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Fate of M 3138

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2024 4:22 pm
by jan-olof
Hello,

The fate of the above named vessel is given in various sources as:

23. 3. 45 M 3138 K 182 43 110 + R/SS L 3 54.46 N 18.45 E M (old data from Theo)

23. 3. 45 sunk by Soviet Air laid Mine off Libau (https://www.historisches-marinearchiv.d ... value=1350)

Auf zwei weiteren Minensperren von L-3 am 23.3. vor Rixhöft und Lembit am 30.3. vor Kolberg sinken der Hilfsminensucher M 3138 und das Sicherungsboot Vs 343. (https://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/45-03.htm)

The above sources agree on the date and the agent of destruction, i.e. a Mine.

However, I stumbled upon the following message (DEFE/3 552, page 416):
3764 KC/S TOO 0410 TOI 0538/23/3/45

FROM: TF 9
TO: CAPTAIN (U/B) BALTIC

AT 0400/23, OUTWARD BOUND NEAR NEUFAHRWASSER APPROACH BUOY,
RAMMED KFK 3138. ARMED FISHING VESSEL SANK.
ENTIRE CREW HANDED OVER TO 3108.
DAMAGE TO OWN BOW. SHALL ANCHOR IN HELA ROADS.
The message identifies the rammed vessel as KFK 3138 but given that the date of loss matches I'm wondering if KFK 3138 is in fact M 3138 (ex KFK 182). Could that be correct or are we dealing with two different vessels?

Best regards,

Jan-Olof