Sengwarden, 1./Sperrbecher Flottilla

NickFenton · Post by **NickFenton** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:17 am

I am researching HSL 108 from Goreleston that was captured during a failed airsea rescue attempt on 1st/2nd July 1941.

The launch was recovered and taken to Borkum and then Wilhelmshaven from which point, l believe that it was renamed 'Sengwarden' as part of 1./Sperrbecher Flottilla.

During the war, HSL was seen in a German magazine by one of the surviving launch crew in German colors being used to pick up survivors from the 'Lobster pot' survival buoys along the Dutch coast between Wilhelshaven and Flushing (Vlissingen).

Can anyone help me with this research and add anything to the story.

Regards,

Nick

Waleed Y. Majeed · Post by **Waleed Y. Majeed** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:27 pm

Hi there

There's a Danish site which mentions HSL 108 and a Stirling I N6013.
Søren C. Flensted might be of some help in finding other sources:

http://www.flensted.eu.com/194108.shtml

waleed

NickFenton · Post by **NickFenton** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:07 am

Thanks, Waleed.

I am aware of this site as my research centres around 1st July 1941 when my Father's Blenheim was shot down. It was his dingy that the Stirling was circling.

The crew of the HSL were recovered shortly after the Blenheim crew and HSL 108 was towed back and used after capture.

As you can see, there appears to be some history of the boat afterwards but mostly hearsay so l am trying to find out some facts.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Nick

NickFenton · Post by **NickFenton** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:39 pm

From another source, l was told the boat was renamed Vorpostenboot VP 1108 and was sunk on 2nd August 1942, but l know this not to be so as VP 1108 was one of the tugs used to tow HSL 1087 into port.

I beleive that Sendwarden may have survived the conflict as l understand that a 100 class boat was pictured at Kiel or Whilshaven at the end of the war with the description 'E boat coming along side'.

Any ideas on this?

Nick