A list of Romanian ships captured by Soviets in 1944

The list of Romanian ships captured by the Soviets in 1944:


1) At Constanta harbor on September 5th:

Destroyers:
- Regina Maria
- Regele Ferdinand - undergoing repairs (heavy damaged by bombs on 20.08.’44)
- Marasti
- Marasesti

Torpedo boats:
- Zmeul
- Zborul

Gunboats:
- Dumitrescu
- Ghiculescu
- Stihi Eugen

Minelayer: Adm. Murgescu – damaged by bombs from 21.08.’44

Submarines depot ship: Constanta

Submarines:
- Delfinul (at Corabia 19.09) – undergoing general repairs
- Rechinul (Constanta harbor 5.09)
- Marsuinul (Constanta harbor 5.09)

MTB (speedboats):
- Viscolul – damaged by bombs 20.08.’44
- Vedenia – out of duty with mechanical problems
- Vantul - out of duty with mechanical problems
- Vijelia - out of duty with mechanical problems
- Viforul - out of duty with mechanical problems
- Vartejul - out of duty with mechanical problems
- Vulcanul - out of duty with mechanical problems

Commander in Chief’s speedboat: MR 131

Small speedboat: MR 158

Torpedo practice tenders:
- MR 136
- MR 137

Self propelled barge: MR 474

A 400 tons water carrier

Armed transport barges:
- PTA 404
- PTA 405
- PTA 406

Submarine chasers:
- KFK 1
- KFK 2
- KFK 3

Fleet tug: Vartosu



2) On the Danube (plus exact place & date):

Sail training ship: Mircea (Braila 2.09)

Cutter: Mayana (Braila 2.09)

Diving barges:
- MR 475 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 476 (Sulina 24.08 )

Mining barges:
- MR 402 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 401 (Valcov 24.08 ) – damaged by bombs

Accommodation barges:
- MR 352 (Calarasi 7.09)
- MR 353 / Basarabeanca (Tulcea 25.08 )

Auxiliary fixed barge: MR 441 (Valciu canal 9.09)

Crane barge: MR 403 (Valciu canal 9.09)

Monitors:
- Lahovary (Calarsi)
- Ardeal (Calarasi)
- Bucovina (Giurgiu)
- Basarabia (Zimnicea)
- Bratianu (Ismail 8.08 )

River speedboats:
- Vedeta fluviala nr.1 (Tulcea 25.08 )
- Vedeta fluviala nr.3 (Valcov 24.08 ) – damaged by bombs
- Vedeta fluviala nr.4 (Harsova 1.09)
- Vedeta fluviala nr.5 (Valciu canal 5.09) – under repairs (engine failure)
- Vedeta fluviala nr.6 (Valciu canal 5.09) – under repairs (engine failure)
- Vedeta fluviala nr.7 (Tr. Severin)

Commander in Chief’s ships:
- Macin (Harsova 1.09)
- Cmd. Paun (Giurgiu)

Surveying vessel: Maican (Harsova 1.09)

River patrol speedboats:
- MR 51 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 32 (Calafat)
- MR 33 (Giurgiu)
- MR 34 (Valciu canal 5.09)
- MR 35 (Valciu canal 5.09) – immobilized by engine failure
- MR 36 (Tulcea 25.08 )
- MR 37 (Valciu canal 5.09) – sunk on 19.09 under Soviet command
- MR 38 (Valciu canal 5.09) – ran agrownd on 18.09 under Soviet command
- MR 39 (Valciu canal 6.09)
- MR 40 (Valciu canal 7.09) - sunk on 14.09 under Soviet command
- MR 41 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 42 (Valciu canal 7.09)

Ambulance speedboats:
- MR 132 (Tulcea 1.09)
- MR 133 (Valciu canal 6.09)

Commander in Chief’s speedboats:
- MR 134 (Sf. Gheorghe river branch 1.09)
- MR 135 (Valciu canal 7.09) – immobilized by engine failure
- MR 144 (Tulcea 25.08 )

Radio speedboat: MR 143 (Valcov 24.08 )

Communications speedboats:
- MR 141 (Tr. Severin)
- MR 142 (Tr. Severin)
- MR 146 (Sulina 24.08 )
- MR 145 (Sulina 24.08 )
- MR 149 (Valcov 24.08 )
- MR 152 (Jurilovca 25.08 )
- MR 153 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 154 (Tulcea 25.08 )
- MR 155 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 156 (Valcov 24.08 )
- MR 157 (Constanta 5.09)
- MR 158 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 160 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 161 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 163 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- Ex-Soviet nr. 44 (Valciu canal 7.09)

Small boats:
- MR 251 (Chilia Veche 24.08 )
- Cormoran (Sulina 24.08 )

Transport barges (loaded):
- MR 301 (Valciu canal 9.09)
- MR 302 (Valciu canal 9.09)
- MR 303 (Sulina 24.08 )
- MR 304 (Sulina 24.08 )
- MR 306 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 307 (Valciu canal 7.09)

Bakery supply barge: (Valciu canal 7.09)

Oil tanker barge (loaded): MR 351 (Calarasi 29.08 )

Oil tankers (loaded):
- MR 371 (Sulina 24.08 )
- MR 372 (Valciu canal 12.09)
- MR 373 (Valciu canal 9.09)
- MR 374 (Valciu canal 12.09)
- MR 376 (Rasova)
- MR 378 (Oltenita 6.09)
- MR 379 (Giurgiu)
- MR 380 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 381 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 382 (Giurgiu 3.09)
- MR 383 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 384 (Valciu canal 7.09)


Ferryboats:
- MR 451 (Chilia 24.08 )
- MR 452 (Valcov 24.08 )
- MR 463 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 464 (Valciu canal 7.09)
- MR 473 (Piua Petrii)

Un-powered river crossing pontoon: MR 491 (Valciu canal 7.09)

Floating batteries:
- MR 492 (Danube Delta 24.08 )
- MR 493 (Danube Delta 24.08 )
- MR 494 (Danube Delta 24.08 )
- MR 495 (Danube Delta 24.08 )
- MR 496 (Danube Delta 24.08 )

Tugs:
- MO 1 (Valciu canal 9.09)
- MO 2 (Valciu canal 9.09)
- MO 3 (Valciu canal 9.09)
- Silistra (Piua Petrii 2.09)



Source: “Armata Rosie in Romania 1944-1958” by A.S. Marinescu
Iasi, Romania 2001

In addition, from the Danube shipyards were taken between 3 and 19 of September:

From Galati: a 1500 tons floating dock

From Corabia:
- a 3000 tons floating dock
- the cargo ship “Cetatea Alba” (under construction)
- 4 minesweepers (under construction)
- a number of fully loaded transport barges

[same source]

Great information.

Why were some units scuttled (like the CB midget submarines inherited from the Italians), but others were allowed to fall into Soviet hands?

The Germans (understandably) seemed a bit more intent on ensuring no war material fell into enemy hands.

Cheers

QUOTE

The Germans (understandably) seemed a bit more intent on ensuring no war material fell into enemy hands. Cheers

At that time, theoretically, the Soviets were allies. :wink:
Those were some dramatic events, several officers comitted suicide, like the CO of the Destroyer Squadron, in the moment the Soviet sailors set foot on the Regina Maria.

Yes, this is great stuff. There are a couple items I'm curious about. Does anyone have the specifications for the four minesweepers captured while under construction? Any further details on the captured Soviet speed boat ex-no 44?

Where did the KFKs come from? Where these transferred from the Kriegsmarine or local conversions from craft of opportunity?

Cheers

I believe they were of German origin, just like the PTAs (which were in fact MFPs). PTA was the acronym for the Romanian translation.

I'm looking in Deutsche Schiffe unter dem Roten Stern by Lemachko. He lists KFK 1-5 as captured in Romania and renamed T 651-655. I don't read German, but he appears to say they were all taken in Constanta. One photo is included. The vessel looks different from the KFK I know--it has a foremast--but the picture is unclear, and it was taken 20 years after the war. I tried going through Groner--oy, what a long list. I think we need help from someone who knows German. Andreas, help!

I have also:
minelayer Dacia
minesweeper Pasteur -> TShCh-661
tugs
Romania -> ChF-51
Latru->ChF-53
Izmail->ChF54
survey cutters:
Renduska->Buria
Peskaruica->Buchta
sail TS:
Marina->PMShCh-1

Danube Flotilla
auxiliary minesweepers:
Gerdap->EMTShCh-656 lost 11.10.44
Bessarab->EMTShCh-657
Amurgul->EMTShCh-658 lost 9.10.44
Mortu->EMTShCh-659
Maikop->EMTShCh-660
tugs:
D2->ChF-49 returned to Greece 27.9.45
D3->ChF-50 returned to Greece 27.9.45
Arlon->ChF-57returned 27.9.45

S.S.Berezhnoy "Trofei i Reparatsii VMF SSSR. Spravochnik" Yakutsk 1994
According to him:
KFK-1 to KFK-5 were built by State Shipyard at Varna, all seized at Konstanta 29.8.44.
Moreover there were three Romanian No1-No3 KFK type built during WWII in Konstata and seized also there on 29.8.44.

So none of these Romanian KFK's were German? Groner will not include any of them?

The ships No1-3 were ex Romanian
known also as V.S. Nr1-3 (my Romanian notices)

The other are German , the numbers are different (KFK 1-5).
The following KFK are reported trensfered to Romania
transferred to Romania 21.11.1944
seized by Soviets (now German data):

KFK 198->UJ 311->MO 851->T-668
KFK 199->UJ 319->MO 852->T-666
KFK 201->MO 853->T-667
KFK 270->????

Were they identic with omanian No1.-3 ?
Were there any KFK built in Romania ?

They were discussed here.

The list I've posted is a Romanian official document, written by Romanian Military HQ (Marele Stat Major) - section 7 on September 19th 1944. It was based on the reports received till that date from naval HQs throughout Romania. Considering the blury situation, it's very likely it wasn't a complete report.

Anyway, any ships that were not comissioned on active duty (damaged/discarded) or under repairs were certaily omitted. Other sources mention that in some cases small river ships/boats were abandoned by their crew (deserted) and randomly collected by the Soviets from ashore.

Andreas von Mach:

regarding your additions to the list:

- Marina->PMShCh-1 was a small sail yacht, not a sail training ship

- the tugs were not armed and belonged to the Constanta Harbor authority (civilian - merchant marine), they were not part of the Navy (thaugh they were used as navy auxiliarys during the war).

The four KFKs you listed were all made in Germany by Burmester, Swinemunde, the primary German builder of KFKs. There were numerous Swedish, Dutch, and Belgian builders as well, but I don't see any in Romania. The closest I can find is in Varna.
Groner describes three of the four German KFKs as "delivered" to Romania, though 201 he describes as "Romanian booty." He gives no indication of renamings.

Have anybody any more data about that ship.

It seems that Soviets used that ship as replaceent
for GHERDAP .

According to books of Berezhnoy
EMTsC-656 ex GENERAL MAIKAN
On 28.3.1947 renamed DOLGOTA and re-classified as survey vessel
Deleted from Soviet Navy Lists 7.7.1956 and scrapped

Built 1909 as a tug
320t 40,00x10,5x1,1m 180hp=9,0kts 22men as a warship
I do not belive 180hp for 40m tug -something is here wrong.

Moreover another Romanian tug was converted into minesweeper by Soviets
CONSTANTA - no data in Soviet books
24.05.1945 EMTsC-660
16.6.1949 T-660
30.12.55 despatch vessel
23.1.56 POK-72
21.1.57 PMB-48 ()river motorboat)
27.3.60 transferred to Blask Sea Fleet
1960s decomissioned and scrapped

AvM

According to http://sovnavy-ww2.by.ru, the RO navy ships captured were renamed after 09.1944 as :
Regele Ferdinand – LIHOI
Regina Maria – LETUCII
Marasesti – LEGKII
Marasti – LOVKII
Cpt.Dumitrescu – ARAKS
Lt.Cdr.Stihi Eugen – AHTUBA
Slt.Ghiculescu – ANGARA
KFK nr.1, 2, 3 - MO-851, 852, 853, then T-668, 666 si 667
Constanta – BUG, PKZ-87
SBORUL – MUSSON
SMEUL – TOROS
Am.Murgescu – DON, PKZ-107, PM-76, PMR-76
Dacia – DESNA, PKZ-34
Vantul, Vartejul, Vedenia,Vulcanul - ТК-951, 952, 953, 954
Viscolul – TK-955
( Vijelia, Viforul – TK-956, 957 ) ???
Major Constantin Ene (Vedeta nr.1) - СК-754
Capitan Mihail Romano (Vedeta nr.2) - СК-755
Major Dimitrie Giurascu (Vedeta nr.3) - СК-756
Riverine minesweepers
Nr.53 - КТ-921 (26.5 t.)
Nr.57 - КТ-922 (26.5 t.)
Nr.81 - КТ-923 (40 t.)
Nr.31 - КТ-924 (17 t.)
Nr.32 - КТ-925 (17 t.)
Nr.33 - КТ-926 (17 t.)
Nr.37 - КТ-927 (25 t.)
Nr.38 - КТ-928 (25 t.)
Nr.41 - КТ-929 (25 t.)
Nr.42 - КТ-930 (25 t.)
Ion C. Bratianu - AZOV
Alexandru Lahovari - MARIUPOL
Ardeal - BERDIANSK
Basarabia – KERCH
Bucovina – IZMAIL
Rechinul – TS-1, N-39, S-39
Marsuinul – TS-2, N-40, S-40
Delfinul – TS-3
Gen. Maican – EMTShCh–656
Bassarab - EMTShCh–657
(Constanta ?) Maikop - EMTShCh–660
Motru - EMTShCh–664
(Gherdap, Amurgul - None)

This post has been edited by Petre on November 10, 2009 05:34 pm