Secret German seaplane base on Novaya Zemlya
 

Hi guys

What do we know about the secret German seaplane base at Karmakuly on the island of Novaya Zemlya off the North Russia mainland? Apparently covertly established in 1943, and briefly operated what?

In 1942, and possibly earlier, the Soviets had used Karmakuly as a Polar Station and seaplane base, but German submarine U-601 shelled the station and destroyed two flying boats circa 1 August 1942. Presumably then abandoned.

One or more of our experts will know more!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Secret German seaplane base on Novaya Zemlya
 

I have seen some stuff about ops from Novaya Zemlya in 1943, by a Bv 138 as far as I remember. It's buried amongst a mass of other stuff, so I may take a while finding it.

Re: Secret German seaplane base on Novaya Zemlya
 

Hi Brian


Malye Karmakuly on Novaya Zemlya was a meteorological station that became a small settlement and the administrative center of the island until 1926. It was shelled with 44 rounds from the 88mm deck gun by U-601 during the night of 26/27 July 1942. The primary target was the radio station, but the shelling also destroyed two warehouses, three residential houses and two GST flying boats (Soviet built PBY-5 Catalinas) lying at anchor in the bay. One man was killed and four others injured. After this attack the Soviet Navy set up coastal defense and anti-aircraft guns and even built an airstrip nearby that was opened on 25 October 1942.

A seaplane base was established by U-255 at Mys Sporyy Navolok on the east coast of the northernmost part of Novaya Zemlya during Operation "Wunderland II" from 31 July to 14 September 1943. Together with several other U-boats they refueled five Bv 138 flying boats of SAGr 130 which flew ice reconnaissance and searched for Soviet convoys in the Kara Sea as preparation of a planned attack of the German heavy cruiser LÜTZOW on the Siberian sea route. However, no convoys were sighted and on two occasions the U-boats rescued the crews of crashed Blohm & Voss flying boats:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showpo...1&postcount=39
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showpo...3&postcount=41

Re: Secret German seaplane base on Novaya Zemlya
 

Hi Rainer

Thanks very much for this detailed information - excellent!

One learns something new everyday!

Cheers
Brian