A Vorpostenboot (plural Vorpostenboote) was an auxiliary warship used by Germany in both World Wars. Many vorpostenboote also served in other roles, such as sperrbrecher (mine clearance) and weather ships. During World War II, the Vorpostenboote were organized into several surface flotillas which were in turn attached to various German ports. Over 30 Vorpostenflotillas were established to operate off the German, Channel, Baltic and Scandinavian coasts.
1 Vorpostenflotille
1 Vorpostenflotille was active in the western Baltic from 1 October 1939 to 1 October 1940, when it was redesignated 3 Sperrbrecherflotille.[1][2]
Later served as Sperrbrecher 31 and Sperrbrecher 131. Survived the war, used by German Mine Sweeping Administration. Claimed by United Kingdom as a prize in 1947, renamed Weltonwold, later Rhineland. Sold to South Africa in 1956. Renamed Herriesbrook, later Inyoni. Scrapped 1962.[4]
Struck a mine and sank off Lindesnes, Norway on 18 February 1945.[24]
2 Vorpostenflotille
2 Vorpostenflotille existed from September 1939 to December 1944, when it was disbanded. Many vessels were redesignated within the unit, later designations are shown in brackets[1]
Scuttled at Nantes, Loire-Inférieure, France in 1945.[48] Subsequently, raised, repaired and became the French Navy survey ship and later merchant fishing trawler Astrolabe. Scrapped 1953.[55]
Struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Langeland, Denmark on 25 November 1939.[35] Subsequently, raised, repaired and returned to service. Returned to owners December 1941. Scrapped in 1962.[67]
4 Vorpostenflotille was formed in September 1939 and was disbanded in September 1944. Many vessels were re-designated within the unit. Later designations are shown in brackets.[1]
Redesignated V 411 on 7 September 1939, but then returned to civilian use.[97] Captured by HMS Hostile off the Lofoten Islands 7 April 1940,[98] became the salvage vessel HMS Nordland. Sold in 1948 and became the sludge carrier Tulipfield. Scrapped at Antwerp, Belgium in October 1965.[97]
Scuttled at Bordeaux, Gironde, France, 26 August 1944.[65] Raised post-war, repaired and returned to service as the French cargo ship Docteur Edmond Papin.[61]
Scuttled at Bayonne on 22 August 1944.[1] Refloated post-war, served as a French and Dutch fishing boat. Converted to a cargo ship in early 1970s, in service until at least 1982.[108]
Struck a mine 31 July 1943 and laid up. Seized by French in 1944, repaired and entered service with the French Navy in 1946. Rebuilt to transport ship in 1947 and renamed Molène. Sold in 1963 and became a fishing trawler again.[161]
Sunk 1945. Salvaged by the French, repaired and entered service with the French Navy in 1946. Rebuilt to transport ship in 1947 and renamed Gapeau. Sold in 1969,[161] Scrapped in 1970.[167]
V 1202 Friedrich Suthmeier struck a mine in the North Sea west of Heligoland. She was then attacked and sunk by an Allied de Havilland Mosquito aircraft on 17 September 1944.[192]
V 1207 P. von Rensen was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Heligoland by Allied aircraft on 17 April 1945.[62]
V 1214 Joannes Georgius struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Sylt, Schleswig-Holstein on 27 September 1944.[192]
V 1233 Vooruit was sunk in the North Sea by British aircraft on 18 April 1944.[158]
V 1236 Flevo III struck a mine and sank on 11 July 1942.[193]
V 1236 Augusta was sunk in the North Sea by British aircraft on 18 April 1944.
V 1237 Notre Dame de Dunes was sunk in the North Sea by British aircraft on 18 April 1944.[158]
V 1241 Stangenwalde was sunk in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands in a battle with British motor gun boats and motor torpedo boats (MGB 605, MGB 606, MGB 610, MGB 612, MTB 624, MTB 630 and MTB 632) on 1 May 1943.[186]
V 1249 Mewa VIII struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Borkum, Lower Saxony on 24 February 1943.[111]
Named O 22 S when she sank in December 1941. She was subsequently salvaged and repaired. She was sunk in an Allied air raid on Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein on 12 April 1944 but was salvaged in December 1944, repaired and returned to service.[216]
19 Vorpostenflotille was formed in July 1940. It was redesignated 5 Sicherungsflotille on 1 October 1943. One vessel was redesignated within the unit.[1]
Struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Terschelling on 28 March 1943. She was taken in tow by V 801 Max Gundelach but struck another mine the next day and sank with the loss of four of her crew.[222]
7 Sicherungflotille was formed in February 1943 and was expanded in March 1943. It was disbanded in October 1944 and its vessels transferred to 13 Sicherungflotille, which was disbanded on 24 April 1945.[243]
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