I'm about to start on an rc model of a Kriegsfischkutter (based on the vintage Graupner Elke model). I have lived near the Scheldt for most of my life and that's why I find the battle of the Scheldt in September 1944 very interesting. I wonder if there are any photos of the KFKs involved in this battle. I'm especially interested in what kind of Flak guns and other equipment these were carrying at this point.
This account contains some references to a number of specific KFKs involved :
https://db.wingstovictory.nl/user/pages/02.database/10.crashes/423/423-story.pdf
I also found some interesting general info on the KFKs built in the Netherlands :
http://www.ebedejong.nl/KFK.htm
Gruss,
Arjan
Hallo Arjan,
schön wieder etwas von Dir zu hören.
Kann Dir hier nicht mit Fotos dienen, aber in den im Flogenden genannten Unterlagen sind vmtl. Informationen bzgl. Bewaffnung etc. zu finden.
Zu den als Minensuchboote verwendeten KFKs gibt es im HMA jeweils Datensätze mit Hinweisen auf die KTBs der Flottillen/Verbände,
z.B.: M 3663 / KFK 55 --/>/> Link (https://www.historisches-marinearchiv.de/projekte/minensucher/ausgabe.php?where_value=2605)
Dann noch paar Einträge in der HMA-DB zu den alliierten MTB-Angriffen:
--/>/> Link (https://www.historisches-marinearchiv.de/projekte/mtb_mgb/beschreibung.php?site=7&var1=wert1&var2=wert2)
Im BAMA-Archiv gibt es auch KTBs aus dem Raum Niederlande, z.B.:
RM 45-II/318, Bericht zur Überführung und Geleit von Truppen und Nachschub über die Schelde, Sept. 1944
--/>/> https://invenio.bundesarchiv.de/invenio/direktlink/c86727ad-1998-4043-9881-4f702ce581cf/
RM 45-II/57, Bericht: "Die Scheldefestung" (Walcheren nebst Brückenkopf Breskens), 18. Sept. - 10. Nov. 1944
--/>/> https://invenio.bundesarchiv.de/invenio/direktlink/c400b25d-a71c-40f1-a341-005a2f722d5e/
Alternativ natürlich die Akten auf den NARA-Filmen.
Chronik des Seekrieges, September 1944 mit "Schelde" suchen:
--/>/> https://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/44-09.htm
:MG:
Darius
Vielen Dank für deinen Beitrag Darius top !
Gruss,
Arjan
I've been trying to get a copy of Herwig Danner's KFK book but most on offer are rather expensive. From what I read about the book the photos are not really spectacular and for me photos are the main reason why I buy reference books.
I have managed to find some photos online but I get the impression there are not many around :
https://history-classics.de/?page_id=16089
I would be very interested in more photos, especially those showing the various types of Flak guns such as the 2cm Flak Vierling.
Arjan
Arjan, why don't you try to borrow the book from a library and photograph the pictures ?
Best regards
Hallo Thomas,
Unfortunately, Dutch libraries do not have this KFK book.
Gruss,
Arjan
Hello Arjan,
I learned you're interested in pictures of 2cm Flak Vierling. As I made a 3D-Model of this weapon I collected a variety pictures about it from the net. Let me know if you like to get them. Maybe it saves you some time of internet searches.
Best regards
Otto
Hallo Otto, I would appreciate some period pics. I take it you've still got my email address.
Apparently KFK 279, the vessel I wish to model, had a 3.7cm Flak gun and a 2cm Flak Vierling. I assume that the 3.7cm gun was of this type (also fitted to Schnellboote) :
(https://i.imgur.com/QIZpMdT.jpg)
Usually the heaviest gun was mounted on the forward platform and the lighter one on the rear platform. I couldn't find the weight of the 3.7cm Flak M42 but I assume it was heavier than the Vierling. The rear platform was set rather high and with a Vierling mounted on a tall mount (Sockel) on top it would no doubt have affected the seaworthiness of the vessel (high center of gravity).
Kriegsmarine Vierlinge had two different Sockels, a tall and a much lower one. To me it would make sense if the lower type was used for the rear platform of the KFK. But perhaps this lower mount was not used on small vessels such as the KFK ?
(https://i.imgur.com/qNf8FcL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vVJTpBE.jpg)
Tall mount as used on the Prinz Eugen :
(https://i.imgur.com/j3K599M.jpg)
Gruss,
Arjan
There are few good period close ups of KFK but I stumbled across some very good photos of a post war Belgian Navy (Hydrographic Service) KFK. The photos were taken in the Waalhaven at Rotterdam in 1947. The hull of the boat looks very tired and beat-up.
(https://i.imgur.com/7OLuufW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3hclNJy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Pr23yl2.jpg)
Looks like this pic was taken in front of the Schnellboot pen in the Waalhaven :
(https://i.imgur.com/eWSXv9K.jpg)
Engine room :
(https://i.imgur.com/L01YWeG.jpg)
Arjan
Yesterday I found some pics in the French Ecpad archive of a shipyard in Ukraine where KFKs were built. It seems these are of the early "Spitzgatter" type:
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/un-chantier-naval-sur-les-rives-du-dniepr-dans-le-secteur-de-saporoshje-zaporijie-ukraine-4.html
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/un-chantier-naval-sur-les-rives-du-dniepr-dans-le-secteur-de-saporoshje-zaporijie-ukraine.html
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/un-chantier-naval-sur-les-rives-du-dniepr-dans-le-secteur-de-saporoshje-zaporijie-ukraine-1.html
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/un-chantier-naval-sur-les-rives-du-dniepr-dans-le-secteur-de-saporoshje-zaporijie-ukraine-2.html
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/un-chantier-naval-sur-les-rives-du-dniepr-dans-le-secteur-de-saporoshje-zaporijie-ukraine-3.html
Yesterday I posted some links to Ecpad pics of other Kriegsmarine vessels at Tobruk :
https://forum-marinearchiv.de/smf/index.php?topic=42070.0
Arjan
Hallo Arjan,
vielen Dank für die Links.
:MG:
Darius
Apparently some KFKs had armor plated bridges ( KFKs mit gepanzerten Brückenaufbau). I wonder if anyone has some pics of these vessels. This morning I found one photo on the internet :
(https://i.imgur.com/HsDW6Yi.png)
Danke voraus.
Arjan
In the mean time I think I've found two more photos of a KFK with an armored bridge, perhaps the same vessel ?
(https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/520/440/mid_000000.jpg?action-e&cat=Photographs) (https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205158213) WITH THE GERMAN NAVY. 1944 ?, CAPTURED ENEMY PICTURES TAKEN BEFORE THE ALLIED LANDINGS IN FRANCE.. Image: IWM (A 26646) (https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205158213) IWM Non Commercial License (https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright)
(https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/520/441/mid_000000.jpg?action-e&cat=Photographs) (https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205158214) WITH THE GERMAN NAVY. 1944 ?, CAPTURED ENEMY PICTURES TAKEN BEFORE THE ALLIED LANDINGS IN FRANCE.. Image: IWM (A 26647) (https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205158214) IWM Non Commercial License (https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright)
Arjan
Hello Arjan! I will assume that this is a boat of the C.L.C type. I am attaching a photo of the C.L.C 6. It ended up in the USSR. It was rebuilt into a fishing boat and renamed MRT-17.
With respect, Vladislav.
Thanks for the pic Vladislav. I don't understand what you mean by C.L.C. type boat, what does the abbreviation stand for?
Yesterday I also happened across an Ebay photo which the seller claims is showing a Flak Fähre. He's wrong the pic shows several KFKs with an armored bridge :
https://www.ebay.de/itm/396530606591
Gruss,
Arjan
Zitat von: Arjan am 11 September 2025, 14:36:46what you mean by C.L.C. type boat
Französische Fischkutter (Chalutiers Typ C) nach einem Regierungsbauprogram.
Die Kutter hatten etwa 60-70 BRT, zwischen 16,5m und 21m lang
Gröner, DDK Band 8; S. 331/332
Thanks for the explanation Thomas. Probably yet another KFK with armored bridge :
(https://i.imgur.com/FoLfwc3.jpg)
Gruss,
Arjan
Spitzgatter KFK im Hafen von Emden 1950 :
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/Trawler-im-Hafen-von-Emden.html
I've found more photos from the same series and posted them here :
https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235157777-kriegsfischkutter/page/3/#comment-5313062
Arjan
I've been working on my 1/35 KFK model for quite some time now and I would like to add a basic interior to the wheelhouse. Does anyone have a period photo of the steering wheel plus compass? I doubt if any original interiors have survived until recently.
I'm also looking for some info about the Russian submarines that were allegedly destroyed by the KFKs of 23.U-Jagdflottille.I have a photo of KFK UJ-2303 showing a "Bilanz" on the wheelhouse of three destroyed subs. I have some more photos of KFKs of this unit and they all show painted Croatian flags on the bow and an image of a dice on the wheelhouse. The number of the dots on this dice corresponds with the call sign of the KFK. UJ-2303, therefore, had an image of a dice with three dots on her wheelhouse.
An old thread mentioning 23.U-Jagdflottille :
https://forum-marinearchiv.de/smf/index.php?topic=4544.0
Arjan
Scan showing Lieutenant Josip Mažuranić's KFK Uj 2303. Note the Bilanz on the wheelhouse :
(https://i.imgur.com/jV9Xulo.png)
The scan came from this book (I don't have this book though):
https://www.antikvarijatzz.hr/en/books/hrvatski-argonauti-20-stoljeca-povijest-hrvatske-pomorske-legije-na-crnom-moru-1941-1944/18263/
Some info about the unit in question from
https://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/km/ujaeger/uj21-23.htm#UJ23
23. U-Bootsjagdflottille
Aufgestellt im Mai 1944 in Konstanza. Aufgelöst im Juni 1944.
Operationsgebiet:
1944
Westliches Schwarzes Meer
Flottillenchef:
KKpt. Wolters (Gustav) 05.44 - 06.44
Einheiten:
2301 KFK 81
= SM 101
2302 KFK 82
2303 KFK 83
= SM 102
2304 KFK 84
2305 KFK 85
2306 KFK 86
= SM 103
2307 KFK 92
2308 KFK 16
2309 KFK 15
= SM 104
2310 KFK 372
= SM 130
2311 KFK 20
= SM 106
2312 KFK 17
= SM 107
2313 KFK 373
2314 KFK 202
2315 KFK 201
= SM 111
2316 KFK 31
= SM 105
2317 KFK 200
= SM 108
2318 KFK 47
= SM 109
The Croatian flag painted on both sides of the bow :
(https://i.imgur.com/0B8hFro.png)
Arjan
Some time ago I also downloaded a set of photos of UJ-2304. You can make out the Croatian ensign on the bow here as well, unfortunately the pic is not clear enough to see the 4-dot dice on the wheelhouse :
(https://i.imgur.com/us7wckR.png)
Regarding my earlier question about original photos showing the interior of the wheelhouse. I've only managed to find two pics showing a glimpse of the interior. This really bad photo showing the compass:
(https://i.imgur.com/ftKGmSm.jpg)
I wonder what is the thing on the rear wall of the wheelhouse in this scan ?
(https://i.imgur.com/Z9HMk29.png)
By the way, this scan also shows the pedestal with the mounted Peilscheibe .
Arjan
The kill marking images of three subs on UJ-2303 makes me wonder if this is indeed the score of this particular boat or perhaps the tally of the whole 23.UJ-Flottille.I also wonder how these KFK vessels could possibly be successful in sinking subs since they only had 6 depth charges on board. What, if any, sub tracking gear did these KFKs have on board ? Could the apparatus on the rear wall of what I think is UJ-2306 have to do with some type of sonar equipment ? By the way, this pic also seems to show one or more sub kill markings (Bilanz).
(https://i.imgur.com/Z9HMk29.png)
Boat UJ-2305 ,however , did not seem to have any kill markings :
(https://i.imgur.com/bwQGsqA.png)
Arjan
A German acquaintance of mine suggested the apparatus on the rear wall of UJ-2306's wheelhouse is probably a Behmlot Echolot :
(https://i.imgur.com/kh0K6Y2.png)
https://www.geomar.de/fileadmin/content/entdecken/Print/pdfs_de/echolot_brochure_2018_web.pdf
I think he might well be correct.
Arjan
For my 1/35 model I'm going to focus on KFK 55 (M 3663) because it was active on the Scheldt and it also sank there. And also because there are quite a few photos of this vessel (photos are very important to modelers like myself).
Her Lebenslauf from HMA :
- 01.04.1944 - 36.Minensuchflottille: M 3663
- 03.09.1944 - Flottille verlegt nach und nach in die Ostsee
- 04.09.1944 - Gruppe D (Oblt.z.S. Feller)
- 05.09.1944 - Übersetzverkehr auf der Schelde
- 14.09.1944 - Unterwasserschäden durch Bombensplitter
- 15.09.1944 - Reparatur Werft Vlissingen
- 18.09.1944 - Verlust durch Munitionsexplosion AF 89 auf der Schelde
Other KFKs in 36.Minensuchflottille (HMA) :
Kriegsmarine M 3660 / KFK 50 HR Kriegsfischkutter 03.05.1943 00.06.1947 §
Kriegsmarine M 3661 / KFK 51 HR Kriegsfischkutter 27.05.1943 00.06.1947 §
Kriegsmarine M 3662 / KFK 52 HR Kriegsfischkutter 24.06.1943 19.09.1944 +
Kriegsmarine M 3663 / KFK 55 HR Kriegsfischkutter 21.07.1943 18.09.1944 +
Kriegsmarine M 3664 / KFK 56 HR Kriegsfischkutter 30.12.1943 04.11.1945 §
Kriegsmarine M 3665 / KFK 57 HR Kriegsfischkutter 18.06.1943 04.11.1945 §
Kriegsmarine M 3666 / KFK 58 HR Kriegsfischkutter 01.04.1944
Kriegsmarine M 3667 / KFK 60 HR Kriegsfischkutter 07.05.1943 00.06.1947 §
Kriegsmarine M 3668 / KFK 61 HR Kriegsfischkutter 30.07.1943 27.04.1944 +
Kriegsmarine M 3669 / KFK 63 HR Kriegsfischkutter 06.09.1943 00.06.1947 §
Kriegsmarine M 3670 / KFK 64 HR Kriegsfischkutter 29.06.1943 00.06.1947 §
Kriegsmarine M 3671 / KFK 238 HR Kriegsfischkutter 20.05.1943 00.06.1947 §
Kriegsmarine M 3672 / KFK 342 HR Kriegsfischkutter 04.09.1943 04.11.1945 §
Kriegsmarine M 3673 / KFK 297 HR Kriegsfischkutter 31.08.1946 §
By the way I found this 36.Minensuchflottille cap badge on the internet :
(https://i.imgur.com/OdVAD9D.png)
I only know one photo of another KFK from 36.Minensuchflottille which is this well-known one of KFK 61 M 3668 :
(https://i.imgur.com/vcUy10w.jpg)
KFK 61 hit a mine off Ostend in April 1944 and sank. Here is an excerpt from a Belgian pdf that provides more info about this accident and the fate of her crew :
"De in Nederland gebouwde Kriegsfischkutter KFK 61, in dienst gesteld op 30 juli 1943 als mijnenveger M3668 bij de 36 e flottielje, loopt op 27 april 1944 om 22.55u op een mijn in positie 51°-02° 58 min en zinkt. Twaalf bemanningsleden laten het leven waarvan er acht te Oostende begraven worden. Het zijn: Friedrich Weber, geboren op 10 juni 1922, Heinz Liins, geboren op 25 december 1923, Ernst Bahlo, geboren op 03 februari 1925, Eberhard Prillwitz, geboren op 15 februari 1925, Heribert Thiel, geboren op 30 juni 1922, Heinz Drees, geboren op 06 oktober 1925, Georg Kuhn, geboren op 07 januari 1921 en Joachim Schmidt, geboren op 07 december 1922.
Back to KFK 55, some good quality photos of her can be found here :
https://history-classics.de/?page_id=16089
I wonder if anyone can tell where these pics were taken, the background suggests this was not a flat country like Holland or Belgium. France perhaps ?
(https://i.imgur.com/OTg5f9G.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5EagrBl.jpg)
Arjan
Since I have little knowledge of either mine sweeping or commercial fishing I thought the baskets seen in the 1950 pics of Emden harbor which I mentioned earlier were lobster pods :roll: .
(https://i.imgur.com/GaLPS8j.jpg)
Later I learned that these baskets were definitely part of KM mine sweeping gear and I also found this pic of a KM mine sweeper that also shows them :
(https://i.imgur.com/mp1h7sg.png)
Putting two and two together it seems the men and boats seen in Emden harbor must have belonged to Minenräumverband Cuxhaven :
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minenr%C3%A4umverband_Cuxhaven
Arjan
K.R.G. = Korbräumgerät (in Flachgewässern unter 12 m auf glattem Grund, kann von Motorfischkuttern oder ähnlichen Fahrzeugen gefahren werden). Als Suchgerät meines Erachtens nicht effektiv. Als Räumgerät geeignet für bereits aufgefundene Minen, die nicht gleich auf See abgeschossen werden sollen (um Fischfangverluste zu vermeiden). Daher wahrscheinlich bei den Räumverbänden nach dem Krieg bevorzugt im Einsatz.
Hallo,
auf dem ersten Bild in # 24 sehen wir den vormaligen KFK 217 als Vermessungsboot WEGA des damaligen Deutschen Hydrographischen Institutes Hamburg bei seiner Arbeit mit entsprechendem Gerät.
Ein Griff zurück - die schöne Serie in # 9 vom Bau KFK in der Ukraine ist im Hafen von Cherson aufgenommen (KFK 38-49) im Frühjahr/Sommer 1944 - REINHARD
Thanks a lot for the info Thomas and Reinhard. So it seems they were probably looking for wrecks rather than mines. In this pic a mast is seen sticking out of the water :
(https://i.imgur.com/pa10kss.png)
Gruss,
Arjan
Zitat von: Arjan am 23 September 2025, 09:16:48For my 1/35 model I'm going to focus on KFK 55 (M 3663) because it was active on the Scheldt and it also sank there. And also because there are quite a few photos of this vessel (photos are very important to modelers like myself).
Her Lebenslauf from HMA :
[...]
Arjan
Hallo Arjan,
vielen Dank für diesen Beitrag - u.a. mit dem Wappen der Flottille und dem Link zu der Fotoserie.
:MG:
Darius
hi,
Zitat von: Arjan am 23 September 2025, 09:16:48I wonder if anyone can tell where these pics were taken, the background suggests this was not a flat country like Holland or Belgium. France perhaps ?
I think that it is the bridge of Sonderburg (Denmark) (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kong_Christian_den_X%E2%80%99s_Bro)
greetings, Urs
You are absolutely right Urs great work ! it is definitely the King Christian x Bridge built in the late twenties of the previous century I think. I found a Danish clip of its inauguration. A screenshot from almost the same camera angle :
(https://i.imgur.com/EXDnVDm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mIOkKha.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/GY9R7rp.png)
Clip of the inauguration of this bridge :
https://www.denmarkpaafilm.dk/klip/kong-christian-xs-bro-indvies
I think this means that KFK 55 was sent to the Baltic Sea at some point in 1944 but later returned to the North Sea ???? Or perhaps KFK 55 was built in the Baltic Sea region (Denmark or Germany). I don't know at what date the 8.6cm RAG (two of which can be seen in pics of KFK55) became a standard fitting but I assume that was at some time in 1944.
By the way, a Danish article about a KFK wreck in the Baltic Sea :
https://www.seawarmuseum.dk/Ny-Viden--Artikler/S%C3%B8krigen-under-WW2/Kriegs-Fischkutter-KFK--jagten-p%C3%A5-en-identitet
Gruss,
Arjan
This Polish site has some interesting info on the fate of KFK 52 M3662 which I can support by a more elaborate account from a book I have about the liberation of my home region East Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.
https://www.naszbaltyk.com/sylwetki-statkow/2688-wykaz-polskich-kutrow-4-superkutry-typu-kfk
A translation in Dutch of the excerpt that deals with KFK 52 :
1) M 3662 (KFK 52?) , opgeleverd 24.06.1943
St. Pieter in Hemixen bij Antwerpen (bezet Nederland), opgeleverd 24.06.1943
Kenmerken in 1943: waterverplaatsing 110t; 24.00(totaal)/20.57(lw)×6.40×2.75m; 1 dieselmotor, 220 pk; 9w; 1×37-kanon, 4×20-kanon; bemanning 18 man.
24.06.1943: opgeleverd als M 3662 (KFK 52?) , Duitse vlag,
ingedeeld bij Marine Gruppen Kommando "West"
19.09.1944: aan de grond gelopen in de buurt van Terneuzen in Nederland, verlaten door de bemanning.
20.IX.1944: M 3662 (Pools leger)
veroverd in de omgeving van Terneuzen in Nederland door soldaten van het 10e Regiment Bereden Schutters van de 1e Pantserdivisie.
†21.IX.1944: in de omgeving van Terneuzen vernietigd door Duits veldartillerievuur.
OPMERKING: De nummertoewijzing van het KFK-voertuig wordt verondersteld.
Lebenslauf from HMA :
- 24.06.1943 - 36.Minensuchflottille: M 3662 [G]
- 03.09.1944 - Flottille verlegt nach und nach in die Ostsee [3]
- 04.09.1944 - Gruppe D (Oblt.z.S. Feller) [3]
- 05.09.1944 - Übersetzverkehr auf der Schelde [3,259]
- 19.09.1944 - Verlust durch Artillerietreffer im Hafen Terneuzen [G]
KTB der 36. Minensuchflottille [2]
- 24.06.1943 - Übernahme in die Gruppe D (Lt.z.S. Feller) [2]
Account from the book "De maand der Bevrijding september-1944" :
On 20 September the 2nd Squadron of the Polish 10th Armoured Regiment had reached Ossenisse (east of Terneuzen) and they discovered a German patrol vessel that had been abandoned. Lieutenant Sachse and his driver Corporal Kwiecinski boarded the ship and informed their regiment. The ship wouldn't move because the diesel engine(s) didn't work. The ship was armed with 20mm guns, machine guns and mines (depth charges ?).The German flag was still flying at the mast. With the help of mechanics they managed to start the diesel engine and after enlisting a local Dutch fisherman they sailed to Terneuzen the next day. The Poles had also fabricated their own flag with the number 45 which was the code number on all the vehicles of 10th Armoured Regiment.
The only thing in this account that doesn't make sense is that they mention diesel engines (plural) whereas a KFK only had one engine. The destruction by artillery fire in Terneuzen is not mentioned in the book.
Edit: The account is a bit unclear perhaps also due to the fact that the Polish text was translated into Dutch but artillery fire from South-Beveland is mentioned and apparently it set the boat on fire but this was still on 20 September and it is mentioned that the next day (21 September) they sailed to Terneuzen. Apparently the flag the Poles had made was kept and it was nicknamed the pirate flag.
By the way, it is also mentioned that Polish tanks shelled three boats filled with German soldiers which had become stuck on a sand bank. The boats were fired at from a distance of 3 km.
Arjan
Hallo Arjan,
vielen Dank für den Hinweis auf die poln. 1. PzDiv.
Leider ist der Abschnitt "C - Unit Chronicles and War Diaries" bei https://pism.org.uk/online-document-catalogue/ aktuell nicht erreichbar ... bzw. habe jetzt gesehen, dass nach Umschalten auf "Polnisch" (Symbol oben links) zumindest Inhaltsverzeichnisse / Findbücher aber erreichbar sind.
Evtl. sind dort Scans der KTBs der beiteiligten Einheiten zu finden.
--/>/> Hier https://forum-marinearchiv.de/smf/index.php?msg=445024 hatte ich mal die Rolle C.72 gefunden gehabt
Zitat--> Suche mit "1st Armoured Division" liefert https://pism.org.uk/?s=1st+Armoured+Division, u.a.
C.72 War Diary of the 8th Rifle Battalion, 1st Armoured Division. 1.XII.1944 – 8.II.1945
Einige der Filmbeiträge aus dem Archiv sind auf dem YouTube-Kanal (https://www.youtube.com/@PismUk/search?query=1944) zu finden - habe hier zum gesuchten Sachverhalt nichts gefunden [... es gab aber einen interessanten Beifang - den poste ich dann wo anders im Forum].
:MG:
Darius
Much obliged Darius ! top I have edited my previous post because I had omitted some details from the account in the Dutch book. Again I think some details may also have been lost due to the translation of the Polish texts into Dutch. Perhaps the plural form of "engine" is also due to a translation error.
Gruss,
Arjan
The book "De maand der Bevrijding September 1944" that contained the account about the supposed capture of KFK 52 by the Poles was published in 1975 and I doubt if it was really about KFK 52 as the Polish website I mentioned earlier suggests. For one thing the dates do not match and there is also the repeated mention of more than one ship engine. In another old book I have (""Vijf woelige jaren") a big captured German "Tankschiff" is mentioned that was brought into Terneuzen harbor by a Dutch fisherman under a Polish flag ....... I have not been able to find any evidence to support either of these claims.
I'm more inclined to believe the account of KFK 52's fate in the quite recently published book (2022) "The army that got away. The 15.Armee in the summer of 1944". In this account the dates match those of the Lebenslauf of KFK 52 (HMA):
- 24.06.1943 - 36.Minensuchflottille: M 3662 [G]
- 03.09.1944 - Flottille verlegt nach und nach in die Ostsee [3]
- 04.09.1944 - Gruppe D (Oblt.z.S. Feller) [3]
- 05.09.1944 - Übersetzverkehr auf der Schelde [3,259]
- 19.09.1944 - Verlust durch Artillerietreffer im Hafen Terneuzen [G]
Apparently KFK 52 was sunk by artillery fire from the Polish 1st Motorized Artillery Regiment. More specifically by self propelled 25-pounders nicknamed Sextons :
(https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/555/333/mid_000000.jpg?action-e&cat=Photographs) (https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205222194) THE POLISH ARMY IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN, 1944. Image: IWM (MH 1410) (https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205222194) IWM Non Commercial License (https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright)
These Sextons had taken up positions north of Axel (my place of birth) on 19 September and had been shelling Terneuzen all night.
Apparently there were more mistakes in the original Polish reports/accounts. For instance it was claimed that Generalleutnant Neumann of 712.Infanterie Division had been killed during the shelling of 4 barges stuck on a sand bank. This proved not to be the case, General Neumann was very much alive.
Arjan
Today I happened across a photo of a KFK built by the Dutch shipyard Enkhuizer Constructiewerkplaats. As luck would have it this is also the shipyard where KFK 55 was built. This site also has a pic of an MFP which was also built here. Also of interest the schwere Sturmboot 42 which probably belonged to the Wasserschutz Polizei. I posted several other pics of this vessel here some years ago.
https://www.strijdbewijs.nl/enkhuizen/enkhuizen.htm
By the way, last week I noticed that three KFK's of 36.Minensuchflottille had received an armored bridge. KFK61 had received one in Brügge on 30.08.43. KFK 51 and KFK 238 also received one in the summer of 1943 in Rotterdam. I wonder why these three boats received this upgrade whereas the other vessels in the Flotilla didn't.
Arjan
Hallo Arjan,
schöner Fund. Danke.
:MG:
Darius
Leafing through a book I have about the port of Rotterdam in the war years ("Rotterdam Oorlogshaven" by Jac. J. Baart) I noticed a photo I had overlooked previously. It's a photo of two KFKs under construction at the Kerstholt shipyard in Groningen (north of Holland). Unfortunately the photo is of a poor quality and my scan has only made things worse :
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZRr8fLSW/Afbeelding-43.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FdHkz31v)
The shipyard closed down in 1965 so I can no longer contact the owners. However, I've just ordered a book about this shipyard which I hope might contain some more pics.
The book about the port of Rotterdam also mentioned the serious disadvantage of armoring KFK bridges. Apparently the plate steel armor affected the compass resulting in faulty readings.. This disadvantage is also mentioned in Herwig Danner's book.
Gruss,
Arjan
The records of shipyard De Schelde in Vlissingen provide some info on the repairs carried out on KFKs of 36.Minensuchflottille and 32.Minensuchflottille. Most of this info is not mentioned in the HMA entries of the KFKs in question.
M 3671 "Gelicht voor draad in schroef"(lifted by 150 t krane because of line in prop) 09-09-44 :
(https://i.postimg.cc/15Pj958Q/NL-Mdb-ZA-7555-3-0016.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rznJjTGn)
M 3671, M 3667, M 3662 and M 3663 :
(https://i.postimg.cc/02xB82z2/NL-Mdb-ZA-7555-3-0017.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hhyrsn8H)
M 3665 again "Draad in schroef", this seems to happen a lot ???? :
(https://i.postimg.cc/50SkzZGX/NL-Mdb-ZA-7555-3-0018.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDtqVdR8)
M 3660 and M 3671 :
(https://i.postimg.cc/7PSR8TYc/NL-Mdb-ZA-7555-05-0038.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kDXsWGSF)
I will post some records on the KFKs of 32. Minensuchflottille later.
Perhaps minesweepers were more likely to get lines entangled in their props than other vessels ?
Arjan
Careful with copyright.
Is it allowed to show the pictures?
Hallo Thorsten,
I've removed the scans from the book about the history of the Kerstholt shipyard in Groningen.
Gruss,
Arjan
Thanks an sorry. :|
As promised some KFKs from 32. Minensuchflottille mentioned in the records of shipyard de Schelde in Vlissingen. I didn't go back further than July 1944.
M 3245, 14 July 1944 :
(https://i.postimg.cc/44LtQfTS/NL-Mdb-ZA-7555-3-0014.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/z3hVJ1vC)
M 3247, 21 September 1944 :
(https://i.postimg.cc/qB2FVCvB/NL-Mdb-ZA-7555-3-0019.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXK51HBg)
M 3249, 30 September 1944 :
(https://i.postimg.cc/4yN6NnRQ/NL-Mdb-ZA-7555-3-0020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/62g2MW38)
Arjan
Today I discovered that there are KFK line drawings on the Gusto shipyard site. What strikes me is that the skylights have the same portholes one can see in the photo of the Enkhuizen KFK. These skylights with portholes are also present in some other pics of KFKs which made me think these may also have been built by Gusto . I know that at least two of Gusto built KFKs were destined to become Hafenschutzboote (Boulogne and St.Nazaire)
https://werf-gusto.com/kriegsfischkutter/
Definitely looks like a Hafenschutzboot to me :
(https://i.postimg.cc/VNyRR5FS/portholes.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
edit: What puzzles me is that we know that KFK 55 was built at the Enkhuizer constructie werkplaats and this vessel had the "normal" skylights with the protective steel bars. Yet the 1945? photo of Enkhuizen shows a KFK with skylights that have portholes instead of glass window panes with bars. So perhaps the later version is a change in the design to speed up production ?
Arjan
I wrote a mail to the manager of the Gusto site to ask if I could possibly get a better copy of the plan so I can read the words and references. The only thing I can read is "Sperrwaffen plan" so this is probably a plan to show where all the minesweeping gear is to be stowed. The Lebenslauf of KFK 452 (M 3882) and KFK 454 (M 3884) reads like a novel ..... Source HMA :
Lebenslauf M 3882:
- 16.02.1944 - Gruppe E zugeordnet [4]
- 26.02.1944 - M3881,82,85 Wegüberwachung Le Havre - Fécamp [4]
- 27.02.1944 - Marsch nach Port en Bassin [4]
- 05.03.1944 - Rückmarsch nach Le Havre. Treibende Mine gesichtet [4]
- 09.-10.03.1944 - Minenkontrolle Weg Herz bis Karo bis Position "Barsch" [4]
- 11.-15.03.1944 - zur Vfg. M3829 (s.d.) [4]
- 16.03.1944 - Marsch nach Fécamp [4]
- 17.-18.03.1944 - Minenkontrolle bei Position "Flunder" [4]
- 19.03.1944 - Rückmarsch nach Le Havre [4]
- 19./20.03.1944 - Minenkontrolle auf Ansteuerung Le Havre [4]
- 20.03.1944 - Besetzung "Position "Hecht" mit M 3801 [4]
- 28.-31.03.1944 - Minenkontrolle mit GBT im Raum Le Havre [4]
- 01.-05.04.1944 – Minenkontrolle Le Havre – Fécamp mit M 3821 [4]
- 05.-07.04.1944 – GBT-Minenkontrolle im Raum Le Havre mit M 3801 [4]
- 05.04.1944 – 23u00 Zwei Minendetonationen 200-300 mtr voraus (wahrsch. ELM-A) [4]
- 08.-10.04.1944 – M 3801,72,81,82,85 Minenkontrolle im Raum Le Havre [4]
- 12.-16.04.1944 – M 3801,72,81,82,85 Minenkontrolle im Raum Le Havre [4]
- ab 17.04.1944 - a.Kb. Werft Le Havre, Einbau Brückenpanzerung [4]
- 20.05.1944 – wieder kriegsbereit [4]
- 04.-05.06.1944 - R43,48, M3872,81,82,83,88 Sicherung Gruppe Lohmann von Dieppe nach Treport
- 06./07.06.1944 – Minenunternehmen Blitz 18: R 227,228,230,231 mit 32 LMB und M 3882,83,88,72 mit 36 LMB Sperrlage: 49.56n 01.01e – 49.56n 00.56e [Scan 111]
- 07./07.06.1944 – Minenunternehmen Blitz 20: R 227,228,230,231 mit 32 LMB und M 3882,83,88 mit 36 LMB Sperrlage: 49.53n 00.43e – 49.53n 00.48e [Scan 113]
- 08./09.06.1944 – Minenunternehmen westwärts Blitz 20: R-Boote mit 32 LMB und M 3881,82,83,88 mit 48 LMB Sperrlage: 49.53n 00.43e – 49.52n 00.38e [Scan 113]
- 09.-16.06.1944 – M 3872,81,82,83,88 Minenkontrolle Position 13 mit GBT
- 10.06.1944 – 00u35 Jabo-Angriff mit Raketen-Bomben abgewehrt
- 14.06.1944 – M 3881 wg. Maschinenausfall im Schlepp von M 3882.
- 17.-22.06.1944 - Kein Einsatz
- 23.-25.06.1944 - Sicherung Gruppe Lohmann westl. Dieppe
- 26.-29.06.1944 - Minenkontrolle Position 13 Osthälfte, Position 12 Südhälfte mit GBT
- 29.06.1944 - 02u25 Treibende Mine, kein Räumergebnis
- 30.06./01.07.44 - Sicherung Gruppe Lohmann bei Fécamp.
- 01.-15.07.1944 - Kein KTB vorliegend
- 17.07.1944 - Gruppe E Minenkontrolle Pos. 13 mit GBT, Sicherung Gruppe Lohmann
- 18.-20.07.1944 - Gruppe E Sicherung Kümo Käte Jonas, RO37, RO20 von Dieppe nach Le Havre
- 25./26.07.1944 - Geleit für PA.1 und UJ1430 mit R227,229, 230, 231 nach Fécamp
- 26.07.1944 - 00u40 Gefecht mit 2 feindl. S-Booten bis 01u10
- 27.07.1944 - Rückmarsch Gruppe E von Fécamp nach Dieppe
- 30.-31.07.1944 - Minenkontrolle Pos. 12 mit GBT
- 02./04.08.1944 - M 3872,82,83,84,85,88,90 Besetzung der Pos. 13
- 06.-10.08.1944 - M 3872,82,83,84,85,88,90 Besetzung der Pos. 13
- 10./11.08.1944 - Gruppe E sichert Minenunternehmen ,,Wassernixe", Führung Oblt. Meyer AF 16
- 12.-16.08.1944 - M 3872,82,83,84,85,88,90 Besetzung der Pos. 13, kein Räumergebnis
- 16./17.08.1944 - M 3881,82,83,84,85,88,90 Besetzung der Pos. 12
- 17.-19.08.1944 - Geleit für R48 (Lohmann), R43 und MFP 840 zw. Dieppe und Le Treport
- 20.-22.08.1944 - M 3881,82,83,84,85,88,90 Besetzung der Pos. 12
- 23.08.1944 - Befehl zum Verlegungsmarsch Gruppe E nach Dänemark
- 24./25.08.1944 - Geleit für V238,239,242,243, R117, MFP 840 nach Boulogne
- 24.08.1944 - 23u19 Fliegerangriff, Nahtreffer 3884: 2 Tote
- 25./26.08.1944 - Geleitaufgabe weiter nach Calais, zusätzl. R80,81,83
- 30./31.08.1944 - Gruppe E mit GBT von Calais nach Dünkirchen. Fliegerangriff abgewehrt
- 01./02.09.1944 - Gruppe E mit M 3875 Weitermarsch von Ostende nach Rotterdam
- 04./05.09.1944 - Durch Kanäle über Amsterdam nach Den Helder
- 08.09.1944 - Auf Binnenwegen nach Terschelling
- 08.-12.09.1944 - Terschelling – Borkum – KW-Kanal – Kiel
- 14.09.1944 - Von Kiel nach Korsör
- 21.09.-08.11.44 - M 3881,82 Werftliegezeit in Kopenhagen
- 13.11.1944 - Gruppe E mit 6 KFK einsatzklar am neuen Stützpunkt Helsingör
- 15.11.1944 - Minenkontrolle & Sundüberwachung zwischen Helsingör und Schwarz 06 mit SSG und KKG [416]
- 15.11.1944 - M 3834,82 Minenkontrolle mit HFG und KKG von Schwarz 06 – 01.
- 17.-21.11.1944 - M 3834,82 mit GBT, KKG, HFG von Helsingör bis Schwarz 06.
- 18.11.1944 - Zwei KKG-Räumergebnisse auf Pos. 56.10n 11.52e
- 21.11.1944 - Nach Räumerfolg mehrere Rohleitungen gerissen, lecke Nähte in der Außenhaut.
- 25.11.1944 - M 3834,35,82 Geleit für NETZLEGER I nach Schwarz 01 mit HFG, KKG, GBT.
- 27.11.1944 - M 3834,35,82 von Hundestad Weg Schwarz, Weg Buche, Weg 28 mit HFG, KKG, GBT.
- 30.11.1944 - M 3834,35,82 Minenkontrolle Aarhus – Helsingör mit HFG, KKG, GBT.
- Ab 05.12.1944 - a.Kb., Abdichten der Außenhaut.
- 15.-31.12.1944 - Kein KTB vorliegend [4]
- 02.01.1945 - M 3882,88 Geleit für dän. FREDERIKSBORG von Helsingör nach Kopenhagen.
- 07.01.1945 - M 3882,88 Minenkontrolle Schießbahn der Küstenartillerie vor Helsingör mit SSG und KKG
- 16.01.1945 - M 3882,88 Geleit für mit CONSTANTINA Helsingör – Grün 06 mit SSG und KKG
- 19.01.1945 - M 3882,83 Wegablaufen Ankerplatz Otto bis Schwarz 06 mit SSG und KKG.
- 22.01.1945 - M 3882/88 Sicherung für GERDMOR von Anholt nach Kopenhagen
- 23./24.01.1945 - Weitermarsch nach Grün 03;
- 24.01.1945 - Geleit für TIJUKA von Ankerplatz Toni nach Kopenhagen.
- 26.01.1945 - M 3830 (HFG) mit M3882,88 Minenkontrolle Kopenhagen – Helsingör.
- 31.01.1945 - Ende des vorliegenden KTB [4]
Lebenslauf M 3884:
- 01.-15.07.1944 - KTB [4] nicht vorhanden. M 3884,90 Marsch von Schiedam bis Calais [TW]
- 18.07.1944 - M3884,3890 von Calais nach Boulogne
- 18./19.07.1944 - M 3884,90 im Schlepp von R230 und R231 von Boulogne nach Dieppe [4]
- 19.07.1944 - 00u00 Mehrere Jabo-Angriffe abgewehrt [4]
- 22.-24.07.1944 - Besetzung der Position 13 (vor Dieppe) mit V238-241, V1533,39, M3884,90 [4]
- 24.07.1944 - 00u50 Jabo angriff abgewehrt. 1 Abschuss erzielt [4]
- 26.-27.07.1944 - Besetzung der Position 13. Fliegerangriff mit 2cm-Flak abgewehrt [4]
- 02./04.08.1944 - 72,82,83,84,85,88,90 Besetzung der Pos. 13
- 06.-10.08.1944 - 72,82,83,84,85,88,90 Besetzung der Pos. 13
- 10./11.08.1944 - Gruppe E sichert Minenunternehmen ,,Wassernixe" (Führung Oblt. Meyer, AF 16)
- 12.-16.08.1944 - 72,82,83,84,85,88,90 Besetzung der Pos. 13, kein Räumergebnis
- 16./17.08.1944 - M 3881,82,83,84,85,88,90 auf Position 12
- 17.-19.08.1944 - Geleit für R48 (Lohmann), R43 und MFP 840 zw. Dieppe und Le Treport
- 20.-22.08.1944 - M 3881,82,83,84,85,88,90 auf Position 12
- 23.08.1944 - Gruppe E sammelt zum Verlegungsmarsch nach Dänemark
- 24./25.08.1944 - Mit V238,239,242,243, R117, MFP 840 bis Boulogne
- 24.08.1944 - 23u19 Fliegerangriff, Nahtreffer M 3884: 2 Tote
- 25./26.08.1944 - Fortsetzung des Marsches im Geleit nach Calais, zusätzl. R80,81,83
- 30./31.08.1944 - Gruppe E mit GBT von Calais bis Dünkirchen. Fliegerangriff abgewehrt
- 01./02.09.1944 - Weitermarsch Gruppe E mit M3875 von Ostende bis Rotterdam
- 04./05.09.1944 - Durch Kanäle über Amsterdam nach Den Helder
- 08.09.1944 - Auf Binnenwegen nach Terschelling
- 08.-12.09.1944 - Terschelling – Borkum – Brunsbüttel – Kiel
- 14.09.1944 - Von Kiel nach Korsör
- 21.09.-2.11.1944 - M 3883,84,85,88,90 Werftliegezeit in Kopenhagen
- 04.-06.11.1944 - M 3872,83,84,85,88,90 Kopenhagen – Aarhus: Übernahme Minengeräte
- 13.11.1944 - Gruppe E mit 6 KFK einsatzklar am neuen Stützpunkt Helsingör
- Ab 15.11.1944 - Minenkontrolle & Sundüberwachung zwischen Helsingör und Schwarz 06 mit SSG und KKG [416]
- 16.-30.11.1944 - Gruppe E besetzt am Nordausgang Sund die Positionen ,,M", ,,Sperre" und ,,Grün 19".
- 07.12.1944 - M 3832,84 Geleit für Fähre DEUTSCHLAND von Schwarz 10 nach Kopenhagen.
- 08.01.1945 - M 3884,90 Minenkontrolle von Grün 19 bis Schwarz 06
- 31.01.1945 - Ende des vorliegenden KTB [4]
Arjan
I've just found some KFK footage which may already be familiar to some. It concerns one of the KFK's that were built in Greece and sailed from the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea through the Bosporus.The KFK footage starts at 10:01:59. Later also some footage of prisoners of war transported by Pilabos.
https://archiv-akh.de/filme?searchterm=Kriegsfischkutter
Arjan
Hallo Arjan,
sehr schöner Fund.
Wird bei 10:25:07:07 wird kurz das Wrack eines MFP gezeigt?
:MG:
Darius
Thanks Darius . Looks like the KFK in the footage also had two depth charge racks at the stern. So in total it seems to have carried 12 depth charges :
(https://i.postimg.cc/nhsFjZxP/Schermopname-5545.png) (https://postimg.cc/CRgTX3zG)
(https://i.postimg.cc/t41qZybc/Schermopname-5544.png) (https://postimages.org/)
I think these additional stern dc racks also explains how the Croatian KFK UJ 2303 could have sunk three Russian subs. There is also a scan showing two Croatian KFKs which also have these additional dc racks.
This screen shot from the footage seems to show a speech tube :
(https://i.postimg.cc/zGLzb5NF/Schermopname-5548.png) (https://postimg.cc/mPsfJvtP)
Gruss,
Arjan
I wonder which Flottille Heinz Rettig's KFK belonged to ? Apparently it belonged to a unit of 6 boats :
https://www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de/archiv/article150490996/Dramatische-Rettung-in-letzter-Minute.html
Arjan
Gemäß Gröner (DDK) gab es keinen UJ 610.
KFK 610 war laut Gröner unfertig und wurde so am 9. Dez. 1945 von der Sowjetunion übernommen.
Infrage kommt VS 610 (= KFK 501) von der 6. Sicherungsflottille, die teils Minen räumte und teils U-Boote jagte.
KFK 501 war vorher (1944) U-Jäger 1445 gewesen. Die 6. Sicherungsflottille war 1945 in Swinemünde stationiert.
Die Flottille unterstand der 9. Sicherungsdivision
Viele Grüße, Thomas
--/>/> https://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/km/sichverb/sifl-ost.htm
Thanks a lot Thomas top . It strikes me that KFKs were often used for evacuations in desperate situations. The Crimea, the Scheldt Estuary, East Prussia and no doubt other regions as well. According to Herwig Danner KFKs were suitable vessels in these circumstances because they were small, nimble and could come close to the shore without running aground. Also they presented a small, hard to hit target for enemy artillery. Especially during the evacuation of the Crimea KFK losses were high, 23.U-Bootsjagdflottille was practically decimated in a very short time.
Gruss,
Arjan
Guten Tag,
einen Heinz Rettig steht auch nicht in den Crewlisten nicht gefunden.
Viele Grüße
Harald
Thanks Harald ! Today I found some more pics by Erich Andres made in Emden. KFK 214 "Atair":
https://www.alamy.com/schiffsarbeiter-pumpen-sauerstoff-fr-bojentaucher-emden-niedersachsen-deutschland-1950-ship-workers-pump-oxygen-for-buoys-diver-emden-lower-saxony-germany-1950-image334613104.html
At the bottom of the page there are usually more pics to be found.
https://www.alamy.com/bojentaucher-im-wasser-emden-niedersachsen-deutschland-1950-buoys-divers-in-the-water-emden-lower-saxony-germany-1950s-image334613468.html
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/ship-workers-put-buoy-emden-lower-saxony-germany-1950/photograph/asset/7098668
Looks like this man is still wearing a KM officer's cap ?
https://www.alamy.com/schiffsarbeiter-mit-hund-emden-niedersachsen-deutschland-1950-ship-worker-with-dog-emden-lower-saxony-germany-1950s-image334613472.html
Gruss,
Arjan
Today I discovered more pics of KFKs on the IWM site. Post war mine sweeping in Norway and Kiel :
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=GERMANS%20CLEAR%20NORWEGIAN%20WATERS%20OF%20THEIR%20OWN%20MINES.%2011%20AUGUST%201945%2C%20MARVIKEN%2C%20FORMER%20GERMAN%20BASE%20AT%20KRISTIANSAND%2C%20NORWAY.%20UNDER%20NORWEGIAN%20ORDERS%20GERMAN%20MINESWEEPING%20FLOTILLAS%20ARE%20CLEARING%20NORWEGIAN%20WATERS%20OF%20MINES.&page=0
By the way, for my KFK model I'm looking for drawings/dimensions of this type of Fahrwasser Boje (on the left in the pic) :
(https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/527/231/mid_000000.jpg?action-e&cat=Photographs) (https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205161282) GERMANS CLEAR NORWEGIAN WATERS OF THEIR OWN MINES. 11 AUGUST 1945, MARVIKEN, FORMER GERMAN BASE AT KRISTIANSAND, NORWAY. UNDER NORWEGIAN ORDERS GERMAN MINESWEEPING FLOTILLAS ARE CLEARING NORWEGIAN WATERS OF MINES.. Image: IWM (A 30094) (https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205161282) IWM Non Commercial License (https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright)
Arjan
Last night I received another KFK book, it's this one :
https://www.amazon.de/Kriegsfischkutter-Vom-Wachboot-NORDWIND-Entstehung/dp/3885799081
It turns out to be much more interesting/useful than I had thought. A lot of extra info and pics on KFK construction and some accounts by KFK veterans. Also pics of some incredible models made by Herr Klaus Berges and Herr Lothar Wischmeyer. Highly recommended ! A nice surprise is a KFK veteran account of the retreat of the 15.Armee across the Scheldt :-) :
(https://iili.io/f3p35b4.jpg) (https://freeimage.host/)
(https://iili.io/f3p3Mdu.jpg) (https://freeimage.host/)
Arjan
Dear Arjan,
The Dutch Maritime museum has very detailed drawings in their archives of the KFK. I photographed some of these in Rotterdam. They may be of use to better understand this beautiful kotter. I have drawn several parts for 3D printing in 1/35 scale, but it is still a work in progress.
Kind regards,
Roel
Hallo Roel,
I have also downloaded some online drawings from this museum but unfortunately these copies were too small to read the texts and references. I would be especially interested in a bigger copy of this Gusto topview titled Sperrwaffen plan. Perhaps you've got a bigger copy of this plan :
https://mmr.adlibhosting.com/ais6V50/Details/collect/20014993
The other online drawings can be found here (type in KFK) :
https://mmr.adlibhosting.com/ais6V50/results
Groet,
Arjan
Dear Arjan,
I have visited the museum itself to actually photograph the drawings from the archives. I had reserved them beforehand. I have contacted the museum archives to ask them for the image you are looking for. The version I have is very likely the same as yours. Among the 600 photos I took was sadly not the image you are looking for.
The people there are very helpful and friendly, so I have taken the liberty to ask them for a better quality image of the drawing you are looking for.
Kind regards,
Roel
Dear Arjan,
I went through my archives again and I found it!! I have a high resolution image which I will send you.
Kind regards,
Roel
Much obliged Roeland, these hd photos you've sent are great ! One of the things I wondered about are the two lockers under the forward gun platform. I can now read the texts and to my surprise the port one contained potatoes and the starboard one coal :-) .
(https://iili.io/fx56W8X.png) (https://freeimage.host/)
By the way, I also noticed among the Gusto online drawings this one which shows armored visors (Panzerklappen) in the bridge :
(https://iili.io/fx5eE4s.png) (https://freeimage.host/)
Regards,
Arjan
Dear Arjan,
The plans in Rotterdam also contain drawings of armour plates, or an armoured bridge.
Regards,
Roel
It would be great if you could also send me those drawings Roeland. I know several KFKs received their armored bridge in Rotterdam, perhaps at the Wilton-Fijenoord yard ? Also with these drawings it might be possible to id some KFK pics because there is quite a bit of variety in the bridge armor applied at different ship yards.
Groet,
Arjan