Bezuprechny was one of 29 Gnevny-classdestroyers (officially known as Project 7) built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. After the German invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) in June 1941, the ship laid minefields and participated in the Siege of Odessa, ferrying men and supplies to the beleaguered city and providing naval gunfire support. Bezuprechny was damaged by German aircraft in September and was under repair for most of the rest of the year. During the Siege of Sevastopol, the ship resumed her duties in late December, only with a different destination. She was sunk by German aircraft while transporting supplies and troops on 26 June 1942 with the loss of approximately 300 crewmen and 320 passengers.
Having decided to build the large and expensive 40-knot (74km/h; 46mph)Leningrad-classdestroyer leaders, the Soviet Navy sought Italian assistance in designing smaller and cheaper destroyers. They licensed the plans for the Folgore class and, in modifying it for their purposes, overloaded a design that was already somewhat marginally stable.[1]
The Gnevnys had an overall length of 112.8 meters (370ft 1in), a beam of 10.2 meters (33ft 6in), and a draft of 4.8 meters (15ft 9in) at deep load. The ships were significantly overweight, almost 200 metric tons (197 long tons) heavier than designed, displacing 1,612 metric tons (1,587 long tons) at standard load and 2,039 metric tons (2,007 long tons) at deep load. Their crew numbered 197 officers and sailors in peacetime and 236 in wartime.[2] The ships had a pair of geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller, rated to produce 48,000 shaft horsepower (36,000kW) using steam from three water-tube boilers which was intended to give them a maximum speed of 37 knots (69km/h; 43mph).[3] The designers had been conservative in rating the turbines and many, but not all, of the ships handily exceeded their designed speed during their sea trials. Others fell considerably short of it. Bezuprechny reached 38.7 knots (71.7km/h; 44.5mph) during her trials in 1939. Variations in fuel oil capacity meant that the range of the Gnevnys varied between 1,670 to 3,145 nautical miles (3,093 to 5,825km; 1,922 to 3,619mi) at 19 knots (35km/h; 22mph). Bezuprechny herself demonstrated a range of 3,145nmi (5,825km; 3,619mi) at that speed.[4]
Built in Nikolayev's Shipyard No. 200 (named after 61 Communards) as yard number 1069, Bezuprechny was laid down on 23 August 1936, launched on 25 June 1937, and was completed on 2 October 1939.[8] When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, the ship was assigned to the 2nd Destroyer Division of the Black Sea Fleet. On 23–25 June Bezuprechny laid 291 defensive mines off Sevastopol. On 9 July, the 2nd Destroyer Division, including the destroyer leaderKharkov, Bezuprechny and her sister ships Bodry, Boyky and Besposhchadny made an unsuccessful attempt to interdict Axis shipping near Fidonisi. On 14–17 August, Bezuprechny escorted the incomplete ships being evacuated from the shipyards at Nikolayev. She bombarded Axis positions with 52 shells from her 130mm guns on 19 August. The destroyer helped to escort transports ferrying the 157th Rifle Division to Odessa on 16–21 September. Bezuprechnylanded a company of naval infantry at Grigorievka on 22 September. While providing fire support during the operation, the ship was attacked by Junkers Ju 87Stukadive bombers of StG 77. Although she was not hit, splinters from numerous near misses knocked out her power and Besposhchadny had to tow her to Odessa for emergency repairs. On 28 September the destroyer Shaumyan towed her to Sevastopol for temporary repairs.[9]
Bezuprechny steamed under her own power to Poti, Georgia, on 3 November for further repairs which were completed by the end of the month. On 8 December she accidentally collided with the steamer SSMestkom and the resulting hole in her hull required 10 days to repair. The ship began transporting men and supplies to Sevastopol on 23 December, in addition to fire support duties. Between 25 December and 2 January 1942, Bezuprechny fired 304 shells from her main guns and she continued these types of missions through March. The ship was refitted in May and, together with the light cruiserMolotov, bombarded Axis positions surrounding Sevastopol with 240 shells on 16 June. Bezuprechny was loaded with 320 soldiers of the 142nd Rifle Brigade, 20 tons of ammunition, 15 tons of food and 2 tons of aircraft equipment, bound for Sevastopol, when she was attacked and sunk by dive bombers from II./StG 77. Rescue efforts by the destroyer leader Tashkent were unsuccessful as she was driven off by more aerial attacks. Only 3 survivors were rescued the following day by the submarines M-112 and M-118; all of the soldiers and approximately 300 crewmen were lost.[10]
Berezhnoy, Sergey (2002). Крейсера и миноносцы. Справочник[Guide to Cruisers and Destroyers] (in Russian). Moscow: Voenizdat. ISBN5-203-01780-8.
Bergström, Christer & Mikhailov, Andrey (2001). Black Cross/Red Star: The Air War Over the Eastern Front. Vol.2: Resurgence, January – June 1942. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History. ISBN0-935553-51-7.
Budzbon, Przemysaw (1980). "Soviet Union". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. pp.318–346. ISBN0-85177-146-7.
Hill, Alexander (2018). Soviet Destroyers of World War II. New Vanguard. Vol.256. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN978-1-4728-2256-7.
Platonov, Andrej V. (2002). Энциклопедия советских надводных кораблей 1941–1945[Encyclopedia of Soviet Surface Ships 1941–1945] (in Russian). Saint Petersburg: Poligon. ISBN5-89173-178-9.
Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Reviseded.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN1-59114-119-2.
Rohwer, Jürgen & Monakov, Mikhail S. (2001). Stalin's Ocean-Going Fleet. London: Frank Cass. ISBN0-7146-4895-7.
Yakubov, Vladimir & Worth, Richard (2008). "The Soviet Project 7/7U Destroyers". In Jordan, John & Dent, Stephen (eds.). Warship 2008. London: Conway. pp.99–114. ISBN978-1-84486-062-3.
Gremyashchy was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Baltic Fleet and was later transferred to the Northern Fleet in 1941.
Gnevny was the lead ship of her class of 29 destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1938, she was assigned to the Baltic Fleet and played a minor role in the 1939–1940 Winter War when the Soviet Union invaded Finland. A few days after the start of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the ship struck a German mine and was badly damaged. After taking off the survivors, the Soviets failed to sink Gnevny with gunfire before they withdrew and the abandoned wreck drifted until she was sunk by German bombers three days later.
Gromky was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1938, the ship was initially assigned to the Baltic Fleet before being transferred to the Northern Fleet in mid-1939 where she played a minor role in the 1939–1940 Winter War against Finland.
Grozyashchy was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Baltic Fleet and played a minor role in the Winter War of 1939–1940 against the Finns. After the start of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, Grozyashchy participated in the Gulf of Riga Campaign and laid minefields in the Gulf of Finland. She was badly damaged by a mine in July and was under repair for over a month. The ship was crippled by German bombs in late September and did not become operational for almost a year. Grozyashchy provided naval gunfire support in 1944 for the Leningrad–Novgorod Offensive.
Steregushchy was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Baltic Fleet. The ship played a minor role in the Winter War of 1939–1940 against the Finns. After the start of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, Steregushchy participated in the Gulf of Riga Campaign. The ship briefly provided naval gunfire support during the Siege of Leningrad before she was sunk by German dive bombers on 21 September. Her wreck was refloated in 1944, although the repairs were not completed until 1948. Steregushchy was broken up for scrap in 1959.
Stremitelny was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyer built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1938, the ship was assigned to the Baltic Fleet and played a minor role in the 1939–1940 Winter War against Finland. Stremitelny was transferred to the Northern Fleet in mid-1940. After the start of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, she covered an amphibious landing along the Arctic coast. The ship was attacked and sunk by German dive bombers the following month in Polyarny with the loss of 111 crew and passengers. Her wreck was partially salvaged the following year.
Smetlivy was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1938, she was assigned to the Baltic Fleet and played a minor role in the 1939–1940 Winter War against Finland. After the start of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the ship participated in the Gulf of Riga Campaign before withdrawing to Tallinn, Estonia. Smetlivy supported Soviet forces during the defense of Tallinn in August and covered the subsequent evacuation to Leningrad. The ship provided naval gunfire support to the defenders of Leningrad over the next several months before she was assigned to evacuate Soviet troops from their enclave in Hanko, Finland, in November. Smetlivy struck several mines returning from Hanko and sank with heavy loss of life.
Bodry was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1938, she was assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. After the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the ship covered the evacuation of the Danube Flotilla to Odessa the following month. During the Siege of Odessa, Bodry transported troops and supplies while providing naval gunfire support to the defenders and then helped to evacuate them in October. During the Siege of Sevastopol, she performed the same sorts of missions and then participated in the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula at the end of 1941. The ship bombarded German troops in January 1942 before beginning repairs the following month. Bodry was badly damaged during a German air raid in July and was under repair until the end of 1944.
Bystry was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. When the German invasion of the Soviet Union began in June 1941, the ship was under repair. Bystry struck a mine and sank in July. Her wreck was raised, but was too badly damaged for immediate repairs. She was later sunk by German bombs and her wreck had the bow salvaged to repair one of her sisters.
Boyky was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. After the start of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the ship helped to lay minefields off Sevastopol. During the Siege of Odessa, Boyky transported troops and supplies while providing naval gunfire support to the defenders and then helped to evacuate them in October. During the Siege of Sevastopol, she performed the same sorts of missions and then participated in the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula at the end of 1941.
Besposhchadny was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. After the start of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the ship helped to lay minefields off Sevastopol. During the Siege of Odessa the ship transported troops and supplies while providing naval gunfire support to the defenders until she was crippled by German dive bombers in September. Besposhchadny was further damaged by bombs while still under repair in November and they were not completed for almost another year.
Bditelny was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. After the German invasion of the Soviet Union began in 1941, the ship provided naval gunfire support during the Siege of Odessa. Frequently under repair due to running aground in 1941, Bditelny was unable to support the defenders of Sevastopol until early 1942 when she began to ferry supplies and troops there while also bombarding German positions outside the besieged city. She was sunk during a German airstrike in July when some of her torpedoes exploded. Her wreck was salvaged for scrap between 1948 and 1952.
Rezvy was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1940, she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
Rastoropny was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1940, she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
Ryany was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
Rekordny was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1941, she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
Revnostny was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Completed in 1941, she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
Redky was one of 29 Gnevny-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Originally named Pylky, she was renamed Redky before completion in 1942, and was assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
Sposobny was one of 18 Storozhevoy-class destroyers built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Although she began construction as a Project 7 Gnevny-class destroyer, Sposobny was completed in 1941 to the modified Project 7U design and assigned to the Black Sea Fleet.
Sovershenny (Совершенный) was one of 18 Storozhevoy-class destroyer built for the Soviet Navy during the late 1930s. Although she began construction as a Project 7 Gnevny-class destroyer, Sovershenny was completed in 1941 to the modified Project 7U design. The ship struck a mine while running her acceptance trials in September. While under repair in November, she was hit by two bombs that virtually wrecked her; the Soviets subsequently disarmed her. Repairs resumed in early 1942 until Sovershenny was sunk by an artillery shell in June. Her wreck was scrapped in late 1945.
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