltic Fleet.
Dzerzhinsky and Kirov had 3 guns of 102mm, they were the second most-armed Soviet vessels employed against the Japanese after minalyer Okhotsk (armed with 3 - 130mm guns).
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
5 Jun 43 on the Luftwaffe loss list on Luftwaffe in Norway Luftwaffe.no has:
Bf 109 #14190 Black 4 II/JG 5 Ltn M Dahlschmidt who managed to evade.
As for the frigate Kirov you say it was part of the Border Guard under the NKVD so it was not a regular Soviet Naval vessel hence two ships with same name.
Bf 109 #14190 Black 4 II/JG 5 Ltn M Dahlschmidt who managed to evade.
As for the frigate Kirov you say it was part of the Border Guard under the NKVD so it was not a regular Soviet Naval vessel hence two ships with same name.
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Re: (From Soviet-empire): Chronology of Soviet naval battles in Arctic, Caspian/Volga, Manchuria and Pacific during WW2
Thanks! Could still be interesting to see if he was shot down in the first stage of the fighting or above water, anyway seems likely happened in the melee with the Hurricane.
Some political-names were shared by different fleets/flotilla: as for "Lenin" (a destroyer in Baltic, but also a gunboat in Caspian Fleet and another Tayfun monitor in Amur), and "Dzerzhinskiy" (sister-ship of the Pacific Fleet's Guard ship; a destroyer in Black Sea Fleet, and again another Tayfun monitor in Amur).
Also sometimes there is confusion for two different KRASNAYA ZVEZDA (Red star) gunboats: one larger and more famous in Baltic Fleet (torpedoed by Finnish m.t.b. and then raised), one serving in Amur Flotilla and engaged in the 1929 conflict with chinese ships.
Btw, for people who will follow this page. I've tried to re-work the final entry of the Arctic fighting with the various info (and also everything re-worked in chronologic order with addition of the convoy losses to give more context to the text).
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22 April 1945
During the Soviet Convoy PK-6, an active submarine and anti-submarine fighting took place.
Just after midnight, a Soviet Catalina seaplane spotted and inflicted light damage to German submarine U-997, even if not enough to prevent her action.
Later, U-294 was damaged with depth charges by the destroyer Karl Liebknecht and/or shortly after by destroyer Derzkyi (ex-American) and submarine chaser BO-131. Submarine suffers damages and is forced to return.
Soviet destroyer Karl Liebknecht then attacked with depth charges German submarine U-997, but this did not prevent the torpedoing of Allied Norwegian merchant Idefjord(4287 GRT) that was damaged. Soviet destroyer Zhostkiy launched depth charges.
Then it was the turn of Derzkiy to launch DCs but U-997 pressed on, sinking the Soviet merchant Onega (1603 GRT) and was subjected to depth charges by Karl Liebknecht until she had none left: at that moment, Karl Liebknecht reportedly engaged on surface the submarine unleashing an heavy gunfire shelling with visible hits reported. U-997 mention no such event, and for years the Soviet literature indicate the potential sinking of U-286.
In addition to the early Catalina’s damage, U-997 had also light damage by depth charge (either the result of Karl Liebknecht, Zhostkiy or Derzkiy attacks).
British sources claim the sinking of the submarine by British frigates HMS Loch Insh, HMS Anguilla and HMS Cotton on 29 April. Wreckage of submarine possibly identified in 2016 seems to match the British’ claim but there is no conclusive version. It’s also possible that U-286 took part in the attack of Convoy PK-6, suffering some damages, then sinking on 29 April. The latest depth charges actions done by destroyer Dostoynyy or later by destroyer Zhotskiy and submarine chaser BO-228 (ex-American type SC 110ft) in the afternoon of 22 April.
The Karl Liebknecht was the only Soviet destroyer to have possibly caused the damage up three different enemy submarines during the war (even if including shared successes). It’s even less clear how U-481 was damaged, more serious effects after depth charges, enough to give up the mission, occurred some hours before the first reported contact by the ships of the convoy with a failed torpedo launch. Apparently she was attacked also by Soviet Catalina seaplane the next day. According a German source, also U-716 reported the following day some light damage as consequence of attacking the convoy, but this match with a British attack.
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PS: Made a little detail. Becuase despite HMA claim, the attack on U-716 occurred on 23 April match with British attack (no soviet Depth-charging). It remains the interesting case of U-481 still open.
And with that I will take a pause for the Soviet Fleet: will return in future for a Russian Civil War thread and a Cold War one, but the next projects (Spanish Republican actions and all the Yugoslavian/Greek/others Partisan naval operations) will be uploaded in different sections of this forum
For your curiosity, actually there was another namesakes: monitor Kirov of the (old but powerful) Tayfun-class monitors of the Amur Flotilla. Another "Kirov" was a river gunboat serving in the Volga flotilla on Stalingrad front.As for the frigate Kirov you say it was part of the Border Guard under the NKVD so it was not a regular Soviet Naval vessel hence two ships with same name.
Some political-names were shared by different fleets/flotilla: as for "Lenin" (a destroyer in Baltic, but also a gunboat in Caspian Fleet and another Tayfun monitor in Amur), and "Dzerzhinskiy" (sister-ship of the Pacific Fleet's Guard ship; a destroyer in Black Sea Fleet, and again another Tayfun monitor in Amur).
Also sometimes there is confusion for two different KRASNAYA ZVEZDA (Red star) gunboats: one larger and more famous in Baltic Fleet (torpedoed by Finnish m.t.b. and then raised), one serving in Amur Flotilla and engaged in the 1929 conflict with chinese ships.
Btw, for people who will follow this page. I've tried to re-work the final entry of the Arctic fighting with the various info (and also everything re-worked in chronologic order with addition of the convoy losses to give more context to the text).
-------------------
22 April 1945
During the Soviet Convoy PK-6, an active submarine and anti-submarine fighting took place.
Just after midnight, a Soviet Catalina seaplane spotted and inflicted light damage to German submarine U-997, even if not enough to prevent her action.
Later, U-294 was damaged with depth charges by the destroyer Karl Liebknecht and/or shortly after by destroyer Derzkyi (ex-American) and submarine chaser BO-131. Submarine suffers damages and is forced to return.
Soviet destroyer Karl Liebknecht then attacked with depth charges German submarine U-997, but this did not prevent the torpedoing of Allied Norwegian merchant Idefjord(4287 GRT) that was damaged. Soviet destroyer Zhostkiy launched depth charges.
Then it was the turn of Derzkiy to launch DCs but U-997 pressed on, sinking the Soviet merchant Onega (1603 GRT) and was subjected to depth charges by Karl Liebknecht until she had none left: at that moment, Karl Liebknecht reportedly engaged on surface the submarine unleashing an heavy gunfire shelling with visible hits reported. U-997 mention no such event, and for years the Soviet literature indicate the potential sinking of U-286.
In addition to the early Catalina’s damage, U-997 had also light damage by depth charge (either the result of Karl Liebknecht, Zhostkiy or Derzkiy attacks).
British sources claim the sinking of the submarine by British frigates HMS Loch Insh, HMS Anguilla and HMS Cotton on 29 April. Wreckage of submarine possibly identified in 2016 seems to match the British’ claim but there is no conclusive version. It’s also possible that U-286 took part in the attack of Convoy PK-6, suffering some damages, then sinking on 29 April. The latest depth charges actions done by destroyer Dostoynyy or later by destroyer Zhotskiy and submarine chaser BO-228 (ex-American type SC 110ft) in the afternoon of 22 April.
The Karl Liebknecht was the only Soviet destroyer to have possibly caused the damage up three different enemy submarines during the war (even if including shared successes). It’s even less clear how U-481 was damaged, more serious effects after depth charges, enough to give up the mission, occurred some hours before the first reported contact by the ships of the convoy with a failed torpedo launch. Apparently she was attacked also by Soviet Catalina seaplane the next day. According a German source, also U-716 reported the following day some light damage as consequence of attacking the convoy, but this match with a British attack.
-------------------
PS: Made a little detail. Becuase despite HMA claim, the attack on U-716 occurred on 23 April match with British attack (no soviet Depth-charging). It remains the interesting case of U-481 still open.
And with that I will take a pause for the Soviet Fleet: will return in future for a Russian Civil War thread and a Cold War one, but the next projects (Spanish Republican actions and all the Yugoslavian/Greek/others Partisan naval operations) will be uploaded in different sections of this forum
Last edited by lupodimare89 on 03 Jan 2023, 01:47, edited 1 time in total.