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Raumboote (R-Boot)

1932 WORLD WAR 2

History of Spaceships (R-Boot)

For the German army in World War II (1939-1945), victory was not only achieved on land and in the air, but also at sea. Its forces relied heavily on convoys across the North and the Mediterranean, so several types of ships were developed to support such operations - one design became the "R-Boot" ("Spaceship") class motorized torpedo boat.

Like the related "S-Boot" series (detailed elsewhere on this site), the R-Boot was designed and developed during the two world wars preceding World War II. Unlike other warships, this model was not restricted by the Treaty of Versailles signed by Germany after the war.

A small companion to the larger S-Boot, the R-Boot was developed to meet the needs of coastal demining services.

The original batch of ships was built from the late 1920s to the early 1930s and included hull numbers R1 to R-16. These displace 60 tons (long) and have an overall length of 26 meters. Builders included Lurssen, Bremen-Vegesack, Travemune, etc. The last ship arrived in 1934.

From 1934 to 1938, the next batch included hull numbers R17 to R24, which increased their displacement and length to 115 tons and 37 meters respectively (their beams also increased as a result). R25 to R40 from 1938 to 1939 were slightly lighter (110 tons) and shorter (35.4 meters).

R41 to R129 have a displacement of 125 tons, a length of 37.8 meters, and were built until 1943. From there came the R130 to R150 with a displacement of 150 tons and a length of 41 meters - these were built until 1944.

R151 to R217 were built as early as 1940 and these continued until 1943, with a displacement of 125 tons and a length of 35.4 meters. In 1943, R218 to R300 started at 140 tons and 39.2 meters long - although R291 to R300 were not completed until the end of the war in 1945.

R301 to R312 appeared on 160 ton 41m ships, built from 1942 to 1945 - the main change was the addition of 2 x 533mm torpedo tubes for offensive ship hunting missions. The R401 to R448 are the last of the R-type vessels and are 140-ton ships with a length of 39.2 meters.

Although they were launched from 1943 to 1945, most groups were not ready by the end of the war.

By design, these boats are slender and have a low profile. She has a deliberately shallow draft for efficient coastal operation, and due to her intended mission range, she is armed with a turret-mounted C/30 series 37mm gun and two to six 20mm guns.

7. A 92mm machine gun was also installed for very close range defense. For minelaying missions, these ships are equipped with mine and depth charge dispensers, only the aforementioned R301-R312 class ships are equipped with torpedo launchers (2x).

Up to 38 operators, while propulsion comes from 2 MAN marine diesel engines of 1,836 hp each and 2 stern shafts. Although the torpedo-equipped R301-R312 carried triple-screw thrusters for speeds of up to 24 knots, the boats could travel at 17 knots.

Some are equipped with Voith-Schneider propeller units for improved maneuverability. The building features a wood-framed metal substructure with a built-in circular bilge.

Although the ships were originally intended to be used as minesweepers, depending on the needs of the war, the line was used in various roles for the German Navy - including Search and Rescue (SAR), ship hunting, coastal patrol and general escort, only To name a few - from the looks of it, these ships rarely operated in the intended role of minesweepers, which was the nature of German naval warfare. They proved to be a key component in the German operation against Norway in 1940, with a total of 424 ships completed, and saw action everywhere in naval operations and in the final weeks of the 1945 war.

Despite the large numbers, many were killed as only 140 survived the conflict, and the Allies managed to capture this type of stockpile before the end. After the war, the ships were trophies and paid to some of the conquerors, although some 24 were eventually reintroduced into the postwar West German Navy and operated until they were exhausted in the 1960s.