Transport ships of USSR in 1941-1945 - any info!!

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kgvm
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#601

Post by kgvm » 08 Aug 2007, 18:06

FESCO gives for "Chukotka", built 1944 in the USA, only a former Russian name.
I'm sure it was the former US Army cargo ship "FS 161", more details at
http://www.coltoncompany.com/shipbldg/u ... oships.htm

Both ships are listed as having 512 grt.
Even if I know of no picture of a US Army cargo ship of design 330 (to which "FS 161" was built), there is a striking similarity to the slightly bigger design 381 of 560 grt
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f789_1.jpg (Chukotka)
http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fes ... f789_2.jpg (Chukotka)
http://history.navy.mil/photos/images/h74000/h74691.jpg ("FP 343", later "FS 343" of design 381)

Kind regards
Klaus Günther

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#602

Post by kgvm » 08 Aug 2007, 18:13

According to US sources 9 small Army tankers were transferred to Russia:
"Y 51", "Y 54", "Y 55", "Y 57", "Y 94", "Y 111" to "Y 114"
http://www.coltoncompany.com/shipbldg/u ... ankers.htm
(the date 1946 is wrong, of course, for the lend lease to Russia was stopped in 1945)
Only two of them are listed by FESCO:
"Artek" ex "Y 112"
"Bakhchisaray" ex "Y 114" ( http://ntic.msun.ru/ntic/exhibition/fesco/pic/f98_1.jpg )
I'm looking for informations about the other seven ships
Regards
Klaus Günther


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#603

Post by kgvm » 08 Aug 2007, 18:27

"Everoya" didn't survive, but was torpedoed and sunk by "U 203" 03.11.41
http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/1196.html

Klaus Günther

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BIGpanzer
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#604

Post by BIGpanzer » 08 Aug 2007, 18:45

Ooh....So many posts for today - I have no time for detailed answers, sorry :roll:

About Latvian ships, which refused to raise Soviet flag [that caused sometimes separation of ship crewmembers for and against it], remained Latvian during WWII [officially subordinated to emigrant Latvian government in USA] and participated in war as ships under Latvian flag [so "non-Soviet Latvia" was an Allied country fought against Nazis] - quite good links
http://conflicts.rem33.com/images/The%2 ... eiflot.htm [with photos of all ships!]
http://vip.latnet.lv/LPRA/ww2_navy.htm
http://www.chas-daily.com/win/2003/03/2 ... .html?r=32& [on Russian, with photos off all ships - "Requiem to heroes of Latvia"]
http://www.chas-daily.com/win/2003/03/1 ... .html?r=32& [on Russian, about how Latvian steamer "Everasma" rammed enemy submarine and was sunk by artillery fire from Italian submarine soon, 27.02.1942 during the run to South America]


Regards, BP

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#605

Post by kgvm » 09 Aug 2007, 17:20

Some links to pictures of ships of the Baltic states:
http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum/Old%2 ... ler-01.jpg (Estonian "Aegna" of 1904 as "Adler")
http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum/Old%2 ... ath-01.jpg and http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum/Old%2 ... ath-03.jpg
(Lettonian "Everalza" of 1921 as "Cape Wrath")
http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum/Old%2 ... lia-01.jpg
(identity not assured, Lettonian "Everoja" of 1910 as "Delia")
http://www.bildagentur-hamburg.com/hh/d ... 34-090.jpg
(Estonian "Estonia" in Hamburg ca. 1950)

Kind regards
Klaus Günther

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#606

Post by Sonntagsforscher » 09 Aug 2007, 18:40

The article that brought the eight ships that continued to sail under the Latvian flag was published in the Russian-language Riga newspaper _Chas_; subsequently it was published in Latvian in the Riga newspaper _Diena_.

Correct spelling of the names of the eight ships is found at: http://www.iclub.lv/life/lpra_lietas/sos.htmABAGRA. Nogremdēta 1942.gada 6.maijā.
Correct spelling of the name _Everoja_, with good info on its sinking, at http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/1196.html, cited above by Klaus Günther.

BIGPanzer, yes, "instead" is not the best way to put this. Most of the ships that returned to Latvia had little chance to undertake duties against the Axis, as they were sunk or seized by the Germans in the early days of Operation Barbarossa. I expect that before very long we will get a record of those that were not, but so far I have no information about them. _Hercogs Jekabs_ escaped that fate because it was in the Pacific and sailed to Vladivostok. It was used to carry lend-lease materiel from the US to USSR, and was extensively repaired & refitted by US & Canada, at the expense of those countries--and was subsequently used to transport prisoners to the Kolyma GULag--the story is told in M. Bollinger's excellent book _Stalin's Slave Ships_.

Sonntagsforscher

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#607

Post by kgvm » 10 Aug 2007, 10:54

Just came across another picture:
"Everanna" of 1908 shown as Italian "Diciplina" wrecked of Hoek van Holland in September 1929
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/gallery/d ... iplina.jpg

Regards
Klaus Günther

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BIGpanzer
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#608

Post by BIGpanzer » 12 Aug 2007, 00:44

Hi, friends!
Let me continue to post the info about German-built Soviet hopper barges [belonged to Baltic technical fleet of special hydraulic engineering company of NKVD], which were mobilized in summer 1941 and served as gun-boats of "Amgun"-type during WWII. Next week I will post the info about Latvian ships before and after 1940.

So I've already posted the info about "Amgun", "Bira", "Bureya", "Volga".

"Zeya" - gun-boat of Red Banner Baltic Navy [KBF] since 03.09.1941. The ship supported army units near Leningrad by artillery fire since 15.09.1941, since October 1941 moved to new artillery position near Ust-Izhora (Neva river) and stayed there till 1944. "Zeya" moved to Kronshtadt in spring 1944, supported attacked units along the south seashore of Gulf of Finland, guarded sea communications. 01.01.1945 "Zeya" was in Rohuküla and the gun-boat moved to Helsinki 23.04.1945 where finished the war.

"Kama" - gun-boat of KBF since 28.07.1941. The ship supported army units in the Vyborg bay and on the way to Leningrad since August 1941, 03.09.1941 participated in evecuation of troops from Koivisto, performed run to Is. Gogland for garrison evecuation 26.11.-13.12.1941. Stayed in Kronshtadt during the winter 1941/42, 06.07.1942 the gun-boat moved to Is. Lavansaari. Participated in unsuccessful attempt to capture Is. Sommers 08-10.07.1942, returned back to Kronshtadt 22.07.1942, performed two more runs to Lavansaari, returned back to Kronshtadt 11.11.1942. "Kama" moved to Lavansaari 28.05.1943, where she was attacked by enemy aviation 22.06.1943 - despite of manoeuvring and intensive AA fire "Kama" was hit by air bomb at 16:07 [nose 45mm guns were destroyed], several air bombs exploded in the water close to the ship at 16:02 [which damaged rear 45mm guns and MGs], second hit took place at 16:09 [engine compartment was destroyed]. At 16:11 trim increased, crew left the ship according to the order, at 16:12 "Kama" keeled and sank [60.01',16'N, 27.51',8E] - 11 men were killed/lost, 27 were wounded. 28.09.1943 "Kama" was raised, towed to Kronshtadt and repaired. The gun-boat returned back to naval service 16.11.1943. "Kama" supported landing troops near Rohuküla 14.02.1944, supported attacks at peninsula Surve 18-21.11.1944, the gun-boat came to Helsinki 23.04.1945 where finished the war.

"Moskva" - gun-boat of KBF since 19.07.1941. 08.08.1941 "Moskva" came to Tallinn from Kronshtadt to support army units, shelled enemy troops since 10.08.1941 at bay Kangalaht. "Moskva" returned back to Kronshtadt in the end of August 1941, began to support units near Leningrad since 04.09.1941. The gun-boat made run to Is. Gogland for garrison evecuation 23-25.11.1941. Then she stayed in Leningrad during the winter, 24.06.1942 - moved to Kronshtadt, performed two runs to Is. Lavansaari between 21.07 - 30.10.1942 [30.07.1942 "Moskva" was lightly damaged by close bomb explosions while anchored off Lavansaari, the gun-boat guarded mine-sweepers and submarines near Is. Lavansaari]. She returned back to Kronshtadt in the beginning of November 1942, stayed there during 1943. 02.02.1944 - moved to Lavansaari to participate in landing operation at Narova, 14.02.1944 - supported landing troops near Rohuküla, supported attacking army units at Surve 18-21.11.1944, came to Oranienbaum 01.01.1945 where finished the war.

"Nora" - gun-boat of KBF since 24.07.1941. She came from Leningrad to Shlisselburg 26.07.1941 and was accepted by Ladoga military flotilla. 15.08.1941 the ship supported defended troops by artillery fire along the north-west shore of Ladoga, since 28.08. - supported troops along west shore of Ladoga. Since 26.09.1941 - guarded route Novaya Ladoga-Osinovets, escorted ships, transported troops and cargos. Stayed at bay Morie during winter 1941/42. 28.05.1942 "Nora" was bombed by enemy aviation and got ~170 fragment holes because of close bomb explosions, one gun was damaged. Performed training exercises till 08.1942, then guarded route Novaya Ladoga-Osinovets. 25.08.1942 "Nora" shelled enemy troops near village Nikulyasy, guarded lake routes - 01.10.1942 "Nora" repelled the attack of enemy motor boats against convoy. 22.10.1042 the gun-boat sank damaged landing barge, already abandoned by enemy, off Is. Suho. Stayed at bay Morie since 01.01.1943 for wintering. In 1943 - supported attacking troops along the shores of Ladoga, gurded lake routes. 23.09.1944 - came to Kronshtadt, supported troops and guarded routes. 27.12.1944 - came to Oranienbaum for disarmament and reequipment into military transport.

To be continued....

P.S. Some photos of gun-boats of "Amgun"-type mentioned above.
http://sovnavy-ww2.by.ru/gunboats/pic/amgun_ld.jpg

http://www.eao.ru/pobeda/img/index_pct_1.jpg ["Bira" in 1943]
http://energo.vstu.vinnica.ua/photo_of_ ... 941_93.jpg ["Bira" transported ammunition and food supplies to besieged Leningrad through Ladoga ice, winter 1941]
http://sovnavy-ww2.by.ru/gunboats/pic/nora.jpg ["Nora" in pattern painting, spring 1943]

Regards, BP
Last edited by BIGpanzer on 12 Aug 2007, 16:03, edited 1 time in total.

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BIGpanzer
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#609

Post by BIGpanzer » 12 Aug 2007, 15:44

"Oka" - gun-boat of KBF since 14.09.1941. Stayed on firing position on Neva river at Rybatsky since 15.10.1941 and supported army units by artillery fire from there, shelled enemy positions in 1942-1943. "Oka" moved to Kronshtadt in spring 1944, supported attacking units along the shores of Gulf of Finland, guarded sea routes. 23.01.1945 came to Oranienbaum and was reequipped into military transport.

"Olekma" - gun-boat of KBF since 14.07.1941. She moved from Kronshtadt to Shlisselburg for ammunition 17.07.1941, was accepted by Ladoga military flotilla 19.07.1941. Supported retreated units at Sortavala by artillery fire 20.07.1941, supported landing troops at Is. Lunkulansaari 24.07.1941. 25.07.1941 "Olekma" supported retreat of Soviet troops from Lunkulansaari by artillery fire, in 35 min she was hit by enemy shell [engine was damaged] and was towed to Shlisselburg. Since 30.07.1941 - supported defended units by artillery fire near river Vidlitsa, since 10.08.1941 - supported defended units along north-west and west coast of Ladoga. 05.10.1941 "Olekma" was heavily damaged by enemy aviation 4 miles to the south from Nikulyas and sank next day.

"Selemdzha" - gun-boat of KBF since 16.07.1941 [moved to Far East along the Svir river but she was returned back and mobilized when the war began]. She was the most famous among all gun-boats of "Amgun"-type. She moved from Kronshtadt to Shlisselburg for ammunition 17.07.1941, was accepted by Ladoga military flotilla 19.07.1941. "Selemdzha" shelled coast near Salmi 21.07.1941, 24.07.1941 she supported assault landing troops at Is. Lunkulansaari and Mantsinsaari, 26.07.1941 she should support the 2nd landing by artillery fire but ran aground in fog and she was got afloat in 10 hours only. Since 30.07.1941 - supported defended units near river Vidlitsa and Tuloksa, since 06.08.1941 - supported units along the north-west coast of Ladoga and Ladoga islands. 20.08.1941 she participated in evacuation of 168th infantry division from north-west coast of Ladoga to Is. Valaam and was damaged by artillery fire off Is. Valaam; participated in evacuation of 142nd infantry division to Is. Marjansaari. 30.08.1941 "Selemdzha" entered Neva to support retreated units [performed 30 artillery firings], 05.09.1941 she was hit by air bomb [6 men were killed, 7 men were wounded, radio station and left board were damaged - it should be noted that "Selemdzha" repelled ~30 air strikes during summer 1941]. Since 30.09.1941 - guarded route Novaya Ladoga-Osinovets, escorted ships, transported soldiers, ammunition and food supplies. Stayed in bay Morie for wintering. Performed training exercises till 08.1942, guarded route Novaya Ladoga-Osinovets [in May-December 1942 she escorted 69 convoys, towed 19 barges and transported 3500 tons of cargos for Leningrad as well as several thousands of soldiers]. 27-31.08.1942 - supported attacking units near Lipki-Sinyavino. 22.10.1942 - participated in combat with retreated enemy landing troops near Is. Suho, together with "Bira" sank abandoned enemy landing barge and landing boat. In 1942 the gun-boat shelled several enemy artillery batteries and damaged two aircraft. "Selemdzha" guarded lake routes till the winter 1942/43, supported attacking units along the Ladoga shore in 1943. in June 1944 she supported attacking units near Tuloksa. 23.09.1944 she moved to Baltic Sea, guarded sea routes in the Gulf of Finland. 23.01.1945 - was accepted by military transport unit in Oranienbaum.

All gun-boats of that type were unarmed and given back to Baltic technical fleet 08.-10.1945 as hopper barges, scrapped in the end of 1960s mainly ["Selemdzha" - in 1974]. "Amgun" which was exploded on mine 10.11.1944 was raised in 1955 and towed to Tallinn where scrapped.

Specifications of "Selemdzha" - 1140 tons, 59.5x11.9x3.6 m, 800 hp steam engine, 8.9 knots, 1745 miles, 2x100mm + 4x45mm [since 1943 - 2x130mm + 2x45mm + 2x37mm + 1x12.7mm], crew 104 men.

Regards, BP

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BIGpanzer
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#610

Post by BIGpanzer » 12 Aug 2007, 16:24

Yes, and I have some questions about unclear cases of losses of Soviet merchant ships during the war. We've already discussed North Atlantic/Arctic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black & Azov Seas, Indian & Pacific Oceans.

As for Caspian Sea - there are two unclear cases.

1. "Molot" [cargo steamer, 498 brt, captain M.G. Ter-Kazarov] - the ship lost 24.10.1942 during the run Baku-Krasnovodsk with calcium carbide as the cargo. The coordinates and reason of loss are unknown [ship missed], 18 crewmembers were lost.

2. "Kuibyshev" [cargo diesel ship, 1805 brt, captain E.A. Rovinsky] - the ship lost 29.10.1943 in the southern part of Caspian Sea [near Apsheron peninsula] during the run Nowshahr-Makhachkala with lend-lease cargos on board. 30.10.1943 steamer "Darvin" detected mast, empty life boats and fragments of the unknown ship [probably, "Kuibyshev"] in the point 39.37N, 50.44E. Searches of "Kuibyshev" continued till 09.11.1943 but they were unsuccessful. 41 crewmembers were lost.

Does anybody have more info/any guesses?

Regards, BP

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#611

Post by BIGpanzer » 12 Aug 2007, 18:31

Sonntagsforsher wrote:
Most of the ships that returned to Latvia had little chance to undertake duties against the Axis, as they were sunk or seized by the Germans in the early days of Operation Barbarossa. I expect that before very long we will get a record of those that were not, but so far I have no information about them.
The ships of Soviet Latvian State Sea Steamship Company [LGMP] which were lost during WWII. Most of them were ex-Latvian [the promised list of Latvian ships from the end of 1930s I will post next week] and their captains were also Latvians.

1. Two ships were scuttled by crews in Soviet ports to prevent their capture by Germans - "Mariampol" [1565 tons, 27.06.1941 in Riga] and "Everiga" [4648 brt, 03.07.1941 in Piarnu].

2. Sixteen ships were seized and interned in foreign ports [Lubeck, Stettin, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Lisbon, Danzig] during the first days of the war in June 1941: "Andrejs Kalnins" [3002 brt, 30 men with captain J. Morgenshterns], "Arija" [3678 brt, 28 men with captain J. Grinbergs], "Ausma" [1905 brt, 23 men with captain A. Nicmanis], "Valdona" [3042 brt, 9 men with captain A. Brencsons], "Gauja" [1408 brt, 19 men with captain K. Vetra], "Gundega" [3583 brt, 30 men with captain G. Liberts], "Dole" [3811 brt, 28 men with captain A. Krasts], "Kangars" [2722 brt, 28 men with captain K. Zalitis], "Kaupo" [2905 brt, 27 men with captain T. Kalninsh], "Klints" [1250 brt, captain A. Teteris], "Konsuls P. Dannebergs" [2747 brt, 25 men with captain O. Kalninsh], "Krivs" [1340 brt, 20 men with captain K. Shteins], "Sports" [3283 brt, 24 men with captain A. Pulins], "Tautmila" [3724 brt, 8 men with captain A. Lajvins], "Everonika" [3743 brt, 30 men with captain P. Jansons], "Evertons" [4107 brt, 35 men with captain K. Kerpe]

3. Fourteen ships were captured in Soviet ports [ports Ventspils, Liepaja, Elgava, Riga - 27.06.1941, also steamer "Ilga" was captured on Ladoga 09.1941] because of their technical condition/repair which made evecuation impossible or during attempts to leave the ports ["Amata", "Kandava", "Kuldiga" were captured by German MTBs when they tried to leave Ventspils 27.06.1941]: "Amata", "Auseklis", "Velta", "Venta", "Kaja", "Kandava", "Kuldiga", "Mole", "Ogre", "Rauna", "Riga", "Spidola", "Neptunas", "Ilga".

4. Twenty-two ex-Latvian (Soviet) ships were lost during transport duties at sea [see below].

Regards, BP
Last edited by BIGpanzer on 19 Aug 2007, 16:07, edited 2 times in total.

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Juha Tompuri
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#612

Post by Juha Tompuri » 12 Aug 2007, 23:02

Hi BP,
BIGpanzer wrote:
JT wrote about cargo steamer "Ilga" from Latvian Steamship Company
Actually captured by Finnish forces at Mantsi island at lake Ladoga 22th September 1941.
Sailed during the war as transport ship Aunus.
After the war, autumn 1944, the ship was given back to the USSR.
Actually the original source mentions those ships as "ships abandoned in Soviet ports because of impossibility of their withdrawal because of technical condition and captured by enemy" so this is my mistake that I translated enemy as German forces only, Finns also captured ship.
Source about abandoned in ports merchant ships - http://militera.lib.ru/h/mmf/06.html (table 3), according to the summarized table "Ilga" was captured 09.09.1941.
These sources
[ http://www.battleships.spb.ru/KO/0196/Ladoga.html
http://www.kolumbus.fi/leo.mirala/Sota/ ... -laiva.htm ]
support your info - Finns captured ex-Latvian "Ilga" [211 brt, built in 1925] 22.09.1941, which became "Aunus".

IIRC civil steamer under the name "Ilga" participated in unsuccessful [because of hurried organization, bad recon and insufficient amount of marine units consisted of unexperienced recruits from warships under construction and naval school] landing operations of Soviet Ladoga flotilla in July-August 1941 [Is. Mantsinsaari and Lunkulansaari] - http://www.warhistory.ru/warhistory_ru/ ... fe/map.jpg
Thanks for the interesting links.
http://www.kolumbus.fi/leo.mirala/Sota/ ... -laiva.htm mentions some details about the capture:
...22th September-41 (the same day it had been assigned to the Soviet Ladoga Fleet inventory, JT) ~06.00 hours Latvian steamer Ilga came to the shore of Lunkulansaari (with Latvian flag at stern and white flag at top mast, JT), in front of the Kuratsaari battery.
The Latvian crew, captain and 13 sailors had imprisoned the Soviet marine personel at the ship: two Lieutenats and 6 sailors.
The steamer Ilga surrendersd to the Finns.
The task of the ship had been to deliver ammo to the gunboat Lacta at the Haapanova bay and food and clothes supply to the Soviet Ladoga defence HQ.
...(food ~2tn, clothes and ammo was captured, JT)
Regards, Juha
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BIGpanzer
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#613

Post by BIGpanzer » 12 Aug 2007, 23:54

Thanks for the interesting translation, Juha. I hoped you can add something about combat use of Soviet gun-boats of "Amgun"-type in Ladoga and Gulf of Finland. About gun-boat "Lahta" [not "Lacta"] see below.
As for "Ilga" which participated in Soviet landing operation at Is. Mantsinsaari and Lunkulansaari 07.-08.1941, I found a mention that was another "Ilga" [river steamer from North-West River Steamship Company, probably, ex-Estonian], it was reequipped into small patrol boat of Ladoga flotilla in September 1942.

I could understand the corresponding text fragment on Finnish quite superficially only [but I understood that Soviet marine personnel were imprisoned, also see the corresponding photo inside the link mentioned above]. Modern Russian link I've posted above also mentioned that "Ilga" turned one's coat. Interesting, the major part of ex-Latvian ships in Soviet service had Latvian captains and significant part of Latvian crewmembers [which was made because of political reasons mainly to show belief to new nation incorporated into USSR, also Latvians knew their ships and waters better; but, of course, Latvian sailors of "security risk" were removed from crews]. Nevertheless, such incidents as "Ilga" case could happen as we see.

I am starting to post short info about ships from Latvian State Sea Steamship Company [LGMP], which were lost during WWII on Baltic.

1. "Gaisma" [3077 brt, captain N. Duve - KIA] - was sunk by German MTBs S-59 and S-60 off Is. Gogland during run Riga-Lubeck with timber on board 22.06.1941 [03:45 am]. MTBs shot sailors from torpedoed "Gaisma" in water, 6 men were killed and 2 were captured. 24 men could reach Latvian shore on life-boat in 14 h and buried captain there.

2. "Vieniba" [288 brt, captain A. Bertins] - the ship participated in evacuation of Liepaja, 27.06.1941 performed run with several hundreds of wounded men and evacuees on board [escort - two MTBs]. Enemy aviation sank "Vieniba" and one MTB (TKA-27). Only 25 men could use life-boat and survived.

3. "Krimulda" [1970 brt, captain J. Rerihe] - performed convoy run Riga-Tallinn with evacuated cargos on board, exploded on mine near Moonsund [Is. Vormsi] 30.06.1941, 5 men were lost.

4. "Imanta" [1233 brt] - ran aground and sank 01.07.1941 during run to Tallinn [59.52N, 28.04E].

5. "Rasma" [3204 brt, captain Zaichik] - performed run Tallinn-Leningrad with grain and flour on board. Exploded on mine and captain run the ship aground off Is. Mohni 05.07.1941. Crewmembers and passengers were landed on island and rescued by "Vilsandi". Enemy aircraft bombed abandoned ship 10.07.1941 and MTBs S-26 and S-28 torpedoed and sank the ship.

6. "Lacplesis" [icebreaker, 580 hp] - performed run Trijgi-Myntu with torpedos on board. The ship was attacked by MTBs from 3rd flotilla and damaged by artillery-MG fire 22.07.1941 off Is. Abruk. Nevertheless, Soviet mine-sweeper could tow "Lacplesis" to Is. Saaremaa where torpedos were unloaded but icebreaker sank because of damages. The ship was raised and repaired in autumn 1941, was used along the route Virtsu-Kuivastu. Interned in Sweden in 1944, returned back to LGMP in 1945.

7. "Bartava" [768 brt, captain K. Eglitis - KIA] - the ship was attacked by enemy aviation during stay at Is. Saaremaa 10.08.1941 and heavily damaged, 6 men including captain were killed. Some time "Bartava" was used as coal fueler in Moonsund until she sank completelly.

8. "Kretinga" [542 brt, ex-refrigerator ship of Lithuania accepted by LGMP, captain M. Veide - KIA] - performed convoy run from Kronshtadt to Tallinn and Hango. Was attacked by enemy bombers and exploded on mine during manoeuvring [Loksa, 15.08.1941], all crew (24 men) was lost.

9. "Krisjanis Valdemars" [icebreaker, 1972 brt] - performed convoy run Tallinn-Kronshtadt with political departments of Baltic Navy on board, the ship was attacked by enemy bombers and exploded on mine during manoeuvring [Is. Mohni, 28.08.1941].

10. "Everita" [3251 brt, captain J. Spore - KIA] - participated in evacuation of Tallinn, was the last ship of convoy No. 2 [transported ~1500 soldiers from Naissaar garrison]. Exploded on mine 28.08.1941 and sank in 1 min. The amount of lost men is unknown.

11. "Kalpaks" [2190 brt, captain E. Veinberge] - participated in evacuation of Tallinn as hospital ship, was attacked by enemy aviation 47 times and sank 29.08.1941 E from Is. Gogland. More than 1100 men were lost including 700 wounded soldiers [many people were shot by German pilots in water]. Patrol boats could rescue only 70 men including 16 crewmembers and heavily wounded Latvian captain.

12. "Sauliai" [2500 tons, ex-cargo ship of Lithuania accepted by LGMP] - performed run from Tallinn in convoy No. 2, the ship was damaged by bomb off Is. Rodsher but she could reach Is. Gogland with the help of rescue ship and mine-sweeper [all soldiers and ammunition on board were unloaded on Is. Gogland]. Anchored "Sauliai" was damaged several times more during further air attacks and sank 29.08.1941 at Gogland. The hull of "Sauliai" was used as coal fueler 11.-12.1941 for the ships went to Hango, the hull was torpedoed by Soviet submarine M-97 13.06.1942.

13. "Atis Kronvaldis" [1423 brt] - performed run from Tallinn with ~1000 passengers on board. The ship was sunk by enemy bombers [14 aircraft participated in attack] 29.08.1941 [~18:00] NW from Is. Lavansaari [59.55N, 27.45E]. Part of passengers was rescued but exact amount of survivors is unknown.

14. "Ausma" [1791 brt, captain R. Kuntsberg]. The steamer performed run Tallinn-Leningrad [convoy No. 3] with garrison of Paldiski on board (1200 men). The ship was sunk by direct bomb hit, 29.08.1941 [13:00] off Is. Rodsher. The exact amount of lost men is unknown.

15. "Skrunda" [2414 brt, captain S. Ostapenko; military transport VT-529] - was scuttled by crew at Is. Gogland 30.08.1941 after heavy damages from bombs [144 bombs were dropped totally], all passengers [2000 men] were taken by patrol ships and transported to Gogland and Kronshtadt. See above for more detailed info.

16. "Sigulda" [1999 brt, captain V. Beklemishev; military transport VT-519] - performed run to Tallinn in convoy [empty ship]. Convoy was atacked by German aviation off Gogland and damaged "Sigulda" ran aground near South Gogland lighthouse 29.08.1941, next day the ship sank; 1 man was lost.

17. "Barta" [2324 brt, captain M. Farmakovsky; military transport VT-506] - performed run to Oranienbaum to evacuate wounded soldiers. The ship was attacked by enemy aviation and heavily damaged 21.09.1941 near Kronshtadt, captain ran the ship aground and crewmembers reached shore using life-boat. Waterlogged ship was used as observation post to correct fire of Kronshtadt long-range artillery batteries duting 19 months. 31.05.1944 the steamer was raised and repaired in 1945.

18. "Everolanda" [3379 brt, captain P. Gusarov; military transport VT-552] - exploded on mine off Kunda 06.07.1941 and was towed to Leningrad. Waterlogged steamer stayed near 1 year in Neva bay, in November 1942 the ship was raised and repaired.

19. "Astra" [3120 brt, captain K.Treis; military transport VT-516] - stayed in port Oranienbaum during loading of cars and wounded men on board 01.10.1941, the ship was shelled by enemy field artillery and it was hit several times by shells during way out from the port, sank. Crew and wounded men could reach shore. 25.09.1942 the ship was raised by rescue service of Baltic Navy.

20. "Kondors" [210 brt] - small passenger steamer was one of the last ships which participated in defense of Moonsund, the ship was sunk by enemy aviation 11.10.1941 off Is. Hijumaa.

21. "Skauts" [2136 brt, military transport VT-549] - performed run Kronshtadt-Gogland in convoy. The ship was hit by air bomb which destroyed stern part, sank 30.11.1941 [to the W from Kronshtadt, 60.00N, 29.33E]. The ship was raised 16.11.1947 and scrapped.

22. "Banga" [519 brt, ex-cargo-passenger steamer which was used as depot ship of Baltic Navy] - performed run Virtsu-Riga and and hit the underwater stones [got a hole] because of fog and absence of navigation lights, sank next day because of stormy weather 28.11.1944 in the Riga bay NW off Is. Kihnu.

Regards, BP

P.S. Ladoga military flotilla had several gun-boats reequipped from civil ships. In addition to ex-hopper barges built in Germany for USSR in 1939-1940 [by Deutsche Werft AG]: "Bira", "Bureya", "Nora", "Olekma" and "Selemdzha" there were also two such gun-boats.

"Lahta" [also ex-hopper barge belonged to Baltic technical fleet of NKVD, built in 1899 in Netherlands, 580 tons] - gun-boat of Ladoga military flotilla since 26.07.1941 [2x100mm + 2x45mm + 1x37mm + 3x12.7mm]. "Lahta" together with motor boats MO-205, BKA-99 and BKA-100 [unit under command of captain-lieutenant Sirotinsky] supported left flank of 7th army and shelled Finnish coastal positions at Kut-Lahta, Gorki, Gumbaritsy 10.09.1941-19.10.1941, then "Lahta" together with patrol ship "Konstruktor" and MO-205 shelled enemy positions along the south shore of Ladoga [Lipki, Sinyavino, Shlisselburg] 20-24.10.1941. "Lahta" should participate in the operation against Finnish-German-Italian ships at Saunasaari in August 1942 [together with patrol ship, two gun-boats, five mine-sweepers and 10 motor boats], but there were no enemy ships in the bay, so Soviet warships shelled coast only [nevertheless, Soviet actions caused retired some enemy forces to defend coast for prevention possible Soviet landing]. 23.08.-03.09.1942 "Lahta" together with other gun-boats supported attack of 128th infantry division [right flank of 8th army].
The ship was returned back to Baltic technical fleet 13.03.1944, scrapped in 1950s.
http://sovnavy-ww2.by.ru/gunboats/pic/lahta_ld.jpg
http://sovnavy-ww2.by.ru/camouflage/pic/lahta_08_42.jpg [camouflage painting of "Lahta" in August 1942]

"Sheksna" [ex-Finnish armed icebreaker "Aallokas" 400 tons, built in 1936 in Sortavala, captured in spring 1940, training ship since 24.08.1940] - gun-boat of Ladoga military flotilla since 03.08.1941 [2x76mm + 1x20mm + 2x12.7mm]. "Sheksna" supported by artillery fire retreat of 142nd infantry division, 198th motorized division and NKVD units from Hiitola 12-22.08.1941, transported cargos to Leningrad during autumn 1941. 28.08.1942 "Sheksna" successfully repulsed the attack of two Italian MTBs against Ladoga convoy.
Reequipped into military transport in April 1943 and served on Baltic since 25.09.1944. Aviso since 29.11.1947, removed from service in December 1956 and reequipped into port heater, scrapped in 1961.
Photo of "Sheksna" (ex-"Aallokas") is from http://heninen.net/laatokka-war/aallokas/suomeksi.htm
Image
Last edited by BIGpanzer on 19 Aug 2007, 16:06, edited 4 times in total.

mjbollinger
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Posts: 238
Joined: 14 Sep 2005, 02:23
Location: Great Falls, VA

#614

Post by mjbollinger » 13 Aug 2007, 14:24

Hello BP,

I can confirm your information on the loss of Everita. It was mined and sank in two minutes off Cape Juminda 59°45'N 25°22'E on 28.08.41 at about 2158. My information agrees that there were about 1,500 on board. However, only 42 were rescued which puts the casualties at about 1450.

Here is some more information on Sauliai (939 GRT, by the way):

1941 VT-550 (BF) as transport in Tallinn evacuation convoy 2
1941 Damaged in air attack at 1330 or 1345 on 29.08.41 off Rodsher
1941 Towed to Suursaari 60°00'N 26°59'E by METEOR and minesweeper No.31 and abandoned
1941 Unsuccessful attempt to raise her 05-07.09.41
1941 Used as the store ship for convoys to Hangö 11-12.41
1942 Wreck taken over by Germans
1942 Wreck torpedoed by Soviet M-97 on 13.06.42
1944 Wreckage broken up by USSR 11.44

MB

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BIGpanzer
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Posts: 2812
Joined: 12 Dec 2004, 23:51
Location: Central Europe

#615

Post by BIGpanzer » 13 Aug 2007, 14:56

Thanks, Marty!
MB wrote:
I can confirm your information on the loss of Everita. It was mined and sank in two minutes off Cape Juminda 59°45'N 25°22'E on 28.08.41 at about 2158. My information agrees that there were about 1,500 on board. However, only 42 were rescued which puts the casualties at about 1450.
Yes. My sources mention Cape Juminda-Nina as the place of tragedy and time of mine explosion 22:05.
MB wrote:
Here is some more information on Sauliai (939 GRT, by the way):
1941 VT-550 (BF) as transport in Tallinn evacuation convoy 2
1941 Damaged in air attack at 1330 or 1345 on 29.08.41 off Rodsher
1941 Towed to Suursaari 60°00'N 26°59'E by METEOR and minesweeper No.31 and abandoned
1941 Unsuccessful attempt to raise her 05-07.09.41
1941 Used as the store ship for convoys to Hangö 11-12.41
1942 Wreck taken over by Germans
1942 Wreck torpedoed by Soviet M-97 on 13.06.42
1944 Wreckage broken up by USSR 11.44
My sources mention that "Sauliai" had cargo capacity 2500 tons. After the air bomb damaged the ship it was towed by rescue ship "Meteror" and mine-sweeper TShch-31 to Gogland (Suursaari) where all evacuating ammunition and soldiers were unloaded, the ship was abandoned. Further air attacks caused additional damages and strong flooding, attempts to pump out the water 05-07.09.1941 were unsuccessful. Interesting that according to all detailed submarine databases I know submarine M-97 was not at sea 13.06.1942 so that was another submarine which torpedoed the wreck of "Sauliai" :roll:
Found it! That was M-95 in reality - that submarine torpedoed the stranded wreck of "Sauliai" at stones of Is. Gogland (Suursaari) 13.06.1942 (2 torpedos, 15:05).

Can you help with this?
I wrote earlier:

As for Caspian Sea - there are two unclear cases.

1. "Molot" [cargo steamer, 498 brt, captain M.G. Ter-Kazarov] - the ship lost 24.10.1942 during the run Baku-Krasnovodsk with calcium carbide as the cargo. The coordinates and reason of loss are unknown [ship missed], 18 crewmembers were lost.

2. "Kuibyshev" [cargo diesel ship, 1805 brt, captain E.A. Rovinsky] - the ship lost 29.10.1943 in the southern part of Caspian Sea [near Apsheron peninsula] during the run Nowshahr-Makhachkala with lend-lease cargos on board. 30.10.1943 steamer "Darvin" detected mast, empty life boats and fragments of the unknown ship [probably, "Kuibyshev"] in the point 39.37N, 50.44E. Searches of "Kuibyshev" continued till 09.11.1943 but they were unsuccessful. 41 crewmembers were lost.
Last edited by BIGpanzer on 13 Aug 2007, 18:23, edited 10 times in total.

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