List of Vorpostenboote in World War II

Many vorpostenboote also served in other roles, such as sperrbrecher (mine clearance) and weather ships.

During World War II, the Vorpostenboote were organized into several surface flotillas which were in turn attached to various German ports.

Over 30 Vorpostenflotillas were established to operate off the German, Channel, Baltic and Scandinavian coasts.

[1][2] 2 Vorpostenflotille existed from September 1939 to December 1944, when it was disbanded.

Many vessels were redesignated within the unit, later designations are shown in brackets[1] 3 Vorpostenflotille was established in September 1939.

[1] 6 Vorpostenflotille was established on 1 January 1943 and disbanded in September 1944.

[1] † Losses:- V 1401 Deister suffered a boiler explosion and sank in the North Sea off IJmuiden, North Holland, Netherlands on 26 April 1944;[158] a vessel designated V 1401 was bombed and sunk at IJmuiden on 24 August 1944.

[65] V 1405 Ritzebüttel (as V 2008 Ritzebüttel) struck a mine and sank in the Broad Fourteens off Westkapelle, West Flanders, Belgium on 25 February 1943.

[111][200] V 1408 Aue was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off IJmuiden by Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force on 29 April 1943.

[178] V 1411 Zeemeeuw sank in the North Sea off IJmuiden on 5 July 1944.

[1] V 1416 was sunk at IJmuiden by Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft of the United States Eighth Air Force.

[26] V 1417 Stoomloodsvartuig 11 was sunk in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands by British aircraft on 17 January 1945.

[1] The unit also operated these Flower-class corvettes captured whilst under construction in France.

A number of vessels were redesignated within the unit.

[240] 7 Sicherungflotille was formed in February 1943 and was expanded in March 1943.