K-verbände

The German command of the naval forces during World War II was skeptical about the use of small battle groups for a long time. This was due to both the German concept of war at sea and the success of Germany in the war.

The first projects of human-controlled torpedoes, based on the Italian torpedoes Mignatta used in the First World War (from Italian. “Leech”), were presented to the Reichsmarine authorities in 1929, but they were rejected due to the restrictions of the Versailles Treaty . Since 1938, several more projects have been submitted to the Kriegsmarine Command, but they have not been implemented either. In October 1941, Professor Drager of the company Drägerwerk proposed a project of a small submarine, with a displacement of 120 tons. He believed that such a boat could be used in the coastal waters of the Mediterranean and Britain , and also be used to defend the coastal line of occupied Europe . However, at that time, the plans of the Allied landings were not considered seriously, and on the possibilities of offensive actions, State Counselor Rudolf Blom January 22, 1942, said that:

In the summer of 1942, engineer Adolph Schneeweice again put forward a proposal for the use of ultra-small submarines with a displacement of about 10 tons and armed with two or three torpedoes. According to his plan, three or four such boats could be loaded onto one large submarine and then effectively used in the fight against the Allied convoys. And this proposal was also rejected. By and large in 1942 in the German Navy there was no special service of small forces, similar to the Italian, Japanese or even British. In the summer of 1942, the commander of the Italian sabotage 10th Borghese flotilla visited the base of German combat swimmers near Brandenburg (at that time they were part of the sabotage military counterintelligence forces), and spoke of their naval training rather unflattering, saying that the Germans were only at the very beginning, they have nothing that could have at least some comparison with Italian weapons and they spend time on children's experiments, long abandoned in Italy. But at the same time he praised the general sabotage training ^{[1] [2]} . As a result of the trip, the Germans and Italians reached an agreement that the Italian 10th Flotilla would receive several German cadets for training.

But dramatically the situation began to change at the turn of 1942-1943. Karl Dönitz , the new commander of the Kriegsmarine , being impressed by the actions of the Italian and British combat swimmers, in particular from the commando operations in Saint-Nazaire , and being concerned about the increasing losses of the fleet, thought about creating a special service, modeled on the British. “To build a battleship,” he said, “we need four years. A production of a dozen single torpedoes - only four days. This is very significant. " ^[3] The creation of a special service was also influenced by the general course of the war: the lack of resources for building ships (especially considering the fact that the resources came to the needs of the ground forces and the Luftwaffe as a matter of priority), the inability due to the bombings of building large ships in shipyards and perhaps the main factor that the threat of landing allies in Europe became increasingly real. The naval command developed a landing scenario, according to which the creation and expansion of enemy bridgeheads was recognized as inevitable, due to the overwhelming superiority of Allied troops in numbers and armaments and complete air supremacy over the bridgeheads. Thus, it was concluded that the only effective way to continue the fighting would be the cessation of the supply of bridgeheads. In turn, it was only possible to cut the supply lines using the submarine forces of the fleet. Baby boats that were poorly detectable, operating in the coastal zone, could cause damage to enemy transports and port facilities. Such boats had another advantage: they could be quickly transferred by rail to the landing site, in whatever part of the coast it would have occurred ^[4] .

January 30, 1943, Karl Dönitz spoke at a meeting of the senior commanders of the fleet, where he outlined the basic provisions for the creation of a new special unit. Among the first tasks that needed to be addressed were:

• development and creation of a meeting the requirements of the submarine-baby on the English model and its further use for point-specific individual purposes;
• development and creation of several models of torpedo boats for various purposes, including the creation of torpedo boats loaded with explosives according to Italian designs;
• preparation and training of special forces, which by means of guided torpedoes and mini-submarines, will destroy both enemy ships and coastal objects ^[4] .

At the same time, the name of the K-Verbande division was heard for the first time.

Dönitz wanted to entrust the organization of the unit to Vice Admiral Helmut Heye . The commander of the kriegsmarine wanted to see Helmut "the Mountbatten ^{[comment 1] of the} German Navy." However, Dönitz was convinced that Helmut would be more useful in his current post, and Vice-Admiral Weihold was appointed instead, who was busy with organizational and theoretical issues ^[5] .

In the spring of 1943, the German naval attache in Tokyo, Rear Admiral Wenneke, was given the task of obtaining detailed information about the Japanese ultra-small submarine Ko-hyoteki . The Japanese reluctantly agreed to cooperate, and Wenneke was able to send to Berlin only the answers to some of the 46 questions asked.

But in fact, until the end of 1943, little was done. Weihold failed to achieve cooperation between the fleet, the Ministry of Arms and Ammunition and industry, which were to develop and deliver special weapons and equipment to the unit. The development of the unit was fueled by the successful operation of the British commandos conducted on September 21, 1943, as a result of which the battleship Tirpitz was disabled . In December 1943, the task of forming the detachment was assigned to Heie Helmut (officially appointed to the post only in April 1944, and before that he continued to combine the command of the detachment with the service in the headquarters of the kriegsmarine).

Helmut was given assistance by the corvette captain Frauenheim, then Helmut himself called for service from the reserve of Lieutenant Commander Michael Oplada and transferred the corvette Captain Hans Bartels to him. It was they who, at the turn of 1943-1944, recruited the first thirty people and defeated the barracks in a hut on the Baltic Sea coast near Heiligenhafen . Admiral Helmut requested extensive powers for himself, including negotiations with industry leaders, and was able to quickly find a common language ^[6] .

On January 17, 1944, two captured English baby boats seized in Norway were delivered to the campsite. They were tested and the first Hecht mini-submarines ( Hecht, pike ) were made on their base. In March 1944, tests were carried out on a man-operated torpedo called the Neger ( German Neger, Negro ) made on the basis of the G7e torpedo .

By the spring of 1944, the division "K" has expanded. The headquarters of the compound is located in the resort town of Timmerdorferstrand and was conventionally called the “Coastal Site”. Volunteers were sent to Lübeck (the “Stone Section”), and from there the selected servicemen were sent to the detachments. One of them, for example, was located on the banks of the River Trave between Lübeck and Shtulup (“The Blue Section”). Later, other areas appeared, for example, on May 15, 1944, the Research Plot research center was established in Schöneberg ( Mecklenburg ).

In the spring of 1944, the technical equipment arrived at the compound, which made it possible to form the first three naval assault detachments (MEK from it. Marine Einzatz Kommando ): the 60th (commander, reserve lieutenant Princhern reserve), the 65th ( observant lieutenant of tour Zee Richard), and 71st (observant reserve reserve Walters). Each unit consisted of 23 people, including the commander. The detachment had 15 vehicles (including 3 portable radios on wheels, 2 amphibians, 1 kitchen). The detachment was provided with food supplies for 6 weeks of autonomous combat operations. ^[7]

The baptism of the created compound took place on the night of April 20-21, 1944 in the Anzio area.

Torpedo boats

Khidra

"Khidra" ( it. Hydra - hydra ) - the most successful torpedo boat, armed with K-Verband. The first draft of the boat, based on the development of the Luftwaffe , was submitted on June 13, 1944, on August 25, 1944, tests were carried out on the boat, on September 19, 1944 the boat was approved for serial production and on December 4, 1944 a contract was signed for the manufacture of 50 ships of this type.

The main armament of the boat were two F5b torpedoes, which were in service with the Luftwaffe torpedo bombers . In addition, in 1945 a machine gun was installed on the boat. The crew of the boat consisted of two people. The aircraft engine of the Hispano-Suiza 12 with a capacity of 650 horsepower allowed it to reach a maximum speed of 36 knots (~ 67 kilometers per hour). The initial fuel tank capacity of 1,100 liters and increased to 1,400 liters in December 1944 made it possible to overcome 370 nautical miles at a speed of 25 knots or 160 miles at a speed of 36 knots with one refueling. At the end of the war, a 1000-hp Rolls-Royce engine was installed on the boat.

In the winter of 1944-1945, comparative tests of boats were carried out, where the Khidr was recognized as the best in nautical qualities and noiselessness, and in terms of its transportation possibilities, the air was out of competition due to its size.

MTSM

"MTSM" ( Italian. Motoscafo da Turismo Silurante Modificato - modified high-speed torpedo boat ) - Italian torpedo boat, which was used by Kriegsmarine in 1945. It is a continuation of the MTS series of boats, differing from them by a reinforced keel and a sharper nose. Two Alfa-Romeo engines were installed on the boat, which allowed the boat to reach a maximum speed of 34 knots. The crew consisted of two people, armed for self-defense with personal weapons. The armament of the boat usually consisted of one 400 kg torpedo and two depth charges, but there were also modifications with two torpedoes instead of bombs. The boat, possessing a small draft, was intended for operations in shallow water.

"MTSMA"

"MTSMA" ( Italian. Motoscafo da Turismo Silurante Modificato Allargato - high-speed torpedo boat of increased size ) - the following modification of the MTSM boat, differed by increased size (length 8.8 meters versus 8.4 meters, width 2.32 meters versus 2.2 meters ). Accordingly, it had lower speed, developing 29 knots. Used at the end of the war, for the most part not for its intended purpose, but for the secret landing of sabotage groups and agents on the coast.

MTL

"MTL" ( Italian. Motoscafo Turismo Lento - slow torpedo boat ) - Italian torpedo boat, released in only two copies. Intended for the transport of two torpedoes and four soldiers. It was equipped with two engines: internal combustion and electric. On the first, the boat could move at a speed of 5 knots, on the second, only 4 knots. One of these boats participated in the sabotage operation in Malta in July 1941, and the second in 1944 came to the disposal of K-Verband and was used by him.

Seedrach

"Seedrahe" ( it. Seedrache - sea ​​dragon ) - a prototype of a torpedo boat, catamaran ^[8] . In the spring of 1945, it was developed on the basis of Khidra, by connecting its two buildings. He was distinguished by the fact that, firstly, he could carry four F5b torpedoes, and secondly, that he had a Pulso-Schubrohr Argus-As-014 water cannon mounted on it. The boat reached a speed of 60 knots (~ 111 kilometers per hour), but at that speed was unstable and did not go into the series.

"Val"

Val ( German Wal- Kit ), a prototype of a torpedo boat, was presented in three versions. The first modification of the summer of 1944 was a completely steel boat with two specially designed 320-pound torpedoes (the standard F5b proved too heavy). The boat reached a speed of 39 knots with torpedoes and 42 knots without them. In addition to the torpedoes, the crew of the boat had a machine gun and two rocket launchers of 86 mm caliber, which were supplied with both combat rockets, lighting and smoke. But the project was rejected due to dubious nautical qualities. The second prototype became longer, an aircraft engine with a capacity of 700 horsepower was put on it, which made it possible to increase the speed by another 4 knots. Despite the fact that there was no doubt about the seaworthiness, a refusal again followed, with reference to the lack of steel. The third prototype was wooden. The crew was increased to 3-4 people. The speed of the boat with a 600-horsepower engine was 35 knots with torpedoes and 38 without them. Installing a 800-horsepower engine increased the speed to 39 and 42 knots, respectively. But in comparative tests "Val" gave way to "Khidr" and did not go into the series.

Schlitten

"Schlitten" ( it. Schlitten - sleigh ) - a prototype of a torpedo boat, was presented in two versions. The first modification of the beginning of the summer of 1944 was a steel (out of four pressed sheets) glider ^[9] , armed with two G7a torpedoes. The crew consisted of one person. A weak 90 hp engine was installed on the boat and the boat reached a speed of just 12 knots with torpedoes. Therefore, the second prototype was installed aircraft engine BMW , with a capacity of 600 horsepower. This forced the second person into the crew, which in turn made it possible to put a machine gun on the boat. The updated prototype reached a speed of 48 knots without torpedoes. However, on tests, preference was given to Khidr. An important factor was also the lack of aircraft engines.

Cobra

"Cobra" ( it. Kobra - cobra ) - a prototype of a torpedo boat. It was presented in the summer of 1944. He was armed with one torpedo type F5a. Unlike other prototypes, the launch of a torpedo was carried out from the stern, from an apparatus located between two engines. In the series did not go.

Other prototypes

In addition to these boats, 6 prototypes of torpedo boats were developed for the K-Verband, with a crew of 3 to 8 people, at speeds of up to 60 knots. All of them carried two F5b torpedoes as the main armament. In connection with the end of the war, all development was completed.

Mini submarines

Hecht

Hecht ( Hecht - pike ) is a super-small submarine of German submarine forces. The crew of the boat are two people; as the main armament, the boat carried one G7 torpedo or one naval mine. The boat was equipped only with an electric motor, which allowed the boat to develop 4 knots with a cruising range of 79 nautical miles. The design of the boat was unsuccessful, it was practically not used in hostilities, and was used to train personnel.

Bieber

"Bieber" ( it. Biber - beaver ) - ultra small submarine of the German submarine forces. The crew of the boat is one person; as the main armament, the boat carried two G7 class torpedoes. A 2.5-liter Opel gasoline engine (intended for one of the Opel Blitz modifications) and an electric motor were installed on the boat, which allowed the boat to develop 6.5 knots above water and 5.3 knots under water, respectively. Issued in the amount of 324 pieces. The available "Bibers" were reduced to 9 fleets. The boat was unsuccessful for a number of reasons; accordingly, its combat use also did not bring results, and, on the contrary, brought losses.

Molch

"Molch" ( it. Molch - Triton ) is a super-small submarine of German submarine forces. The crew of the boat is one person; as the main armament, the boat carried two G7 class torpedoes. The boat was equipped only with an electric motor, which allowed the boat to develop 5 knots with a range of 40 nautical miles, respectively, and the use of the boat was assumed in the coastal zone. Due to low seaworthiness it was used sparingly, and after several unsuccessful attempts, it was transferred to training.

Seehund

"Seehund" ( it. Seehund - seal ) is a super-small submarine of German submarine forces, the most successful design of super-small boats not only in Germany, but also in general since World War II. Designed on the basis of the boat "Hecht". The crew of the boat were two people; as the main armament, the boat carried two G7 class torpedoes. A 60-strong Büssing diesel engine and an AEG electric motor were installed on the boat, which allowed the boat to develop 7.7 knots above water and 6 knots under water, respectively. The boat could have sailed 300 miles above water and 63 miles under water; plunged to a depth of 50 meters, with a depth of 5 meters could reach from the surface in 4 seconds. Issued in the amount of 285 pieces. Used in 1945.

Dolphin

"Dolphin" ( German Delphin - Dolphin ) - a prototype of the ultra-small submarine of the third Reich. In essence, the prototype was a controlled torpedo. It was assumed that the boat at high speed (and it developed a speed of up to 18 knots under water, about 34 kilometers per hour) was supposed to get close to the enemy, after which the driver of the boat had to leave it, and the boat with 1200 kilograms of explosives would explode when it touched the board the ship. It was built only three copies in the battles did not participate.

Schwärval

Schwertval ( German Schwertwal - killer whale ) is a prototype of the ultra-small submarine of the Third Reich, a hunter of enemy submarines. Another project ultra-high speed submarine. The speed of the boat equipped with turbines was to reach 30 knots, it had to be armed with two new acoustic torpedoes of the G7 series. Only one prototype was built.

Zeetoyfel

" Zeetoyfel " ( German Seeteufel - sea ​​devil ) - the original prototype of the ultra-small submarine with a tracked propulsion, amphibian boat. The boat on a diesel engine, under the control of a crew of two people, was to descend into the water on the tracks from any place on the coast, and then move to the enemy’s ships by means of a propeller from an electric motor. It was assumed her armament two torpedoes, as well as a machine gun or flamethrower . The prototype revealed flaws (narrow caterpillars, weak engine), and the sample was sent for revision, which was prevented by the end of the war.

Manned Torpedoes

"Neger"

"Neger" ( it. Neger - black ) - a torpedo driven by man. Structurally, it was a combined two torpedoes G7e , in one of which, the top, instead of the stock of explosive, located the cockpit. "Neger" was moving on the surface of the water, when the pilot was launched, the pilot launched the combat torpedo, while he himself returned on the leading torpedo. “Neger” could move at a speed of 4 knots and at that speed it was able to overcome 48 nautical miles.

Marder

"Marder" ( him. Marder - marten ) - an improved model of the torpedo "Neger". It differed from the prototype by the presence of a ballast tank, which allowed the torpedo to sink to a depth of 10 meters, which brought the torpedo closer to a mini-submarine. The rest repeated torpedo "Neger". Somewhat larger dimensions have reduced the radius of action to 35 nautical miles.

"SLC"

“SLC” ( Italian. Siluro a lenta corsa - low-speed torpedo ) or “Maile” ( Italian. Maiale - pig ) - Italian human-controlled torpedo. The crew of the torpedo was two people sitting astride the torpedo. The maximum speed of the torpedo was 4.5 knots. It was delivered to the site of the operation by a carrier boat, from where it was secretly selected to the enemy vessel standing and attached to the keel, after which the clock mechanism began to work.

"Hai"

"Hai" ( Hai - shark ) - a prototype of an improved torpedo "Marder". It differed from the prototype with a greater length of the controlled part, which allowed to place a larger supply of batteries, which in turn would increase the speed to 20 knots in a submerged position (during the attack). The range at a cruising speed of 3 knots would be up to 63 nautical miles. However, it did not go further than the prototype ^[10] .

Exploding boats

Lens

The Linse ( German: lense ) is the only exploding boat, the boat of the German armed forces. Development of the boat began in 1942, and in April 1944, the first boats entered service with the K-Verband. It was a boat with a displacement of 1.8-1.85 tons, depending on the modification from 5.5 to 5.98 meters, width from 1.58 to 1.75 meters, board height from 65 to 80 centimeters and loaded with explosive substance from 300 to 480 kilograms. The boat was installed Ford V-8 engine with a capacity of 95 horsepower, which allowed it to reach a maximum speed of 33 knots. With a cruising speed of 15 knots, depending on the modification, the boat could travel 80-100 nautical miles. The crew "Lens" consisted of one person. On the boat could also be installed a machine gun and devices for setting the smoke screen. The combat use of the boat was as follows: three boats, two combat boats and one control boat were sent to the mission. Fighting boats approached the target at a distance of about 300 meters, got up to the course, after which the driver of the boat left it, and the boat was further controlled by radio. After the combat boats found the target (or passed by), the control boat picked up drivers from the water and set sail backwards ^[8] .

Other weapons

The combat swimmer suit for combat operations in the water was a rubber suit, 3 millimeters thick. The suit was separate: pants and top; pants were combined with boots, and the top with gloves and a hood. There were flexible cuffs at the wrists and ankles. Both parts were fastened with a rubber band. Under the suit swimmer wore white wool underwear, in the winter for the additional insulation two sets. A suit for action on land was complemented by a black or dark green wool cap and camouflage overalls. The face was blackened by a fat black cream and could additionally be masked by a grid. The equipment of a combat swimmer included a knife, a compass, a watch with a depth gauge, flippers, a diving belt and a compact diving apparatus, which was used during the final stage of the operation.

K-Verband combat swimmers armed themselves with ordinary infantry weapons for action on land, supplemented by various types of mines for sabotage operations. Under the water, combat swimmers used mines and packages of explosives. The sabotage mine of the first type was ordinary, round, second and third types were mini-torpedoes. They were an aluminum cylinder with an explosive (weighing up to 1000 kilograms). By means of gas (as a rule, ammonia) minimal negative buoyancy was ensured (30-40 grams), so the torpedo could be held just below the surface of the water and could be easily towed by combat swimmers. Usually three swimmers towed such a mine-torpedo under water, two of which actually gave movement to the torpedo, and the third corrected the course of the torpedo from behind. Upon arrival at the site, the torpedo flooding button was pressed, then the clock mechanism cocking button ^{[11] was} pressed. Muni-Paket explosive packs weighed 600 kilograms, Nyr-Paket 1600 kilograms. In addition, at the disposal of swimmers were mini-mines, weighing only 7.5 kilograms, in the form of mines for a mortar.

Production of main armament

The compound "K" was headed by its commander, Vice-Admiral Helmut Hee, the chief of staff was Frigate Captain Fritz Frauenheim . The headquarters consisted of several officers, in particular, included the head of the operations department, the personal adviser to the commander, the head of the scientific department, the head of logistics, authorized by the Nazi Party , the press officer and others. The head of staff and personnel and quartermaster headquarters also reported to the commander.

Geographically, the West headquarters ( Wilhelmshaven ), the North headquarters ( Oslo ), the Skagerrak headquarters, the Holland headquarters and the South headquarters ( Italy ) were also created within the K-Verband structure.

The main link of the “K” compound was the training teams that included the specialized “K” flotilla ( K-Flottille ), which used one or another weapon system. In addition, there were separately sabotage and assault detachments or MEK (from him. Marine Einzatz Kommando ), similar to the British commando. Part of those and those units were reduced to six "K" divisions ( it. K-Division ). In addition, the structure of K-Verband included some more units.

Structure

Subversive assault units

K-Division

^[12]

The personnel of the K-Verband was recruited exclusively from volunteers of different types of troops and enlisted in the naval forces. For the search for volunteers, special recruiting teams were created. At the same time, by order of Dönitz, it was forbidden to recruit Krigsmarine submarines in K-Verband, but in 1945 this order was canceled. All arriving in the unit were selected first by personal qualities and then dropouts occurred as a result of very tough training. Each enrolled in the unit signed an obligation to maintain the strictest secrecy, service without dismissals and vacations, breaking all ties with the “civilian environment”, including the obligation not to report anything about yourself, even to your relatives, if the service so requires. The preparation of future "commandos" was carried out in several directions. Infantry and subversive training was conducted by infantry instructors and engineering troops instructors who had experience of fighting on the Eastern Front (that is, it was generally agreed that they overcame the most difficult thing that could be in a war). Then there were classes in gymnastics, swimming and jiu-jitsu , auto and radio business, diving training was provided, classes on learning the languages ​​of potential opponents were held. The preparation was very tough. For example, one of the sea saboteurs recalled:

“Our group held the so-called“ courage test ”according to the Opladena method. We, a man of eight to ten, are taken out into the open country and ordered to lie down on the ground with our heads to the center of an imaginary circle with a diameter of 4 meters. Then a hand grenade is installed in the center, from which a safety check is pulled out. We count seconds. There is an explosion, and the fragments are flying over us ... Oh yes, I forgot to say that we were, of course, steel helmets. But still…"

- ^[13]

The number of personnel in the compound at the planning stage was determined to be 17,402 people (794 officers and 16,608 non-commissioned officers and privates). However, in the personal files of the servicemen, no marks were made about the service in the K-Verband ^[14] ; therefore, the exact number of troops in the unit is difficult to calculate. General data are presented, according to which the number of K-Verband troops by the end of the war was from 10,000 to 16,000, including ground, support, research services, teaching and instructor personnel. Of this composition, approximately 2,500 people were drivers of guided torpedoes or mini-submarines (250 people) and approximately 450 combat swimmers.

The best possible living conditions were created for the personnel, so it was noted that the ration (ration) of military personnel was the best in the German armed forces ^[15] .

In the K-Verband collective, a comradely spirit was maintained: servicemen often did not wear insignia and generally were quite free of the established uniform. The cohesion of the unit was very high: for example, the crew of the boat for the management of launching boats “Lens” never returned to the base without selecting the crews of combat boats. Since the attacks of such boats were carried out at night, the crew of the control boat continued to search until morning, and with the rising of the sun, as a rule, they were destroyed by enemy aircraft ^[16] . The only punishment that was applied in the K-Verband was the exclusion from the compound.

Meanwhile, the K-Verband employees, despite very heavy losses in comparison with other branches of the military, were never officially suicide bombers. Admiral Heye always stressed that every fighter before an operation should have confidence that his chances of survival are high, and that they should always choose captivity, and not heroic death. Heye noted that it is quite possible that “in our people there is both a readiness to die and spiritual strength for this. But I adhered and adhere to the opinion that this is unacceptable for civilized white nations ... Europeans do not have religious fanaticism that would justify such acts; they have no primitive contempt for death ... ". However, in an informal setting, the K-Verband fighters were often called “ kamikaze ” or other terms that are similar in meaning. There were some confirmations: for example, 10 seamen from K-Flottille 361 , a fleet of human-controlled torpedoes “Marder”, stated that they were not going to leave the torpedo as prescribed by the leadership, but would send it to the target until the explosion. Not a single person returned from the mission, although there were no results either.

The reputation of the unit personnel was exceptionally high. So, in April 1945, Adolf Hitler, no longer trusting Himmler and the SS troops subordinate to him, requested the K-Verband servicemen to the Reich Chancellery for his personal protection ^[17] . On April 27, 1945, 30 K-Verband troops flew to Ju 52 at Berlin , but the aircraft was unable to land due to the strong anti-aircraft fire of the Soviet troops. On April 28, 1945, the flight was canceled due to the impossibility of landing spoiled by funnels on the runway. The landing of parachutists was appointed on April 29, 1945, but it also turned out to be impossible due to heavy smoke. Hitler’s suicide on April 30, 1945 made this operation unnecessary.

The personnel were awarded in the same way as the personnel of other branches of the military. Knight's cross was awarded to several soldiers. As a usual reward for sinking a merchant ship or destroyer, the German cross was supposed to be in gold, and it was awarded more than once. The Iron Cross of the 1st or 2nd degree could count the soldiers who took part in the operation, even if it was unsuccessful. The soldiers of the 611th K-flotilla in addition had the right to wear the armband of the 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitler Youth" , which differed from the usual only in a blue background. This rule was introduced after the Hitler Youth Chief Arthur Aksman during the military parade in Dresden solemnly handed over such a bandage to the flotilla commander Lt. Ulrich, who was present at the parade.

For K-Verband soldiers, on November 30, 1944, a special award was introduced and at the same time a sign of belonging to a unit. The mark was established in seven degrees. The first four were a stylized image of a sawfish , surrounded by a rope tied with a sea ​​knot and located against the background of a sword or swords, depending on the degree. These signs were made with yellow embroidery on a blue cloth circle and were worn on the right shoulder. The three highest awards were made of metal, represented by a badge-bar in the form of saw-fish on a knotted rope. These awards were worn on the jacket above the rest of the awards ^[18] .

• 1st degree (fish-saw, surrounded by a rope without swords) was awarded to all military personnel of the compound trained;
• The 2nd degree (fish saw, surrounded by a rope against the background of one sword) was awarded to the military personnel of the formation, who took part in one combat operation;
• 3rd degree (fish saw, surrounded by a rope against the background of two swords) was awarded to the military personnel of the compound, who took part in two combat operations;
• The 4th degree (fish saw, surrounded by a rope against the background of three swords) was awarded to the military personnel of the formation, who took part in three combat operations;
• The 5th degree (bronze badge) was awarded to the military personnel of the compound, who took part in four combat operations;
• The 6th degree (silver badge) was awarded to the military personnel of the compound, who took part in seven military operations;
• The 7th degree (golden badge) was awarded to the military personnel of the unit, who took part in ten combat operations;

Rewarding could be carried out and not consistently, so a soldier who was entitled to the 5th degree under the statute could have been awarded the 7th degree for special merits. The total number of awards remains unknown.

The baptism of K-Verband took place on the night of April 21, 1944 at sea near Anzio . An attempt was made by means of controlled torpedoes "Neger" to strike at the enemy ships located in Anzio. In general, the weather was good, the surface of the sea was calm, the distance to the vessels stayed in a straight line did not exceed nine miles. After launching torpedoes into water, troubleshooting, etc., 17 combat-controlled torpedoes were left. However, the result of the operation was the sinking of only two small patrol ships and one small ship: all large ships left the harbor the day before. The unit lost 3 people; one of them was poisoned with carbon dioxide from a running engine and the enemy was able to lift the “Neger” safely.

The next operation of the Neger guided torpedoes was an attack by the Allied ships at the sites captured during Operation Overlord . It began in the first days of July 1944, on the night of July 6, 1944, with the purpose-built piers in the resort town of Villers-sur-Mer the first 30 Neger torpedoes started. Of these, 11 torpedoes with pilots and 3 pilots returned; 16 pilots were lost (numbers from 9 to 16 are called). On the night of July 8, 1944, 11 returning and 9 remaining torpedoes were launched into the water. From the results of operations we can mention the sinking of the Polish (shortly before this British) light cruiser “Dragon” , two minesweepers HMS “Magic” and HMS “Cato” , as well as heavy damage to the British frigate HMS “Trollope” . The Allied losses from the operation are estimated at six ships.

1. ↑ The fleet admiral , Earl Mountbetten, from October 27, 1941 to August 1943, headed the Combined Operations Directorate, to which commandos were subordinate, and did much to develop this special type of armed forces.