“BEAVERS” AND “SEALS” THE KRIEGSMARINE

The German Navy was engaged in an ultra-small boats only in 1944. Prior to this the Germans managed to capture a number of European States, without resorting to the use of underwater diversionary means. The only “small” submarine that was developed in the early years of the war, was V. 80. But it is not planned to use for combat purposes, this 4-person submarine was used only for testing balcerowski turbines. She had a displacement of 71/80 tons and a length of 26 meters.

 

At the end of 1943, the danger of the crossing of the allies across the English channel became a reality, and the first weapons projects to “special attacks” against vehicles, although it was chelovekonapravleny torpedoes. Don Miller in his “Commandos: formation, training, great operations special forces” reports: “the Attack on the British battleship “Tirpitz” determined the decision on the establishment of a Connection (Kommando der Kleunkampf-Verbande) – dimensionstring connection of the German Navy, which consisted of units chelovekonapravleny torpedoes, exploding boats, combat swimmers singles and submarines-babies. The main emphasis on midget submarines armed with conventional torpedoes”. Initiators of underwater vessels for “special attacks” were from lübeck industrialist Heinrich dräger, and captain-Lieutenant Hans Bartels.

 

“BIEBER” AND “MOLCH”

 

The boat “Bieber” was developed in the hope to find the time suitable for diesel, but had to keep a car engine from Opel Blitz truck (the same engine was at a very prestigious cars Opel Admiral). The petrol engine turned the boat into a deadly trap for the private pilot: he was in danger of suffocation from excess carbon monoxide if the hatch was kept closed for more than 45 minutes. Although all divers had breathing apparatus and a supply of oxygen for 20 hours, many died for this reason. The cruising range of 130 miles was quite sufficient for any tasks, but to remain so long on the surface under the domination of allied aircraft, was to condemn himself to certain death.

 

 

Pilot “Bieber” was sitting, poking his head into the wheelhouse with a height of 71 cm with Windows of bulletproof glass. The lead boat had to rely on his eyesight and a hand compass. Stability allowed her to swim only in calm weather. On the surface, “Bieber” had good maneuverability, but the boat could not securely hold the depth. Because existing periscope with a height of 122 cm was a thing practically useless. Transitions and the attack had to perform positional position. Arms “Bieber” consisted of 2 complete electroformed G7e to drag clips on the sides of the body. The boat could carry them instead of 2 mines.

 

Much like “Bieber” and the boats of the “Molch” (Molch German “Salamander”). They were more “bi-Berov”, but as the engine had only the electric motor. This removed the risk of poisoning the pilot sitting under a plexiglass cover. As “Bieber”, “Molg” carried 2 torpedoes.

 

“BIEBER” AND “MOLCH” IN BATTLE

 

All, from March 1944 until the end of the war, it was built 324 “Bieber” and 363 “Molga”. The German command threw them into the thick of the fighting in the English channel and the North sea. A small number of boats of type “Molch” was used in the Mediterranean, although they have not reached.

 

Reports of the allies make no distinction between these two types of small boats. Official British data saying that from January to may

 

1945 year, “Bieber” and “molchi” made 102 out to sea from Rotterdam, killing 70 submarines. German sources agree that in combat operations were killed 60 – 70% of “biebers”. During this period, was sunk 7 allied ships and 2 were damaged by mines, which put the dwarf boat. According to the same sources, from August to December 1944 were destroyed 52 “Bieber”, and again they did not succeed. A significant part of the boats were caught on the surface of the fighter-bombers of the allies.

 

 

Boat Biber on the background of the gateways Hellevoetsluis on the Meuse river

 

 

The steering wheel and control panel of a submarine Biber

 

 

Submarine Molch is transported on a car trailer

 

The combat debut of the “biebers” took place on the night of 29 – 30 August 1944. It was a boat-To-fleet No. 261. 20 “biebers” was delivered by truck at Fécamp, near Le Havre. 18 of them were healthy. Strong excitement of La man-Sha and the wind force of 5 points turned the first battle out saboteurs in a brutal test. They all safely returned home, but their claim to the sinking of the transport type “liberty” (7000 tons) and a large landing craft could not be confirmed. The next day, “Bieber” was destroyed by its own crew on the orders of the army commander, who was not sure that they will be able to evacuate from the area of Le Havre.

 

Following the combat task of the saboteurs was the destruction of the bridge across the Waal. Immediately after the capture of this bridge the American 82nd airborne division in September 1944 the Germans began to attempt its destruction. Anticipating an attack by German commandos, the British strengthened the fortifications around the highway bridge and installed across the current 4 rows of nets and booms above the bridge. In Emmerich, approximately 30 miles upstream, the Germans launched the initial basis for the attack, “biebers” against this bridge.

 

On the night of 12-13 January 1945 the Germans, which were only a few miles above Nijmegen, sent downstream 240 min with time fuses. The mines were to explode groups of 60 pieces to destroy the network and bonds. Behind them was a 20 “biebers” with special torpedoes, which were equipped with hooks. Since the allies held both banks of the Vaal above the bridge, periscopes boats were camouflaged by branches and leaves. But by the time when “Bieber” came to the starting point of the torpedo above the first line entanglements, mines alarmed the allies. They began to bombard the river from guns and machine guns. The loss of “biebers” was heavy.

 

The surviving boats withdrew without firing torpedoes. Now to attack out 4 more “Bieber”. Each boat towed the trunk of a tree under which there was an explosive charge weight of 2990 kg, supported by floats. These mines should have been brought for a distance of 600 – 700 meters from the bridge on a wide bend of the river channel. With the dawn of the boats had to put these original mines to independent swimming. When passing under the bridge due to changes of illumination were triggered photovoltaic fuses mounted on top of the trunks.

 

“Bieber” has successfully taken its mines, but this time the fire of the allies again increased. And before slow mines got to the target, artillery shells forced them to detonate. More attempts to destroy the bridge was not undertaken.

 

THE ARCTIC AND EGYPT

 

The most ambitious use of the “biebers” was the attack ships, accompanied the convoys to Russia, at anchor in the Kola Bay near Murmansk. The trainings were held from November 1944 To the boat-flotilla No. 265, is based in Harstad. 3 boats-media series VIIC – U-295, U-716 and U 739 – was equipped with special deck fixtures to carry on 2 “Bieber”. 40 miles from the submarine had to rise to the surface, open the clamps and just take. “Biberon” had to spend about 12 hours to enter the Kola Gulf, to choose targets and attack them with torpedoes at dawn. After the attack the saboteurs should be sent to acoustic signals boat-vehicles. They had to remove the pilots of “Biebers” and flood the boat.

 

5 January 1945 all 3 submarines left Harstad “biberli” on Board. The attack was scheduled for 8 January. The Germans planned to sink on anchorage Soviet battleship Arkhangelsk and other large ships. However, unreliable design “biebers” disrupted the operation. Strong vibration during operation of the diesel fleet boats caused leaks in the pipes of small boats. The operation had to be cancelled.

 

In addition to the horrific losses with “biberli” there were two unfortunate incidents that led to their replacement in February and March 1945, more successful “seehunde”. When it started operations against allied shipping at the mouth of the Scheldt, “Bieber” was derived from the port tugs bunkers in Rotterdam to the gateway Hellevoetsluis at the head of the estuary of Waal – Meuse. In early January 1945, the mechanic accidentally fired the torpedo from a “Bieber”. It hit the sluice gates. A large part of the fleet of 30 boats were destroyed by the explosion. March 6, 1945, a similar incident led to the death of even one full fleet. But this time, with boats and killed most of the pilots.

 

“SEEHUND”

 

If hastily designed, poorly constructed “Bieber” with a gasoline engine was very unfortunate boat of the Second world war, the submarine series XXVIIB “Seehund” (Seehund -“seal”) can be called the best. The loss of “seehunde” does not exceed 10%.

 

Although “Seehunde” not enough cruising range, in other respects he was a true submarine. Even in the case of detection, the boat had a perfect chance for salvation: it could take 4 – 5 seconds. The pilot just switched the handlebars to dive and gave full power to diesel. The boat was light enough so the explosions of depth charges just threw it without destroying. However, underwater characteristics of “Seehund” leave much to be desired. The electric motor 25 HP was too weak.

 

Only in Kiel, Elbing and Ulm was laid 285 “seehunde”. Many gathered in bomb shelters from pre-prepared modules, which were delivered to the shipyard from other cities. At the time of the surrender, the allies seized more than 100 unfinished boats. Taken by the fleet “seehunde” mainly operated from IJmuiden, where was stationed 30 to 40 boats. They went to sea in small groups and made their way in the Dover Strait.

 

 

 

 

Submarine Molch in the exposition of the South African Military Museum in Johannesburg

 

 

Submarine Biber in the open area Technikniuseum Speyer (Germany)

 

The debut of “seehund” was simply disastrous. The night of December 31 – January 1, Scheldt left 18 “seehund”, of which 16 died in the storm. But then these boats have proven themselves. According to British sources, for the period from January to may 1945, killed 35 “seehunde” of the 142 into the sea. Is the number of outputs seems to be very low. These boats sank 9 allied ships a total displacement of 18 384 tons and damaged a further 3 vessels with a displacement of 18 451 ton. These figures may be understated. German historians attribute “seehund” Connection To the sinking 120,000 tons for February – April 1945. But this number is overstated.

 

The most famous victim “Zeehan-Yes,” was the escort destroyer Free France “La Kombatan” (La Combattante ex – British escort destroyer of the Hunt class -Haldon). It was sunk in the North sea on February 23, 1945 the boat under the command of Lieutenant Tzur see Klaus Parbatta, which fired the torpedo from a distance of 500 m and destroyed the destroyer. A more important achievement “seehunde” can be considered that the allies had to throw against them more than 500 escort ships and 1000 aircraft.