View Single Post
  #9  
Old 10th February 2017, 01:39
Andrey Kuznetsov Andrey Kuznetsov is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 845
Andrey Kuznetsov is on a distinguished road
Re: Did KG 26 hit the cruiser Molotov in 1942?

Hello Nick,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Beale View Post
This from Rohwer's Chronik des Seekrieges 1939–45:
Auf dem Rückmarsch Angriffe von dt. Torpedoflugzeugen (6./KG.26, Oblt. Wilhelm Kleemann) und ital. MAS 568 und MAS 573. Kreuzer Molotov erhält Torpedotreffer im Vorschiff, 20 m abgerissen.
= "During the withdrawal, attacks by German torpedo aircraft (6./KG 26. Oblt. Wilhelm Kleeman) and Italian MAS 568 and 573. Cruiser Molotov sustains torpedo hit(s) in bows, 20 m torn away."
I read Rohwer's/Hummelchen's book of course and the web-version too. It isn't very credible source, at least in regard to naval war in East-European waters. For example, torpedo hit was in stern, not in bow. It isn't very significant of course. But sometimes authors even had used Soviet published incorrect data about German actions instead of data from existing Kriegsmarine documents. Or had used incorrect German claims about Soviet losses as real facts.

According to Soviet data, were simultaneous torpedo attacks from MAS-boats and from the air, but maybe evidences were inaccurate due to darkness. The origin of the sole torpedo hit was unclear from the first moment.

According to Kriegsmarine, it was MAS-boats success. More surprising that Fliegerführer Süd (i.e. local Luftwaffe command) after investigation had accepted the Kriegsmarine's conclusion without any mention about KG26 attacks.

Maybe KG26 really took part not as air recce only but by torpedo attacks too, but where are the primary sources about Kleeman's attack?

Best regards,
Andrey
Reply With Quote