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The Mine Warfare Forces of the Federa! Republic of Germany

The mine warfare forces of the Federal Republic of Germany consist of twosquadrons of coastal minesweepers (MSC) of the "Lindau" class, two squa-

drons of coastal minesweepers fast (MSCF) of the "Schiitze" class. and twosquadrons of inshore minesweepers (MSl) of the "Frauenlob" class.

ln addition. they comprise two mine transport and minelaying ships.

Part of the coastal minesweepers are in the process of conversion to mine-

hunters which will be fitted with British minehunting equipment.

The coastal minesweepers and minehunters are intended for employment in

the North Sea and are based in Wilhelmshaven.

The minesweepers fast, the inshore minesweepers, and the mine transports

are based in the Baltic ports Flensburg, Kiel, Neustadt, and Olpenitz.

The Squadron

The 5th Minesweeper Squadron is composed of ten MSC of the "schi.itze"class and one tender specially fitted for the support and supply of mines-

weepers.

The build-up of the squadron started in Neustadt in the Bight of Liibeck in

1958 and was completed in 1960.

The Sth Minesweeper Squadron was based in Neustadt until autumn 1967

when the new naval base Olpenitz on the east coast of Schleswig-Holstein

became its home port.

Within the framework of the overall mission of the German Navy the sthMinesweeper Squadron, together with other units, has been assigned the

following tasks:

- searching and sweeping of enemy mines to ensure the unrestricted use ofshipping lanes in the Baltic

- laying of minefields for the protection of own coasts and of the BalticApproaches against seaborne attacks.

The sth Minesweeper Squadron consists of the boats "Perseus", "Pluto","Neptun", "Herkules", "Fische", "Gemma", "Deneb", "Atair", "Wega","Jupiter", and the tender "Mosel".

Its personnel strength amounts to more than 500 officers, NCOs, and otherranks.

The Boats

The minesweepers fast of the "Schtitze" class were the first post-war con-structions to be built at various German shipyards in the years 1958 to1961. The design was made by the Abeking and Rasmussen Company andhad its origin in the successful German minesweepers of World War ll.

To protect them against magnetic mrnes the hull is made of wood, whileamagnetic materials were used to a large extent for all other components andassemblies including the engines.

The characteristics of the boats are as follows:

Overall length:

Beam:

Draught:

Displacement:

Speed:

Armament:

Propulsion:

47.4 meters

7.0 meters

2.2 meters

282 tons

24 kts

1 gun 40 mm

2 Maybach Diesel engines of 2300 HP each.

2 shafts with variable pitch propellers.

Their minesweeping gears permit their employment against moored, magnetic,and acoustic mines.

The crew is composed of 37 officers, NCOs, and other ranks.

Tender "Mosel"

The tender "Mosel" belongs to a class of auxiliaries which have been builtin various v.ersions for the support of fast patrol boats, minesweepers, andsubmarines.

The tender increases the endurance of the squadron by supplying the boatswith Diesel fuel, water, ammunition, and provisions.With her extensive communications and command facilities the tender "Mosel"ensures an effective tactical control of the squadron. while her armamentaffords a certain protection against air and surface attacks.

Characteristics

Overall length:

Beam:

Draught:

Displacement:

Speed:

Armament:

Propulsion:

99.0 meters

1 1.8 meters

3.4 meters

2370 tons

21.5 kts

2 guns 100 mm,4 Euns 40 mm

Diesel-electric

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The squadron commander, the commanding officers and crews are glad towelcome you on board and will take pleasure in showing you their boats.