Submarine warfare in the Black Sea campaigns (1944)

Submarine warfare in the Black Sea in World War II
	Part of the Black Sea Campaigns of the Eastern Front of World War II
	; U-9 in 1936, the submarine was the only direct U-boat loss by Soviet attack on Black Sea
Date	1944
Location	Western and Eastern Black Sea
Result	Allied victory
Belligerents
Germany ; Romania (until 23 August 1944)	Soviet Union ; Romania (from 23 August 1944)
Strength
6 German U-boats; 2 Romanian submarines; Anti-submarine forces	16 submarines; Anti-submarine forces
Casualties and losses
1 submarine sunk; 5 submarines scuttled; ; 1 transport sunk; 1 tanker damaged; 1 Bulgarian vessel sunk	3 submarines lost; ; 1 torpedo boat damaged; 1 minesweeper sunk; 1 patrol boat sunk, 1 damaged; 1 landing craft sunk; ; 1 tanker sunk; 2 barges sunk; 1 tug sunk; 1 passenger ship sunk; ; 1 Romanian tanker sunk
	1 neutral Turkish vessel sunk; 1 refugee ship sunk

Last updated June 21, 2021

Submarine warfare in the Black Sea in World War II during 1944 involved engagements between submarines of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet attacking Axis merchantmen, defended by Romanian and German naval warships, as well as German U-boats and Romanian submarines attacking Soviet merchants on the eastern Black Sea. Before the conclusion of the campaign, Romania joined the Allies after King Michael's Coup. These engagements were a part of the naval Black Sea campaigns.

Background

As during the first 1941 campaign, the 1942 campaign and the 1943 campaign, the Soviet Navy sent submarines against the Axis supply lines along the western coast of the Black Sea: at the beginning of the year however the Soviet Navy possessed only 16 operative submarines.^[1] German U-boats of the 30th U-boat Flotilla operated on the eastern sites of Black Sea, attacking Soviet targets. The Romanian Navy employed the newly built submarines NMS Marsuinul and NMS Rechinul but without scoring success. It also inherited five CB-class midget submarines left by Italy, however only two of them were operable by July 1944 and were not used in offensive action.^[2]^{[ self-published source? ]}

Engagements

On 16 January, U-20 torpedoed and sunk the Soviet tanker "Vaijan Kutur’e" (7602 GRT) off Cape Anakria. After the war, the tanker was raised on 6 October 1945, to return in service only in 1954 until 1975.^[3]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 17 January, Soviet submarine L-23 was sunk by German submarine chaser UJ-106.^[4]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 17 February, Soviet submarine ShCh-216 was sunk by German submarine chasers UJ-103 and UJ-106.^[5]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 31 March, German submarine U-9 was attacked in Fedosia harbor by 18 Il-2 attack aircraft, suffering damage from strafing fire and bomb explosions. The submarine commander operated the 20mm AA gun himself and was wounded in the process. Two aircraft were claimed as hit by gunners.^[6]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 5 April, German submarine U-23 was attacked by two Soviet patrol boats. The Germans believed to have sunk one of the attackers during the resulting surface battle but Patrol Boat SKA-099 was only damaged.^[7]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 7 April, the Soviet barge "Rion" (187 GRT) sunk due to a mine laid by German submarine U-20 off Poti on 27 February.^[8]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 18 April, the Soviet submarine L-6 was sunk by convoy escorts after a failed attack on the Romanian merchant "Alba Julia" (5700 BRT). Romanian sources claim the submarine was sunk by the Romanian gunboat NMS Sublocotenent Ghiculescu aided by the German submarine chaser UJ-104,^[9]^[10] while other sources indicate the German vessel as solely responsible for the sinking.^[11]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 25 April, German submarine U-18 endured a friendly-fire attack from a German BV-138 flying boat, suffering minor damage.^[12]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 11 May, German submarine U-9 suffered minor damage due to depth charges from a Soviet escort vessel off Yalta. On the same day the submarine attacked a Soviet convoy, scoring a torpedo hit on the Soviet torpedo boat Shtorm. The later was not sunk but damaged and had to be towed in port.^[6]^[13]^{[ self-published source? ]} On the same day, Soviet submarine L-4 torpedoed and damaged the German tanker "Friederike" (7327 GRT) off Costanta.^[14]^{[ self-published source? ]}
Between 11 and 12 May, Romanian submarine NMS Marsuinul suffered extensive friendly-fire attacks from German and Croat Anti-submarine forces, before heading to Soviet waters to attempt attacking ship traffic. While suffering no damage, multiple Soviet attacks with depth-charges and aircraft forced the submarine to sail back without any offensive actions.^[15]^{[ self-published source? ]}

On 12 May, German submarine U-24 torpedoed and sunk Soviet patrol boat SKA-0367 off Poti.^[16]^{[ self-published source? ]} On the same day, Soviet submarine A-4 finished with torpedo the already damaged (by air attack) German transport German "Geiserich" (712 GRT) south-west of the Crimea.^[17]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 27 May, German submarine U-24 fought a surface battle with two Soviet patrol boats off Poti, suffering 1 man killed and two wounded.^[18]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 29 May, German submarine U-23 torpedoed and sunk the Soviet tug "Smelyj" (71 tons) off Babushery.^[19]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 19 June, German submarine U-20 torpedoed and sunk the unescorted Soviet passenger ship "Pestel'" (1850 GRT). Soviets claimed the vessel was sunk within the territorial waters of Turkey while the escort was waiting to meet her.^[20]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 27 June, German submarine U-20 sunk the Soviet landing craft DB-26 with gunfire and demolition charges.^[21]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On the same day, Romanian submarine NMS Rechinul suffered minor damage after depth charges were launched by Soviet submarine chasers. Other attacks during this second (and last) mission of the submarine caused no damage but prevented her to achieve victories.^[22]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 27 June, German submarine U-19 torpedoed and sunk the Soviet barge "Barzha" (No 75) (app. 1000 tons) off Tuapse. The barge was empty and towed alongside another one by Soviet tug Verzhilov while under escort of patrol boats and flying boats.^[23]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 20 July, Soviet submarine ShCh-209 sunk the Turkish sailing vessel "Semsi Bahri" (26 GRT) with gunfire off Bosporus.^[24]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 5 August, Soviet submarine ShCh-215 sunk the refugee ship Mefkure (52 GRT) with gunfire and torpedoes, killing 305 Jewish refugees. There were only 11 survivors. The ship had been part of an escorted convoy and Soviets believed she was carrying soldiers.^[25]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 20 August, Soviet aircraft accomplished a large raid inside Costanza harbor, sinking U-9 and heavily damaging U-18 and U-24 (both were unable to sail as consequence of the damage and were scuttled to prevent capture when Romania joined the Allies).
On 24 August, Soviet submarine ShCh-215 torpedoed and sunk the Bulgarian sailing vessel "Vita" (180 GRT) off Cape Emine.^[26]^{[ self-published source? ]}

Engagements after Romania joined the Allies

On 1 September, German submarine U-23 fired three torpedoes into the harbour of Costanza. While a Romanian destroyer was claimed as hit, in reality the only damage was suffered by Romanian tanker Oituz (2,686 GRT), which sank at her moorings. The vessel was later refloated and declared a total loss.^[27]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 2 September, the Soviet Fugas-class minesweeper T-410 Vzryv was sailing alongside the Romanian Admiral Murgescu off Costanca when she was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-19, being the last Soviet vessel sunk by a U-boat in the Black Sea. The Soviets accused the Romanian Navy (by the time allies) of complicity with the enemy because the Romanian minelayer was not attacked. This was later cited as justification for the seizure of the Romanian fleet.^[28]^{[ self-published source? ]}
On 11 September, after running out of fuel and with no harbor open to them, the crews of U-19, U-20 and U-23 scuttled their boats off Turkey, ending the German naval presence in the Black Sea.

Outcome

The German anti-submarine capabilities in 1944 effectively neutralized the threat of Soviet submarines in the Black Sea.^[29] On the other hand, a combination of heavy Soviet anti-submarine actions prevented the 2 newly built Romanian submarines to achieve successes, while the 30th U-boat Flotilla was effectively eliminated by the combined effect of an air raid on Costanta on 20 August and the following King Michael's Coup (negating the survived U-boats a safe harbor and forcing their scuttling).

Related Research Articles

German submarine U-333 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 11 March 1940 at the Nordseewerke yard at Emden, launched on 14 June 1941, and commissioned on 25 August 1941 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Peter-Erich Cremer. After training with the 5th U-boat Flotilla at Kiel, on 1 January 1942 U-333 was transferred to the 3rd U-boat Flotilla based at La Pallice for front-line service.

The German submarine U-41 was a Type IXA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine that operated during World War II. She conducted three war patrols during her short career, two as part of the 6th U-boat Flotilla and one as part of the 2nd flotilla. U-41 also sank five enemy vessels for a total of 22,815 gross register tons (GRT); captured two more for a total of 2,073 GRT and damaged one other of 8,096 GRT.

German submarine U-255 was a Type VIIC U-boat that served in Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 21 December 1940 at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack, launched on 8 October 1941 and commissioned on 29 November 1941 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Reinhart Reche.

German submarine U-66 was a Type IXC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 20 March 1940 at the AG Weser yard at Bremen, launched on 10 October and commissioned on 2 January 1941 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Richard Zapp as part of the 2nd U-boat Flotilla.

German submarine U-9 was a Type IIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Her keel was laid down on 8 February 1935, by Germaniawerft in Kiel as yard number 543. She was launched on 30 July 1935 and commissioned on 21 August, with Korvettenkapitän Hans-Günther Looff in command.

German submarine U-515 was a Type IXC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II. She was commissioned in 1942 and sunk in 1944. U-515 completed six operational patrols and sank 23 ships, badly damaged two ships which later sank, and damaged two additional ships.

The Black Sea Campaigns were the operations of the Axis and Soviet naval forces in the Black Sea and its coastal regions during World War II between 1941 and 1944, including in support of the land forces.

German submarine U-101 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She had a highly successful career.

German submarine U-177 was a Type IXD2 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 25 November 1940, at the DeSchiMAG AG Weser yard in Bremen, as yard number 1017. She was launched on 1 October 1941, and commissioned on 14 March 1942, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Schulze. After a period of training with the 4th U-boat Flotilla at Stettin, the boat was transferred to the 10th flotilla on 1 October 1942, and based at Lorient, for front-line service, she was then reassigned to the 12th flotilla at Bordeaux on 1 December.

German submarine U-203 was a German Type VIIC submarine U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.

The German Type IXA submarine was a sub-class of the German Type IX submarine built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine between 1937 and 1938. These U-boats were designed between 1935 and 1936 and were intended to be fairly large ocean-going submarines. The inspiration for the Type IXA submarine came from the German Type IA submarine, which had a similar diving depth and identical submerged horsepower.

Submarine warfare in the Black Sea in World War II during 1941 primarily involved engagements between submarines of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet attacking Axis merchantmen defended by Romanian and Bulgarian warships. These engagements were a part of the naval Black Sea campaigns between Axis and Soviet naval forces.

The Soviet Navy launched the Soviet submarine Baltic Sea campaign in 1942 to harass the strategic iron-ore traffic from neutral Sweden to Nazi Germany during World War II. The Soviet Union and the German Reich fought each other on the Eastern Front (1941-1945) during the war. The Allies also launched other operations - especially involving the Royal Navy - against the traffic.

The Soviet submarine Baltic Sea campaign in 1943 was launched by the Soviet Navy to harass the strategic iron ore traffic from neutral Sweden to Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front during the WWII. Other operations were launched by Allies, especially by the Royal Navy. The offensive was a repetition of the previous campaign in 1942 but resulted in a failed outcome.

Submarine warfare in the Black Sea in World War II during 1942 involved engagements between primarily submarines of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet attacking Axis merchantmen defended by Romanian and German naval warships. These engagements were a part of the Black Sea campaigns between Axis and Soviet naval forces.

Submarine warfare in the Black Sea campaigns (1943)

Submarine warfare in the Black Sea in World War II during 1943 involved engagements between submarines of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet attacking Axis merchantmen defended by Romanian and German naval warships, as well as and German U-boats attacking Soviet merchants on the eastern Black Sea. These engagements were a part of the Black Sea campaigns between Axis and Soviet naval forces.

The Soviet submarine Baltic Sea campaign in 1941 was launched by the Soviet Navy at the early stage of Operation Barbarossa. The offensive was hampered by the quick German ground advance and the retreat of Soviet naval vessels from the main Baltic harbors.

Soviet Baltic Sea submarine campaign in 1944 Part of the Baltic Sea campaign of the Eastern Front of World War II

The Soviet submarine Baltic Sea campaign in 1944 was launched by the Soviet Navy to harass enemy shipping and naval military assets of the Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front during World War II.

The Soviet naval Baltic Sea campaign in 1945 was launched by the Soviet Navy to harass enemy shipping and naval military assets of Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front during World War II. Both submarines and surface units of the Soviet Navy were employed. The campaign scored successes during Operation Hannibal.

The Barents Sea campaign in 1941 was a submarine operation in the Arctic waters of the Barents Sea during World War II. It was a combined Soviet and British campaign, with boats departing from Polyarny to harass German shipping along the Norwegian coast.

References

↑ Richard Compton-Hall,Richard Compton-Hall, Submarines at War 1939–45, 2004, p.127
↑ "CB class submarines". WorldWar2.ro. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "Vaijan Kutur'e (Soviet Steam tanker) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 16 January 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "L-23 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the L (Leninec) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 17 July 1938. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "ShCh-216 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the ShCh (Scuka) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 23 July 1939. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
1 2 "The Type IIB U-boat U-9 – German U-boats of WWII". uboat.net. 20 July 1934. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "SKA-099 (Soviet Patrol Craft (A/S)) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 5 April 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "Rion (Soviet Barge) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 7 April 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ Jipa Rotaru, Ioan Damaschin, Glorie și dramă: Marina Regală Română, 1940–1945, Ion Cristoiu Publishing, 2000, p. 139
↑ Nicolae Koslinski, Raymond Stănescu, Marina română in al doilea război mondial: 1944–1945, Făt-Frumos Publishing, 1996, p. 364
↑ "L-6 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the L (Leninec) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 15 April 1930. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "The Type IIB U-boat U-18 – German U-boats of WWII". uboat.net. 2 February 1935. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "Shtorm (Soviet Torpedo boat) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 11 May 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "L-4 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the L (Leninec) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 15 March 1930. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "NMS Marsuinul". WorldWar2.ro. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "SKA-0376 (Soviet Patrol Craft (A/S)) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 12 May 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5808.html A-5 on uboat.net
↑ "The Type IIB U-boat U-24 – German U-boats of WWII". uboat.net. 2 February 1935. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "Smelyj (Soviet Motor tug) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 29 May 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "Pestel´ (Soviet Steam passenger ship) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 19 June 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "DB-26 (Soviet Landing craft) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 24 June 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "NMS Rechinul". WorldWar2.ro. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "Barzha (No 75) (Soviet Barge) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 27 June 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ "ShCh-209 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the ShCh (Scuka) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 25 May 1934. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5046.html Barzha ShCh-215 on uboat.net
↑ https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5046.html ShCh-215 on uboat.net
↑ https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3344.html Oituz on uboat.net
↑ https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3346.html BTSC-410 Vzryv (No 25) on uboat.net
↑ John F. O'Connell, Submarine Operational Effectiveness in the 20th Century: Part Two (1939–1945), 2011, p. 201

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Richard Compton-Hall,Richard Compton-Hall, Submarines at War 1939–45, 2004, p.127

[WorldWar2.ro-2] "CB class submarines". WorldWar2.ro. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944x-3] "Vaijan Kutur'e (Soviet Steam tanker) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 16 January 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1938-4] "L-23 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the L (Leninec) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 17 July 1938. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1939-5] "ShCh-216 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the ShCh (Scuka) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 23 July 1939. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1934b-6] 1 2 "The Type IIB U-boat U-9 – German U-boats of WWII". uboat.net. 20 July 1934. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944f-7] "SKA-099 (Soviet Patrol Craft (A/S)) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 5 April 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944g-8] "Rion (Soviet Barge) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 7 April 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[9] Jipa Rotaru, Ioan Damaschin, Glorie și dramă: Marina Regală Română, 1940–1945, Ion Cristoiu Publishing, 2000, p. 139

[10] Nicolae Koslinski, Raymond Stănescu, Marina română in al doilea război mondial: 1944–1945, Făt-Frumos Publishing, 1996, p. 364

[uboat.net_1930-11] "L-6 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the L (Leninec) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 15 April 1930. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1935a-12] "The Type IIB U-boat U-18 – German U-boats of WWII". uboat.net. 2 February 1935. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944h-13] "Shtorm (Soviet Torpedo boat) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 11 May 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1930a-14] "L-4 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the L (Leninec) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 15 March 1930. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[WorldWar2.rob-15] "NMS Marsuinul". WorldWar2.ro. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944i-16] "SKA-0376 (Soviet Patrol Craft (A/S)) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 12 May 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[17] ttps://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5808.html A-5 on uboat.net

[uboat.net_1935b-18] "The Type IIB U-boat U-24 – German U-boats of WWII". uboat.net. 2 February 1935. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944j-19] "Smelyj (Soviet Motor tug) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 29 May 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944-20] "Pestel´ (Soviet Steam passenger ship) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 19 June 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944d-21] "DB-26 (Soviet Landing craft) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 24 June 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[WorldWar2.roa-22] "NMS Rechinul". WorldWar2.ro. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1944e-23] "Barzha (No 75) (Soviet Barge) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII". uboat.net. 27 June 1944. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[uboat.net_1934-24] "ShCh-209 of the Soviet Navy – Soviet Submarine of the ShCh (Scuka) class – Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. 25 May 1934. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

[25] ttps://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5046.html Barzha ShCh-215 on uboat.net

[26] ttps://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5046.html ShCh-215 on uboat.net

[27] ttps://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3344.html Oituz on uboat.net

[28] ttps://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3346.html BTSC-410 Vzryv (No 25) on uboat.net

[29] John F. O'Connell, Submarine Operational Effectiveness in the 20th Century: Part Two (1939–1945), 2011, p. 201

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]