What did the Soviet Fleet do? Because ive never read anything in any of the books about soviet fleet. Or where they so devestated by the Japanese that they did nothing?
Contrary to popular belief the Russians did have a Navy. Even though they weren't as big as the rest of the Allies Navy im pretty sure they had a large amount of U boats. They mostly faught in the Baltic and Arctic Seas.
This is a good indication of what their navy consisted of. uboat.net - Allied Warships Their activities were lessened somewhat due to their Baltic seaports being extensively mined by the Germans and the Finns up until 1944.
Some of the U-boat comanders became were famous in Russia. Like Capt. A.Marinesko - Hero of the Soviet Union. On January 30 1945 followed the heroic deed - the "torpedo attack of the century", the sinking of the big ship "Wilhelm Gustloff". The Wilhelm Gustloff was evacuating mostly civilians, and there are different opinions about this hit, ranging from praise to accusations of a war crime. Defenders of Marinesko maintain that the ship was armed, was not marked adequately as a hospital ship and was carrying more than 1,000 military forces, including submarine trainees, female naval auxiliary aides, crews serving several anti-aircraft guns on the ship, Croat volunteers: ergo strictly within in the law it passes as a legal military target.
Some of the U-boat comanders became were famous in Russia. Like Capt. A.Marinesko - Hero of the Soviet Union. Not only him. Btw, he became the Hero of the Soviet Union only after his death. In 1990, if I'm correct On January 30 1945 followed the heroic deed - the "torpedo attack of the century", the sinking of the big ship "Wilhelm Gustloff". Not only. In the same days he also sank "General Stoiben" with ~4,000 on board. The Wilhelm Gustloff was evacuating mostly civilians, and there are different opinions about this hit, ranging from praise to accusations of a war crime. Defenders of Marinesko maintain that the ship was armed, was not marked adequately as a hospital ship and was carrying more than 1,000 military forces, including submarine trainees, female naval auxiliary aides, crews serving several anti-aircraft guns on the ship, Croat volunteers: ergo strictly within in the law it passes as a legal military target. "Gustloff" was going inside the convoy, so in any case it was legitime target. And it had no any lights, if I remember this sotry correctly. so, nothing to argue. Nazis were sinking ships even if they carried giant red crosses on board. Regards, Alex
I have a very good article on the Soviet submarine force and the many problems it encountered....if you would like to see this article posted....drop me a line! it also has loss figures and other data....if interested please let me know!
Contrary to popular belief the Russians did have a Navy. Even though they weren't as big as the rest of the Allies Navy im pretty sure they had a large amount of U boats. They mostly faught in the Baltic and Arctic Seas. Actually their main battles were in the Black Sea. The Arctic fleet was really only a few destroyers, while the Baltic fleet (2 Battleships, a few cruisers) was blockaded in the naval base (Krondshtadt) in Leningrad, where they provided fire support for the defenders of the city. One Battleship was even holed, but only sunk a few feet and hit bottom. The Russians continued to use it's guns! In the Black Sea they had a Battleship (Sevastopol) and about 5 cruisers available + some destroyers. The Rumanians & Bulgarians did not have many naval assets, so the Russians had the superior forces in the Black Sea. There were quite a few battles there, unlike in the Baltic where it was just static defence. A good website with information on the ships I would suggest is "cruiser operations" World War 2 Cruisers See Russian cruisers "Komintern" "Krasni Krim" & "Voroshilov" among others thumbnail picture below is of 'Krasny Kavkaz"
Actually their main battles were in the Black Sea. Lets agree here. However only until late 1943. Later only submarines took active part in fights. Surface ships were not used. Besides they had large casaulities in previous years of the war. The Arctic fleet was really only a few destroyers Yes, and a pack of submarines. , while the Baltic fleet (2 Battleships, a few cruisers) was blockaded in the naval base (Krondshtadt) in Leningrad, where they provided fire support for the defenders of the city. More exactly ships stayed not only in Kronstadt, but were dispersed through all the base (including Neva river inside Leningrad). If I remember correctly there were two cruisers - Maxim Gorkiy and Kirov. Also unprepared heavy cruiser "Petropavlovsk" was used. One Battleship was even holed, but only sunk a few feet and hit bottom. The Russians continued to use it's guns! Yes, "Marat" battleship was badly damaged by German diving borders in Sept. 1941. It lost one its turret due to explosion of ammo and later was used as immovable battery. In the Black Sea they had a Battleship (Sevastopol) Before 1944 it was called "Parizhskaya Kommuna" and about 5 cruisers available + some destroyers. Hope I remember all of those cruisers: "Krasnyi Krym" "Krasnyi Kavkaz" "Chervona Ukraina" "Voroshilov" "Molotov" "Komintern" was an old cruiser... The Rumanians & Bulgarians did not have many naval assets, so the Russians had the superior forces in the Black Sea. Bulgarian forces were coastal. At least I can't remember any operations of those far away from Bulgaria. There were quite a few battles there, unlike in the Baltic where it was just static defence. Naval fights took part mostly between light surface ships. Bigger ships suffered mostly from aviation and coastal artillery. Regards Alex
I think I agree with all you posted. The cruisers & destroyers in the Black sea were very valuable, especially during the siege of Sevastopol & the recapture of the Crimea. Very interesting battles!
I remember reading in Clash of Titans, by Walter Boyne, that the Russians in fact had a very effective riverine navy.