8. Halbflottille

[Rick White]

Hi,

I am not sure if this is the best place for this question...but here goes!

I have a photo of a Reichsmarine-era crew on their ship. The life preserver says "8.H. Fl. - M117." Am I correct in assuming that this represents a minesweeper (or minelayer?) number 117 of the 8. Halbflottille? Does anyone have any information on this particular ship?

I did a quick search on the internet and saw that there was a 8.Halbflottille that had Torpedo Boats, but could not find a 8.Halbflottille related to minelaying.sweeping operations.

Thanks!

Rick

[Rick Research]

Minesweeper "M117" was launched 20 September 1918 but only commissioned in 1919, Reichsmarine designation was indeed this number, renumbered "M517" 1 October 1940.

Erich Gröner, Dieter Jung, and Martin Maass's "German Warships 1815-1945," volume 2 "U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels" Naval Institute Press English edition 1991, reports that from November 1941 it was used as a recovery boat in torpedo training. Became a U.S. prize in 1945, then used by the German Mine Sweeping Administration, handed over to Office of Military Government (Germany) U.S. 28 October 1947 and no further information.

In the 1923-24 Reichsmarineeinteilung, "M117" was not individually listed for where it was stationed then.

Crews for the class were roughly 55 men, with either one officer or a Warrant Officer in command.

[Rick Research]

© the above, "M117" after the refit of 1936-37

[Rick Research]

© again the above, as in 1945

[Rick White]

Many thanks, Richard the Great!

Richard the lesser