Book SummarySchnellboote, by Lawrence Paterson

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Schnellboote

German S-Boat Force: Origins, Development, and Operations in WWII

Early Development and Influence of Versailles Treaty Limitations

This section covers the development of Germany's early Schnellboote (fast boats) in the context of strict limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles following WWI. The author, Paterson, emphasizes how Germany exploited civilian corporate fronts to conceal their military development and how the design and technology experimentation drove the growth of this new type of naval vessel.

Exploitation of Corporate Fronts to Mask Military Development

Paterson highlights how the German Navy, or Reichsmarine, cleverly used civilian corporate fronts to develop their S-boats while the Allied Armistice Control Commission kept watch. This was a crucial strategy since the Treaty of Versailles severely restricted the size and strength of Germany's Navy. Kapitän zur See Walter Lohmann, utilizing a secret "black fund", spearheaded this effort with Lieutenant Friedrich Ruge. They created seemingly innocuous organizations like TRAYAG (Travemunder Yachthafen AG) in 1924 as a shipyard and base for developing and testing these fast torpedo boats (MTBs). Other fronts included the High Sea Sports Association (HANSA) in 1925 for training personnel, the Neustädter Slip GmbH in 1925 for repairs, and funding for Germany's Motor Yacht Club to test TRAYAG boats in 1926. These organizations served as a shield for circumventing the treaty and experimenting with various speedboat hull designs.

The need for secrecy is further underscored by Admiral Erich Raeder's order from February of 1932, which details the covert nature of commissioning new S-boats. The vessels were delivered without armament, with easily removable cover plates concealing the torpedo tubes. Torpedoes were stored separately at the naval arsenal and fitted to one vessel individually for short training exercises. This vessel would be presented to Allied observers as part of provisional experiments by the Technical Research Establishment (TVA) and was forbidden to be seen near the other unarmed S-boats. This deliberate deception successfully concealed the true nature of Schnellboot development from the Allies, which largely remained oblivious to the emerging threat until war began.

Context

• This was the name of the German Navy during the Weimar Republic, from 1919 to 1935, before it was renamed the Kriegsmarine under the Nazi regime.
• Ruge later became a prominent naval officer and was known for his expertise in naval tactics and strategy. His involvement in the early development of S-boats was crucial for their technical and operational success.
• A senior naval officer who was instrumental in circumventing the treaty restrictions. His role was crucial in the clandestine development of Germany's naval capabilities.
• Yacht clubs often served as civilian fronts for military activities, providing a cover for testing and training that would otherwise attract international scrutiny.
• The Allied Armistice Control Commission was responsible for ensuring compliance with the treaty, making covert operations necessary to avoid detection and potential sanctions.
• This tactic was part of a broader strategy of deception employed by Germany to rebuild its military capabilities under the guise of civilian activities. By using corporate fronts and unarmed deliveries, they could develop military technology without drawing attention.
• The TVA was a cover organization used to present military developments as civilian or experimental projects. This helped in misleading Allied observers about the true purpose of the S-boats.
• After World War I, Allied powers maintained a presence in Germany to ensure compliance with the Treaty of Versailles. The TVA's deception was specifically targeted at these observers to prevent them from discovering Germany's rearmament efforts.

Other Perspectives

• The concealment of Schnellboot development may not have been entirely successful, as some Allied intelligence reports or diplomatic channels might have had suspicions or partial information about German naval activities.

Growth Driven by Design and Technology Experimentation

Paterson details the various design and technological experiments carried out by the Reichsmarine. Initially, drawing inspiration from British and Italian navies during WWI, they focused on planing hulls, a design allowing for high speeds by easily gliding across the water's surface. However, the North Sea’s rough waters proved too challenging for planing hulls. They selected a displacement hull by Lürssen instead, a design demonstrating exceptional seaworthiness even in heavy weather. The Reichsmarine drew inspiration from the private speedboat named after Oheka Castle, constructed by Lürssen for American financier Otto Hermann Kahn in 1927. This boat combined the seaworthiness of a hull with a displacement style and a stern section designed for planing, allowing it to attain high speeds while maintaining stability. In 1930, drawing from this design, Lürssen built the UZ(S)16 for the German Navy, the first true Schnellboot.

UZ(S)16, which was subsequently renamed Schnellboot S1, served as a prototype for future S-boat development. It combined a mahogany and light metal composite construction for a lightweight, high-speed platform, measuring 87ft long, with propulsion from three Daimler-Benz petrol engines, each generating 900 horsepower. The boat achieved an impressive speed of 39.8 knots and could operate in sea conditions up to Beaufort Scale level 5. Importantly, it carried two forward-firing 50-centimeter torpedo launchers, a design influence that would become a hallmark of German S-boats throughout the war. Despite S1's success, work on improved models commenced almost immediately, focusing on increasing size, speed, seaworthiness, and stealth.

Context

• Oheka Castle, located in New York, was the...

Schnellboote Summary S-Boats' Combat in Battle of Britain, Norway, English Channel, Mediterranean, Black Sea

This section covers the extensive combat history of S-boats across diverse theaters of war: the Baltic, Norway, the English Channel, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. Paterson details their offensive and defensive operations, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and the evolving nature of maritime and aerial warfare.

The Baltic Sea

This section recounts the S-boats’ initial combat action against Polish naval forces and merchant shipping in 1939, followed by their largely defensive role on patrol and escort duties during the "Phoney War", a period ill-suited to the S-boats’ offensive capabilities.

S-Boats' Initial Engagements With Polish Fleet and Shipping Sept 1939

The outbreak of WWII in September 1939 saw S-boats swiftly entering action. Paterson details how 1st S-flotilla, commanded by Kptlt Kurt Sturm, were tasked with blockading the Polish Navy in the Baltic. On 3 September 1939, ObltzS Georg Christiansen aboard S23 encountered and sank the Polish steamer Lloyd Bydgoski II, marking the Kriegsmarine S-boat service's first kill.

This initial success demonstrated their ability to utilize speed and maneuverability to overcome larger adversary ships....

Schnellboote Summary Evolution of S-Boat Technology and Tactics in Maritime and Air Interactions

This section explores the continuous technological evolution of Schnellboote throughout WWII, highlighting new tactics developed in response to British countermeasures, their experimentation with improved torpedo designs, and their deployment of radar detectors, drawn from experience with captured Allied vessels and equipment.

New Tactics: Stichansatz and FuMB-Lauer Methods

Deteriorating battlefield conditions in the Channel and the...