The R-boats
or Räumboote in German were a group of General purpose motor launches built
for the Kriegsmarine throughout World War II.
The Kriegsmarine used
them in every theatre of war throughout the world. These boats had many uses including
convoy escort, coastal patrol, minesweeping, minelaying and the rescue of air
crews. These vessels were manufactured at the following naval dockyards.
Abeking
& Rasmussen, Lemwerder
Schlichting-Werft,
Travemünde
Fr.
Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co, Vegesack
Burmester,
Burg-Lesum
Burmester,
Swinemünde
Schlichting-Werft,
Travemünde
The surviving R-boats, of which there were approximately
140, ended up being distributed amongst the allies. Some were used by the
United
States Labour Service (LSU),
German
mine sweeping Administration (GMSA) and the
German
Mine Sweeping Formation Cuxhaven (MRVC) to clear mines. Twenty four boats
were transferred back to the post-war German Federal Navy (Bundesmarine) in 1956.
They saw service right into the late 1960's. For extra maneuverability,
the use of Voith Schneider Propellers was used on some boats.
German
Warships, 1815-1945: Major Surface Vessels.
ISBN-10: 0851775330
German
Warships, 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels.
ISBN-10: 155750301X
German warships of the Second World War.
ISBN-10: 0668040378
For a complete list of
sources 
