Anti submarine aircraft

[daveh]

Given the effectiveness of Allied anti submarine aircraft I was wondering about the extent to which the Romanians established anti submarine patrols and what tactics and detection systems were used.

Axworthy very briefly mentions the use of Esc. 101 and 102 for coastal recce and the creation of the Comando Aero Marin. How successful were these units and what degree of importance was given to this role?

[Victor]

The Romanian seaplanes conducted several types of missions during WWII:
-coastal reconnaissance, to prevent any landing attempt from small fast ships, which could sneak through undetected.
-long range reconnaissance to Crimea or to the Turkish coast
-anti-submarine escort for convoys
-anti-submarine patrols
-checking own mine barrages
-looking for enemy mines
-supplying the marines on Serpents' Island

The 101st Seaplane Squadron flew:
1941: 310 missions (784 hours and 30 min)
1942: 295 missions 756 hours and 45 min)
1943: 91 missions (288 hours and 10 min)
1944: 283 missions (670 hours and 20 min)

The 102nd Seplane Squadron flew:
1941: 290 missions (924 hours)
1942: 564 missions (957 hours)
1943: 884 missions (223 hours)
1944: 254missions (635 hours)

TOTAL:2,971 missions (7,245 hours and 45 min)

During 1941-42 they sunk one 2,000 tons cargo-ship, damaged one gunship, one torpedo boat and 4 submarines. They also managed to destroy one munitions depot. In total, the seaplanes launched 5 tons of bombs and consumed 900 kg of ammo.

[Kirill]

QUOTE

During 1941-42 they sunk one 2,000 tons cargo-ship, damaged one gunship, one torpedo boat and 4 submarines.

Victor, can you tell me the dates and location of these events (I mean ship sunk/damaged)?

[Victor]

Sorry, it is only mentioned in a status report for the first two years of war. The complete war diary of the Seaplane Flotilla is at Moscow or some where else in the former USSR.

Btw, do you know anything on a minesweeper attacked near Ocheakov on 29 June 1941?

[Kirill]

Sorry, Victor I haven't any information about this event, but no soviet minesweepers were lost near Ochakov that day.