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Topic: Annapolis PT boats Germany 1956 |
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Sep 29, 2025 - 12:44am
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Some days ago I happened across a photo showing some Vosper lend-lease PT boats built by Annapolis Yard Yacht in Bremerhaven Germany 1956 :
The caption says: Apr. 13, 1956 - The first naval unit of the Germany military navy, a minesweeping group which consists of forty four ships, is anchored today at Ausr?stung pier in Bremerhaven. The group should be ready mounted by the US navy on May 15.
https://www.alamy.com/apr-13-1956-the-first-naval-unit-of-the-germany-military-navy-a-minesweeping-image69298281.html
Navsource links to PT 661 and PT 671 :
https://www.navsource.net/archives/12/05661.htm
https://www.navsource.net/archives/12/05671.htm
I assume these craft had been returned by the Soviet Union and were then handed over to the German Navy.
Arjan
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Sep 29, 2025 - 11:04pm
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I only noticed this morning that there are also some Elco PT boats in the background, the vessels with the erected radar masts.
The caption is very misleading because the craft are obviously PT boats and definitely not mine sweepers and they were also never used by the German Navy. I later learned that the Soviets had freshly painted the vessels before returning them and they had even taken the trouble to restore the original US call signs. Underneath this fresh coat of paint, however, were boats that were well past their sell by date and that is probably why the Germans were not interested in them and why they were scuttled.
Al Ross posted these two pics some years ago, they were also taken at Bremerhaven I think .
Arjan
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alross2
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Oct 6, 2025 - 2:57pm
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Soviet boat numbering is frustrating as they changed numbers frequently. The boat pictured is numbered 861 and is a license-built Vosper. However, my Soviet references identify TK861 as the former PT635, a 78' Higgins. 861 was not a US PT number assigned to the Vospers.
Al Ross
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Oct 7, 2025 - 12:44am
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Hi Al, I don't quite understand. The number of the boat in the foreground reads 661 which ties in perfectly with an Annapolis built Vosper doesn't it ?
Apparently the radar masts could be on either side of the boat. In the Bremerhaven pic most have it on the starboard side, whereas in Russian photos it is usually on the port side :
Regards,
Arjan
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David Buck
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Oct 28, 2025 - 1:45pm
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Hi All, Do my eyes deceive me!
On the left of the first of Arjan photos there appears to be two 70'/77' Elcos?
D.buck |
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Nov 13, 2025 - 8:56pm
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David;
Good eye!! They look like Royal Navy 70’ ELCO MGB’s or British Power Boat MGB’s .
Take care,
TED
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