German Naval Forces.1946 - 60.

[ceylon220]

Can anyone tell me what ships and submarines the German navy had after they started the rebuilding of their naval force and what was the first of these to visit one of our naval ports(Chatham, Devonport and Portsmouth),what year and what type of vessel,were these British ,American or German built ships. I seem to remember a German frigate coming into Portsmouth around 1956 or maybe later.

Dave

[Grosser Kreuzer]

Dave,

This can only be a "starter" I am afraid and in doing so I presume that you mean the Bundesmarine as opposed to the Volksmarine?

The Germans did have a mine-sweeping force after WW2 though it was not part of what one would accept as a "navy."

On from that the Bundesmarine acquired a couple of our old "Black Swans" and "Hunts," which were re-named. Their first submarine was I believe "Wilhelm Bauer" used for experimental purposes but I believe that she was not armed and though it is hazy, my memory tells me that she may not have even been part of the German navy.

Cannot help you with exact details nor dates of the first visits unless you are desperate about the ships and which ones were acquired. If so let me know but a reply may take some time while I dig out my set of "Hildebrand, Röhr and Steinmetz."

GK

[Brian Holmes2]

I can cover the two S Boats transferred from the RN to the West German Navy

1952 S 130 serves with "British Baltic Fishery Protection Service". Used by the British Secret Intelligence Service MI 6 to ferry spies and agents into Eastern Europe. 7th March 1957 Recommissioned in West German Navy = UW10 Unterwasserwaffenschule, training in mines and torpedoes = EF 8, =Y840 2003 At British Military Power Boat Trust, Marchwood, England for potential restoration 2010 under restoration

12th March 1957 MTB 5208 (S 208) transferred to the West German Navy 27th January 1964 Stricken

[Grosser Kreuzer]

Dave,

Further to my last post, the FGN acquired the following ships from the RN in the late '50's.

Ex OAKLEY - Hunt Type 2 taken over 2-10-58 re-named GNEISENAU
Ex ALBRIGHTON - Hunt Type 3 taken over 9-4-59 re-named RAULE
Ex EGGESFORD - Hunt Type 3 taken over 14-4-59 re-named BROMMY
Ex FLAMINGO - "Black Swan" taken over 21-1-59 re-named GRAF SPEE
Ex ACTAEON - "Black Swan" taken over 10-12-58 re-named HIPPER
Ex HART - "Black Swan" taken over 27-4-59 re-named SCHEER
Ex MERMAID - "Black Swan" taken over 5-5-59 re-named SCHARNHORST

Some of the "Black Swans" were "Modifieds." All of these ships were rated as "Schulfregatten" in the FGN (School or Training Frigates) and had different armament fits at various stages in their German "lives." All were stricken from the German Navy List during the mid '60's to mid '70's.

The FGN also acquired from the USN a number of Ex "Fletcher" class destroyers. I don't have the dates here: you did not specifically ask if the FGN had acquired ships from any other nations. These ships don't appear to have received names just numbers viz Z1 etc.

It may seem a tivial but nonetheless interesting point to mention that the ships acquired from us do not appear to have received their German names until they were actually back in Germany. The reason(s) I will leave to your imagination.

GK

[Scratcher]

I can remember many of the above Ships,working up at Portland in the early 60's when I was on Pellew 2nd Frigate Sqdn.Also Ex Fletcher Class Destroyers,bearing names Zerstorer 1 etc

[ceylon220]

Grosser thanks for your info but I believe the frigate that I saw was in port before the dates of these ships transferred to the German Navy,the reason that I say this is that I was out going to the Far East during these dates so I am sure that the earlier date of around 55--57 was the time, she may have just been transferred and had probably just come from the paint shops to get her pennant numbers and sea going colours changed---just guessing at that but she was definately flying the German ensign plus she was British built not US design.