11th R-flotilla, september 1943

[cam]

Hi,

Colleagues,

Read such information

14 Sept. 1943 CONFIDENTIAL

2. Own Situation Mediterranean

The 11th Motor Minesweeuer Flotilla seized the fleet tender
CIGNIO, one tug, and three drifters off Sestri Levante.

https://archive.org/stream/wardiarygermann491943germ/wardiarygermann491943germ_djvu.txt

By 14 September the entire coast of Liguria was controlled by German troops. Where did the Italian ships come from that needed to be captured? Please help me find out what really happened. Maybe this event happened earlier, but the report on it came only on the 14th?

cam

[de domenico]

I only have a CIGNO, a cargo ship and former yacht of 440 grt/1894, ex SAGITTA ex MISURATA ex ARROW ex SAGITTA, owner Soc. An. Albaro of Genova, built by Hamilton at their Glen yard,  converted in 1936 to a cargo vessel , renamed CIGNO in 1937,  requisitioned by the Regia Marina on 13.5./1.6.1940 as the offshore pilot [read escort] vessel (pilotaggio Foraneo)  F 1, captured at Genova on 8.9.1943.

[Darius]

Eine Quellen, in welcher ggf. etwas dazu stehen müsste - meine Ausgabe ist leider aktuell im Keller "vergraben":

Chronik der 11. Räumbootflottille




Darius

[cam]

Maybe the KTB of the 11th R-flotilla can be found out about this operation?

[Darius]

Hi cam,

I can´t find anything on this action in any KTB. But I´m still looking for...




Darius

[Darius]

KTB des Befehlshabers des Deutschen Marinekommando Italien gives the original Nachricht:

14.09.1943

[...] 2.) Durchführung "Achse" in den Häfen:
Bei Sestri Levante werden durch 11. R-Flottille 1 Aviso, 1 Schlepper, 3 Logger aufgebracht.[...]

Regards

Darius

[cam]

Thanks Darius. 

So, this event happened all the same on 14th September . It would be interesting to know the details: which R-boats and how they participated and where the SKL took the name of Aviso note.

cam

[Darius]

In Anlage 5 to the KTB for 16.10.-31.10.1943 there is a report with this addtional information:

[...] 3. Portofino, San Margherita und Rapallo:
[...] Da sich der kleine Marinetrupp der 70. MS-Flottille nicht halten konnte, zog er sich auf den Stützpunkt der 11. R-Flottille nach Rapallo zurück. Von dort wurde am 11.9. mit einer Heereseinheit Portofino nach Brechung geringen Widerstandes zurückgenommen.[...]
In Rapallo hatte das Stützpunktpersonal der 11. R-Flottille, später unterstützt durch die Soldaten der 70. MS-Flottille, den Hafen gesichert und die dort liegenden 10 kleinen Fahrzeuge unbeschädigt in Besitz genommen.[...]

Maybe the 5 vessels you are looking for are included in the "10 kleinen Fahrzeuge"?


Regards

Darius

[cam]

 I don't think so. Rapallo is located 10 miles from Sestri Levante and in the message of the SKL is written about R-boats.

[Darius]

Hi cam,

Durch 11. R-Fl. sind Aviso "Cignio", 1 Schlepper und 3 Logger bei Sestri Levante aufgebracht.

Where do you see "R-Boote"? I only read "R-Flottille"... 




Darius

[cam]

Hi cam,

Where do you see "R-Boote"? I only read "R-Flottille"... 

Darius

The 11th Motor Minesweeuer Flotilla seized the fleet tender
CIGNIO, one tug, and three drifters off Sestri Levante.

It says "off Sestri Levante." So not in the port.

[Darius]

DEFE 3/617, ZTPGM 34752:

TOO 0602
TOI 1553/9/9/43

FROM: S.O. 70th M/S Flotilla and 11th R.Flotilla

TO: 'W'

MOST IMMEDATE

"ERNTE" at Porto Fino failed without the army. Encountering strong prepared defence. We are assembling at the (flak) position.
Query: Fetching by R-boats or where do we go from here if we are to proceed overland.

Darius

[Darius]

It says "off Sestri Levante." So not in the port.

German origin is "bei Sestri Levante" - this could be a port near this location.

Because I don´t have more sources, maybe someone else can help you.


Regards & 

Darius

[cam]

Thanks Darius.

You already found information that Italians don't have.
http://www.marina.difesa.it/media-cultura/editoria/bollettino/Documents/marzo_dicembre_2015.pdf

Maybe you can tell how the R-boats of the 11th flotilla participated in the capture of the harbor of Livorno on the night of 8/9 September ?

[Darius]

Chronik der 11. Räumbootflottille

In dem Buch gibt es keinen Hinweis auf das Geschehen in Rapallo und der Bucht.




Darius