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The
German
minesweeper M-426 had in September 1944 cleared mines
which had blocked the waters of Skagerak together with M-301,
M-415 and M-462. On their way back to
Kristiansand they started exercising various drills. At
the same time 39 Beaufighter planes took off from England
on an "Anti Shipping" mission. In the afternoon they
spotted the German ships and attacked. Three planes were
hit, and one them went down. Soon after M-426 is hit from
rockets and is set ablaze. Burning with all engines out
and a damaged hull she is still afloat and get assistance
from M-415. She is taken in tow headed for Kristiansand,
but it gets clear that she will not make it. They set
course for shallow waters around Vestergapet, but the
situation gets critical and a last attempt to solve the
problem fails. M 426 goes down shortly after. The wreck
rest today outside Helleviga on a depth of approx 12 to 20
meter.
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Name:
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Former names:
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Dimensions: |
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M
426
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62,3
x 57,6 x 8,9 m |
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| Tons: |
Built: |
Home
Port: |
| 682 grt
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Schiedam
( NL ) 1943 |
( D ) |
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