World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseAlbatros, commissioned in 1927, served as the 4th Torpedo Boat Half-Flotilla of the German Navy. In 1928, she was Korvettenkapitän Karl Dönitz's flagship when the future admiral commanded the half-flotilla. In the spring of 1929, while departing from Wilhelmshaven, Germany, she collided with sister ship Möwe, putting both ships out of commission for four days for repairs. In 1931, she and light cruiser Königsberg participated in the 10th anniversary of the Latvian Navy in Liepaja (German: Libau), Latvia. In 1932, Königsberg and Albatros represented Germany at the celebration of the betrothal of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten of Sweden to Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. In Oct 1934, she became the flagship of 2nd Torpedo Boat Half-Flotilla based in Swinemünde, Germany (now Swinoujscie, Poland). She carried out three patrols in Spanish waters during the Spanish Civil War, with the first two primarily to escort German ships, while the third saw her in combat action, escorting Admiral Scheer as the heavy cruiser bombarded Spanish Republican naval facilities at Almería, Spain. After a brief time in decommissioned, she returned to service in Jul 1938 as a part of the 6th Torpedo Boat Flotilla. Four months later, she was reassigned to the 5th Torpedo Boat Flotilla, joining her sister ships Greif, Möwe, Kondor, and Falke. When the European War began in Sep 1939, she laid defensive mines in the North Sea beginning on 3 Sep 1939. In early Oct 1939, she, with sister ships Grief and Falke, plus three destroyers, patrolled the Kattegat and Skaggerak; the task force captured four ships. During the German invasion of Norway, she was a part of Group 5 tasked to captured Oslo, Norway; she transported about 100 troops while acting as one of the escort vessels for flagship heavy cruiser Blücher. In that role, on 8 Apr 1940, she attempted to counter attack British submarine HMS Triton, which had tried to attack the German force, and met with no success. Later on the same night, Norwegian patrol boat Pol III, realizing she was facing a German invasion force, rammed Albatros. Commanding officer Kapitänleutnant Siegfried Strelow ordered Albatros to open fire on Pol III, hitting her with at least two 10.5-centimeter shells, thus gaining the honor of having fired the opening salvos of the German-Norwegian war. As Pol III sank, Albatros took on some of the survivors. On the following day, Albatros engaged with Norwegian minelayer Olav Tryggvason at Karljohansvern; Albatros was hit by one shell at 0630 hours, killing two and wounding two, forcing her to withdraw. Ground troops forced the Norwegian garrison to surrender at 0735 hours. Later that morning, she was ordered to secure the submarine base at Teie alongside of sister ship Kondor and minesweeper R21. In the morning of 10 Apr 1940, Kondor and Albatros were engaged by coastal batteries on the island of Bolærne and were forced to turn back. Later on the same day, Albatros escorted merchant ship Curityba as she unloaded troops on the nearby island of Rauøy. When departing from Rauøy, Kapitänleutnant Strelow decided to sail east to avoid being challenged by the Bolærne batteries once again. Shortly after, Albatros struck the Gyren shoal at the speed of 20 knots, ripping open at least one fuel tank and causing flooding in the turbine and boiler rooms. Small explosions and fires were reported as well. Strelow gave the abandon ship order. Survivors were picked up by the auxiliary ship V707 Arthur Dunker.

Motor Torpedo Boat Albatros (AT) Interactive Map

Photographs

Albatros Operational Timeline