[Paul Thompson]

I had time earlier than I had expected, so here is the extract from Miroslav Morozov's book, concerning the sinking of the 'Leesee'. I have preserved the author's choice of words and style, as far as possible. It looks like this unique Soviet success was achieved primarily as a result of the courageous actions of Kapitan Kiselev and his crew, as opposed to the efforts of the Soviet air force command:

"The next large battle involving a convoy occurred on 25 April. At 10.55 on that day 5 torpedo-bombers escorted by 6 Pe-3s took-off on a mission to carry out a torpedo attack on a convoy which had been observed in the Gamvik area. The torpedo-bombers were led by Kapitan Kiselev, the Pe-3s by Kapitan Syrovatko. At 11.50 the group was ordered via radio to attack a different convoy, in the area of Kongs-fjord. At approximately this time, the convoy was unsuccessfully attacked by the submarine S-101. The convoy, which, according to the Soviet version of events, consisted of two groups (the first – 3 transports, 12 escorts, the second – 1 transport, 2 escorts), was observed by the strike group at 12.56. Two Bf 110s and 1 He 115 (in reality, a BV 138) were seen above the convoy.
On Kapitan Kiselev’s signal, the Pe-3 approached the convoy at maximum speed and attacked the enemy fighters. The torpedo-bombers attacked from the direction of the open sea, initially choosing the smaller group of ships as their target. However, the group leader then changed his changed his decision and led his aircraft between the shoreline and the convoy, with the intention of attacking the larger group of ships from the direction of the shore. This manoeuvre was not understood by all pilots. Starshina Mart’yanov decided of his own accord to launch his torpedo against the transport that had been the initial target of the attack. Starshiy serzhant Gutorov also did not follow the leader and attacked a patrol vessel instead. The three torpedo-bombers which had retained their torpedoes attacked the following targets: Kiselev – a transport, his two wingmen – (Starshiy Leytenant Zaychenko and Mladshiy Leytenant Makridin) – a minesweeper. The source of the leader’s error was that, having made the correct decision, he conducted the manoeuvre in view of the ships and the shore batteries, thereby exposing himself to heavy fire. Nevertheless, as a result of the uncoordinated actions of the strike group pilots the escort ships were forced to divide their fire, which considerably decreased its effectiveness. The AA gunners could not prevent the Soviet aviators from approaching within a minimal distance of the ships. The steamer 'Leesee' (2624 grt; was transporting 3622 tonnes of coal for the German XIX Mountain Corps in Petsamo)* appeared right in front of Kiselev’s torpedo-bomber, who dropped his weapon from a distance of just 300 m. The vessel, which was enroute to Kirkenes, was hit and sank within 6 minutes. 3 German sailors were killed. Unfortunately, Kiselev was destined not to have the opportunity to celebrate his victory – while disengaging his Hampden was essentially turned into a sieve by the fire of the outer line of escort ships and crashed into the sea. Its entire crew was killed. Kapitan Kiselev Vasiliy Nikolaevich and his navigator, Starshiy Leytenant Pokalo Mikhail Fedorovich, were both awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously. The remaining torpedo-bombers descended to 10-15 m and disengaged in different directions. Enemy fighters, in spite of their numerical inferiority, attempted to pursue. At the critical moment, the Pe-3s of Kapitan Syrovatko and Starshiy Leytenant Kolontay essentially shielded the torpedo-bombers with their ‘bodies’. As a result, both Pe-3s were shot down by the enemy with impunity. The only achievement of the escorting Pe-3s was light damage to the BV 138 flying boat at the beginning of the battle, with one of the flying boat crewmen sustaining wounds.

*Footnote – the War Diary of Admiral Norwegen noted that, in view of the average monthly coal consumption in Petsamo of 200 tonnes, the cargo lost with the Leesee would have lasted 18 months"

Regards,

Paul