German trawler V 409 August Bösch

August Bösch was a German fishing trawler that was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in the Second World War for use as a Vorpostenboot, serving as V 409 August Bösch. She was bombed and sunk off the coast of Vendée, France in August 1944.

History
NameAugust Bösch
Owner
  • C. C. H. Bösch (1934–39)
  • Kriegsmarine (1939–44)
Port of registry
BuilderH. C. Stülcken Sohn
Yard number689
Launched8 June 1934
Completed10 August 1934
Commissioned25 September 1939
Out of service20 August 1944
Identification
  • Code Letters DQPZ
  • Fishing boat registration BX 246 (1934–39)
  • Pennant Number V 409 (1939–44)
FateBombed and sunk
General characteristics
Tonnage401 GRT, 155 NRT
Length49.50 m (162 ft 5 in)
Beam8.00 m (26 ft 3 in)
Draught4.55 m (14 ft 11 in)
Depth3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
Installed powerTriple expansion steam engine, 136nhp
PropulsionSingle screw propeller
Speed12 knots (22 km/h)

Description

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August Bösch was 49.50 metres (162 ft 5 in) long, with a beam of 8.00 metres (26 ft 3 in). She had a depth of 3.75 metres (12 ft 4 in) and a draught of 4.55 metres (14 ft 11 in).[1] She was assessed at 401 GRT, 155 NRT. The ship was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 35 centimetres (13+34 in), 55 centimetres (21+58 in) and 88 centimetres (34+58 in) diameter by 66 centimetres (26 in) stroke. The engine was made by H. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg, Germany. It was rated at 136nhp. It drove a single screw propeller via a low pressure turbine,[2] and could propel the ship at 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h).[3]

History

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August Bösch was built in 1934 as yard number 689 by H. C. Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg,[3] for C. C. H. Bösch, Bremerhaven, Germany.[2] She was launched on 8 June and competed on 10 August.[1] The Code Letters DQPZ were allocated,[2] as was the fishing boat registration BX 246.[1]

On 25 September 1939, August Bösch was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine for use as a vorpostenboot. She was commissioned into 4 Vorpostenflotille as V 409 August Bösch. On 20 August 1944, she was bombed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Les Sables-d'Olonne, Vendée, France (46°30′N 1°48′W / 46.500°N 1.800°W / 46.500; -1.800) by Allied aircraft.[1] The minesweeper M 4214 Jean Marthe was also sunk in the attack.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Gröner 1993, p. 221.
  2. ^ a b c "August Bösch (05768)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Chalutiers &c. AUB-AUN (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1934–1935. Retrieved 7 December 2022 – via Southampton City Council.
  3. ^ a b Gröner 1993, p. 217.
  4. ^ Rohwer, Jürgen; Gerhard Hümmelchen. "Seekrieg 1944, August". Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart (in German). Retrieved 7 December 2022.

Bibliography

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  • Gröner, Erich (1993). Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815–1945 (in German). Vol. 8/I: Flußfahrzeuge, Ujäger, Vorpostenboote, Hilfsminensucher, Küstenschutzverbände (Teil 1). Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-4807-5.