River Gunboats
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THE DANUBE
FMK Gunboats
The Freiwilligen Motorboot-Korps, or Volunteer Motorboat Corps, was a German unit composed of individuals who wished to serve their country, and who at their own cost provided motor boats to be armed as river patrol gunboats. The German Navy always considered them as rich playboys, so their organisation and armament became the responsibility of the Army. The one FMK gunboat which has come down to us through scattered references is the Weichsel, owned by the Kaiserlicher Motorjachtklub in Berlin. From her name, the German for ‘Vistula’, it is obvious she was first deployed on that river. Completed in 1915, as the best-armed of the motorboats, Weichsel became the flagship of the FMK. In January 1916 she was transferred to the Danube, and she was scuttled near Oltenita at 1500hrs on Armistice Day 1918.
A lithograph of an FMK gunboat, which may represent the Weichsel. (Illustration from Website: http://www.forum-marinearchiv.de/smf/index.php?topic=5774.0)
A pleasure motorboat taken over and armed for service on the Danube. Note the minimal protection on the rear deck and on the port side of the cabin roof. She is armed with at least one MG. (Photo courtesy of Gerhard Wicke)
Launched:
1916 by Gebr. Engelbrecht, Zeuthen.
Dimensions:
Displ: L: 24m/78ft 9in; B: 3.25m/10ft 8in; D: 0.80m/2ft 7½in.
Power/Speed:
Twin screws; 2 × 75bhp Kamper petrol engines/12.5 knots.
Guns/Armour:
1 × 7.5cm howitzer; 2 × 7.92mm MG.
Fate:
Scuttled in the Danube 11 November 1918.
Birago
Birago was originally the 60-ton Austro-Hungarian river patrol boat built in early 1916 as ‘k’, then named Csuka (‘pike’ in Hungarian). Allocated on 15 April 1920 to Hungary as Siófok, she was sold to Austria on 24 July 1929 and renamed Birago. After the Anschluss of 1938 she was taken over by the Kriegsmarine as part of their Danube Flotilla. The Germans attempted three times to convert her to bring her up to German standards, but finally decided to scrap her. She was broken up in Linz from 7 October 1939. For details of her as built, see AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.
Bechelaren
Bechelaren was the former Czechoslovak river patrol boat President Masaryk, which was taken over in April 1939 by the Germans following the occupation of what remained of the Czechoslovak Republic. For details of President Masaryk before April 1939 and after May 1945, see CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
On 8 September 1939 she was designated a Fluß-Wachboot (River Patrol Boat) and incorporated in the German Danube Flotilla under the name of Bechelaren. The origin of her new German name was the mythical hero of the Nibelung, Rüdiger von Bechelaren.
In German service her anti-aircraft firepower was continually augmented: In 1941 she exchanged two of her 7.92mm MG for a 2cm cannon; in April 1944 she mounted a 3.7cm AA gun and a 2cm Vierling; finally in April 1945 she was re-designated a Fluß-Kanonenboot (River Gunboat), when her two twin turrets mounting 66mm/35 Skoda guns were replaced by two 8.8cm SK/35, one mounted on the bow and one on the stern, as in the profile drawing. This armament was removed in 1946.
From the crew’s caps, this is a view of President Masaryk in German hands as Bechelaren in 1941–2. Note her German-style funnel caps, and extended bridgework. (Photo from Website: http://forum.valka.cz/topic/view/72094#254324)
Bechelaren in 1945. Note her armoured bridge, without searchlight, and the U-boat-type 8.8cm gun. The twin funnels have been replaced by simple exhaust pipes. (Photo courtesy of Erwin Sieche)
Bechelaren in 1945. (Drawing by Benczúr László, via Erwin Sieche)
Based at Linz, she participated in operations against Yugoslavia. On 5 April 1944 she suffered severe damage from an attack by Soviet aircraft, and returned to her base in Linz where she was re-engined and rearmed. Her steam turbine propulsion was removed and replaced by a pair of 900bhp RS143 MAN diesels of the type used in U-boats.
Bechelaren last saw action in the Melk region where she fought vessels of the Soviet Danube Flotilla. On 11 May 1945 in Linz her crew surrendered to American troops. Recovered by the Czechoslovaks in a disarmed state, she never re-entered service.
Chaloupe Fluvial FL 1
For a brief period in 1940–1, the German Army deployed on the Danube the former French armoured gunboat FL 1, before she was sent to Rotterdam, where she was destroyed in a bombing raid. For details, see FRANCE.
Siebel Ferry (Siebelfähre)
The Siebel Ferry was designed by Colonel Fritz Siebel of the Luftwaffe, as a transport system for Operation ‘Sealion’, the invasion of the British Isles. His plan was to use two flat-bottomed bridging pontoons joined in a catamaran arrangement by cross-beams carrying a flat deck. Various combinations of truck and aero engines were tried, the Army naturally preferring truck engines and the Luftwaffe the surplus BMW aero engines.
Easily transportable thanks to their modular construction, in all the operational zones of the German Army involving water-borne operations, the Siebel Ferries proved exceptionally useful, and resistant to damage. In particular they were practically invulnerable to torpedo attack as the weapon simply passed under them. Profiting from their basic stability, heavily armed versions were developed to provide anti-aircraft defence, but these units also made powerful river gunboats, and they were employed as such in the later stages of the Second World War on the Danube.
A water-screw-drive version of the Siebel Ferry, which nevertheless had mounting points for auxiliary aero engines driving two-bladed aircraft propellers.
A heavily-armed Siebel Ferry with four 8.8cm Flak 36 guns plus single 2cm FlaK; a rangefinder is mounted centrally.
Such an employment was foreshadowed on Lake Ladoga by Luftwaffen-Fährenflotille II and III between June and November 1942. Of their twenty-three Siebel Ferries, no less than seven were of the Heavy Combat type. At least one was captured and put into service by Soviet forces on the lake. For details, see RUSSIA.
Ever since their first experiences preparing for ‘Sealion’, the Army was in the habit of referring to the Siebel Ferries as ‘destroyer substitutes’.
Launched:
Begun September 1940 at Antwerp by Army Böndel Pionier-Sonderkommando (pontoons, decking & water propulsion) & Luftwaffe-Sonderkommando (auxiliary aero engines).
Dimensions:
Siebelfähre 40 Displ: 130 tons; L: 21.6m/70ft 10in; B: 13.9m/45ft 7in; D: 1.2m/3ft 11in.
Siebelfähre 41 As Model 40 except L: 24.3m/79ft 8in.
Siebelfähre 43 Displ: 143 tons; L: 32m/105ft; B: 14.7m/48ft 3in; D: 1.75m/5ft 9in.
Siebelfähre 44 Displ: 130 tons; L: 26m/85ft 4in; B: 13.7m/44ft 11in; D: 0.9m/2ft 11in.
Power/Speed:
Siebelfähre 40 Four shafts; 2 × 75bhp Ford V8 petrol engines + 6 × BMW 300bhp aero engines/6.5 knots.
Siebelfähre 41 6 × BMW 210bhp aero engines.
Siebelfähre 43 4 × BMW 280bhp aero engines/5.4 knots.
Siebelfähre 44 4 × BMW 280bhp aero engines/7.4 knots.
Guns/Armour:
3 or 4 × 8.8cm FlaK Model 36 or 2 × 75mm French APX + multiple 2cm AA mountings.
Marinefährprahme (MFP)
The MFP were the standard German landing craft type, and over 700 were built during the Second World War. In the artillery versions (Artilleriefährprahm), the cargo bay was roofed over, and the bow door fixed closed.
On the heaviest-armed versions the wheelhouse was moved forward to accommodate an 8.8cm gun forward and aft, plus a 7.5cm Pak and 2 × 2cm Flakvierling mounts.
As with the Siebel Ferries, these armed versions made for powerful river gunboats, and they were used as such on the Danube. The downside was that adding 70 to 80 tons of weight reduced the maximum speed to just 8 knots, and they were notoriously difficult to steer.
A drawing of a typical late-war MFP artillery version. The armament could vary between 7.5cm PaK guns on naval mounts up to 8.8cm submarine guns. The light AA could be single 3.7cm or single and Vierling 2cm Flak guns, depending on lo
cal availability.
MFP Type D. (Drawing by László Benczúr, via Erwin Sieche)
Launched:
Various builders, 700 individual units built from 1941 to 1945 in Versions A to D (plus special Mining conversions).
Dimensions:
MFP Type D Displ: 168 tons unloaded; L: 49.84m/163ft 6in; B: 6.59m/21ft 7in; D: 1.35m/4ft 5in max.
Crew:
25 to 30 depending on armament fit.
Power/Speed:
Triple screws; 3 × diesel engines total 375bhp/13 knots max; 10 knots at deep draught.
Guns/Armour:
Various combinations of: 7.5cm Pak 48; 8.8cm U-boat gun; 3.7cm AA; 2cm AA single, twin or Vierling; 2 × rocket-launching frames/20mm to 25mm armour protection to steering position and engine room, later reinforced with 10cm of concrete.
Fate:
Many converted for civilian use as ferries post-war.
LTA II
Over a hundred of the standard MNL (Marine Nachschub Leichter) light landing craft designed for use on rivers and lakes, were built by various yards during the Second World War. A joint Army-Navy venture produced a gunboat version with a ship-style bow replacing the ramp, and armed with 2 × 10.5cm SK 32 guns, plus 3.7cm or 2cm Flakvierling.
MNL Type AL.
Launched:
MNL-type hull built from several sections each weighing 20.3 tons, bolted together.
Dimensions:
Displ: 154 tons; L: 40m/131ft 0in; B: 8.2m/27ft 0in.
Power/Speed:
Twin screws; diesel engines/10 knots.
Guns/Armour:
2 × 10.5cm SK Model 32; various combinations of 3.7cm & 2cm FlaK guns/Concrete slab internal armour protection.
Lürssen KS Schnellboote
Eight small 19-ton boats powered by BMW aero-engines were ordered from Lürssen in 1943–4, and were initially allocated to the Danube Flotilla, but were soon transferred to the Croat Navy. For details, see CROATIA.
Pioniersicherungsboot 43 (PiSiBo 43)
The PiSiBo 43 was designed to protect engineers building or repairing bridges or effecting opposed river crossings. It was armoured, and carried a Panzer III tank turret forward. Various AA armaments were proposed: the drawing shows a 2cm Vierling. For transport, the hull could be divided longitudinally into three sections: the central part was 3m wide (9ft 10in), and each side section was 0.63m wide (2ft), making for easy road or rail displacements – but at the price of some complexity on arrival at the site of operations when all three sections would have to be bolted together, perhaps under fire. The second prototype with a larger turret gun was incorporated in the Czech Danube Flotilla after the war, and designated D-1. See CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
PiSiBo 43 still in German hands, as armed with a short 5cm gun.
PiSiBo 43 test-firing the turret gun, with a shielded Flakvierling mounting on the stern. (Photo via Paul Malmassari)
Launched:
1st Prototype built 18 June 1944 by Aussig-Werft. 2nd Prototype built December 1944.
Dimensions:
L: 19.3m/63ft 3in; B: 4.26m/13ft 10in; D: 1.2m/4ft 0in.
Power/Speed:
Twin screws; 2 × BMW aero engines, total 500bhp/27.5 knots. 2nd Prototype: Diesel engines.
Guns/Armour:
1st Prototype: 5cm KwK L/42in Panzer III turret; AA armament could consist of 2cm Flakvierling, 3.7cm on U-boat mounting or even a 2cm MG 151 Drilling (triple) mounting. 2nd Prototype: Turret gun was a 7.5cm KwK L/40/Pz III turret armour + 10mm armour plating on the wheelhouse and hull sides.
Fate:
2nd Prototype seized by Czechoslovaks.
LAKE LADOGA
Siebel Ferries were used as gunboats by the German unit Einsatzstab Fahre Ost, up until the German withdrawal from the lake in late 1942. Four were lost by running aground under artillery fire during the attack on Suho Island in October 1942.
On Lake Ladoga the Germans also used Infantry Boats as gunboats. These were later sold to and operated by the Finns. For details, see FINLAND.
POLISH RIVERS
Two ex-Polish river gunboats were captured by the Germans, and employed on the Polish river system.
Zaradna
The ‘Z’ class gunboat Zaradna had been salvaged and used by Soviet forces. She was captured in a damaged condition on 18 September 1941 and repaired. In German hands, on 5 April 1942 she ran aground in the Królewski Canal. Later badly damaged by Polish partisans, she was towed to Pinsk and scrapped soon afterwards. For details, see POLAND.
Nieuchwytny
This heavily-armed cutter was salvaged by the Germans at Modlin, and used by them up until 1944, when she was again scuttled. The Poles raised her again in 1945 and she served as a coast guard vessel up until 1957. For details, see POLAND.
THE RHINE
Pioneer Support Vessels
In 1958 the US Navy transferred to the West German Army their nine PR Class 33 Rhine Patrol Boats. They were used as Pioneer support craft alongside the flotilla of landing craft on the Rhine. For details, see UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
By 1959 the Royal Navy had transferred its Rhine Flotilla MLs to the West German armed forces. For details, see GREAT BRITAIN.
S 202, an ex-USN PR patrol boat. (Photo Berndt Wenzel)
GREAT BRITAIN
The British naturally settled first on the coasts of various territories, as stepping stones on longer voyages, which then developed into coaling stations. They next ventured inland, taking advantage of the major rivers which were the main highways used by the local population.
In Africa and the Far East the initial impetus for this move was the pursuit and punishment of pirates. In Africa the gunboats were then sent to dissuade tribes in the hinterland from carrying out slaving raids. On the major African lakes, the military followed the missionaries, and both shared the common goal of combatting slavery.
In China the driving force was the protection of trade in this huge, populous country, which for many years following the initial Western interference in its affairs was plunged into chaos. One can only imagine the attitude of the local Chinese to the sight of foreign warships cruising their inland waterways. For many years the British had the largest and most powerful squadron on the Yangtze, at least before the Japanese invasion of China, and memories of these times are still passed down in the reminiscences of veterans, preserved and disseminated by the Web. One story which is almost too good to be apocryphal was related by P H S Reid in The Naval Review No 3 of July 1980. It concerned a small and nameless upper-Yangtze river gunboat. One day an Inspecting Officer arrived to review the state of the vessel. Unfortunately the forward small-calibre gun had been used for duck hunting, like a giant punt gun, and the projectiles had scored the bore. Before lunch the officer was invited to inspect the aft gun, and found it satisfactory. A lengthy lunch in the wardroom followed, after which he inspected the forward gun, and deemed it also in good condition. What he did not know was that during lunch, the two guns had been swapped over.
In Mesopotamia the gunboat offensive was aimed at aiding the land troops to defeat the Ottoman forces, but once the artificial country of Iraq had been established, the motive changed, to one guaranteeing British access to the region’s oilfields.
The famous ‘Insect’ class gunboats originally designed for the Danube were ordered under the designation of ‘Large China Gunboats’ to disguise their destination. They served widely, from the Humber Estuary, to Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean, the Danube (finally) and Northern Russia, before all but one of the class were sent to China. Their story is therefore spread across several sections of this chapter, but their specification table will be found under China, where they spent most of their careers.
As in previous incursions in Africa and Mesopotamia, in Burma during the Second World War seagoing sloops penetrated far up the various river systems, supported by much smaller Motor Launches and HDMLs, notably of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN), continuing a proud tradition they would pass on to the two emergent nations on
the dividing of the British Raj. The story of the ‘Girl’ class on the Chindwin is a heartening saga of determination overcoming all obstacles.
The British saga of traditional river gunboats wound down with the dissolution of the Rhine Flotilla, a little-known episode in Britain’s commitment to supporting West Germany during the Cold War. In recent years the RN has revived its capacity for riverine warfare by the use of the Offshore Raiding Craft.
The troopships of the Niger Expedition off Holyhead, 1841, painting by Edward Duncan and dedicated to Prince Albert. From left to right: HMS Soudan, HMS Albert and HMS Wilberforce. (National Maritime Museum Ref: PAH0907)
AFRICAN RIVER AND LAKE GUNBOATS
1841 Niger Expedition
In late February 1841 three specially-built iron paddle steamers set out for the River Niger, with the aims of negotiating antislavery treaties with the local chiefs, of spreading Christianity, and of establishing trading arrangements. They were built by John Baird of Birkenhead, and commanded by Royal Navy officers. During the expedition a third of the white participants died of fever, and the sick were evacuated downriver by HMS Dolphin.
The expedition ships were:
• The appropriately named Wilberforce, and the Albert (named for the Queen’s consort), each of 457 tons and powered by two 35 nominal horsepower steam engines;