I hope the readers will forgive me for allowing myself to start right away by stepping back in my direction. Because it will be easier in the future to understand my personal (and it will be here) attitude towards these people. In my military biography, there were several cases when I had the opportunity to try sides not related to my military specialty. That is, I jumped with a parachute, once for 10 minutes I piloted a military transport version of the An-24 (the pilot turned out to be none of me, so upon landing I had an unpleasant conversation with the rest of the passengers, turning into a friendly scuffle. And the conversation lasted much longer than I was piloting). While serving in the Far East, I managed to get drunk with the senior lieutenant, the commander of the minesweeper, and drunk to accept the invitation to "go to sea" to check the engines. They even entrusted me to hold the steering wheel (but, remembering my sad experience as a pilot, I did this purely symbolically), and as soon as we left the bay, I concluded that a sailor was like a pilot out of me. The rest of the time I was checking, I vomited like a clockwork toy.
And, on Navy Day, when all the sailors swell with importance and become kind and condescending towards land rats (and by that time I had already more than recommended myself, but treated it with humor, which was appreciated by the swimming and walking), several volunteers were allowed on board the Chita submarine. It was an event that made a lasting impression on me. I have too good a fantasy, so when I imagined myself in this ship, when there are a hundred meters of water above you … For some reason, I immediately wanted not just to go up, but even to land. But, having given myself the appropriate instruction, I withstood the entire excursion with honor, conscientiously listening to the foreman-guide and banging my head against a variety of crap and mechanisms.
Forgive me, divers, I never had the courage to ask what should be in the brain to voluntarily board this embodiment of the claustrophobic nightmare and not just live on it, but also work on it. You cannot live there, this is my established opinion. I'm not claustrophobic, I myself got used to working in a confined space by then, but it was overkill. It's one thing when there are three of us in a can of a kunga, and a completely different thing is a submarine.
The foreman, who took us to the compartments (damn, they are also running between them on alarm !!!), noticed that in modern nuclear power plants, of course, there are more places, lighter, and in general … But he said this somehow without envy at all. This alarmed me, and I asked, what, there are more pluses here? And then this little man, scratching his mustache, replied: “you know, elder, if anything, we’re here once - and that's it. And they will sink there for a long time. A very long time . I didn't ask any more questions … And when the saga with the Kursk began, I remembered this elderly foreman.
But back to the main theme of my story.
1941 year. Northern Fleet.
First the numbers.
By the beginning of the war, the submarine forces of the Northern Fleet consisted of 15 submarines.
By 1945, there were already 42 of them.
The losses during the war amounted to 23 submarines, of which 13 were missing.
Here they are.
Guards Red Banner submarine "D-3" "Krasnogrvardeets"
"D-3" was the first ship of the USSR Navy, which at the same time achieved the rank of the Guards and became the Red Banner.
Launched and on November 14, 1931 became part of the Baltic Sea Naval Forces.
In the summer of 1933, a submarine as part of EON-2, along the newly built Belomoro-Baltic Canal, made a transition from the Baltic to the North, becoming the nucleus of the nascent Northern Fleet. September 21, 1933 "Krasnogvardeets" became part of the Northern military flotilla.
8 military campaigns.
First: 1941-22-06 - 1941-04-07
Last: 1942-10-06 -?
Result:
According to official Soviet data, the D-3 has 8 sunk enemy ships with a total displacement of 28,140 brt and damage to one transport of 3,200 brt.
The success of any attack is not confirmed by the enemy.
The Guards Red Banner submarine "D-3" launched its last military campaign on June 10, 1942. By this time, the boat had a fully order-bearing crew, mainly consisting of candidates or members of the CPSU (b). More "D-3" did not get in touch and did not return to the base. Together with the boat, 53 members of its crew were also killed.
Submarine "K-1"
K-1 was laid down on December 27, 1936 at the plant number 194 "Im. A. Marty "in Leningrad. Launching took place on April 28, 1938, K-1 was included in the 13th division of the Baltic Fleet submarine training brigade. On December 16, 1939, the boat entered service.
On May 26, 1940, K-1 became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet, in the summer of the same year, K-1, along with the same type K-2, the destroyer Stretitelny and several other ships, proceeded through the White Sea-Baltic Canal. On August 6, she became a member of the Northern Fleet, enlisted in the 1st division of the Northern Fleet's submarine brigade with a base in Polyarny.
The boat made 16 military campaigns with a total duration of 196 days, made one torpedo attack with two torpedoes and 10 mine sets, in which it set 146 mines. A torpedo attack from a distance of 10-11 cables was unsuccessful, although according to official Soviet data of that time, it was believed that the K-1 had sunk the transport. According to verified post-war data, 5 ships and 2 warships were killed on the exposed mines.
November 8, 1941 - transport "Flottbeck", 1,930 brt;
December 26, 1941 - transport "Kong Ring", 1,994 brt, 257 holiday soldiers were killed;
April 8, 1942 - transport "Kurzsee", 754 brt;
May 23, 1942 - transport "Asuncion", 4 626 brt;
September 12, 1942 - transport "Robert Bormhofen", 6,643 brt;
December 6, 1942 - patrol ships V6116 and V6117.
The total tonnage of the lost ships is 15 947 brt.
The boat went missing in 1943 during the last cruise in the area of Novaya Zemlya.
There were 69 sailors on board on the last voyage.
Submarine "K-2"
Laid down on December 27, 1936 at Plant No. 194 in Leningrad. On April 29, 1938, the boat was launched and on May 26, 1940 it became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. Soon "K-2" was transferred to the North and on July 18, 1940 it became part of the Northern Fleet.
7 military campaigns:
First: 1941-07-08 - 1941-31-08
Last: 1942-26-08 -?
Results:
4 ineffectual torpedo attacks, 9 torpedoes fired
3 artillery attacks (49 shells), as a result of which 1 transport was damaged.
2 mine laying (33 mines), which presumably killed 1 enemy ship.
The K-2 entered its last military campaign on August 26, 1942. On September 7, according to the plan to cover the convoy "PQ-18", the boat was ordered to change its position, but the conditional signal to move from "K-2" was not received. Further attempts to establish communication and searches for the boat by aircraft did not lead to anything. Presumably, "K-2" was killed by a mine in early September 1942.
On board "K-2" in her last voyage there were 68 sailors.
Submarine "K-3"
Laid down on December 27, 1936 under slipway number 453 at plant number 194 in Leningrad and launched on July 31, 1938. On November 27, 1940, "K-3" entered service and on December 19, 1940 it became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet.
The boat was preparing in Kronstadt for the transition to the Northern Fleet as part of EON-11 and on September 9, 1941 arrived in Belomorsk.
9 military campaigns
First: 1941-27-07 - 1941-15-08
Last: 1943-14-03 -?
Destroyed 2 large hunters, 1 Norwegian transport (327 brt), damaged 1 German transport (8116 brt).
1941-03-12 BO "Uj-1708", artillery.
1942-30-01 TR "Ingyo" (327 brt), mine.
1943-05-02 BO "Uj-1108", artillery.
1943-12-02 TR "Fechenheim" (8116 brt) - damaged.
On its last military campaign "K-3" left on the night of March 14, 1943. In the future, she did not get in touch and did not return to the base at the appointed time. On April 14, the submarine's autonomy expired. There were 68 sailors on board.
Guards submarine "K-22"
Laid down on January 5, 1938 at the plant N196 (Sudomekh) Leningrad. Launched on November 3, 1939. On July 15, 1940 it entered service, and on August 7, 1940 it became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet.
On August 4, 1941, passing through the White Sea-Baltic Canal, the boat arrives at Molotovsk (now Severodvinsk) and on September 17 is enlisted in the Northern Fleet.
8 Combat Campaigns:
First: 1941-21-10 - 1941-18-11
Last: 1943-03-02 - 1943-07-02
Results:
5 transports, a drifter boat and a barge were sunk. More than 8.621 brt in total.
artillery: more than 1.463 brt
1941-09-12 TR "Weidingen" (210 brt)
1941-11-12 drifter boat and barge
1942-19-01 TR "Mimona" (1.147 brt)
1942-19-01 Trawler "Vaaland" (106 brt)
minami: 7.158 brt
09.12.1941. TR "Steinbek" (2.184 brt)
1942-15-03. TR "Niccolo Ciaffino" (4.974 brt)
At the end of January 1943, K-22, together with the K-3 submarine at the Kildinsky reach, conducted joint exercises with the aim of working out joint actions using the Dragon-129 sonar equipment. On February 3, 1943, the boats set out on a military campaign, from which the K-22 did not return.
On February 7, at 19.00, the boats exchanged messages via sound-wire communication. The K-3 speaker heard four loud clicks, after which the K-22 did not get in touch anymore. Presumably, at that moment the boat died as a result of the accident, since no one heard the explosion on the K-3, although it is possible that the K-22 was killed by a mine.
The submarine killed 77 sailors.
Submarine "K-23"
Laid down on February 5, 1938 at Plant No. 196 (New Admiralty) in Leningrad.
On April 28, 1939, the boat was launched and on October 25, 1940 "K-23" became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet.
On September 17, 1941, the boat was enlisted in the Northern Fleet.
5 military campaigns:
First: 1941-28-10 - 1941-30-10
Last: 1942-29-04 - 1942-12-05?
Results:
2 torpedo attacks with the release of 6 torpedoes and 1 unauthorized launch of a torpedo by the crew's mistake. No results.
3 mine setting (60 min), which killed
11/08/41 TR "Flotbek" (1931 brt) - most likely died on mines "K-1"
12/26/41 TR "Oslo" (1994 brt) - may have died on mines "K-1"
02/15/42 TR "Birk" (3664 brt)
3 artillery attacks, resulting in sunk
01/19/42 TR "Serey" (505 brt)
The K-23 launched its last military campaign on April 29, 1942. On May 12, 1942, "K-23" attacked an enemy convoy as part of the transports Karl Leonhard (6115 brt) and Emeland (5189 brt) escorted by patrol ships "V-6106", "V-6107" "V-6108 "and hunters for submarines" Uj-1101 "," Uj-1109 "and" Uj-1110 ". The torpedoes did not hit the target, and one of them was walking along the surface, and at the end of the distance surfaced. The ships stalled their progress and began to lift the torpedo out of the water. Suddenly "K-23" unexpectedly rose to the surface and opened fruitless artillery fire on the escort ships of the convoy, to which they also responded with fire from 88-mm guns, firing a total of more than 200 shells. The boat received hits and tried to leave, but was attacked by a Ju-88 aircraft, sank, and the hunters began searching and pursuing the submarine, which lasted more than 3 hours. Hajiyev (submarine division commander) reported by radio that as a result of a torpedo attack a transport was sunk, and during an artillery battle - two enemy patrol ships, the K-23 was damaged and needed immediate assistance. The command gave the go-ahead to return, but the K-23 did not return to the base. Together with the ship, its crew was killed - 71 people.
Submarine "S-54"
Laid down on 24 November 1936 at plant No. 194 (named after Marty) in Leningrad. The submarine was delivered in sections by rail to the Far East, where its final assembly was carried out at plant No. 202 (Dalzavod) in Vladivostok. On November 5, 1938, the ship was launched. On December 31, 1940, the submarine entered service, and on January 5, 1941, it became part of the Pacific Fleet.
The ship met the beginning of World War II as part of the 3rd division of the 1st submarine brigade of the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok.
On October 5, 1942, "S-54" began an inter-fleet transoceanic transition from the Pacific Ocean to the Northern Fleet through the Panama Canal. On January 10, the S-54 arrived in England. In Rozait, she had a new battery, and in Porsmouth, she had maintenance and installation of sonar and radar. At the end of May, "S-54" left Lervik, and on June 7, 1943 arrived in Polyarnoye, where on the same day she was enrolled in the 2nd division of the submarine submarine brigade of the Northern Fleet.
5 military campaigns
First: 1943-27-06 - 1943-11-07
Last: 1944-05-03 -?
1 futile torpedo attack. There are no victories.
The S-54 launched its last cruise on March 5, 1944. The submarine did not return to the base. There were 50 people on board the S-54 at the time of the death.
Submarine "S-55"
Laid down on November 24, 1936 at plant no. 194 in Leningrad under slipway no. 404. The submarine was transported in sections by rail to the Far East, where its final assembly was carried out at plant no. 202 in Vladivostok. On November 27, 1939, the S-55 was launched, on July 25, 1941, it entered service, and on August 22, 1941, it entered the Pacific Fleet.
On October 5, 1942, in tandem with the C-54, the submarine began its transition to the North along the route: Vladivostok - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Dutch Harbor - San Francisco - Coco Solo - Guantanamo - Halifax - Reykjavik - Greenock - Portsmouth - Rosyth - Lervik - Polar. On March 8, the S-55 arrived in Polyarnoye and on the same day was enlisted in the 2nd division of the submarine submarine brigade of the Northern Fleet.
4 combat campaigns:
First: 1943-28-03 - 1943-03-04
Last: 1943-04-12 - +
Result: 2 transports sunk (6.089 brt)
1943-29-04 TR "Sturzsee" (708 brt)
1943-12-10 TR "Ammerland" (5.381 brt)
On the evening of December 4, the S-55 set out on its last cruise. On the morning of December 8, at the mouth of the Tanafjord, an unexploded torpedo hit the stern of the Norwegian vessel "Valer" (1016 brt). The escort ships of the convoy did not leave their place in the order, as the attack of the submarine was detected too late. Further actions of "S-55" are unknown, the submarine never got in touch, she did not respond to the order to return given to her on the evening of December 21.
It is possible that the submarine skeleton discovered in 1996 at the bottom of Cape Sletnes is a mass grave for 52 members of the S-55 crew.
Submarine "Shch-401"
(until May 16, 1937 "Shch-313")
Laid down on December 4, 1934 at the plant number 189 (Baltic plant) in Leningrad under the slipway number 253 as "Shch-313". On June 28, 1935, the submarine was launched, on July 17, 1936, it entered service and became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. In the summer of 1938, along the White Sea-Baltic Canal, the submarine moved to the North and on June 27, 1937 became part of the Northern Fleet.
7 military campaigns
First: 1941-22-06 - 1941-02-07
Last: 1942-11-04 -?
Result: sunk 1 vessel (1.359 grt)
1942-23-04 TR "Shtensaas" (1.359 brt)
Shch-401 set off on its last trip on the night of April 11, 1942. On April 18, by order of the command, she moved to Cape North Cape. On the afternoon of April 19, at Cape Omgang, the Forbach tanker was unsuccessfully attacked by a submarine. The minesweepers M-154 and M-251 accompanying the convoy conducted an anti-submarine search and dropped 13 depth charges at the alleged location of the submarine. The second time "Shch-401" made itself known in the morning of April 23, when the Norwegian transport "Shtensaas" mobilized by the Germans (1359 brt) with a cargo of military equipment for Kirkenes went to the bottom near Cape Sletnes as a result of a torpedo hit. On April 23, Shch-401 got in touch with a report on two attacks using all torpedoes in bow torpedo tubes.
This was the last report from the Shch-401. She did not respond to further calls with an order to return.
Along with the "Shch-401", 43 sailors were killed.
Guards Red Banner submarine "Shch-402"
The submarine was laid down on December 4, 1934 at the Baltic Shipyard No. 189 in Leningrad (serial No. 254). Launched on June 28, 1935. Should have received its own name "Tiger". On October 1, 1936, she became a member of the ships of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet under the number Shch-314.
In May 1937, the boat was put into a floating dock to prepare for the passage to the Barents Sea.
On May 16, 1937, she was enlisted in the 2nd division of the Northern Fleet submarine brigade under the number Shch-402.
On May 28, 1937, she left Leningrad, passed through the White Sea-Baltic Canal and in September 1937 arrived at the port of Polyarny.
June 22, 1941 was included in the 3rd division of the Northern Fleet submarine brigade.
During the first military campaign on July 14, 1941, Shch-402 penetrated into Porsangerfjord and from a distance of 14-15 cables torpedoed the German steamer Hanau, anchored in the port of Honningsvag, with a displacement of 3 thousand tons, the first of the Northern Fleet's submarines to successfully attack the enemy transport.
During the war, the submarine made 15 more military campaigns, sank the German patrol ship NM01 "Vandale" and the coastal steamer "Vesteraalen" with a displacement of 682 tons.
In the evening of 1944-17-09 she left the base on the last military campaign.
On September 21, 1944, at 0642 hours, the crew of the Boston torpedo aircraft of the 36th mine-torpedo aviation regiment of the Northern Fleet attacked and sank the surface object with a torpedo. After analyzing the photographs of the photo-machine gun, it was concluded that he took the Shch-402, which was at sea in a surface state, for an enemy boat and, in violation of the order forbidding aviation to attack any submarines, dropped a torpedo from a distance of 600 meters, as a result of the explosion of which she sank. the entire crew (44 sailors) was killed.
Submarine "Shch-403"
The boat was laid down on December 25, 1934 at the plant number 189 "Baltiysky Zavod" in Leningrad under construction number 261 and the name Shch-315, launched on December 31, 1935. It was supposed to give the name "Jaguar". On September 26, 1936, it entered service and became part of the Baltic Fleet of the USSR Navy.
On May 16, 1937, the ship was named Sch-403, in May-June it was transferred via the White Sea-Baltic Canal to the Northern Fleet, on June 19 it became part of the 2nd submarine division of the Northern Fleet.
In total, during the war years, Shch-403 made 14 military campaigns, spending 165 days in them, performed 11 torpedo attacks with the release of 37 torpedoes, but did not achieve target destruction.
Shch-403 went on her last trip on October 2, 1943.
1943-13-10 unsuccessfully attacked the convoy at Cape McCaur, after which the boat did not get in touch.
Along with the boat, 43 sailors were killed.
Red Banner submarine "Shch-421"
Laid down on November 20, 1934 at plant No. 112 (Krasnoe Sormovo), Gorky, from parts manufactured at the Kolomna machine-building plant named after V. I. Kuibyshev under the designation "Shch-313". Launched on May 12, 1935. On December 5, 1937, it became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. On May 19, 1939, the transition to the Northern Fleet began along the White Sea-Baltic Canal, and on June 21, 1939 it became a part of it.
6 military campaigns
First: 1941-22-06 - 1941-08-07
Last: 1942-20-03 - 1942-09-04
Results:
sunk 1 transport (2.975 brt)
1942-05-02 TR "Consul Schulze" (2.975 brt)
At 20.58 on April 3, 1942, when Sh-421 was in the Lax Fjord area at a depth of 15 meters, the boat was blown up by a mine. The boat surfaced, the conning tower hatch was opened, and the horizon was examined. An attempt to give Sh-421 a move was unsuccessful. After making sure that the boat could not move, the commander decided to ask the base for help. Submarines "K-2" and "K-22" were sent to the scene of the accident. "Sch-421" was inexorably carried to the enemy shore. Then, at the suggestion of the assistant commander A. M. Kautsky, two canvas covers from diesel engines were raised like sails on periscopes. By morning, visibility improved, and the sails had to be removed, and the boat moved to a positional position, since it was only 8 miles to the enemy coast. In the event of an enemy appearance, "Shch-421" was prepared for an explosion, but at about 11 o'clock on April 9, "K-22" discovered an emergency boat. Attempts to tow the "Shch-421" were unsuccessful: the towing ends were torn, the bollards were torn out, and the attempt to tow the boat with a log was also unsuccessful. At 13.34 an enemy plane appeared, noticed the boats and began to drop signal flares. In order not to expose people to unnecessary risk, the crew was removed from the "Shch-421", and the boat itself was sunk by a torpedo from the "K-22" at point 70.12 north latitude; 26.22 v. In 12 seconds after being hit by a torpedo "Shch-421" disappeared under water. The crews saw off the boat with their heads bare.
Guards submarine "Shch-422"
The boat was laid down on December 15, 1934 at the plant number 112 "Krasnoe Sormovo" in Gorky from parts made at the Kolomna Kuibyshev Plant under construction number 84 and the name Shch-314, launched on April 12, 1935. On December 5, 1937, it entered service, on December 6, it became part of the Baltic Fleet of the USSR Navy. In May-June 1939, it was transferred to the Northern Fleet along the White Sea-Baltic Canal, on June 17, 1939 it was named Shch-422, and on June 21, it became part of the 3rd submarine division of the Northern Fleet.
During the Great Patriotic War, Shch-422 made 15 military campaigns, spent 223 days at sea, made 18 torpedo attacks with the release of 42 torpedoes. On July 25, 1943, she was awarded the title of the Guards.
On September 2, 1941, a German transport "Ottar Jarl" (1459 brt) was sunk by a single torpedo.
On September 12, 1941, a single torpedo hit an anchored transport Tanahorn and did not detonate.
On January 26, 1942, the crew of a Norwegian motorboat was captured, the abandoned ship was sunk by artillery.
Shch-422 went on the last trip on June 30, 1943. I did not get in touch.
Together with the boat, 44 sailors were killed.
Submarine B-1
(formerly British "Sunfish")
The submarine was laid down on 22 July 1935 at the Chatheim Dock Yard, Chatham, UK. The submarine was launched on September 30, 1936, entered service on March 13, 1937, and on July 2 became part of the British Navy under the designation "Sunfish".
According to the agreements in Tehran at the end of 1943, "Sunfish" is intended to be transferred to the Soviet Union at the expense of the division of the Italian fleet. On April 10 (according to other sources, March 9), 1944, the submarine was enlisted in the USSR Navy under the designation "B-1". On May 30, 1944, a solemn ceremony of handing over the ship to the Soviet crew, which arrived in Great Britain as part of the RA-59 convoy, and was formed from the sailors of the L-20 submarine, took place in Rozaite.
On July 25, the submarine arrived at Lervik, from where it left for Polyarnoye in the evening of the same day, but did not arrive there.
According to the main version of the death of "B-1", it is believed that the submarine deviated from the recommended course and became a victim of an erroneous attack by the Liberator aircraft of the 18th Air Group of the Coastal Command of the British Air Force on the morning of July 27, 1944, 300 miles north of the Shetland Islands (64 ° 34 'N / 01 ° 16' W, according to other sources 64 ° 31 'N / 01 ° 16' W).
51 people died along with the ship.
Submarine "M-106" "Leninsky Komsomol"
Laid down at the plant number 112 (Krasnoe Sormovo) in Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) on October 29, 1940 under slipway number 303. On April 10, 1941, the ship was launched. At the beginning of December 1942, the submarine moved to Polyarnoye and was included in the Separate Training Division, where it was completed, conducted acceptance tests and practiced combat training tasks. On April 28, 1943, "M-106" entered service and on May 11 became part of the 4th division of the Northern Fleet submarine. Since the completion of the ship was carried out with funds raised by the Komsomol and youth of the Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions, by order of the People's Commissar of the Navy dated 1943-28-04 "M-106" was named "Leninsky Komsomol".
3 combat campaigns:
First: 1943-13-05 - 1943-16-05
Last: 30.06.1943 - +
The third military campaign was the last for the M-106. In the afternoon of June 30, the submarine went on a mission, did not get in touch and did not return to the base. Together with the submarine, 23 sailors were killed.
Submarine "M-108"
Laid down on October 30, 1940 at the plant number 112 (Krasnoe Sormovo) in Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) under slip number 305 and launched on April 16, 1942. On November 21, 1942, the ship was loaded onto a railway transporter and sent to Murmansk, where it arrived on November 29. On January 9, 1943, the submarine was launched a second time. On August 24, 1943, the M-108 officially entered the Northern Fleet.
3 combat campaigns:
First: 1943-29-12 - 1944-06-01
Last: 1944-21-02 -?
1 unsuccessful torpedo attack.
In its last military campaign "M-108" left on the night of February 21, 1944. She never got in touch and did not return to the base. On "M-108" in its last voyage to sea, 23 crew members left.
Submarine "M-121"
Laid down on May 28, 1940 at factory number 112 (Krasnoe Sormovo) in Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) under slip number 290. On August 19, 1941, the submarine of the year was launched; but the outfitting work on the ship was discontinued, since from 1 mule the plant, by the GKO decree, completely switched over to the production of T-34 tanks. The submarine with a high degree of readiness before freezing was transferred to Astrakhan, and then to Baku, where at the plant named afterThe final completion of the ship was carried out by the Transfederation.
In the spring of 1942, "M-121" entered service, and on April 10, 1942, it became part of the Caspian military flotilla. Already in May 1942, the submarine was being prepared for dispatch to the Northern Fleet and transferred back to Gorky. There the submarine was installed on a railway transporter and on June 12 was sent to Molotovsk, where the M-121 arrived safely on June 18, 1942. On June 30, when the submarine was launched into the water, due to the imperfection of the launching device, it got off the runners and stopped with a large heel. It was only on the third attempt that the M-121 was launched on 15 July. On August 12, 1942, the M-121 entered service for the second time and was assigned to the 4th division of the Northern Fleet submarine.
On September 30, M-121 moved from Arkhangelsk to Polyarnoye. After completing a course of combat training on the evening of October 14, "M-121" went on its first military campaign.
2 military campaigns.
14.10.1942 – 21.10.1942
07.11.1942 – ?
There are no victories.
The second military campaign was the last for the M-121. In the afternoon of November 7, the submarine left Polyarnoye. In the future, the submarine did not get in touch and did not return to the base; On November 14, she did not respond to a return order.
21 people died on the M-121.
Submarine "M-122"
Laid down on May 28, 1940 under slipway number 291 at plant number 112 (Krasnoe Sormovo) in Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod). On February 12, 1941, the submarine was launched, but in connection with the outbreak of the war in September 1941, work on it was stopped, and before freezing was transferred to Baku for completion (according to other sources, to Kamyshin). In May 1942, the submarine was again transferred to Gorky to prepare for shipment to the Northern Fleet and on June 15 was sent by rail to plant number 402 in Molotovsk (now Severodvinsk), where it arrived safely on June 23. On August 1, 1942, the M-122 was launched a second time, on November 25, 1942, it became part of the Northern Fleet.
4 combat campaigns
First: 1943-13-03 - 1943-17-03
Last: 1943-12-05 - 1943-14-05.
3 torpedo attacks. (6 torpedoes fired).
1943-16-03. TR "Johanisberger" (4467 brt), heavily damaged, soon sank.
On the evening of May 12, M-122 set out on its last combat campaign. On the morning of May 14, when moving from a position to a maneuvering base in Tsyp-Navolok Bay for charging the M-122 batteries, point 69 ° 56 'N, 32 ° 53' E. was attacked and sunk by bombs of two Fw-190 aircraft from 14 / JG5 (according to other sources, attacked by three Bf-109 fighter-bombers). Three hours later, patrol boats MO No. 122 and MO No. 123, which approached the site of the submarine's wreck, picked up the corpse of the assistant commander, senior lieutenant I. I. Ilyin with a shrapnel wound to the head and arm.
On the M-122, 22 crew members were killed.
Guards Red Banner submarine "M-172"
Laid down on June 17, 1936 under slipway number 89 at plant number 196 in Leningrad as "M-88". On July 23, 1937, the submarine was launched, on December 11, 1937, it entered service and on December 25, 1937, it became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet.
On May 19, 1939, the submarine left along the White Sea-Baltic Canal to the North. On June 16, the ship was assigned the designation "M-172" and on June 21, it became part of the Northern Fleet.
20 military campaigns.
First: 1941-11-07 - 1941-20-07
Last: 1943-01-10 - +
13 torpedo attacks, 1 TFR sunk.
1943-01-02 TFR "V-6115".
The submarine set off on its last military campaign on the evening of October 1, 1943. She must operate in Varanger Fjord in tandem with the M-105, replacing it with positions on even numbers. Nobody saw the M-172 again.
23 sailors were killed on board.
Submarine "M-173"
Laid down on June 27, 1936 under slipway number 90 at plant number 196 in Leningrad as "M-89". On October 9, 1937, the submarine was launched, on June 22, 1938 it entered service and on the same day entered the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. On May 19, 1939, the ship sailed along the White Sea-Baltic Canal to the North. On June 16, the submarine was designated M-173, and on June 21, it became part of the 4th division of the submarine brigade of the Northern Fleet.
13 military campaigns:
First: 1941-04-08 - 1941-05-08
Last: 1942-08-06 - +
4 torpedo attacks.
1942-22-04 TR "Blankensee" (3236 brt) was sunk
On the evening of August 6, M-173 left for operations in the area northwest of Vardø. On the evening of August 14, she was expected in Polyarny, but the submarine did not respond to the order to return, transmitted the day before. On August 16, the receiving radio center of the Northern Fleet noted signs of the “baby's” transmitter operation, but the text of the message could not be made out. On August 16 and 17, the planes flying along the route of the submarine's probable return did not find anything, on August 17 the submarine's fuel autonomy expired.
Together with the submarine, 21 members of its crew remained at sea forever.
Guards submarine "M-174"
Laid down on May 29, 1937 under slipway number 105 at plant number 196 in Leningrad as "M-91". On October 12, 1937, the submarine was launched. On May 19, 1939, the submarine left along the White Sea-Baltic Canal to the North. On June 16, the ship was assigned the designation "M-174" and on June 21, it entered the Northern Fleet.
17 military campaigns.
First: 1941-01-07 - 1941-12-07
Last: 1943-14-10 -?
3 torpedo attacks. Sank 1 German transport (4301 brt).
1941-21-12 TR "Emshorn" (4301 brt)
On August 12, 1943, the M-174 entered service after emergency repairs. On the evening of October 14, she again reached a position in the Varangerfjord and went missing.
Submarine killed 25 sailors
Submarine "M-175"
Laid down on May 29, 1937 at plant No. 196 (Sudomekh) in Leningrad under slipway number 106 as "M-92". Launched on October 12, 1937; On June 21, 1938, the submarine entered the Red Banner Baltic Fleet, officially entered service on September 29, 1938. On May 19, 1939, the submarine began crossing the Belomorkanal to the North, and on June 21, it became part of the Northern Fleet under the designation "M-175".
In the Great Patriotic War 5 military campaigns
First: 1941-06-07 - 1941-20-07
Last: 1942-08-01 - +
On the morning of January 8, 1942, she set out on her last campaign. On the morning of January 10, she became a victim of torpedoes from the German submarine U-584 (commander Lieutenant Commander Joachim Decke) in the area north of the Rybachy Peninsula, at 70 ° 09'N / 31 ° 50'E.
"M-175" became the first submarine of the Northern Fleet not to return from a combat campaign of the Great Patriotic War.
Together with the submarine, 21 members of the submarine's crew were killed.
Submarine "M-176"
Laid down on May 29, 1937 at the plant number 196 (New Admiralty) in Leningrad under slipway number 107 as "M-93". On October 12, 1937, the ship was launched, and on June 21, 1938, it entered the Red Banner Baltic Fleet.
On May 19, 1939, M-93 began crossing the White Sea-Baltic Canal to the North and on June 21, 1939, it became part of the Northern Fleet. On June 16, the ship received the designation "M-176".
During the Great Patriotic War "M-176" made 16 military campaigns:
First: 1941-22-06 - 1941-01-07
Last: 20.06.1942 - +
7 ineffectual torpedo attacks (12 torpedoes fired)
On the afternoon of June 20, 1942, the M-176 set out on its last cruise. On June 28, she did not respond to an order to return to base. The circumstances of the death of the boat have not yet been clarified.
Together with the "M-176", her entire crew, 21 people, was also killed.
I deliberately did not mention the names of the captains. The sea made everyone equal: officers, foremen, sailors. And boats with crews look like soldiers: some managed to kill the enemy before death, some did not.
War is a terrible thing. Everyone is scared. An infantryman to attack towards the roaring barrels of machine guns, an artilleryman who catches enemy tanks in sight and realizes that this is the last shot, an arrow in an airplane looking through a sight at enemy attacking fighters, an anti-aircraft gunner directing an anti-aircraft machine gun towards diving Junkers, tanks attacking enemy positions under fire of anti-tank guns … But each of the fighters given has at least a ghostly chance to survive in case of defeat by the enemy. A wounded infantryman can hide behind a fold of terrain, a pilot can use a parachute, an anti-aircraft gunner has a gap … And everyone can count on the help of his comrades. Even an infantryman killed in the attack, a burned out tanker could count on the surviving comrades to inform their relatives that "Your son died in the battles …"
The submariners did not even have a ghostly chance. The rescued crew from Shch-421 is a rare exception. The rest had to die in the cramped dark compartments filled with icy Arctic water, trying to stop this flow to the last second, in an attempt to push another breath of life-giving air into the lungs burned by battery acid vapors. Knowing that they will not come to the rescue. The polar cold waters became a mass grave for submariners. Somewhere over the horizon. Even memory is denied to them in many ways. Ships do not lower flags, do not give beeps, do not throw wreaths into the dark waters. Because the sea, unfortunately, knows how to keep its secrets.
It may seem to some that the list of victories of the submariners of the lost submarines is more than modest. Moreover, many have not won a single victory at all. But it seems to me that this is not just a complicated matter - in fact, blindly (10 degrees of view of the periscope), taking into account a bunch of components, to hit a moving (and probably maneuvering) ship with a torpedo. In arctic conditions. It's not just difficult. Nevertheless, they went and did their job. Some are better, some are worse. And this did not always depend on the rank and rank of the commanders. Gadzhiev and Fisanovich were Heroes of the Soviet Union, experienced sailors. What's done is done. Thanks to them. And we are left with only memory.
I don’t know how anyone, but all this is beyond my personal understanding. I can't really imagine what kind of person one has to be in order to go on assignments like they do, perfectly understanding everything. Suicide bombers? I don’t know … In my opinion, penalty boxers had more chances. So all I can do is remind them, express my deepest admiration for all submariners, both those who died and those who survived. Which is exactly what I am doing.
