Photos for a book project: Kriegsmarine in the Eastern Gulf of Finland 1941-1944

[AKo[FIN]]

Dear all,

I am currently preparing a comprehensive, source-based non-fiction study on the operations of the Kriegsmarine in the Eastern Gulf of Finland during the years 1941–1944. Following approximately four years of research, the manuscript has developed into a work of over 500 pages, supported by more than 1 600 references.

At this stage, I am seeking illustrative material for the publication and would like to kindly turn to collectors and enthusiasts for assistance.

Many of you may hold unique photographic material that has never been published. Such images from private collections are invaluable in reconstructing and conveying as accurate a picture as possible of naval warfare in the Gulf of Finland.

Should you have photographs of Kriegsmarine vessels operating in the Gulf of Finland during 1941–1944, I would be most grateful to receive copies (as donations) for use in the book.

Photographs depicting crews, daily life aboard vessels, as well as individual personnel are also of great interest, as they often complement the perspective provided by official records.

The study also addresses coastal forces and operations, including the capture of Tytärsaari and the battle of Suursaari in September 1944.

If you are interested in contributing to this project and helping to preserve this aspect of Baltic naval history, I would kindly ask you to contact me via private message.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Anssi Koski
Kotka, Finland

[Darius]

Hello Dr. Anssi Koski,

I hope, our forum and HMA databases are helpful in your project.
Maybe you can put some details on the actions regarding the activities of the Landungsflottillen or ex-german landing craft in finnish service?

Regards

Darius

[AKo[FIN]]

Hello Dr. Anssi Koski,

I hope, our forum and HMA databases are helpful in your project.
Maybe you can put some details on the actions regarding the activities of the Landungsflottillen or ex-german landing craft in finnish service?

Regards

Darius

Dear Darius,

Thank you for your message.

Regarding the Landungsflottillen, I have discovered several new details compared to earlier Finnish literature, particularly concerning the battles in the Koivisto Islands during the summer of 1944.

On 21 June, the commander of the artillery ferry detachment, Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve Jungheinrich, received orders from 9. Sd to proceed at full speed toward the northern end of the Koivistonsalmi strait. Soviet forces had landed at 03:20 near the northern tip of Piisaari, at the Alvatinniemi pier. The coastal troops defending the area were unable to push the enemy back into the sea.

Earlier literature has claimed that the German ferries proceeded to the wrong location; however, this appears to be a misunderstanding referring to another detachment altogether.

At 08:40, the artillery ferries observed one larger and 4–5 smaller enemy vessels at the northern end of Piisaari in Koivistonsalmi. The distance to the enemy was approximately 13 kilometres, and the ferries advanced closer in hedgehog formation in order to bring the enemy within the effective range of their 8.8 cm artillery. Covering fire was opened from a distance of 8.5 kilometres, and the larger enemy vessel received a direct hit and caught fire. The enemy returned fire with various weapons, but most rounds fell short and the German forces suffered no casualties.

During the naval engagement, the ferries were attacked by 14 IL-2 aircraft, which dropped bombs and strafed heavily with machine guns. The eight quadruple-barrelled Flak Vierling mounts aboard the four ferries opened intense anti-aircraft fire, and one IL-2 was shot down. The Soviet vessels then deployed a smoke screen and withdrew southward deeper into Koivistonsalmi.

This engagement has not been mentioned in Finnish sources, and there is also an excellent operational sketch attached to the war diary of the 24. Landungsflottille. I have also found a considerable amount of other very interesting material.

Best regards,
Anssi Koski

[joern]

Ich hatte 2016 einige Fotos von Schnellbooten in der östlichen Ostsee hier ins Forum eingestellt.
Eventuell sind sie auch von Interesse ?
Grüße Joern
Schnellboote