E-boat was the Western Allies' designation for the fast attack craft (German: Schnellboot, or S-Boot, meaning "fast boat"; plural Schnellboote) of the Kriegsmarine during World War II; E-boat could refer to a patrol craft from an armed motorboat to a large Torpedoboot.[2] The name of E-boats was a British designation using the letter E for Enemy.[3][4]
An E-boat flying the white flag, after surrender at the coastal forces base HMS Beehive, Felixstowe, May 1945
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Class overview | |
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Name | E-boat (German: S-boot) |
Builders |
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Operators |
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Succeeded by | Jaguar class (post-war) |
Completed | S-1: 1 unit
S-2: 4 units (Schnellboot 1931) S-7: 7 units (Schnellboot 1933) S-14: 4 units (Schnellboot 1934) S-18: 8 units (Schnellboot 1937) S-26: 4 units S-30: 16 units (Schnellboot 1939) S-38: 58 units (Schnellboot 1939/40) S-38b: S-100: 81 units S-151: 8 units |
Cancelled | 259 |
Preserved | 1 |
General characteristics (S-100-class) | |
Class and type | Fast attack craft |
Displacement |
|
Length | 34.94 m (114.6 ft) [1] |
Beam | 5.28 m (17.3 ft) |
Draught | 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) |
Installed power | 3,960 brake horsepower (2,950 kW)[citation needed] |
Propulsion | 3 × Daimler Benz MB 501 marine diesel engines |
Speed | 43.8 knots (81.1 km/h; 50.4 mph) |
Range | 800 nmi (1,500 km; 920 mi) at 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
Complement | 24–30 |
Armament |
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The main wartime production boats, designated the S100 class, were very seaworthy,[5] heavily armed and capable of sustaining 43.5 knots (80.6 km/h; 50.1 mph), briefly accelerating to 48 knots (89 km/h; 55 mph).[6] These were armed with torpedoes and Flak guns; commonly one 37 mm at the stern, one 20 mm at the bow with a twin mount amidships, plus machine guns. Armament varied and some S100s substituted a 40mm Bofors or, less commonly, a 20mm flakvierling (quadruple mount) for the aft 37mm cannon.[2]
The S100 class boats were 34.94 m (114 ft 8 in) long and 5.38 m (17 ft 8 in) in beam.[5] Their diesel engines provided a range of 700 to 750 nmi (810–860 mi; 1,300–1,390 km), substantially greater than the gasoline-fueled American PT boats and British motor torpedo boats (MTBs).[7]
As a result of early war experience of combat against the fast and powerful S-boats, the Royal Navy created its MGB force and later developed better-matched MTBs, using the Fairmile 'D' hull design.
History
Development
This design was chosen because the theatre of operations of such boats was expected to be the North Sea, English Channel and the Western Approaches. The requirement for good performance in rough seas dictated the use of a round-bottomed displacement hull rather than the flat-bottomed planing hull that was more usual for small, high-speed boats. The shipbuilding company Lürssen at Vegesack, Bremen, overcame many of the disadvantages of such a hull and, with the private motor yacht Oheka II in 1926, produced a craft that was fast, strong and seaworthy. It was also extremely seaworthy and very light, being constructed of wooden planking over alloy frames. This attracted the interest of the Reichsmarine, which in November 1929 ordered a similar boat but fitted with two torpedo tubes. This became the S1, and was the basis for all subsequent E-boats.[citation needed]
After experimenting with the S1, the Germans made several improvements to the design. Small rudders added on either side of the main rudder could be angled outboard to 30 degrees, creating at high speed what is known as the Lürssen Effect.[8] This drew in an "air pocket slightly behind the three propellers, increasing their efficiency, reducing the stern wave and keeping the boat at a nearly horizontal attitude".[9] This was an important innovation as the horizontal attitude lifted the stern, allowing even greater speed, and the reduced stern wave made E-boats harder to see, especially at night.[citation needed]
The rounded wood planking hull helped reduce weight, and flattened at the stern area, the aft section area was reduced at high speeds, it allowed more hydrodynamic lift.[10]
Layout
The internal layout of the E-boat remained the same for all types. Its length was generally divided by eight transverse bulkheads (made of 4mm steel below the waterline and slightly thinner light metal alloy above) into nine watertight compartments.[11] From bow to stern, these were:
- Containing a trimming tank, the anchor chain storage locker, forward "head" (WC) and crew washroom;
- the accommodation for senior ratings (six bunks, including one in a separate compartment for the coxswain);
- comprising the captain's cabin on the starboard side, and the radio room on the port side (including the two radio operators' accommodation);
- the two forward fuel tanks (capacity 6,000 litres), one on either side of a centreline walkway, located directly below the bridge;
- the forward engineroom, housing the two wing engines, still with a central walkway between them;
- the second engineroom held the engine driving the central shaft, with a walkway on each side;
- the two largest of the fuel tanks (capacity 8,000 litres), again on either side of a central walkway;
- the junior ratings accommodation, with bunks for up to fifteen men, plus the galley and the stern "head"; the boat's magazine was also in this compartment;
- the two aft fuel tanks (capacity 4,000 litres) and rudder gear.
Note that the earliest (shorter) boats lacked the first transverse bulkhead, and thus the senior ratings' accommodation was first in the first watertight compartment.
Personnel
The earliest boats had a crew of 12 men, but by the time of the S14 type the manning had increased to 18 men. The S26 class required a complement of between 21 and 24 men, and this remained generally constant for all subsequent boats. This comprised a commanding officer (usually an Oberleutnant zur See), a Chief Boatswain (Oberbootsmann), a Helmsman (Matrosen-Gefreiter), about six seamen including those operating semaphore and engine telegraph posts (Matrosen), a Chief Engineer (Obermaschinsten), three engineer NCOs (Maschinenmaaten), six engine-room ratings (usually Heizern), two radio operators (Funkgefreiten or Funkgaast) for radio communications including decoding, and a torpedo mechanic (Torpedomechanikergefreiten) who doubled as the boat's cook.
Crew members could earn an award particular to their work —Das Schnellbootkriegsabzeichen— denoted by a badge depicting an E-boat passing through a wreath. The criteria were good conduct, distinction in action, and participating in at least twelve enemy actions. It was also awarded for particularly successful missions, displays of leadership or being killed in action. It could be awarded under special circumstances, such as when another decoration was not suitable.[citation needed]
Operations with the Kriegsmarine
E-boats were primarily used to patrol the Baltic Sea and the English Channel in order to intercept shipping heading for the English ports in the south and east. As such, they were up against Royal Navy and Commonwealth, e.g., Royal Canadian Navy contingents leading up to D-Day, motor gunboats (MGBs), motor torpedo boats (MTBs), motor launches, frigates and destroyers. They were also transferred in small numbers to the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea by river and land transport. Some small E-boats were built as boats for carrying by auxiliary cruisers.[citation needed]
E-boats were administratively organised into flotillas, each originally comprising 8 boats. The first flotilla (1st Schnellbootshalbflotille) was formed in July 1932, but was reorganised as 1st Schnellbootsflotille in June 1935. A second flotilla was established in August 1938, and a third in 1940. Eventually there were fourteen operational flotillas, numbered 1st to 11th plus 21st, 22nd and 24th, together with three training flotillas (Schnellbootsschulflotille). Each flotilla required the backup of a depot ship; initially this was provided by the converted steamer Nordsea, but from 1934 a series of purpose-built tenders were commissioned - the Tsingtau in 1934, followed by the Tanga (in 1939), Carl Peters and Adolf Lüderitz in 1940, and finally the Herman von Wissmamm and Gustav Nachtigal.
E-boats of the 6th & 9th flotillas from Cherbourg attacked Exercise Tiger on 28 April 1944, causing about 749 American Army and Navy casualties.[citation needed]
The E-boats of the 9th flotilla were the first naval units to respond to the invasion fleet of Operation Overlord.[12] They left Cherbourg harbour at 5 a.m. on 6 June 1944.[12] On finding themselves confronted by the entire invasion fleet, they fired their torpedoes at maximum range and returned to Cherbourg.[12]
During World War II, E-boats claimed 101 merchant ships totalling 214,728 tons.[13] Additional claims include 12 destroyers, 11 minesweepers, eight landing ships, six MTBs, one torpedo boat, one minelayer, one submarine, and a number of smaller craft such as fishing boats. They also damaged two cruisers, five destroyers, three landing ships, one repair ship, one naval tug, and numerous other merchant vessels. Sea mines laid by the E-boats sank 37 merchant ships totalling 148,535 tons, a destroyer, two minesweepers, and four landing ships.[13]
E-boat crews were awarded 23 Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses and 112 German Crosses in Gold.[13]
Operations in the Black Sea
To boost Axis naval strength in the Black Sea, the OKW ordered to the region the transfer of six E-boats of the 1st S-flotilla, the last to be released from action in the Baltic Sea before refit. The Romanian port of Constanța, in the Black Sea, was chosen as the S-flotilla's headquarters. Transporting the six boats overland from Germany to Romania was an impressive logistical feat. The superstructure and all weapons were removed, leaving only the hull. After a long road journey of 60 hours, the boats arrived at Ingolstadt, where they were transferred back to water and towed towards Linz.[14] Upon reaching the Austrian city, the superstructure was rebuilt, then the journey continued down the Danube to Galați, where the main engines were installed. The E-boats then continued on their own power towards Constanța, where refitting was completed.
The first two boats, S26 and S28, arrived in Constanța on 24 May 1942, the second pair, S72 and S102 on 3 June, and the final pair, S27 and S40 10 days later.[15] After the sinking of S27 by a malfunctioning torpedo, four more reserve boats, S47, S49, S51 and S-52 were dispatched to the Black Sea, in order to replace boats undergoing maintenance.[16] S28, S72 and S102 were soon relegated to the Constanța Shipyard for engine replacement, leaving only S26 and the newly commissioned S49 operational.[17] On 1 January 1944, the 1st S-flotilla numbered six operational boats: S26, S42, S47, S49, S52 and S79, while S28, S40, S45 and S51 were all out of commission, undergoing repair in Constanța. Three more boats were shipped down the Danube and were being reconstructed at Constanța.[18] On 1 June 1944, 8 boats were operational in Constanța: S28, S40, S47, S49, S72, S131, S148 and S149. The boats were however penned in harbor, due to fuel shortage. During July, S26, S28, S40 and S42 were transferred to Sulina at the mouth of the Danube, where S42 was fitted with a new propeller. They were joined by S72 in early August, the rest of the boats remaining in Constanța. On 19 August, S26, S40 and S72 were destroyed in port by a Soviet air attack. On 22 August S148 hit a mine and sank near Sulina, and on the following day, S42, S52 and S131 were destroyed in Constanța by a Soviet air attack.[19] What remained of the S-flotilla was disbanded after Romania switched sides on the same day.[20]
Yugoslav Navy
Eight E-boats were built by Lürssen, Vegesack for the Yugoslav Navy from 1936 to 1939. These were named Orjen, Durmitor, Suvobor, Kajmakcalan, Velebit, Dinaira, Rudnik and Triglav. Each measured 28.00 (overall)/27.70 (waterline) x 4.30 x 1.51 m (91 ft 10in/90 ft 10in x 14 ft 1in x 4 ft 11in) and 61.7 tons full load. Three Daimler-Benz petrrol engines of 1,100 hp each = 3,300 hp = 41 kts. Each carried two 550mm torpedo tubes, a 40mm gun and 16 men. Kajmakcalan and Durmitor escaped to Alexandria in April 1941 to join the Allies; the other six fell into Italian hands and became Ms41 to Ms46, four of them eventually captured by the Germans (see below under "S2 class").
Italian MS boat
The poor seaworthiness of the Italian-designed MAS boats of World War I and early World War II led its navy to build its own version of E-boats, the CRDA 60 t type, classed MS (Motosilurante). The prototype was designed on the pattern of six German-built E-boats captured from the Yugoslav Navy in 1941. Two of them sank the British light cruiser HMS Manchester in August 1942, the largest warship to be sunk by fast torpedo craft in the Second World War.[21] After the war these boats served with the Italian Navy, some well into the 1970s.[22]
Service in the Spanish Navy
The Kriegsmarine supplied the Spanish Francoist Navy with six E-boats (S1 to S6) during the Spanish Civil War, and six more during the Second World War. Another six were built in Spain with some assistance from Lürssen. A motor boat of the early series, either the Falange or the Requeté, laid two mines off Almería that crippled the British destroyer HMS Hunter on 13 May 1937. The German-built boats were discarded in the 1960s, while some of the Spanish-built ones served until the early 1970s.[23]
Service in China
The Chinese Nationalist Navy had three S7-class boats during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Yue-22 was destroyed by Japanese planes, Yue-371 was sunk by its sailors to avoid being captured by the Japanese soldiers and Yue-253 was captured by the People's Liberation Army during the Chinese Civil War. Yue-253 was renamed "Hoiking" (海鯨), meaning "Seawhale" in Chinese. The People's Liberation Army Navy used it as a patrol boat until 1963.
The Chinese Nationalist government also ordered eight S30-class E-boats and a tender, Qi Jiguang (戚繼光). These were taken over by the Kriegsmarine in 1939. Qi Jiguang was renamed Tanga.
Service in the Romanian Navy
Germany sold four E-boats to Romania on 14 August 1944.[24] These vessels displaced 65 tons, had a top speed of 30 knots generated by three Mercedes-Benz engines totalling 2,130 kW (2,850 hp) and were armed with two 500 mm (20 in) torpedo tubes. Each of the four boats had a crew of 25. They were numbered 10 to 13 (formerly S151, S152, S153 and S154) and served in the Romanian Navy until at least 1954.[25]
Post-war service
Royal Navy
At the end of the war about 34 E-boats were surrendered to the British. Three boats, S130 (renamed P5230), S208 (P5208) and S212 (P5212) were retained for trials.[citation needed]
Operation Jungle
The Gehlen Organization, an intelligence agency established by American occupation authorities in Germany in 1946 and manned by former members of the Wehrmacht's Fremde Heere Ost (Foreign Armies East), used the Royal Navy's E-boats in order to infiltrate its agents into the Baltic states and Poland.[26] Royal Navy Commander Anthony Courtney was struck by the potential capabilities of former E-boat hulls, and John Harvey-Jones of the Naval Intelligence Division was put in charge of the project. He discovered that the Royal Navy still had two E-boats, P5230 and P5208, and had them sent to Portsmouth, where one of them, P5230 (ex-S130), was modified to reduce its weight and increase its power with the installation of two Napier Deltic engines of 1,900 kW (2,500 hp) each.[27]
Lieutenant-Commander Hans-Helmut Klose was assigned to command a German crew, recruited by the British MI-6 and funded by the American Office of Policy Coordination. The missions were assigned the codename "Operation Jungle". The boats carried out their missions under the cover of the British Control Commission's Fishery Protection Service, which was responsible for preventing Soviet navy vessels from interfering with German fishing boats and for destroying stray mines. The home port of the boats was Kiel, and operated under the supervision of Harvey-Jones. Manned by Klose and his crew, they usually departed for the island of Bornholm waving the White Ensign, where they would hoist the Swedish flag for a dash to Gotland, and there they would wait for orders from Hamburg. The first mission consisted in the landing of Lithuanian agents at Palanga, Lithuania, in May 1949,[28] and the last one took place in April 1955 in Saaremaa, Estonia.[29] During the last two years of the operation, three new German-built motorboats replaced the old E-boats.[30] Klose was later assigned the command of a patrol boat in the Bundesmarine and became commander-in-chief of the fleet before his retirement in 1978.[29]
Royal Danish Navy
In 1947, the Danish navy bought twelve former Kriegsmarine boats. These were further augmented in 1951 by six units bought from the Royal Norwegian Navy. The last unit, the P568 Viben, was retired in 1965.[31]
Royal Norwegian Navy
After World War II, the Norwegian Navy received a number of former Kriegsmarine boats. Six boats were transferred to Denmark in 1951.[citation needed]
Operators
Survivor
This section needs to be updated.(April 2022) |
There is just one surviving E-boat, identified as S130. It was built as hull No. 1030 at the Schlichting boatyard in Travemünde. S130 was commissioned on 21 October 1943 and took an active part in the war, participating in the Exercise Tiger attack and attacks on the D-Day invasion fleet.
According to Dutch military historian Maurice Laarman:
In 1945, S130 was taken as a British war prize (FPB 5030) and put to use in covert operations. Under the guise of the "British Baltic Fishery Protection Service", the British Secret Intelligence Service MI-6 ferried spies and agents into Eastern Europe. Beginning in May 1949, MI-6 used S208, (Kommandant Hans-Helmut Klose) to insert agents into Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland. The operations were very successful and continued under a more permanent organisation based in Hamburg. In 1952, S130 joined the operation and the mission was enlarged to include signal intelligence (SIGINT) equipment. In 1954/55, S130 and S208 were replaced by a new generation of German S-boote.
S130 was returned to the newly formed Bundesmarine in March 1957, and operated under the number UW 10. Serving initially in the Unterwasserwaffenschule training sailors in underwater weaponry such as mines and torpedoes, she later became a test boat under the name EF 3.[32]
S130 was on display in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, having formerly been used as a houseboat.[citation needed]
S130 was purchased and towed from Wilhelmshaven to the Husbands Shipyard, Marchwood, Southampton, England in January 2003, under the auspices of the British Military Powerboat Trust. In 2004, S130 was taken to the slipway at Hythe, where, under the supervision of the BMPT, she was prepared and then towed to Mashfords yard in Cremyll, Cornwall, England to await funding for restoration. In 2008, S130, having been purchased by the Wheatcroft Collection, was set up ashore at Southdown in Cornwall to undergo restoration work involving Roving Commissions Ltd. As of June 2012, this work continues and includes an S130 Members' Club.[citation needed]
As of July 2020, S130 was part of the Wheatcroft collection of militaria, and still in the process of being restored. When restoration is complete it is planned that S130 will be a museum-ship located in the Richmond dry docks in Bideford, Devon.[33]
Variants and vessels
The Schnellboot design evolved over time.[34] The first groups had a pair of torpedo tubes fitted on the foredeck, but from S26 onwards the forecastle had been raised so that the torpedo tubes were built into the structure.
S1
The first post-WW1 torpedo boat was ordered in November 1929 to be built by Lürssen at Vegesack, near Bremen, in 1930, using mahogany and light metal composite. Originally numbered as UZ(S)16, it was commissioned into the Reichmarine on 7 August 1930. It was renamed W1 in March 1931, and then as S1 on 16 March 1932. It measured 26.8 x 4.2 x 1.06 metres (87 ft x 13 ft 9in x 3 ft 6in) and had a displacement of 39 tons standard (50 tons full load). Powered by three Daimler-Benz 900 hp petrol engines on three shafts, with a rating of 2,700 bhp, it had a sustained speed of 34.2 knots (maximum 39.8 knots). It carried two 500mm (19.685 inch) torpedo tubes and one 20mm flak gun. It had a complement of 12 (later 18) men. Along with the next five boats (S2 to S6), it was sold to Spain on 10 December 1936 and renamed Badajoz (LT15).
The number S1 was re-used in 1939. Five boats had been ordered by Bulgaria from Lürssen, Vegesack, of which the first four were delivered as F1 to F4. The fifth boat was retained in Germany and given the number S1. These were petrol-engined boats, similar to the S2 class built for the Kriegsmarine. Although commissioned in 1939, its petrol engines gave frequent problems, and on 10 September 1940 its stern was rammed (by S13) in Vlissingen, and was later removed from active service.
S2 class
The first production of the E-boat in 1931, a lengthened version of the prototype S1. Each measured 27.95 x 4.2 x 1.06 metres (91 ft 8in x 13 ft 9in x 3 ft 6in) and had a displacement of 46.5 tons standard (58 tons full load). Powered by Daimler-Benz petrol engines on three shafts, with a rating of 3,300 bhp, they had a speed of 33.8 knots. Armament and men as in S1. They formed a "Half Flotilla" and were used for training crews for later E-boats; all were transferred to Spain in 1936, along with S1 and S6.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S2 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1 December 1931 | 22 April 1932 | Sold to Spain 10 December 1936, renamed Falange (LT13) |
S3 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 10 December 1931 | 27 May 1932 | Sold to Spain 10 December 1936, but never commissioned there |
S4 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 11 June 1932 | 20 June 1932 | Sold to Spain 10 December 1936, renamed Requete (LT11) |
S5 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1932 | 14 July 1932 | Sold to Spain 10 December 1936, renamed Oviedo (LT12) |
The numbers S2 to S5 were re-used in 1943. Eight petrol-engined boats similar to the original S2 class had been ordered from Lürssen, Vegesack, and completed in 1937-39 for that navy as Orjen, Durmitor, Suvobor, Kajmakcalan, Velebit, Dinaira, Rudnik and Triglav. When Italy occupied Yugoslavia in April 1941, two of them (Durmitor and Kajmakcalan) escaped to Alexandria and served with the Allied forces, while the other six were commissioned into the Italian Navy as Ms41 to Ms46.[35] In September 1943 Ms41 (ex Orjen) at Monfalcone and Ms45 (ex Suvobor) at Cattolica were scuttled, while the other four were captured by the Germans on 9 September and renamed S2 (ex Velebit), S3 (ex Dinara), S4 (ex Triglav) and S5 (ex Rudnik); all four were scuttled by the Germans at Salonika in October 1944.
S6
The first diesel-powered boat, also built by Lürssen, Vegesack in 1933. Its dimensions and other details were the same as for S7 to S9. Ordered on 26 August 1932, it was sold to Spain on 10 December 1936 (together with the preceding petrol-engined boats) and renamed Toledo (LT14).
S7 class
Built from 1933 onwards. Similar to S6, but with an improved hull form, these were the first operational diesel boats. The first three, ordered (together with S6) on 26 August 1932, were fitted with MAN diesels and measured 80 tons standard (95 tons full load), while the last four were equipped with the more reliable Daimler-Benz diesels and were 78 tons standard (92 tons full load). All measured 32.40 x 4.90 x 1.21 m (106 ft 3in x 16 ft x 4 ft). These carried the larger 533mm (21-inch) torpedoes rather than the 500mm of the petrol-driven boats; two torpedo tubes were mounted on the forecastle, and the boats also carried a single 20mm gun, with a crew of 21 men.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S7 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 24 February 1934 | 10 October 1934 | Transferred to Britain in May 1945, scuttled in the North Sea 2 May 1946 |
S8 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 23 January 1934 | 6 September 1934 | Converted to fast submarine hunter in 1940, transferred to Britain postwar, scrapped after 1947 |
S9 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 24 February 1934 | 12 June 1935 | Converted to fast submarine hunter in 1940, transferred to Norway in 1945, sunk 18 January 1946 in the North Sea |
S10 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 26 August 1934 | 7 March 1935 | Transferred to Norway in 1945, scrapped 1950 |
S11 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 24 October 1934 | 3 August 1935 | Transferred to Soviet Navy 5 November 1945 as TK-1002, scrapped in later 1940s. |
S12 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 18 February 1935 | 31 August 1935 | Transferred to Norway in 1945, sunk 18 January 1946 in the North Sea |
S13 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 29 March 1935 | 7 December 1935 | Transferred to Britain in May 1945, sold and scrapped. |
S14 class
Improved S7, built from 1934 onwards. Enlarged hull.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S14 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 23 January 1936 | 12 June 1936 | Converted to fast tug, but sunk in the Bristol Channel in 1944. |
S15 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 15 February 1936 | 27 February 1937 | Transferred to US Navy post-war, but given to Denmark in July 1847 and broken up there |
S16 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 7 April 1937 | 22 December 1937 | Transferred to Soviet Navy 5 November 1945 as TK-1003, scrapped 1950 or later. |
S17 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 29 July 1937 | 18 March 1938 | Decommissioned 8 September 1939 following heavy storm damage and scrapped. |
S18 class
Built from 1937 onwards. Almost identical to the S14 class, but with 3 Mercedes Benz engines instead of MAN engines. The bridge, which had been in front of the wheelhouse on earlier designas, was raised to the wheelhouse roof to increase all-round visibility.[36]
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S18 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 13 January 1938 | 14 July 1936 | Rebuilt as fast tug boat 1942, sunk by bombing 5 May 1945. |
S19 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 10 May 1938 | 6 October 1938 | Transferred to Britain post-war, sunk as target ship 1950. |
S20 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1 October 1938 | 21 March 1939 | Transferred to Britain post-war, scrapped 1948. |
S21 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1 August 1938 | 19 December 1938 | Transferred to Norway in 1945, scrapped 1950. |
S22 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 31 January 1939 | 16 May 1939 | Sunk at Wilhelmhaven by British bombing 30 March 1945. |
S23 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 23 April 1939 | 15 July 1939 | Badly damaged by mine 12 July 1940 in the North Sea, and scuttled. |
S24 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 4 July 1939 | 18 September 1939 | Transferred to Soviet Navy 5 November 1945 as TK-1004, scrapped 1950 or later. |
S25 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 19 September 1939 | 9 December 1939 | Transferred to Britain post-war, scrapped 1948. |
1938 batches
Twelve additional boats were ordered - all from Lürssen - in August 1938. These were of two different models, due to accommodating different Daimler-Benz disels. The larger type (S26 to S29), were begun in 1939, and entered service in 1940. Beginning with this model, the two torpedo tubes on the foredeck were encased within a high forecastle deck. This type were slightly lengthened from the S18 design so that the engine compartments could accommodate the larger 20-cylinder diesels, they measured 34.94 x 5.10 x 1.52 m (114 ft 8in x 16 ft 9in x 5 ft, giving a displacement of 92.5 tons (115 tons full load). These dimensions would be retained for all subsequent boats (except for the somewhat smaller S30 class), as the basic design and layout would remain unchanged. The three Daimler Benz engines each produced 2,500 hp for a total rating of 7,500 hp, providing 41 knots.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S26 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 7 March 1940 | 21 May 1940 | Sunk in Soviet air attack at Sulina, Romania on 19 August 1944.[19] |
S27 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 15 April 1940 | 5 July 1940 | Sunk by torpedo in the Black Sea on 5 September 1942 |
S28 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 4 July 1940 | 1 September 1940 | Scuttled at Constanta on 25 August 1944 after heavy damage in air attack.[20] |
S29 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 14 October 1940 | 28 November 1940 | Sunk 29 March 1943 in action with two British MGBs. |
The other eight boats (S30 to S37) were 2.18 m (7 ft 2in) shorter than the S26 type and 20 cm (8 in) narrower. This is because their engines were the 16-cylinder (2,000 hp) Daimler-Benz MB502 diesels. They had originally been ordered for the Chinese (Nationalist) Navy, and were sequestered for use by the Kriegsmarine. As they were already under construction at the outbreak of war, they were mostly completed before the S26 type boats.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S30 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 10 September 1939 | 22 November 1939 | Delivered to Allied forces at Ancona on 3 May 1945. |
S31 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 21 October 1939 | 28 December 1939 | Sunk by mine in the Mediterranean on 10 May 1942 |
S32 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 22 November 1939 | 15 March 1940 | Sunk by mine off Dungeness on 22 June 1940. |
S33 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 23 November 1939 | 23 March 1940 | Beached on Unije Island and sunk by British MGBs on 16 January 1945.[37] |
S34 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 29 February 1940 | 30 April 1940 | Sunk by German Me109 following severe damage by coastal artillery at Valetta on 17 May 1942. |
S35 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 19 March 1940 | 19 May 1940 | Sunk by mine northeast of Tabarka (Algeria) in the Mediterranean on 28 February 1943.[38] |
S36 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 20 April 1940 | 14 June 1940 | Delivered to Allied forces at Ancona on 3 May 1945. |
S37 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 15 May 1940 | 11 July 1940 | Sunk by mine off Orfordness on 12 October 1940. |
1939 batches
24 more boats were ordered - all from Lurssen - on 28 September 1939. The pre-war Mobilisation New Construction Programme had called for 48 new boats per year, but this target was raised to 60 boats in September 1939 by the Naval War Staff. They called for a fleet level of 40 to 50 operational boats, with 16 being built annually as replacements. Sixteen were virtually identical with the S26 type (measuring 34.94 m in length and with 20-cylinder MB501 diesels), other than simplified ventilators and other minor changes.[39] This design was to provide almost all of the Schnellboote built in Germany for the rest of the war.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S38 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1940 | 8 November 1940 | Sunk by British destroyers 20 November 1940 in North Sea. |
S39 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1940 | 16 January 1941 | Sunk in British air attack on 2 August 1944 at Le Havre. |
S40 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 14 December 1940 | 22 April 1941 | Sunk in Soviet air attack at Sulina, Romania on 19 August 1944.[19] |
S41 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 9 January 1941 | 27 February 1941 | Sunk in collision with S47 on 19 November 1941. |
S42 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1941 | 16 March 1941 | Sunk in Soviet air attack at Constanta, Romania on 23 August 1944.[19] |
S43 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 15 February 1941 | 28 March 1941 | Sunk by mine on 27 June 1941 |
S44 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 8 March 1941 | 19 April 1941 | Sunk in British air attack at Kiel on 25 July 1943. |
S45 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 23 March 1941 | 26 April 1941 | Scuttled off Varna on 29 August 1944.[20] |
S46 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 7 April 1941 | 22 May 1941 | Sunk in air attack on 10 September 1943 |
S47 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 25 April 1941 | 13 June 1941 | Scuttled off Varna on 29 August 1944.[20] |
S48 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 28 April 1941 | 120 June 1941 | To Norway (as E4) following end of war. |
S49 | Lürssen, Vegesack | May 1941 | 11 July 1941 | Scuttled off Varna on 29 August 1944.[20] |
S50 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 18 June 1941 | 25 July 1941 | To USSR 1945, renamed TK-1005. Scrapped 1950. |
S51 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1 July 1941 | 8 August 1941 | Scuttled off Varna on 29 August 1944.[20] |
S52 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 11 July 1941 | 23 August 1941 | Sunk in Soviet air attack at Constanta, Romania on 23 August 1944.[19] |
S53 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 30 July 1941 | 6 September 1941 | Sunk in collision with S39 on 20 February 1942. |
The other eight boats were to the same design as the S30 type (measuring 32.76 m in length and with 16-cylinder MB502 diesels),
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S54 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 11 June 1940 | 9 August 1940 | Badly damaged by mine on 23 April 1944, scrapped 31 October 1944. |
S55 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 2 July 1940 | 23 August 1940 | Sunk in air attack on 10 January 1944 in Vela Luka Bay, Croatia. |
S56 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 22 July 1940 | 20 September 1940 | Sunk in air attack at Toulon on 24 November 1943; raised and broken up. |
S57 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 10 August 1940 | 30 September 1940 | Sunk by British MTBs in the Adriatic on 19 August 1944. |
S58 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 10 September 1940 | 18 November 1940 | Beached on Unije Island and sunk by British MGBs on 16 January 1945.[37] |
S59 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 20 October 1940 | 27 November 1940 | Sunk by air attack at Porto Empedocle (Sicily) on 6 July 1943. |
S60 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 22 October 1940 | 20 December 1940 | Beached on Unije Island and sunk by British MGBs on 16 January 1945.[37] |
S61 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 27 November 1940 | 1 February 1941 | Surrendered to Allies at Ancona 3 May 1945 |
When Germany occupied France in June 1940, the Naval War Staff decided that 160 E-boats were now needed (comprising 26 flotillas), with 8 flotillas based in France and 6 each in Norwat, the Baltic and the North Sea.[39]
1941 batches
Another 30 boats were ordered in 1941, 20 from Lürssen (numbered S62 to S81) and 10 from Travemünde (S107 to S116). S67 introduced an improved design with a partially armour-plated cupola (the Kalotte or skull cap) over the bridge, providing protection from weather as well as small arms fire, with a lower profile. From 1943 orders onwards, this armoured bridge became standard, and was also retro-fitted to many of the earlier boats. Various armaments were carried including 40 mm Bofors or 20 mm Flak aft, MG34 Zwillingsockel midships.
(Note the designation '38b' sometimes seen is not Kriegsmarine nomenclature and originated in a postwar American hobby publication).
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S62 | Lürssen, Vegesack | August 1941 | 19 September 1941 | To Norway 1945, then to Britain; scrapped 1947. |
S63 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 27 August 1941 | 2 October 1941 | Rammed and sunk 25 October 1943 off Cromer. |
S64 | Lürssen, Vegesack | September 1941 | 2 November 1941 | To USA 1945, given to Norway 1947 as Lyn, then to Denmark 1951 as Storfuglen, scrapped 1965. |
S65 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 20 September 1941 | 16 June 1942 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1006, scrapped 1950. |
S66 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 6 October 1941 | 21 June 1942 | Sunk by air attack by British at Kiel on 25 July 1943. |
S67 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 23 October 1941 | 19 March 1942 | To Britain 1945, sold to Italy 1952 as MV 621, scrapped 1966. |
S68 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 6 November 1941 | 1 July 1942 | To USA 1945, given to Denmark 1947 as T62, renamed Viben 2953, scrapped 1966. |
S69 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 24 November 1941 | 21 December 1941 | To Britain 1945, scrapped 1947. |
S70 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 15 November 1941 | 11 December 1941 | Sunk by mine in the Channel 5 March 1943. |
S71 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 4 December 1941 | 11 January 1942 | Sunk by British destroyers 18 February 1943 in the Channel. |
S72 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 18 December 1941 | 3 February 1942 | Sunk in Soviet air attack at Sulina, Romania on 19 August 1944.[19] |
S73 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 6 January 1942 | 19 February 1942 | Sold to Spain on 16 August 1943 as LT23. |
S74 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 12 February 1942 | 27 March 1942 | Sunk by torpedo from S135 on 5 November 1943 after being disabled in British air attack. |
S75 | Lürssen, Vegesack | ?February 1942 | 9 April 1942 | Sunk by British air attack on 5 March 1943 at Ijmuiden. |
S76 | Lürssen, Vegesack | March 1942 | 1 May 1942 | To USA 1945, given to Norway 1947, scrapped 1950. |
S77 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 31 March 1942 | 9 May 1942 | Sunk by gunfire 25 July 1943 in action off Ostend with British MGB40 and MGB42. |
S78 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 8 April 1942 | 3 June 1942 | Sold to Spain on 16 August 1943 as LT24. |
S79 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 22 April 1942 | 27 June 1942 | To Norway 1945, given to Denmark 1947 as T58, renamed Musvaagen, scrapped 1955. |
S80 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 10 July 1942 | Sunk by mine off Viborg in the Baltic Sea on 1 September 1944. |
S81 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 28 July 1942 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1001, scrapped 1950. |
S82 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 21 August 1942 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1008, scrapped 1950. |
S83 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 7 September 1942 | To Britain 1945, fate unknown. |
S84 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 19 September 1942 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S85 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 7 December 1942 | To USA 1945, given to Norway as Storm; sold to Denmark 1951 as Tranen, sunk in collision 27 June 1963. |
S86 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 15 October 1942 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1009, scrapped 1950. |
S87 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 4 November 1942 | Sunk in British air attack 20 May 1944 off Ostend. |
S88 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 6 October 1942 | 20 November 1942 | Sunk by gunfire from HMS Worcester and British MTBs on 25 October 1943 off Cromer. |
S89 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 28 November 1942 | To Britain 1946, beached during transfer. |
S90 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 10 December 1942 | Beached on island of Bru on 17 July 1945. |
S91 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 22 December 1942 | Sunk 25 February 1944 by gunfire from HMS Retalick and Talybont in the Channel. |
S92 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 14 January 1943 | To Britain 1945, sold 1947. |
S93 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 17 December 1942 | 4 February 1943 | Sunk in US air attack at Ijmuidden on 26 March 1944. |
S94 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 31 December 1942 | 18 February 1943 | Scuttled after collision with S128 on 23 February 1944. |
S95 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1942 | 28 February 1943 | To Britain 1945, sold 1949. |
S96 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 21 January 1943 | 11 March 1943 | Scuttled after collision with British ML145 on 25 Septemberr 1943 off Lowestoft. |
S97 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 25 March 1943 | To USA 1945, given to Denmark 1947 as Ravnen, scrapped 1963. |
S98 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 10 April 1943 | To USA 1945, given to Norway 1948 as Kvikk, scrapped 1950. |
S99 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 17 April 1943 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1010, scrapped 1950. |
S100 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 5 May 1943 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
- S101 class
- While the first hundred E-boats had all been ordered from Lürssen, the next twenty-six were all ordered from Travemünd - six in 1940, ten in 1941 and another ten in 1942. These carried 1 × 20 mm in the bow, 2 × 20 mm gun amidships and a 37 mm gun aft. Another twenty-four boats were ordered in 1943, twelve from Travemünd and twelve from Lürssen.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S101 | Schlichting Travemünde | 25 September 1940 | 30 November 1940 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1011, scrapped 1950. |
S102 | Schlichting Travemünde | 6 November 1940 | 31 December 1940 | Sunk by mine 8 July 1943 in the Kerch Strait. |
S103 | Schlichting Travemünde | 21 December 1940 | 9 February 19412 | Sunk by British air attack 4 May 1945 off Mommark. |
S104 | Schlichting Travemünde | 18 February 1941 | 27 March 1941 | Sunk by mine 9 January 1943 in the Channel. |
S105 | Schlichting Travemünde | 22 March 1941 | 4 May 1941 | To Britain 1945, sold 1947. |
S106 | Schlichting Travemünde | 26 April 1941 | 6 June 1941 | Sunk by mine 27 June 1941 in Gulf of Bothnia. |
S107 | Schlichting Travemünde | 31 May 1941 | 6 July 1941 | To USA 19456, then to Denmark 1947 as T52 (later Gribben); scrapped 1950. |
S108 | Schlichting Travemünde | 28 June 1941 | 14 August 1941 | Scrapped 1946. |
S109 | Schlichting Travemünde | 14 August 1941 | 14 September 1941 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as ""TK-1012, scrapped 1949. |
S110 | Schlichting Travemünde | 13 September 1941 | 10 October 1941 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1013, scrapped 1949. |
S111 | Schlichting Travemünde | 18 October 1941 | 11 December 1941 | Damaged in action 16 March 1942 in the North Sea, captured then recaptured and scuttled. |
S112 | Schlichting Travemünde | 2 December 1941 | 28 January 1942 | To France in 1945, scrapped 1951. |
S113 | Schlichting Travemünde | 7 February 1942 | 14 March 1942 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1014, scrapped 1949. |
S114 | Schlichting Travemünde | 14 March 1942 | 23 April 1942 | Sunk in British air attack on 2 August 1944 at Le Havre. |
S115 | Schlichting Travemünde | 10 April 1942 | 30 May 1942 | To UK in 1945, fate unknown. |
S116 | Schlichting Travemünde | 7 May 1842 | 4 July 1942 | To Denmark in 1945; sold to Germany 1953, burnt to accident 1965. |
S117 | Schlichting Travemünde | 13 June 1942 | 8 August 1942 | To USA1945, then to Norway 1946 as Tross; sold 1951 to Denmark as Hejren, scrapped 1965. |
S118 | Schlichting Travemünde | 30 July 1942 | 14 September 1942 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1015, scrapped 1949. |
S119 | Schlichting Travemünde | 27 August 1942 | 22 October 1942 | Scuttled after collision with S114 on 8 March 1943 in the Channel. |
S120 | Schlichting Travemünde | 13 October 1942 | 5 December 1942 | To Britain 1945, scrapped 1947. |
S121 | Schlichting Travemünde | 28 November 1942 | 11 January 1943 | Sunk in British air attack on 11 August 1943 at Aberwrac'h. |
S122 | Schlichting Travemünde | 30 December 1942 | 21 February 1943 | To USA in 1945; to Denmark 1947 as T64; scrapped 1956. |
S123 | Schlichting Travemünde | 6 February 1943 | 19 March 1943 | To USSR 5 November 1945 as TK-1016, scrapped 1949. |
S124 | Schlichting Travemünde | 6 March 1943 | 15 April 1943 | Sold to Spain on 16 August 1943 as LT21. |
S125 | Schlichting Travemünde | 3 April 1943 | 16 May 1943 | Sold to Spain on 16 August 1943 as LT25. |
S126 | Schlichting Travemünde | 8 May 1843 | 12 June 1943 | Sold to Spain on 16 August 1943 as LT26. |
S127 | Schlichting Travemünde | 5 June 1943 | 10 July 1943 | To USA in 1945, then to Denmark 1947 as T56; scrapped 1955. |
S128 | Schlichting Travemünde | 8 July 1943 | 27 August 1943 | Scuttled after collision with S94 on 23 February 1944 |
S129 | Schlichting Travemünde | 12 August 1943 | 24 September 1943 | Sunk in US air attack at Ijmuidden on 26 March 1944. |
S130 | Schlichting Travemünde | 18 September 1943 | 21 October 1943 | To UK 1945, sold to Germany 1957 as UW10. Still extent in UK. |
S131 | Schlichting Travemünde | 16 October 1943 | 5 January 1944 | Sunk in Soviet air attack at Constanta, Romania on 23 August 1944.[19] |
S132 | Schlichting Travemünde | 13 November 1943 | 10 December 1943 | To USSR 1945, becoming TK-1017; scrapped 1956. |
S133 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1943 | 31 December 1943 | To USA at war's end, given to Denmark 1947 as T54, scrapped 1955. |
S134 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1943 | 29 May 1943 | Sold to Spain on 16 August 1943 as LT28. |
S135 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1943 | 29 May 1943 | To USSR 1945, becoming TK-1018; scrapped 1952. |
S136 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1943 | 10 June 1943 | Sunk by British and Polish destroyers on 11 June 1944 east of Barfleur. |
S137 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1943 | 6 July 1943 | Sunk by air attack by British at Kiel on 29 July 1943. |
S138 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1943 | 20 July 1943 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S139 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 1 August 1943 | Sunk by mine on 7 June 1944 off Barfleur. |
S140 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 7 August 1943 | Sunk by mine on 7 June 1944 off Barfleur. |
S141 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 20 August 1943 | Sunk by French destroyer La Combattante off Selsey Bill on 13 May 1944. |
S142 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 3 September 1943 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S143 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 17 September 1943 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S144 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 1 October 1943 | Badly damaged by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944, and scrapped[40] |
S145 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 8 October 1943 | Damaged by air attack on Brest on 18 September 1944 and blown up. |
S146 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 22 October 1943 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S147 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 5 November 1943 | Sunk by French destroyer La Combattante off Cherbourg on 25 April 1944. |
S148 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 5 January 1944 | Sunk by mine off Dnetrr-Liman on 22 August 1944. |
S149 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 5 January 1944 | Scuttled at Constanta on 25 August 1944 after heavy damage in air attack.[20] |
S150 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 4 December 1943 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S151 class
Eight smaller torpedo boats were building for the Dutch Navy at Gusto Werf, Schiedam (near Rotterdam) as TM54 to TM61 inclusive. When Holland was occupied by the Germans, these were seized and completed (with some design modifications) by German and Dutch shipyard workers and renumbered as S151 to S158. They measured 28.3 x 4.46 metres (92 ft 10in x 14 ft 7in), displacing 57 tons. Originally the Germans planned to sell these to Bulgaria, and they were formed as the new 7th S-flotilla in October 1941, but the Kriegsmarine's need for them in the Mediterranean had caused them to be sent south via the French inland waterways. They were authorised to transfer to the Mediterranean on 15 July 1942, and arrived there on 8 October, finally reaching Augusta, Sicily on 15 December, when they became operational.[41]
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S151 | Gusto Werf, Schiedam | 19 December 1941 | Surrendered to Allies at Ancona 3 May 1945 | |
S152 | Gusto Werf, Schiedam | Surrendered to Allies at Ancona 3 May 1945 | ||
S153 | Gusto Werf, Schiedam | Sunk by HMS Eggesford and Blackmore off Hvar 12 June 1944.[42] | ||
S154 | Gusto Werf, Schiedam | Sunk by bombing at Pola 22 January 1945 | ||
S155 | Gusto Werf, Schiedam | Surrendered to Allies at Ancona 3 May 1945 | ||
S156 | Gusto Werf, Schiedam | Surrendered to Allies at Ancona 3 May 1945 | ||
S157 | Gusto Werf, Schiedam | Sunk by Yogoslav mortar fire west of Trieste 1 May 1945 | ||
S158 | Gusto Werf, Schiedam | 9 September 1942 | Sunk by British air attack at Sibenik 25 October 1944.[43] |
Eight further vessels had been intended by the Dutch Navy as TM62 to TM70, and material had been collected for their construction at Schiedam. They were cancelled with the German occupation in May 1940; they were re-ordered (as S159 to S166) from Gusto Werf in 1941, but construction of these stopped in April 1942.
S167 class
Repeats of the S101 series, a further order for twenty boats was begun at Lürssen's yard in late 1943, and another eight at Travemünd.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S167 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 17 December 1943 | Sank in the Scheldt Estuary on 25 February 1945 after collision 22 February. |
S168 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 23 December 1943 | To UK 1945, scrapped 1947. |
S169 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 3 January 1944 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S170 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 11 February 1944 | Blown up in Lubeck on 3 May 1945. |
S171 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 22 January 1944 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S172 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 18 February 1944 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S173 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 25 February 1944 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S174 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1943 | 3 March 1944 | To USA in 1945; given to Norway 1947 as Rapp, scrapped 1953. |
S175 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 11 March 1944 | To USSR 1945, becoming TK-1019; scrapped 1952. |
S176 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 17 March 1944 | Scuttled after ramming British MTB494 on 7 April 1945. |
S177 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 30 March 1944 | Scuttled after ramming British MTB493 on 7 April 1945. |
S178 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 6 April 1944 | Sunk by British air attack off Boulogne on 13 June 1944. |
S179 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 19 April 1944 | Sunk by British air attack off Boulogne on 13 June 1944. |
S180 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 28 April 1944 | Sunk by mine off Hook of Holland on 14 January 1945. |
S181 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 5 May 1944 | Sunk by British air attack off Den Helder on 21 March 1945 |
S182 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 12 May 1944 | Sunk in collision with British MTB430 in the Channel on 27 July 1944. |
S183 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 19 May 1944 | Sunk by gunfire from HMS Stayner off Dunkirk on 19 September 1944. |
S184 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 28 May 1944 | Damaged by gunfire from British coastal battery off Dover on 5 September 1944 and scuttled. |
S185 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 3 June 1944 | Sunk by gunfire from British escorts off Ostend on 23 December 1944. |
S186 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 23 June 1944 | Sunk at Wilhelmhaven by British bombing 30 March 1945.[44] |
S187 | Schlichting Travemünde | 31 December 1943 | 10 February 1944 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S188 | Schlichting Travemünde | 6 February 1944 | 1 March 1944 | Sunk by British air attack on Le Havre on 14 June 1944.[40] |
S189 | Schlichting Travemünde | 6 March 1944 | 31 March 1944 | Sunk by British air attack off Boulogne on 13 June 1944. |
S190 | Schlichting Travemünde | 30 March 1944 | 22 April 1944 | Sunk by gunfire from British shgips in Seine Estuary on 23 June 1944. |
S191 | Schlichting Travemünde | 22 April 1944 | 18 May 1944 | Scuttled 4 May 1945 in Fehmannsound after collision with S301. |
S192 | Schlichting Travemünde | 13 May 1944 | 7 June 1944 | Sunk by gunfire from British escorts off Ostend on 23 December 1944. |
S193 | Schlichting Travemünde | 6 June 1944 | 28 June 1944 | Sunk by gunfire from British escorts in North Sea on 22 February 1945. |
S194 | Schlichting Travemünde | 23 June 1944 | 19 July 1944 | Sunk at Wilhelmhaven by British bombing 30 March 1945.[44] |
S195 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 28 June 1944 | To USA at war's end, given to Norwegian Navy 1945 as Kjekk, scrapped 1956. |
S196 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 3 July 1944 | To UK a war's end, given to Denmark 1947 as Raalgen (T59), scrapped 1958 after 1951 collision. |
S197 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 10 July 1944 | To USA at war's end, given to Denmark 1947 as Lommen, scrapped 1972. |
S198 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 15 July 1944 | Sunk in British air attack at Ijmuiden on 15 December 1944. |
S199 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 21 July 1944 | Scuttled after collision with S701 on 23 January 1945. |
S200 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 3 August 1944 | Sunk by gunfire from British escorts off Dunkirk on 19 September 1944. |
S201 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 28 July 1944 | Scuttled at Kiel on 3 May 1945 after air attack damage. |
S202 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 8 August 1944 | Sunk in collision with S703 on 8 April 1945 in the Scheldt approaches in action with British MGBs.[45] |
S203 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 13 August 1944 | Scuttled off Lindesne after collision with R220 on 10 November 1944. |
S204 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 19 August 1944 | To USSR 1945, becoming TK-1020; scrapped 1954. |
S205 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 28 August 1944 | To UK in 1945, scrapped 1946. |
S206 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 31 August 1944 | To USA at war's end, given to Denmark 1947 as Hoegen (T55), scrapped 1957 after collision. |
S207 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 19 September 1944 | To UK at war's end, given to Denmark 1947 as Skaden (T61), scrapped 1960. |
S208 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 28 September 1944 | To USA at war's end, given to Germany 1957, scrapped 1967. |
S209 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 21 October 1944 | To USSR 1945, renamed TK-1021; scrapped 1954. |
S210 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 27 September 1944 | To USA at war's end, given to Norwegian Navy 1947 as Snar, scrapped 1950. |
S211 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 1 October 1944 | To USSR 1945, renamed TK-1022; scrapped 1954. |
S212 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 11 October 1944 | To UK in 1945, scrapped 1957. |
S213 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 7 January 1945 | To UK in 1945, scrapped 1945. |
S214 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 8 December 1944 | To USSR 1945, renamed TK-1023; scrapped 1954. |
S215 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 1 December 1944 | To UK in 1945, scrapped 1948. |
S216 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 27 December 1944 | To USA at war's end, given to Denmark 1947 as Havoarnen (T53), scrapped 1957. |
S217 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 30 January 1945 | To UK in 1945, scrapped 1948. |
S218 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 18 January 1945 | To USA in 1945, fate unknown. |
A further 42 units were ordered from Schlichting Travemünde in 1944. Of these only the first ten were placed in service, while the next four (S229 to S232) were completed in April 1945 but not placed into service; these were presumably broken up in the shipyard following the cessation of hostilities. The remaining 28 (S233 to S260) were cancelled.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | |
S219 | Schlichting Travemünde | 11 July 1944 | 9 August 1944 | To USSR 1945, renamed TK-1024; scrapped 1957. |
S220 | Schlichting Travemünde | 9 August 1944 | 27 August 1944 | Badly damaged in action 1 March 1945 and scuttled. |
S221 | Schlichting Travemünde | 16 August 1944 | 10 September 1944 | To Britain 1945. Scrapped 1948. |
S222 | Schlichting Travemünde | 31 August 1944 | 23 September 1944 | To USSR 1945, renamed TK-1025. Scrapped 1953. |
S223 | Schlichting Travemünde | 14 September 1944 | 29 October 1944 | Sunk by mine off Ostend on 8 April 1945.[45] |
S224 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1944 | 17 November 1944 | Sunk at Wilhelmhaven by British bombing 30 March 1945.[44] |
S225 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1944 | 1 December 1944 | To USA 1945, fate unknown |
S226 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1944 | 27 February 1945 | Sunk in air attack 6 May 1945 |
S227 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1944 | 1944 or 1945 | To USSR 1945, renamed TK-1026. Scrapped 1949. |
S228 | Schlichting Travemünde | 1944 | 19 April 1945 | To Britain 1945. Scrapped 1946. |
The final batch ordered from Lürssen in 1944-45 comprised 125 units (S301 to S425). Of these only the first seven were completed. Another seven were launched but not completed; these were scuttled in the North Sea, while fourteen more were scrapped in the shipyard (S308 to S328). The final 97 (S329 to S425) were cancelled.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S301 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 31 January 1945 | Scuttled 4 May 1945 in Fehmannsound after collision with S191. |
S302 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 12 February 1945 | To USA at end of war, then became Norwegian Blink in 1948; sold to Denmark 1951 as Falken, scrapped 1972. |
S303 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 24 February 1945 | To USA at end of war, then became Norwegian Brand in 1948; sold to Denmark 1950 as Taarnfalken, scrapped 1972. |
S304 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 9 March 1945 | Scrapped 1946. |
S305 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | 29 March 1945 | To USA at end of war, then became Danish Jagtfalken in 1947, later scrapped. |
S306 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | April 1945 (incomplete) |
To USA at end of war, then became Danish Glenten in 1947, scrapped 1960. |
S307 | Lürssen, Vegesack | 1944 | April 1945 (incomplete) |
To UK at end of war, then scrapped. |
S501 class
These small ex-Italian Navy boats of the Baglietto fast type (or MAS526 type) were taken over by the Germans in the Black Sea on 20 May 1943.[35] The first seven of these measured 18.7 x 4.7 x 1.5 m (61 ft 4in x 15 ft 5in x 4 ft 11in) and displaced 25.2 tons (29.4 tons full load). These 2-shaft boats were driven by 2 Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines of 2,000 hp to reach 42 knots. They carried two 450mm torpedoes plus one MG or 20mm gun, and 6 depth charges, with a crew of 10. All 7 were transferred to the Romania in August 1943, but seized by the USSR on 5 September 1943.
Number | Ex-Italian | Builder | Launched | Fate |
S501 | ex MAS 566 | Baglietto, Varazze | 20 June 1941 | Sunk in Black Sea 1944 |
S502 | ex MAS 567 | Basglietto, Varazze | 20 July 1941 | Sunk in Black Sea 1944 |
S503 | ex MAS 568 | Basglietto, Varazze | 11 August 1941 | Sunk in Black Sea 1944 |
S504 | ex MAS 569 | Basglietto, Varazze | 8 September 1941 | Sunk in Black Sea 1944 |
S505 | ex MAS 570 | Basglietto, Varazze | 20 September 1941 | Sunk in Black Sea 1944 |
S506 | ex MAS 574 | Celli, Venice | 1941 | Sunk at Constanta on 25 August 1944 |
S507 | ex MAS 575 | Celli, Venice | 1941 | Sunk in Black Sea 1944 |
S508 | ex MAS 525 | CRDA, Monfalcone | ||
S509 | ex MAS 549 | CRDA, Monfalcone | 1939 | Sunk (as SA 12) at Imperia on 24 April 1945 |
S510 | ex MAS 551 | CRDA, Monfalcone | 1941 | Sunk (as SA 13) at Imperia on 24 April 1945 |
S511 | ex MAS 557 | Picchiotti, Limite sull'Arno | 7 March 1941 | Sunk by British air attack on 4 December 1944 |
S512 | ex MAS 553 | CRDA, Monfalcone | 10 May 1941 | Sunk (as SA 14) at Imperia on 24 April 1945 |
S601 class
Further small ex-Italian Navy boats of the Baglietto fast type (of various classes)[35] were taken over by the Germans.
Number | Ex-Italian | Built | Launched | Fate |
S601 | ex MAS 542 | Venice | 5 July 1939 | Sunk in Aegean by air attack 1944. |
S602 | ex MAS 430 | Venice | 1929 | Scuttled 1944 at Sebenico. |
S603 | ex MAS 431 | Varazze | 1931 | Sunk November 1943 at Zara-Sebenico. |
S604 | ex MAS 423 | Venice | March 1929 | Sunk in 1944 in the Adriatic. |
S621 | ex MAS 561 | Varazze | 4 February 1941 | Sunk (as SA 16) near Imperia on 24 April 1945 |
S622 | ex MAS 550 | Monfalcone | 23 September 1939 | Sunk (as SA 21) in air attack at Monfalcone on 14 March 1944. |
S623 | ex MAS 554 | Monfalcone | 20 May 1941 | Scuttled (as SA 20) at Trieste on 1 May 1945; refloated and scrapped |
S624 | ex MAS 424 | Varasse | 24 October 1937 | Sunk (as SA 17) in air attack at Monfalcone on 14 March 1944. |
S625 | ex MAS 437 | Venice | 1934 | Sunk (as SA 18) in May 1945 |
S626 | ex MAS 502 | Varazze | 24 April 1936 | Sunk by German artillery off La Spezia March 1944 |
S627 | ex MAS 504 | Varazze | 24 August 1936 | Sunk off Anzio by HMS Grenville on 25 March 1944. |
S628 | ex MAS 505 | Varazze | 19 February 1937 | Sunk (as SA 19) at Genoa in May 1945 |
S629 | ex MAS 558 | Venice | 1940 | Scuttled (as SA 15) near Imperia on 24 April 1945. |
S630 |
S700 class
Late war design proposal with stern torpedo tubes and 30 mm gun turret forward. These were intended to be slightly larger, of prefabricated construction, and to be propelled by the supercharged MB518 engines. They were to have carried two stern-firing torpedo tubes in addition to the usual two bow tubes, with a special 30mm gun in a bow turret. These were ordered from Danziger Waggonfabrik at Danzig as S701 to S825 (125 boats), but only the first nine boats were built, and these were completed to S100 design specification after the production of the MB518 engine was cancelled due to Allied bombing. The other boats were cancelled or scrapped unfinished in the shipyard.
Number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fate |
S701 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 3 July 1944 | To USA post-war, then sold to Netherlands Navy 1951 |
S702 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 30 July 1944 | Sunk in action with British MTBs on 19 September 1944 |
S703 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 30 August 1944 | Sunk in collision with S202 on 8 April 1945 in the Scheldt approaches in action with British MGBs.[45] |
S704 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 2 October 1944 | To USSR postwar as TK-1027, scrapped 1949 |
S705 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 22 October 1944 | To Britain postwar, scrapped 1947. |
S706 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 31 October 1944 | To USA postwar, fate unknown. |
S707 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 4 December 1944 | To USSR as TK-1028, scrapped 1949. |
S708 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 19 February 1945 | To USSR as TK-1029, scrapped 1954. |
S709 | Danziger Waggonfabrik | 1944 | 1945 | To USSR postwar as TK-1030, scrapped 1949. |
KS-boats (Kleinst Schnellboote), originally KM-series (Küstenminenleger)
A class of small fast attack craft designed as offensive mine-layers (rated Küstenminenleger),able to carry up to 4 mines, and to operate close to enemy shores. They measured 15.95 x 3.50 x 1.10 m (52 ft 4in x 15 ft 10in x 3 ft 8in); 18/19 tons. Powered by 2 BMW 12-cylinder aero engines producing 1,650 hp (32 knots); radius 225 miles at 25 knots. A total of 36 were ordered, but as their engines proved unreliable, they were not used in their intended role and instead most were employed in lakes and rivers, being attached to the Peipusee Flotilla (KM3 to the Ladogasee Flotilla). 21 boats were equipped with 2 x 450mm torpedo tubes and reclassed as KS-boats (Kleinst Schnellboote), retaining their original numberss but replacing the "KM" prefix by "KS".
Number | Builder | Commissioned | Reclassed as KS | Fate |
KS1 | Nordbjaerg & Wedell, Copenhagen | 18 December 1941 | February 1944 | Sunk 2 July 1944 but raised; to USSR 1945, fate unknown. |
KS2 | Nordbjaerg & Wedell, Copenhagen | 18 December 1941 | February 1944 | To USSR 1945, fate unknown. |
KS9 | Engelbrecht, Berlin | February 1943 | October 1943 | Destroyed on 18 September 1944. |
KS10 | Engelbrecht, Berlin | February 1943 | December 1943 | Destroyed on 18 September 1944. |
KS11 | Engelbrecht, Berlin | March 1943 | March 1943 | Given to Croatian Navy in October 1944, fate unknown. |
KS12 | Engelbrecht, Berlin | 1943 | December 1943 | Destroyed on 18 September 1944. |
KS13 | Engelbrecht, Berlin | 1943 | December 1943 | Fate unknown. |
KS14 | Engelbrecht, Berlin | 1943 | December 1943 | Fate unknown. |
KS15 | Engelbrecht, Berlin | 1943 | December 1943 | Fate unknown. |
KS16 | Kreigermann, Berlin-Pichelsdorf | December 1941 | December 1943 | Destroyed on 18 September 1944. |
KS17 | Kreigermann, Berlin-Pichelsdorf | 17 July 1942 | March 1943 | Given to Croatian Navy in October 1944, fate unknown. |
KS18 | Kreigermann, Berlin-Pichelsdorf | 17 July 1942 | March 1943 | Given to Croatian Navy in September 1944, fate unknown. |
KS20 | Reinickewerft, Berlin-Pichelsdorf | 17 July 1942 | December 1943 | Sunk on 5 September 1044 after fire. |
KS21 | Kreigermann, Berlin-Pichelsdorf | 21 July 1942 | 1943 | Given to Croatian Navy in September 1944, fate unknown |
KS22 | Nordbjaerg & Wedell, Copenhagen | 9 June 1942 | 1943 | To USSR 1945, fate unknown. |
KS23 | Rob. Franz Niederfehme | 17 July 1942 | 1943 | Given to Croatian Navy in December 1944; fate unknown. |
KS24 | Rob. Franz Niederfehme | 17 July 1942 | 1943 | Given to Croatian Navy in December 1944; fate unknown. |
KS25 | Rob. Franz Niederfehme | 12 December 1942 | 1943 | Fate unknown. |
KS26 | Rob. Franz Niederfehme | February 1943 | 1943 | Fate unknown. |
KS31 | Nordbjaerg & Wedell, Copenhagen | February 1943 | 1943 | Given to Croatian Navy in September 1944, fate unknown. |
KS32 | Nordbjaerg & Wedell, Copenhagen | February 1943 | 1943 | Given to Croatian Navy in September 1944, fate unknown. |
Of the unreclassified boats, KM27 to KM30 were all sunk by Soviet aircraft in the Gulf of Bothnia during 1943.
LS-boats (Leichte Schnellboote)
Another class of even smaller fast attack boat, not intended to operate independently, but to be based on auxiliary cruisers or other vessels operating in overseas areas. They measured 12.50 x 3.46 x 1.02 m (41 ft x 11 ft 4in x 3 ft 4in). These 2-shaft boats weighed 11.5 - 13 tons. The first six were powered by two Junkers 6-cyl JuMo205 aircraft engines, they reached 38 knots. Later boats had two Daimler-Benz MB507 12-cyl diesels of 2,000 hp reaching 40.9 knots, and with an endurance of 300 miles at 30 knots. They carried two 450mm torpedo tuubes (instead of up to 4 mines), but had depth charges and a single 20mm MG (in an enclosed turret), plus 7 men. A total of 34 of these boats were ordered, the prototype from Naglo Werft, Berlin, and all the others from Dornier Werft, Friedrichshafen, but the prototype was not completed and only the next eleven were completed; another six (LS13 to LS18) were taken over by France incomplete following the war's end, and completed for them; the final 16 (LS19 to LS34) were cancelled in 1944.
Number | Builder | Commissioned | Fate |
LS1 | Naglo Werft | Launched 1940 | Never completed as the boat's hull was found to be too heavy. |
LS2 | Dornier Werft | 14 June 1940 | Used aboard commerce raider Komet; scuttled on 23 December 1940. |
LS3 | Dornier Werft | 14 October 1940 | Used aboard commerce raider Kormoran; destroyed on 20 November 1941. |
LS4 | Dornier Werft | 5 July 1941 | Used aboard commerce raider Michel; destroyed on 17 October 1943. |
LS5 | Dornier Werft | 15 October 1941 | Used as escort vessel in the Aegean Sea; sunk off Kos in air attack on 2 November 1943. |
LS6 | Dornier Werft | 15 October 1941 | Used as escort vessel in the Aegean Sea; sunk in air attack on 25 September 1943 |
LS7 | Dornier Werft | 8 October 1943 | Grounded on 14 October 1944 off Grado. |
LS8 | Dornier Werft | 20 December 1943 | Destroyed by own crew on 21 September 1944 in Phaleron Harbour (Piraeus). |
LS9 | Dornier Werft | 20 January 1944 | Destroyed by own crew on 21 September 1944 in Phaleron Harbour (Piraeus). |
LS10 | Dornier Werft | 27 January 1944 | Sunk by aircraft on 12 October 1944 off Volos. |
LS11 | Dornier Werft | 18 May 1944 | Destroyed by own crew on 21 September 1944 in Phaleron Harbour (Piraeus). |
LS12 | Dornier Werft | 12 July 1944 | To USSR in 1945, and scrapped. |
Source: https://www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine/ships/index.html
Specification
- Length: 34.94 m (114 ft 8 in)
- Weight: up to 120 t
- Speed: 43.8 kn (50.4 mph; 81.1 km/h)
- Engines: Three 20-cylinder Daimler-Benz MB501 Diesel engines, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW; 2,000 PS) each; three propeller shafts.
- Armament:
- 2 × 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes (four torpedoes)
- 1 × 20 mm gun, (20 mm single on early boats, twin and special bow version on later classes)
- 1 × 40 mm Bofors (some S-38-class boats)
Other AA armament carried on different models included two or more pintle-mounted MG-34s, 3.7 cm Flak 42 (S-100) and 8.6 cm RaG M42 (S-100) or, rarely, one quadruple 20 mm Flakvierling mounts.
See also
- Daimler-Benz DB 602, V-16 diesel aero-engine that was developed into the MB502 and MB501.
- Fast Attack Craft War Badge
- List of Knight's Cross recipients of the Schnellboot service
- R boat
- Steam gun boat
Notes
- ^ "S-Boats in the Kriegsmarine - "S 100"". Die Schnellboot-Seite. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ a b Margaritis 2019, p. 365.
- ^ Wilson, Steve. "Enemy Boats". Military.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-30.
- ^ "E-Boats". British Military Powerboat Trust.
- ^ a b PT-Boat.com–German S-100 Class Schnellboot (Fast Boat)
- ^ PT-Boat.com–German S-100 Class Schnellboot (Fast Boat): [1].
- ^ Tent, James F. E-Boat Alert: Defending the Normandy Invasion Fleet (Annapolis, Naval Institute Press, 1996), p. 39
- ^ Saunders, Harold E. (1957). Hydrodynamics in Ship Design, Volume 1. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. p. 586. ISBN 99914-0-571-2.
- ^ "Schnellboot! An Illustrated Technical History – Design, Manufacture and Detail". Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved Dec 16, 2009.
- ^ "Schnellboot (S-Boot) / (E-Boat)". militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 6.
- ^ a b c Tarrant, V.E. (1994). The Last Year of the Kriegsmarine. Arms and Armour Press. pp. 56–57. ISBN 1-85409-176-X.
- ^ a b c Connelly & Krakow, 2003. p.54
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 234
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 235
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 241
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 250
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 259
- ^ a b c d e f g Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 261
- ^ a b c d e f g Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 262
- ^ "MAS, VAS and MS". regiamarina.net.
- ^ Bagnasco, Erminio (January 2011). "Le "Nazionali"" (PDF). Marinai d'Italia. LV (1–2). Associazione Nazionale Marinai d'Italia: 16–19. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ Coello, J.L. (1995). Buques de la Armada española años de la postguerra. S.L. AGUALARGA EDITORES, ISBN 978-84-88959-15-7
- ^ Crăciunoiu, Cristian. Romanian navy torpedo boats (Modelism Publishing, 2003), pp. 154-155.
- ^ Jane's fighting ships: 1953-1954, Sampson Low, Marston, 1955, p. 294
- ^ Höhne, Heinz; Zolling, Hermann (1972). The General Was a Spy: The Truth about General Gehlen and his spy ring. New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan. pp. 150-53. ISBN 0-698-10430-7
- ^ Peebles, Curtis (2005). Twilight Warriors. Naval Institute Press. pp. 38–39. ISBN 1-59114-660-7.
- ^ Dorril, Stephen (2002). MI6: Inside the Covert World of Her Majesty's Secret Intelligence Service. Simon and Schuster, pp. 190-91. ISBN 0-7432-1778-0
- ^ a b Adams, Jefferson (2009). Historical Dictionary of German Intelligence. Scarecrow Press, pp. 234-35. ISBN 0-8108-6320-0
- ^ Hess, Sigurd (2001). "The Clandestine Operations of Hans Helmut Klose and the British Baltic Fishery Protection Service (BBFPS) 1945–1956". The Journal of Intelligence History. 1 (2). LIT Verlag Münster: 169–178. doi:10.1080/16161262.2001.10555054. S2CID 162499902.
- ^ "GLENTEN Class (1947–1965), Motortorpedoboats". navalhistory.dk.
- ^ "Schnellboot E-boat S-130". prinzeugen.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ^ "S130". Boating Magazine. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ https://www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine/ships/index.html.
- ^ a b c Aldo Fraccaroli, Italian Warships of World War II, Ian Allan, 1968.
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 22
- ^ a b c Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 231
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 198-199
- ^ a b ADM 223/28. German E-boat Operations and Policy 1939-1945 (compiled in 1948 by the Foreign Documents Section of the Admiralty Tactical and Staff Duties Division - based on German war diaries and naval war staff records captured in 1945 - the Tambach Archive).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 289-290
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 194
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 223
- ^ Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 229
- ^ a b c Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 311
- ^ a b c Lawrence Paterson, Schnellboote: A Complete Operational History, p. 312
References
- Bellars, Robert A. & Freivogel, Zvonimir (2010). "Question 24/46: German E-Boats Based in Sicily". Warship International. XLVII (3): 204–208. ISSN 0043-0374.
- Dallies-Labourdette, Jean Philippe (June 2003). German S-boote at War, 1939–1945. Histoire and Collections. ISBN 2-913903-49-5.
- Krakow, David (August 2013). Schnellboot in Action (2nd (Warships) ed.). Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN 978-0-89747-660-7.
- Krakow, David & Connelly, Garth (January 2003). Schnellboot in Action (Warships). Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN 0-89747-457-0.
- Macpherson, Ken (1981). Ships Of Canada's Naval Forces (Warships). Collins Publications. ISBN 0-00-216856-1.
- Margaritis, Peter (2019). Countdown to D-Day: The German Perspective. Oxford, UK & PA, USA: Casemate. ISBN 978-1-61200-769-4.
- Williamson, Gordon (2011). E-boat vs MTB: The English Channel 1941–45. Oxford ; Long Island City: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-84908-407-9.
- Williamson, Gordon; Palmer, Ian (September 18, 2002). German E-boats 1939–45. Osprey. ISBN 1-84176-445-0.