German K-Verbände mini pocket submarines. 2ND G.M 1/72 ICM-S020

During World War II, the German Navy established a special unit known as K-Verbände (K-Verbände, whose full name was Kleinkampfverbände der Kriegsmarine). This unit was tasked with carrying out sabotage and assault operations in rivers, at sea and in the coastal zone. It was composed of subversive boats, manned torpedoes, combat swimmers and various types of mini-submarines. One of these submarines was the ‘Molch’, designed specifically for coastal zone operations. They were equipped with a single electric motor for both surface and underwater propulsion, with a maximum submersible depth of up to 60 meters and a maximum speed of 5 knots in the underwater position.

The Molch was built at the Deschhimag shipyard in Bremen, with a total of 393 units for the Kriegsmarine. These submarines were deployed in the Mediterranean and the North Sea as part of Compound K. Another type of submarine was the ‘Seehund’, which was larger and had better seaworthiness, with a crew of two. It also had two separate engines for surface and underwater operations. Towards the end of the war, 285 units of this type were built, being considered as the best type of German ultra small submarine. After the war, several Seehunds were incorporated into the French Navy.