German trawler V 103 Sylvia

History
Name
  • Drau
  • Sylvia ( –1940)
  • Sperrbrecher 33 (1940– )
Port of registry
BuilderDeutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau
Commissioned1 October 1939
General characteristics
Class and typeConverted steamship
Tonnage1,049 GRT[1]

V 103 Sylvia, later called Sperrbrecher 33, was a German steamship which was converted into a Vorpostenboot for the Kriegsmarine during World War II. Following the war, it became a part of the German Mine Sweeping Administration.

History

Drau was built in Bremen by Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau. She was subsequently renamed Sylvia.[2] On 1 October 1939, it was placed into the newly formed 1st Vorpostenflotille.[3] The ship participated in the German invasion of Denmark in April 1940, escorting the steamer Rugard and tugs Monsun and Passat alongside V 102 Cressida and several minesweepers. The group landed three companies of the 170th Infantry Division at Middlefart.[1]

Sylvia remained a part of the Vorpostenflotille until it was disbanded on 1 October 1940, transferring to the 3rd Sperrbrechtflotille as Sperrbrecher 33.[3] After the end of World War II, Sperrbrecher 33 was transferred to the German Mine Sweeping Administration.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Norwegian Campaign, Battles of Narvik, April 1940". www.naval-history.net. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  2. ^ a b "Mine Barrage Breakers Sperrbrecher". www.kbismarck.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b Rohwer, Jurgen; Hümmelchen, Gerhard (20 June 2019). "Vorpostenflottillen 1939 - 1945". Seekrieg: Timeline of the Naval War 1939-1945 (in German). Bibliothek für Zeitgeschichte. Retrieved 8 April 2022 – via Württembergische Landesbibliothek.