Mine operation "Klara"

[cam]

Hi,

There is such information

24 Aug. 1942

Channel Coast ;

Mine operation "Klara" was executed during the night of
23 Aug. During the operation, the center of the minefield was
under long-range covering fire between 0540 and 0550. At 0553
the 10th Motor Mine Sweeper Flotilla and the escort forces had an
engagement with enemy forces. 2 motor gun boats were set afire.

I enemy motor gun boat blew up after having been set afire. Radio
intelligence confirms the destruction of the vessel. At 0627 a
detonation was heard at the northern end of the new minefield.
From the shore one vessel with a funnel was observed to break into
flames, blow up, and sink after hitting a mine. For the brief
battle report of the commander of the motor mine sweeper force see
Telegram 1630. For the report about the mine operation see Tele-
gram 1655. It is certain that the enemy is aware of the minefield,
since our ships were located accurately and there was an engagement
with enemy forces during the mine-laying operation.

https://archive.org/stream/wardiarygermann361942germ/wardiarygermann361942germ_djvu.txt

Tell me please, what German forces involved in the operation, where it was carried out and what the German ships fought MGBs.

cam

[cam]

Hi,

This is what the British are writing about this fight

... "firefight" in the Dover Straits on the night of the 23rd-24th of the latter month, when M.G.B. 6 intercepted a vastly superior enemy force of minelaying E and R-Boats (and an M-class minesweeper). In the ferocious engagement that ensued, one of the R-Boats was severely damaged but the 70-foot "short" M.G.B. was also badly shot-up and damaged - her Captain, Lieutenant N. K. Cale, R.N.V.R., was killed.
https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/past-catalogues/lot.php?auction_id=72&lot_id=116290

Probably MGBs were only two, MGB-6 and MGB-9.

cam

[TW]

Sämtliche Minenoperationen von R-Booten im Kanal im August (nur im August?) 1942
fehlen in der Chronik des Seekrieges. Das sind laut KTB SKL (ENGL) S.156:

Anton I+II, Bruno I+II, Caesar I+II, Bonifacius, Klara, Fritz

Eine Übersicht über die genannten Operationen und die Minenlage findet sich im KTB SKL ENGL. auf S. 386/387. Dort steht allerdings KLARA mit C als CLARA.

https://archive.org/stream/wardiarygermann361942germ#page/386/mode/2up/

SPERRE          CODENAME
ANTON  1+2   FRITZ    12. R-Flottille   16./17.08.1942   Gefecht S.202
BRUNO  1+2   KLARA   10. R-Flottille   23./24.08.1942   Gefecht S.292
CAESAR 1+2   BONIFACIUS     wer ?   14./15.08.1942   „planmäßig“

[TW]

25.8.1942
Nordsee
Minenunternehmungen der 2. S-Flottille (KKpt Feldt) mit 8 Booten (48 LMB) und der 4. S-Flottille (Kptlt. Bätge) mit 3 Booten (18 LMB) an der englischen Ostküste nördlich von Harwich; ... .

Auch diese Unternehmung wurde laut KTB SKL von britischen Zerstörern gestört.
https://archive.org/stream/wardiarygermann361942germ#page/304/mode/2up/

Die Minenunternehmungen der deutschen S-Boote hatten offenbar keine Codenamen.

[Urs Heßling]

moin,

25.8.1942
Nordsee
Minenunternehmungen der 2. S-Flottille (KKpt Feldt) mit 8 Booten (48 LMB) und der 4. S-Flottille (Kptlt. Bätge) mit 3 Booten (18 LMB) an der englischen Ostküste nördlich von Harwich; ... .

24./25.8.42
2. SFltl mit S 101, S 62, S 70, S 80, S 67, S 108, S 104, S 105 und 4. SFltl mit S 110, S 66, S 79 führen weiträumige Minenverseuchung mit UMB (!) in den Quadraten AN 8441, 7666 und 8444 (vor Lowestoft und Southwold) durch.
Quelle: KTB 2. u. 4. SFltl

Gruß, Urs

[Darius]

Hallo TW,

beigefügt die Anlage 6 zum KTB Marinegruppenbefehlshabers West / Marinegruppenkommando West, 01.-15.08.1942.

Danach Bonifacius = Stichwort für Caesar 1 + 2.




Darius

[Darius]

aus dem gleichen KTB:

13.08.1942. 14.08 Uhr: F.d.S. meldet Absicht:
1.) 2. und 5. S-Fl. Durchführung weiträumiger Verseuchung Lyme-Bucht.
2.) 4. S-Fl. in Abhängigkeit von Vorhaben 2.Sich.Div. (Bonifatius) LMB-Verseuchung SW Dungeness. - Absicht kommt wegen Wetterlage nicht zur Durchführung.
[...]
14.08.1942, 13.35 Uhr: F.d.S. meldet Absicht:
1.) 14.08. 5. S-Fl. UMB-Verseuchung. 4. S-Fl. LMB-Verseuchung als Ablenkungseinsatz gem. Einsatzbefehl für 13.08. (s. KTB 13.08., 14.08 Uhr). 2. S-Fl. Marsch Cherbourg - Ijmuiden.
2.) 14.08. eine Rotte 5. S-Fl. nach Boulogne verlegen. 4. S-Fl. Rotterdam verlegen.
[...]
17.25 Uhr: 2. Sich.Div. gibt Stichwort "Bonifacius" für 14.08. (s. KTB 12.08., 10.oo h), Skl erhält Meldung.
[...]
15.08.1942, 04.25 Uhr: Chef 4. S-Fl. meldet planmäßig durchgeführte Verseuchung engl. Geleitweges an der Südküste.
06.35 Uhr Chef 5. S-Fl. meldet Verseuchung planmäßig durchgeführt.
10.10 Uhr Führer 2.Sich.Div. meldet "Bonifatius" durchgeführt.

Im KTB der 2. Sicherungsdivision gibt es keine eindeutigen Infos. Nur einen Hinweis auf das Chef-KTB zu "Bonifatius" + Absicht für 14.08. 2., 4., 10., 12. R-Flottille: Sonderaufgabe 2.Sich.Div. Gkdos 150 Cherbourg.




Darius

[Urs Heßling]

aus dem gleichen KTB:

15.08.1942, 04.25 Uhr: Chef 4. S-Fl. meldet planmäßig durchgeführte Verseuchung engl. Geleitweges an der Südküste.

Mit 6 Booten (S 48, S 64, S 66, S 78, S 79, S 110) 36 LMB von BF 3315 M bis BF 3316 M, d.h. zwischen (vor) Hastings und Dungeness geworfen

Gruß, Urs

[cam]

Hi,

Mine operation of Clara was conducted at night on 23/24 August  by R-boats. It is indicated that these were only boats of the 10th R-Flotilla, but in the operation of Fritz, it is written that only the boats of the 12th R-flotilla participated, but in fact the boats of four R-flotillas participated. Probably, the same flotillas participated  and in Clara's operation. It is not clear just how many R-boats put mines and participated in the battle with the MGBs.

cam

[TW]

Hallo TW,
beigefügt die Anlage 6 zum KTB Marinegruppenbefehlshabers West / Marinegruppenkommando West, 01.-15.08.1942.
Danach Bonifacius = Stichwort für Caesar 1 + 2.
Darius

Danke, Darius.
Mir ist aber immer noch unklar, welche Flottille die CAESAR-Sperren legte.
Wahrscheinlich war es eine der 8, 10. oder 12. R-Flottille
Vielleicht waren auch (wie bei "KLARA") mehrere Flottillen beteiligt, aber
mich interessiert die "führende" Flottille (sie stellt den Kommandeur des Verbandes).

... in the operation of FRITZ, it is written that only the boats of the 12th R-flotilla participated, but in fact the boats of four R-flotillas participated. Probably, the same flotillas participated  and in Clara's operation. It is not clear just how many R-boats put mines and participated in the battle with the MGBs.

Thank you, cam. This is a most interesting aspect.
You are talking of four R-flotillas, which one is the fourth R-flotilla ?

Edit: Es handelt sich offenbar immer um die 12., 10, 4. und 2. R-Flottille (TW)

[t-geronimo]

Leider keine gute Qualität und nicht vom Datum irritieren lassen - auch KTB-Abschreiber können sich mal vertippen.

[t-geronimo]

Teil 2

Braucht ihr das für FRITZ auch?

[Darius]

Admirality War Diary:

24.08.1942:

Early this morning a large number of F.R. boats from Boulogne carried out another minelying operation in mid Channel near the Varne. Our light forces intercepted and engaged considerably superior numbers of the enemy and report hits on several of them and one set on fire. ML 103 was sunk by a mine 3 miles eastwards of NE Varne buoy, and MGB 6 and 7 suffered some damage. There were some casualties to personnel. The coastal batteries on each side fired. Aircraft were unable to attack on account of low visibility. It is thought that the enemy was able to carry out the major part of their operation and a danger area has been declared.
F.O.C. Dover reports that the laying of enemy minefields in mid Channel in which 2 coastal craft have already been lost has further prejudiced the operation of MTBs against enemy shipping between Boulogne and Dunkirk, and he considers that the most suitable forms of attack against enemy coastal shipping are now by aircraft and by minelying by MGBs, and he asks that faster and more efficient minelying craft may be provided.

Coastal force operation.
Early this Monday morning a large number of F.R. boats from Boulogne carried out another minelying operation in mid Channel near the Varne between QZX 768 and 788. Available MGBs were on patrol with primary object of defending our Channel against E-Boats and secondarily to attack R-boats engaged on just such an operation as was carried out. Enemy were detected leaving French coast North of Gris Nez at 0410 and positions were passed out. At 0420 MGB 6 (Lieut. N. K. Cale, RNVR, embarked as S.O.) and 7 at "D" buoy and MGB 41 (S.O. Lieut. R. King, RN) and S 2 at No. 10 buoy proceeded to intercept. Each force sighted and engaged considerably superior numbers of enemy craft, claiming numerous hits in several and setting one on fire. ML 213 (S.O. Lieut. R. Knudsen, RNN) and 103 on patrol at No. 7 buoy also proceeded to intercept but were unable to make contact and ML 103 hit a mine 3 miles eastward of NE Varne buoy. Crew was taken off by ML 213 and Trawlers FYLDEA from patrol near No. 4 buoy stood by untill boat sank. Reports show that E-boats were probybly covering the R-boats and an M Class Minesweeper way have been present. It is thought that enemy were able to carry through major part of their operation before returning towards Boulogne at 0515. Both forces of MGBs would have included 3 boats but for last minute defects.

Our Casualties. ML 103 lost. 2 ratings missing, 4 injured.
MGB 6 Lieutenant Cale killed C.O. and 1 rating wounded. MGB 7 1 rating wounded. MGB 41 2 slightly wounded.
MGB 6 and 7 suffered some damage. MGB 41 and S 2 no damage. Prior to engagement by MGBs Coastal Artillery fired 12 rounds of 6 in and 3 of 8 in. Enemy batteries replied with 20 rounds mostly in South Foreland area, no damage having been reported. Aircraft were unable to attack owing to low visibility. (V.A. Dover, 1104A/24)

S 2 war ein polnisches Schnellboot.



Darius

[Darius]

Danke tg für die beiden Auszüge 




Darius

[TW]

Braucht ihr das für FRITZ auch?

Lieber Thorsten
Die Anzahl der teilnehmenden Boote wäre hilfreich. Ich gehe davon aus, dass das Unternehmen Fritz operationel führend von der 12. R-Flottille (laut cam) bestritten wurde; beteiligt waren wieder die 10., 4. und 2. Flottille? Mehr brauche ich für die Chronik nicht.



P.S. In der Chronik steht offenbar fälschlich als führende Flottille die 10. R-Fl.