German Navy in Yugoslavia 1941-45

Kriegsmarine in Yugoslavia

April 1941 - May 1945

History

Before Italian capitulation German naval presence in Adriatic was minimal. Mixture of captured Italian vessels and German boats which could either be transported over land or built in local shipyards was used.

Limited resources placed German Navy on defensive in Adriatic, further drain was urgent need for ships in Aegean sea which resulted in transfer of many valuable vessels of which many were sunk in route.

Primary concern was invasion defense of huge coastline and numerous Adriatic (and Greek) island.

Marine Artillery Battalions

Operations

1943

1944

canceled Operation FREISCHÃœTZ - The plan for capture of the island of Vis (Lissa) off the Dalmatia coast.

Operation FRECHDACHS - German navy failed attempt to send supplies to Aegean

14 Mar - Operation LAUPER - TA 20 carried out the mine-laying south of Ancona as planned and then entered Venice

18 Mar Operation BIBER - German navy minelying operation

19 Mar Operation ILLUSION - German landings on Rab island

20-24 Sep - Operation ODYSSEUS - Successful passage of torpedo boats TA 39, TA 37 and TA 38 from Trieste to Aegean.

10/11 Oct - Operation DACAPO

Operation OSTERN - German withdrawal from Zadar

Operation EXTERMINATE - British hunt for German torpedo-boats

1945