Operation BIBER

Operation BIBER

Unternehmen Biber / Operation Beaver?

Intro

German mine lying operation in Kvarner to block Allied access to Rijeka (Fiume) bay.

History

Italian transport Ramb-III was converted by Germans into minelayer Kiebitz and was tasked with reinforcing existing Italian minefields between Istrian peninsula and Cres island on 18 March. Escort was task of 11th Flotilla, made of TA 36 (ex-Stella Polare), TA 21 (ex-Insidioso) and UJ 205 (ex-Colubrina), which was to escort Kiebitz to Rijeka after it completed its task and then sail towards Senj to escport landing crafts of 771st Landing Pionner Battlion during operation ILLUSION.

At 20:25 on 18 March torpedo boat TA-36 stuck Italian naval mine near Plomin bay blowing up its bow and sinking the ship. Commander transferred to UJ-205 deciding to end the operation and return to Trieste, while TA-21 took 11 rescued sailors to Pula. This forced operation ILLUSION to forward without naval escort which could block Partisan escape.

Orders of Battle

Axis ORBAT

NOVJ ORBAT

none

Casualties

.

Aftermath

Failure of 11th Flotilla resulted in Partisan escape.

Reference

Janez Tomšič: Narodnoosvobodilni boj na Jadranu in slovenski pomorščaki

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