S-Boats in the Kriegsmarine 1935 - 1945

War-Zones of the S-Boats

Norwaycampaign 1940 (Weserübung)

The 1. and the 2. SFltl took part in „Weserübung“, the occupation of Norway on 09.04.1940 teil. The 1. SFltl was assigned to warship group (Kriegsschiffgruppe) 3, the 2. SFltl to warship group (Kriegsschiffgruppe) 4.

1. SFltl (Kptlt. Birnbacher)

During the march to the rendezvous of warshipgroup 3 (Target: Occupation of the city of Bergen) "S 19" and "S 21" rammed eachother and had to go back to Wilhelemshaven. "S 20" suffered a engine breakdown and had to return as well, so that only four boats remained for operation ("S 18", "S 22", "S 23" and "S 24"). They took over from the bigger units landing forces of the army which were sat on land near Kvarmen in Byfjord close to the coastal battery. Thereafter they took over troops from the bigger units again and landet them directly in Bergen. After barely five hours of operation Bergen and the coastal batteries in the area were in German hands. 

At conclusion of "Weserübung" the 1. SFltl was operationg based on Bergen under the command of the Admiral Westcoast (Admiral Westküste - Adm v. Schrader). It controlled the area between Sogne- and Hardanger-Fjord and landed army troups in remote areas. It sank a Norwegian torpedoboat and brought up some vessels.

"S 16" on Måløy 1941 - (Picture: Archives E. Skjold)

2. SFltl (Kptlt. Petersen)

The 2. S-Flotilla with the boats "S 9", "S 14", "S 162, "S 30", "S 31", "S 32" and "S 33" was detailed to warshipsgroup (Kriegsschiffgruppe) 4. Target was the occupation of the city of Kristiansand. abgestellt. When the group was taken under hefty fire by the coastal batteries the boats took over troops already in the outer fjord and  broke through with high speed into the fjord to land the troops in Kristiansand. The landings of troops were supported by toprpedoboats while the big units took the coastal batteries under fire.  

Light Cruiser "Karlsruhe" and S-Boat of the 2. SFltl off Kristiansand - (Picture: Archives H. Kloetzke)

S-Boats of the 2. SFllt packed with Army-Soldiers off Kristiansand 1940 - (Picture: Archives H. Kloetzke)

On completion of "Weserübung" the 2. SFltl was originally subordinated the CinC Defence East (Befehlshaber Sicherung der Ostsee - VAdm Mootz). It was, however, soon detailed to Kommando West and had to take over escort duties for minelaying operations. During the night 08./09.05.1940 it was involved in an encouter with a battle group consisting of a cruiser and seven destroyers." S 31" (OLt. z.S. Opdenhoff) could hit the British destroyer “Kelly” with a torpedo. The commanding officer was awarded the first knight's cross of the S-Boat-Force. "S 33" rammed a destroyer twice, suffered damage itself, could , however, be brought back to Wilhelmshaven safely. 

S-Boat of the 2. SFltl alongside of Supply-Ship - (Picture: Archives H. Skjoldloetzke)