M35 minesweepers

[Leandros]

Would anybody here have information on the fire control systems of the Type M35 minesweepers?

[Glasisch]

Hello,

like om the Flottentorpedoboote 1939 = bridge optical rangefinder base length of 3 m 3u, of 360 ° to direct the fire of the 105 mm caliber.
Regards
Mischa

[Leandros]

Hello,

like om the Flottentorpedoboote 1939 = bridge optical rangefinder base length of 3 m 3u, of 360 ° to direct the fire of the 105 mm caliber.
Regards
Mischa

Thank you - so much I have found out. Do you know anything about the system for directing/cooperation procedures/data inputs between the Fire Control Officer (Leiter artilleriegeschütze) on the top bridge and the gun crews...?

[Leandros]

Just bought on German eBay the book by Kaleu Hans Bartels about his escapades with M1. It was issued in 1941. Quite interesting to see his rather cocky attitude towards his British friends.....German books written after the war have a very different tone.... ...

[Leandros]

Just got some good pictures of a M35 model made by Fuzzy over at Forum.Marinearchiv. These confirm my suspicion that the M35 had a proper fire control system with a dedicated Fire Control Officer position. What is lacking on this model is the stand-detachable night vision optics. It can be seen on the war-time photo.

[Paul Lakowski]

Does any one know about the construction of these minesweepers? I read in Groner’s volume's that these ships had armored steel installed in the bridge plus chine reinforced hulls? They basic construction was welded steel and had a dozen water tight compartments and like more traditional German warships also had 'light alloy superstructure'. The only thing that’s missing to make them Warship construction grade would be mention of STS 52 being used.

Given the normal German pretence to over engineer these warships, I'm inclined to consider their construction in the same category as warship construction, like Destroyers or torpedo boot.

Does any one have any more details on their construction?