Part 19 - Germans reinforce Norway - 12 April 1940 - Unternehmen Brauerei
Part 19 - Germans reinforce Norway - 12 April 1940 - Unternehmen Brauerei
The operation to reinforce Norway, Unternehmen Brauerei, was something in which Germany excelled compared to the Allies at this early stage of war - improvising and adapting. The submarine threat to reinforcement convoys was deadly and in the West coast of Norway surface threat would be great.
Air transportation efforts would have to suffice for Bergen, and Stavanger after Sola airfield had been repaired to operational use. This transport effort would mainly compose of 2. Gebirgs-Division. Trondheim and Narvik would have to manage by themselves with some submarine delivered special supplies to be arranged at later date.
Thus the next echelon of German troops to Norway would be transported in heavily escorted convoys which would pass the most dangerous area between Laeso in Kattegat and Oslofjord in daylight. The first convoy which would run to Oslo would transport 181 Infanterie-Division, followed by three other infantry divisions on roughly three day intervals.
Kriegsmarine would provide distant cover with submarines. Luftwaffe would finish any surface attempts to interfere. Surface forces, although greatly weakened, would finish any leakers trying to interfere with convoys. The convoys itself would be heavily covered by a large number of U-jägers (ASW trawlers) of 11., 12. and 17. Unterseejagdflotille. which would limit their speed but would provide protection. Ships in convoys themselves would be large and modern merchants which would be capable of better sustaining damage than older ships. The convoys would also have air cover by Luftwaffe He-115 units all the way.
U-jäger Uj-113 struck a mine laid by French submarine Rubis near Laeso on 0345 12 April 1940. This was the beginning of a battle which would be the first between a co-ordinated submarine group, Steelforce with 4 Overseas boats, and a defended convoy.
Meanwhile, the Allies were still preparing for their land forces to get in. And they were thinking in terms of battalions and brigades, not divisions.
The operation to reinforce Norway, Unternehmen Brauerei, was something in which Germany excelled compared to the Allies at this early stage of war - improvising and adapting. The submarine threat to reinforcement convoys was deadly and in the West coast of Norway surface threat would be great.
Air transportation efforts would have to suffice for Bergen, and Stavanger after Sola airfield had been repaired to operational use. This transport effort would mainly compose of 2. Gebirgs-Division. Trondheim and Narvik would have to manage by themselves with some submarine delivered special supplies to be arranged at later date.
Thus the next echelon of German troops to Norway would be transported in heavily escorted convoys which would pass the most dangerous area between Laeso in Kattegat and Oslofjord in daylight. The first convoy which would run to Oslo would transport 181 Infanterie-Division, followed by three other infantry divisions on roughly three day intervals.
Kriegsmarine would provide distant cover with submarines. Luftwaffe would finish any surface attempts to interfere. Surface forces, although greatly weakened, would finish any leakers trying to interfere with convoys. The convoys itself would be heavily covered by a large number of U-jägers (ASW trawlers) of 11., 12. and 17. Unterseejagdflotille. which would limit their speed but would provide protection. Ships in convoys themselves would be large and modern merchants which would be capable of better sustaining damage than older ships. The convoys would also have air cover by Luftwaffe He-115 units all the way.
U-jäger Uj-113 struck a mine laid by French submarine Rubis near Laeso on 0345 12 April 1940. This was the beginning of a battle which would be the first between a co-ordinated submarine group, Steelforce with 4 Overseas boats, and a defended convoy.
Meanwhile, the Allies were still preparing for their land forces to get in. And they were thinking in terms of battalions and brigades, not divisions.