During the Great Patriotic War, the Hydrographic Service of the Northern Fleet, headed by Captain 1st Rank G. I. Shadrin, solved a wide range of tasks: setting minefields, sweeping mines, landing assault forces, providing firing of coastal and naval artillery, carrying out military pilotage of convoys, ships and individual transports, conducting photogrammetric processing of aerial photographs of naval bases and fortified positions of the enemy.
Geodetic support of coastal artillery firing was carried out from the Rybachy Peninsula to the Vilkitsky Strait. Its essence consisted in the fact that the hydrographs determined the coordinates of the battle formations of the batteries and their relative position, on the basis of which they made up tactical forms and fire tablets of the batteries on a scale not smaller than 1: 50,000. Topographic survey of the terrain within the firing range, battle formations and the center of the batteries, all known enemy targets, range circles and rear sight (direction) values in thousandths of the distance were plotted on the fire tablets. This made it possible to quickly and accurately graphically capture the initial data for firing from the firing plates using a movable scale bar. Having precise coordinates, the gunners struck enemy targets, as a rule, from the first salvo.
Head of the Hydrographic Department of the Northern Fleet Captain 3rd Rank A. I. Shelgunov, hydrographers G. V. Adamovich, L. P. Shchitov, A. A. Alekhin, I. T. Bogdanovich, A. G. Vykhryustyuk, M. I. Burmistrov and A. G. Priymak carried out geodetic referencing of batteries in the section from the city of Polyarny to Cape Set-Navolok, on the Rybachy, Sredny peninsulas, and also on some batteries of the 14th Army.
During the landing at Cape Pikshuev in April 1942, the hydrographs of the manipulative detachments of Senior Lieutenant N. S. Toropov and Lieutenant I. V. Nechaev supplied the ship support detachment with artillery tablets with the firing positions of the ships, main and auxiliary aiming points, correction posts and enemy targets to be suppressed by artillery.
In the second half of 1942, senior lieutenant A. K. Miroshnichenko made a geodetic reference of all coastal and anti-aircraft artillery on the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas and submitted a consolidated catalog of coordinates to the headquarters of the Northern Defense Region (SOR). A group of hydrographs provided each battery with a fire tablet. Hydrographers of the White Sea military flotilla carried out geodetic support of coastal and anti-aircraft artillery batteries in the entire operational zone of the flotilla from Iokanga to the Vilkitsky Strait.
During the Petsamo-Kirkenes operation (October 1944), the North Sea hydrographers made geodetic referencing of the artillery of the 12th Red Banner Marine Brigade, the 189th Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiment, the 13th Red Banner Artillery Division and other units. A great deal of work was done by hydrographs to ensure the firing of destroyers "Kuibyshev", "Uritskiy", "Thundering", "Loud", "Swift", the leader of "Baku". The firing was carried out both on the move and at anchor without and with correction posts. For firing at closed targets without correction posts on the Rybachy Peninsula, shots were equipped.
The first firing of the destroyers "Kuibyshev" and "Uritsky" on July 30, 1941 at a closed target lasted 4 hours. During her use were made by the captain of the 3rd rank A. I. Shelgunov autocorrectors, which reduced the time for calculating the correction and simplified it.
At the end of October 1942 A. I. Shelgunov ensured the shooting of the "Baku" leader at important fortified positions of the Nazis located on the left bank of the Zapadnaya Litsa River. The coordinates of the targets were issued by the command of the 14th Army. For night firing of ships at coastal targets, hydrographs equipped more than 20 artillery positions.
One of the important tasks was the navigation and hydrographic support for laying and trawling mines. It was carried out by the head of the Belomorsk hydrographic region, captain 3rd rank B. N. Pobatom on the ship "Deviator". Already in July 1941, the destroyers "Loud", "Crushing" and the minelayer "Kanin" set up minefields at the entrances to the White Sea and in the Kandalaksha Bay. Mines were also placed on the approaches to the Kola Bay, near the Sredny and Rybachy peninsulas and in the Varanger Fjord. They were set up by the head of the hydrographic region of the Barents Sea, Captain 3rd Rank N. V. Skosyrev. Throughout the war, mines were also displayed by the enemy. German destroyers, submarines and aircraft systematically mined the Varanger Fjord and the fairways leading to Yokanga and the ports of the White Sea. As a result, the mine situation at the theater became very difficult.
The hydrography of the fleet was entrusted with navigational and hydrographic support for the fight against mine danger. In the areas of the naval base, in the throat of the White Sea, on the approaches to the estuaries of the Severnaya Dvina and Pechora rivers, observation posts were created, which detected mines dropped from enemy aircraft. The hydrographic vessels "Metel", "Migalka", "Mgla", "Deviator", "Tsirkul", "Masshtab" and several hydrographic bots took part in providing combat trawling. At the same time, the crews repulsed aircraft attacks, destroyed mines, and rescued Soviet sailors. Thus, the vessel "Migalka" (commander Senior Lieutenant GN Bibikov) discovered near Cape Kanin Nos and Kolguev Island and fired 7 floating mines from guns. The Mgla vessel (Lieutenant-Commander IE Gorshkov) repeatedly fought German aircraft, and in October 1941 rescued its entire crew from the sinking Argun transport. In October 1944, en route from Arkhangelsk to the Pechora Bay, the crew of the "Mgla" captured an enemy four-engine seaplane, which made an emergency landing near the island of Morzhovets.
From the fall of 1944, the Northern Fleet deployed combat trawling throughout the theater. It should be noted that in those years there were no radio navigation systems, therefore, in the conditions of polar night and day, it was necessary to resort mainly to visual means. In order to increase the visibility range, theodolite posts were placed on the highest coastal cliffs. In the most critical areas of the fairways, depth charges were used to destroy mines. At the same time, hydrographs from the coastal theodolite posts made marks of the explosions and the coordinates were transmitted by radio to the minesweeper.
In 1944, for the first time at the Northern Fleet, the method for determining mine banks from aerial photographs was applied. The commander of the photogrammetric detachment of the hydrographic department, Captain 3rd Rank N. I. Pakhomov photographed one of the mine-hazardous areas from the plane. According to the decoded images in the Arctic, 34 mines were found at a depth of 2-4 m.
In addition, the hydrographic service provided for the landing operations of the fleet. From 6 to 14 July 1941, troops were landed on the southern coast of Motovsky Bay behind enemy lines, with a total number of more than two thousand people. On the eve of the landing, the hydrographs provided command with cartographic materials and forms of places convenient for approaching the shore, placed buoys, benchmarks for firing at an invisible target,provided geodetic support on artillery support ships.
In August, the command of the fleet was preparing the transfer by sea from Arkhangelsk to the coast of the Kandalaksha Bay of large reinforcements for the 14th Army. The hydrographic subdivisions were to survey and mark the landing sites with navigational signs as soon as possible. To accomplish this task, 5 vessels with two integrated hydrographic parties were allocated. The enemy shelled and bombed ships. So, on August 31, in the Kandalaksha Bay, the Moroz ship was attacked by five Junkers, who dropped 16 FAB-250 on it. The commander of the "Moroz" Lieutenant-Commander N. N. Balakshin skillfully maneuvered and avoided direct hits. However, several bombs exploded near the ship, which was seriously damaged.
During the landing of the Soviet landing on Cape Pikshuev in April 1942, the detachment of landing craft included the hydrographic vessels "Moroz" and "Masshtab". The commanders of these ships, Lieutenant-Commander N. N. Balakshin and senior lieutenant. B. I. Sokolov performed the military pilotage duties of escorting the landing detachment. Hydrographers landed with the first batch of troops. They set landmarks at the landing sites of the main forces, points for maneuvering artillery support ships.
A lot of work was done by the hydrographic service to ensure the landing of troops during the Petsamo-Kirkenes operation. A photogrammetric detachment of hydrographs (Captain 3rd Rank N. I. Pakhomov) decoded aerial photographs of the landing area and identified places convenient for the approach of ships and vessels. Careful processing of aerial photographs, as well as the study of other cartographic materials, allowed hydrographers to identify on the southern coast of Malaya Volokovaya Bay a small area with a narrow beach extending inland. The command decided to land troops in the area. Photogrammetrists also clarified the system of defensive structures on the banks of the Varanger Fjord and on the isthmus of the Sredny Peninsula; compiled vertical profiles of the landing area; inflicted flight trajectories of enemy shells during flat and mounted firing, which made it possible to identify the affected and "dead" zones of the coast and the coastal part of the sea. To ensure the passage and landing of troops on the coast of the Malaya Volokovaya Bay and a demonstration landing in the area of the Motovsky Bay, the manipulator detachment had two groups (commanders senior lieutenants I. V. Nechaev and A. S. Eremin), which included two manipulative subgroups each, intended for landing with the first assault force.
By October 9, the hydrographers set up lighting equipment at the designated points, organized communications, opened individual shelters and established the specified characteristics of the lights. The readiness of the means for action by Nechaev and the Prize was reported to the headquarters of the landing. On the evening of October 9, a demonstration landing, provided by a group of Art. Lieutenant A. S. Eremina. Torpedo and patrol boats fired at enemy firing positions, set up smoke screens, creating the appearance of a large landing. Two groups of paratroopers were landed between Cape Pikshuev and Mogilny Island. Fire support from the sea was carried out by the destroyers "Loud" and "Thundering". The demonstrative actions of the sailors distracted the enemy's attention and facilitated the landing of the main assault force in the Malaya Volokovaya Bay.
On October 9, at 22:00, the main landing in three detachments left Bolshaya Volokovaya Bay to Malaya Volokovaya Bay. The manipulation points worked well. As the landing party moved, new lights of the exposed navigation fence turned on. The commands to turn on were given from the remote control post for the landing of the landing. The boats with paratroopers stealthily approached the shore. The hydrographs of the manipulative detachment of Petty Officer P. E. Buryak, P. V. Voloshenko and V. A. Shchedrin. They turned on lights to line the landing area and show the approaches to the land for the next landing echelons.
The commander of the Northern Fleet decided to land a landing party at the port of Linahamari and provide conditions for the liberation of Petsamo (Pechenga). At 21:00 on December 12, three groups of torpedo boats and small hunters left Bolshaya Volokovaya Bay. The military pilots on them were the hydrographic officers A. B. Levy, I. A. Kovalenko and M. P. Suchkov. The transfer of the landing by sea was provided by the manipulator group of Art. Lieutenant I. V. Nechaev. The luminous panels and landmarks of the group worked flawlessly. Despite the opposition of the enemy and the dark time of the day, the military pilots managed to ensure the pilotage of the boats with the landing party. After stubborn battles, the port of Linahamari was cleared of the Nazis, and on October 15 the troops of the 14th Army and the Northern Fleet marines captured the city of Petsamo.
After liberating Petsamo, the 14th Army's formations continued their offensive against Kirkenes. To assist the advancing forces, the Northern Fleet continued to land assault forces on the coast of the Varanger Fjord. The Pechenga separate hydrographic section provided amphibious operations in Suolo-vuono, Aaree-vuono, Kobholmfjord and Holmengrofjord. On October 23, the troops of the 14th Army, together with the amphibious assault, liberated the city of Kirkenes from the Nazis.
It should be noted that amphibious assault forces landed in those areas that were selected from aerial photographs by a photogrammetric detachment. According to the Northern Fleet command, the navigation and hydrographic support of the landing on the unequipped coast in the Petsamo-Kirkenes operation was performed flawlessly. Many hydrographers have been awarded for their valor and courage.
An important role in the hydrographic support of the combat operations of the forces of the fleet was played by the military pilot service, staffed by career hydrographic officers and captains and navigators of civil ships called up from the reserve, who knew the navigation areas well and had extensive navigation experience. Military pilots could maneuver during bombing strikes, evade shelling and torpedo attacks from submarines and torpedo boats, pilotage of ships under conditions of a special navigation regime in the maritime theater, including pilotage along fairways with a certain navigation mode.
The fact is that from the first days of the war, the maintenance of most of the navigation lights, light and radio beacons was transferred to the manipulative detachments of the hydrographic service of the fleet, which was on operational duty at the command posts of the headquarters of the Northern Fleet, the White Sea Flotilla and the naval base. Lights and beacons were switched on for a certain time only at the request of the ships through the operational service of the headquarters.
Military pilots, knowing well the procedure for using fairways, lights and beacons, conducted convoys under a special navigation regime using various methods. In one case, hydrographic vessels led transports, in another they met a convoy at sea, disembarked a military pilot on each ship and transport, who accompanied them to the port, moored to the pier or anchored.
One of the first such tasks was the escort on December 12, 1941 to the Murmansk port of the English cruiser "Kent", on board which were the British Foreign Minister A. Eden and the Soviet Union Ambassador to England I. M. May. There was a thick fog in the sea, it was snowing, visibility was zero. On the approach to the Kola Bay, the cruiser was met by the leader of the escort - the hydrographic vessel "Gidrolog" with the head of the military pilotage service, Captain 2nd Rank F. Ye. Ushakov. The "Hydrologist" landed a military pilot, a liaison officer, on board the "Kent", took on board the British signalmen, and then proceeded to escort. Searchlights were turned on on "Kent" and "Hydrolog", but even under these conditions they often lost each other. Nevertheless, the "Hydrolog" successfully brought the cruiser to the designated place, where the military pilot anchored it.
Usually convoys were attacked by German surface ships and submarines, they were hit by heavy bombing strikes, and mines were placed on their way. Under these conditions, the military pilots displayed great skill and skill, and escorted each convoy to the designated area. Military pilots were not only good navigators, but also excellent military officers, showing examples of perseverance, courage and bravery. Here's one example. In Motovsky Bay, an aerial bomb damaged the "Proletarian" transport. Thanks to the dedication of the crew and the correct actions of the captain and military pilot, Lieutenant I. A. Kovalenko, the transport was saved and the cargo was delivered to the Ozerko Bay. On another occasion, the same transport was bombed and attacked four times, as a result of which it received serious damage. However, Kovalenko managed to bring the ship to the port.
To escort convoys from Vladivostok to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, military pilots were sent to the Pacific Fleet. In 1942 the pilots V. I. Voronin, G. A. Kalinich and K. E. Kucherin was escorted from Vladivostok to the Polar leader "Baku", destroyers "Razumny" and "Enraged".
Many military pilots had on their account from 120 to 200 pilotages of ships and transports, with a total displacement of one to two million tons. For example, the head of the military pilotage service, Captain 2nd Rank F. E. Ushakov conducted 112 vessels with a displacement of about a million tons, K. P. Melchikhin - 194 ships with a displacement of two million tons, I. A. Kovalenko - 205 vessels with a displacement of one and a half million tons. For 1941-1945. The military pilotage service of the Northern Fleet conducted over 7000 ships and ships with a total displacement of about 63 million tons. Its actions were highly appreciated by the command, 42 military pilots were awarded government awards.
During the Great Patriotic War, hydrographic vessels suffered losses when performing assignments. So, on July 24, 1941, the ship "Meridian" was sunk by artillery fire from four Nazi destroyers, on which 46 hydrographers were killed. In December of the same year, the enemy destroyed the motorboat of the manipulator detachment, which carried the hydrographs Lieutenant Commander M. L. Ivanov, 16 sailors and foremen.
On August 26, 1944, the hydrographic vessel "Nord" set out to sea to light the lighthouse lights. At this time, the German submarine U-957 was anchored near Kaminsky Island and charged the battery. The submarine spotted "Nord" and opened fire on it from cannons.
The very first shells set fire to a wooden ship, which, moreover, was sailing. “In a matter of minutes,” says the famous researcher Sergei Popov in the book “Autographs on Maps”, “the starboard boat and the motor boat were destroyed, the captain and 11 crew members were killed at the combat posts. Commander I. D. Takhanov, sailor A. V. Kuznetsov and deck student B. A. Torotin deployed the only forty-five on the ship and returned fire. The radio operator Leonid Popov, until the last moment, until the acetylene cylinders exploded, broadcasted in plain text that the ship had been fired upon by a submarine. His signal was received, and the command immediately dispatched warships and aircraft to the area. However, when they arrived there, it was already too late. The confrontation between the German submarine and the hydrographic vessel, of course, was unequal. Soon, "Nord" sank. In subsequent years, enemy submarines sank the ships Professor Wiese and Akademik Shokalsky. Despite this, the hydrographic service continued to improve and develop and successfully ensured the escort of convoys.
It should be said that the hydrographic service had to resolve issues related to the installation of new navigational equipment, the repair of instruments on domestic ships and service them on foreign ships. Here's an example. In the fall of 1941, Hero of the Soviet Union I. I. Fisanovich turned to the fleet's hydro department with a request to install an echo sounder on the M-172 submarine, of which he was the commander. The request was unusual, since the echo sounder could not be installed on the "babies" due to the absence of domestic small-sized instruments at that time. Navigation specialists of the hydraulic department, Lieutenant Commanders S. O. Utevsky, K. E. Ivaschenko and K. M. Shchelkunov, showing initiative and ingenuity, reconstructed the EL type echo sounder, made it small and installed it on the M-172. On May 16, 1942, the boat was attacked by surface ships and aircraft. 328 air and depth charges were dropped on it. M-172 was damaged. In particular, navigational instruments were out of order, except for the echo sounder. Fisanovich brought the ship to the Kola Bay according to the depths measured by the echo sounder. After this incident, the commander of the Northern Fleet ordered all submarines of the "M" type to install echo sounders designed by the hydraulic department.
In the difficult conditions of the Arctic, the hydrographic service provided the firing of naval, coastal and anti-aircraft artillery, the setting of minefields and minesweeping, the escorting of convoys and the performance of aerial photogrammetric work. Escorting convoys in difficult conditions of the Arctic and enemy counteraction required enormous efforts of the fleet, as well as the availability of the necessary number of radio and visual aids to navigation on the coast of the northern seas, clear actions of the military pilot and manipulator services, supply of ships and vessels with navigation charts and navigation guides.
In the Northern Fleet, in comparison with other fleets, aerial photogrammetric support of combat operations was most widely used. The aerial photogrammetric detachment, created at the beginning of the war, processed and deciphered aerial photographs, determined the coordinates of defensive objects on the coast occupied by the enemy, assembled and duplicated photographic schemes, and compiled military-geographical descriptions. Only in preparation for the Petsamo-Kirkenes operation, the photogrammetric detachment deciphered 1,500 enemy military installations, determined the coordinates of 500 objects, made 15 plans, 100 photographic diagrams and 15 military-geographical descriptions. For the first time, mines were detected in water using aerial photography. The Hydrographic Service used various methods to support the landing, using for this purpose the forces of manipulative detachments and the necessary aids to navigation equipment.
