Guards. She inherited the Guards Naval Flag from the diesel-electric submarine K-22 “Krasnogvardeets” of the XIV series of the Northern Fleet, which fought in the Arctic during the Great Patriotic War. And the jubilee boat underwent repairs at our enterprise twice - from 1970 to 1973 and from 1983 to 1990

In August, it was exactly half a century since Sevmash launched the Project 675 nuclear submarine K-22 (serial number 532)

Since this year is the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, and the diesel-electric submarine K-22 contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany, I think it’s worth talking about this boat in more detail.
"Krasnogvardeets" (D-3) was built at the Baltic Shipyard. Fought in the Northern Fleet. D-3 has ten military campaigns to its credit, the same number of enemy vessels and ships sunk, two damaged. On April 3, 1942, D-3 was awarded the title of Guards and on May 1 of the same year went on its first campaign under the Guards flag. The ship was commanded by Captain 3rd Rank M.A. Bibeev. The submarine left its home base for the eighth time, going to sea to search for and destroy enemy ships and vessels.
During the May campaign, the boat sank one and damaged two enemy transports. On May 17, she returned to base. At the pier, the guardsmen were met by the Navy Military Council and the crews of the base's submarines. Commander of the Northern Fleet, Vice Admiral A.G. Golovko congratulated the guardsmen on their wonderful victory and presented M.A. Bibeev received the Order of the Red Banner, with which the “Red Guard” was awarded to the first of the submarine ships of the USSR Navy for the excellent performance of combat missions to disrupt enemy navigation and the courage and heroism of the crew.
The submarine D-3 received a special honor: it became the first Red Banner Guards ship in the Soviet Navy. Unfortunately, the fate of the “Red Guard” was tragic: having gone out on the tenth military campaign at the end of June 1942 with the task of covering an allied convoy in the Barents Sea, the famous crew of the D-3 remained on eternal watch in the icy depths of the Arctic.
In honor of this boat, the nuclear submarine missile cruiser K-22 of Project 675 was named after “Krasnogvardeets”. The boat also reliably carried out sea and ocean watches, having completed seven autonomous cruises. But she also faced a serious test. At the end of August 1976, while on combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea, K-22 collided with the US Navy frigate VOGE, receiving damage to the hull and devices.
From 1985 to 1990, “Krasnogvardeets” underwent repairs and modernization according to project 675 MKV at our enterprise. Four years later, the boat was expelled from the Navy, and our company disposed of it. Such is the fate of the two guard ships.

In the early 1920s, the headquarters of the Red Fleet formulated the task of designing a squadron submarine. The new submarine was supposed to have powerful artillery weapons and serve far from bases, both autonomously and in cooperation with the squadron. The latter was considered an important component of the success of military operations, and the squadron submarines had to strike first. The technical requirements included, among other things: surface speed of at least 22 knots; four stern and six bow torpedo tubes with a double supply of torpedoes; artillery weapons of 100 mm caliber; cruising range is about 15,000 miles. Such submarine cruisers were primarily intended for the Pacific and Northern fleets.

In 1926, they began to implement the submarine cruiser project. The first was the “D” type submarine, “Decembrist”. However, this project was not accepted due to the low surface speed of 15 knots. The next project of submarine cruisers in this class was the P-type submarine of series IV - Pravda. The surface speed was increased to 20 knots, but the dive time increased and underwater maneuverability deteriorated.

"Decembrist" in the White Sea Canal. Transfer to the Northern Fleet, 1933

Submarine "P-3" in Leningrad. 1940

The concept of a cruising boat was finally formed in 1930-1932. According to the operational-tactical assignment presented in 1934, the new submarine was supposed to:
- attack enemy landing forces and warships when acting alone, in a group or together with surface ships;
- operate in remote areas on communications;
- carry out positional and reconnaissance service;
- carry out sabotage operations;
- be capable of attacking with torpedoes and laying minefields.

To carry out these operations, strong artillery armament was provided (2 cannons of 102 mm caliber), 8 torpedo tubes, a cruising range of 12,000 miles and an endurance of 45 days at a surface speed of up to 12 knots.

In 1935, M.A. Rudnitsky, head of the underwater shipbuilding department of the NIVK, proposed his own version of this submarine “KR” (“Rudnitsky’s Cruiser”). In his developments, Rudnitsky relied on the experience of creating the Pravda submarine, taking into account the prospects for the development of new powerful and light diesel engines from the Russian Diesel plant. On April 15, 1935, the proposed project was approved by the STO and was included in the 1936 program.

On January 25, 1936, the preliminary design of the “cruising squadron submarine” “KE-9” of series XIV was approved (later the submarine received the designation “K” - cruising, and the nickname “Katyusha”). M.A. Rudnitsky was appointed chief designer of submarines of this type. The technical project under his leadership was developed at TsKBS-2 (later TsKB-18). Design engineers N.M. Bykov, P.G. Goryachev, V.V. Novozhilov, V.F. Segal took part in the development of the project. etc. To select the most rational shape and size of the hull, more than 20 models of the submarine cruiser were tested in a pilot pool.

The original technical specifications provided for the presence of an aircraft on a cruising submarine. It was believed that this would strengthen the submarine’s self-defense and expand the observation area for enemy ships. Such an aircraft was built in 1934 by I.V. Chetverikov. under the code SPL (special boat). SPL is a cantilever monoplane with a 100-horsepower engine. The console parts of the stabilizer and the wings with floats are foldable. When folded, the aircraft fit into a hangar-cylinder with a length of 7450 mm and a diameter of 2500 mm. However, later they abandoned the use of the aircraft.

On December 27, 1936, the first 3 K-type submarines were laid down at the Leningrad factories - Admiralteysky, Baltic, Sudomekh. M.A. Rudnitsky was also appointed chief builder at plant No. 194 Admiralteysky.

Initially, in accordance with the 10-year shipbuilding program approved by the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on June 26, 1936, it was planned to build 62 Katyushas: 6 for the Baltic Fleet, 4 for the Black Sea Fleet, 17 for the Northern Military Flotilla and 35 for the Pacific. However, in reality, 12 submarines were laid down - 6 for the Pacific Fleet and 3 each for the Red Banner Baltic Fleet and Northern Fleet.

Significant problems arose during the early stages of construction. When calculating the weight load, it turned out that the center of gravity of diesel engines (every 130 tons) is actually located one meter higher. The metacentric height became significantly less than the specification. Construction overload was revealed in a number of sections. All this is the result of a rush, in which the laying of submarines actually coincided with the approval of those. project.

To save the already partially built ships, they reduced the thickness of the superstructure plating and wheelhouse fencing, removed the gun shields and lightened a number of structures in the upper part of the boat. To compensate for the overloads, the thickness of the lightweight body had to be reduced. The metacentric height remained at 300 mm, but strong and prolonged rolls remained.

In 1937, it was feared that the project might be less successful than the P type. In this regard, further laying was suspended until testing of the lead vessels was completed.

Initially, the Admiralty Plant was supposed to deliver the first three units at the end of 1938, the next five in 1939 and the remaining ones by the end of 1940. However, due to delays in the production of the “filling” for the submarines, primarily the power plant, the deadlines were missed.

In the manufacture of the durable hull of submarine cruisers, the traditional riveting method was used, although the plant management, having trained welders and experience in welding work, proposed to perform them entirely welded. This proposal was not approved by the UVMS, citing the difficulty of processing the drawings and the possibility of delays in delivery. However, the K-type submarines had a welded lightweight hull, superstructure and foundations for auxiliary and main mechanisms. The combination of welded and riveted structures required those. Bureau of factories carefully work out the components and parts.

During testing of the lead ships, it was possible to reach the specified speed. Mistakes made at the design stage were also revealed, but their consequences did not seem so significant. The mediocre seaworthiness of the submarines was not a surprise. The sharp contours of the bow of the submarine cruisers cut through the waves, which did not allow the K-type submarine to realize its surface speed in seas above 3-4 points. In addition, through the open conning hatch, copious amounts of water entered the central post. Despite the identified shortcomings, the commission considered that these shortcomings would be eliminated with the help of a new “wide” bow design, which was equipped with the K-3, which was put out for testing in 1940.

Submarine "K-3" before the war in the Baltic

Due to the lack of mines, they were able to test the mine device only in December 1940 - January 1941. In this case, mines were used, collected individually in naval workshops. The device, despite the comments, was accepted for service, but with the caveat that control tests would be carried out using commercially produced mines in June-September 1941. These plans were thwarted, which partly explains the numerous problems with the device identified during the war.

Believing that all “childhood diseases” could be eliminated over time, the selection committee rated the Katyushas very highly overall.

By the beginning of the war, factories No. 189 and No. 194 had delivered the submarines "K-1", "K-2", "K-3", "K-21", "K-22" and "K-23", included into the Northern Fleet. In 1942-1943, the submarines “K-51”, “K-52”, “K-53”, “K-56” entered service in the Baltic Sea, and took part in hostilities in this theater at the end of 1944 - beginning of 1945 . On December 25, 1944, the K-55 entered service, but did not take part in the battles. The unfinished K-54 was dismantled for metal after the end of the war. The cost of building the lead ship was 23 million; in the series it was reduced to 18 million rubles.

The design of the submarine is double-hulled. The durable body had a cylindrical-conical shape with a diameter of 5.7 m. Assembly was carried out using riveting. Steel structures with a thickness of 18–22 mm were used. The submarine's robust conning tower was located above compartment No. 3 and was a horizontal cylinder (diameter 2.3 m) with spherical end bulkheads. The main command post was located there. It could also be used as an airlock. The bulkheads between compartments 1-2, 2-3, 5-6 are spherical. The bulkhead between compartments 3-4 is flat. All these bulkheads were designed for a pressure of 10 kgf/cm2. The bulkheads between compartments 4-5, 6-7 are flat, but are designed for a pressure of 2 kgf/cm2. End bulkheads are cast, spherical. In the manufacture of the light hull of the boat, 6 mm steel sheets connected by welding were used.

The hull of K-type submarines was divided into seven compartments containing:
1. Bow torpedo compartment, which serves to accommodate 6 torpedo tubes, 10 spare torpedoes on racks, living quarters for sailors;
2. Battery room, officers’ living quarters, wardroom;
3. Central post;
4. Battery room, foremen's wardroom, cockpit;
5. Main diesel engines;
6. Auxiliary diesel, main electric motors, sailors’ living quarters;
7. Aft torpedo compartment (2 torpedo tubes placed horizontally), living quarters for sailors.
Compartments Nos. 1, 3, 6 and 7 were shelter compartments, which were equipped with emergency main ballast blowdown posts.

The submarine had 14 ballast tanks. Nos. 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 served for fuel storage. The total maximum fuel supply was 243 tons. Tank No. 14 was located inside a durable hull under the central post and was a mine-ballast tank (on the K-51-K-56 submarines, this tank was converted into a fuel tank). The seacocks and ventilation valves were controlled remotely using pneumatic actuators. Tanks No. 2, 12, 13 were equipped with scuppers instead of kingstons. The hatch covers were opened by electric drives.

One of the Baltic Katyushas at the Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge. Leningrad, September 1941

Submarines of the “K” type were equipped with two main surface diesel engines of the 9DKR type (each with a power of 4200 hp at 400 rpm, developed by the Leningrad Russian Diesel plant), an auxiliary diesel generator (diesel 38K8 and generator PG84/42) and two electric motors of the PG11 type (each power is 1200 hp at 235 rpm). Rechargeable batteries of type “C” were divided into 4 groups (parallel connection) of 60 cells each, located in the holds of compartments Nos. 2 and 4.

The bow horizontal rudders are folding. When folded, horizontal rudders were placed along the side of the superstructure. The drainage means consisted of one M-125 centrifugal pump and three TP-18 bilge piston pumps (one trimming pump). Two high-pressure compressors (each with a capacity of 15 l/min) were used to replenish compressed air supplies. There was a depth stabilizer without travel. For the first time in domestic underwater shipbuilding, a refrigerated freon unit was used for provision tanks. To replenish drinking water, there were two electric desalination plants (each with a capacity of 40 l/h).

As mentioned earlier, the speed of K-class submarines was largely dependent on sea conditions. According to the GMSH data, 20 knots were achieved with waves less than 3 points, with 4 points it was already 18 knots, with 5 – 11 knots, with 6 – 9 knots, with 7 points – 6 knots. When waves exceeded 8 points, moving against the wave under the main diesel engines became impossible, and it was necessary to switch to an auxiliary diesel engine, providing a speed of no more than 4 knots. In addition, significant rolls were observed - up to 35 degrees at sea level 7 and up to 55 in storm conditions.

The K submarine cruisers were equipped with two high-aperture periscopes, also adapted for photography. The optical length was 8.5 m, the stroke was 4 m. The submarine's radio stations were capable of providing stable radio communications even over long distances. The main means of receiving information from the base was the long-wave receiver “Dozor”, the transmitter was the short-wave “Scat”. The "Perch" transmitter was actually a backup.

The crew of the K-type submarine consisted of 10 officers, 20 petty officers and 37 privates. The submarine cruisers of the XIV series provided the best living conditions: cabins were equipped for officers, each petty officer and private had a separate bed. The foremen received their own wardroom. For the first time, showers and an electric galley appeared on Soviet submarines.

The XIV series cruiser-squadron boats had powerful torpedo, artillery and mine weapons.

The main weapon of the Katyusha submarine, like other submarines, was torpedoes. In total, the submarine had six torpedo tubes in the bow, arranged three in two rows and two in the stern. Two more stern torpedo tubes were located in the superstructure, although most of the control mechanisms were located inside. All steel tubular, pneumatic torpedo tubes had a caliber of 533.4 mm and ensured the launch of torpedoes from a depth of less than 15 m. The boats were equipped with electric “automatic torpedo firing boxes”, which made it possible to launch from the conning tower with an interval of 2 seconds, however, due to their unreliability practically never used. In 1944, the TAS-L calculating and solving device was created, which made it possible to determine the course and speed of a target to calculate firing parameters. However, its significant dimensions did not allow the device to be installed in a boat without removing the durable deckhouse. In this regard, TAS-L was installed at the end of 1944 only on the K-21.

The boat's standard ammunition load is 24 torpedoes. In the first compartment, 10 spare torpedoes were stored on racks; under the lower torpedo tubes, 4 could be stored in pencil cases, but in practice they were never loaded, so the ammunition load was 20 torpedoes. In addition, during the cold season, the water in the torpedo tubes in the superstructure froze, so in the Northern and Baltic fleets these tubes were not charged in winter. Reloading time for bow apparatus is 50 minutes, torpedo acceptance time is 5 hours. During the Second World War, K-type submarines used torpedoes 53-38, 53-38U and 53-39.

Artillery armament of the Katyusha submarines: two B-24PL guns of 100 mm caliber, model 1938, and two semi-automatic 21-K guns, 45 mm caliber, model 1933. The ammunition capacity of each 100-mm gun was 200 rounds (according to some sources, these guns were modernized and their ammunition capacity was 400 rounds). The ammunition capacity of 45 mm guns is 600 rounds, with an elevation angle of up to 85 degrees. Some of the cartridges were stored in the wheelhouse enclosure in special sealed fenders. The 100-mm guns were mounted on rotating platforms that had bulwarks on three sides. To increase the firing angles of the stern 21-K, folding panels were made in the sides, which during the war were replaced with permanent cutouts with bulwarks. The anti-aircraft armament was reinforced by two Maxim 7.62 mm external machine guns.

Unlike the Leninets minelayer on the XIV series submarines, the minelayer and EP-36 mines were located in a special mine-ballast tank, and not in the stern pipes. The design of the mine-ballast tank made it possible to penetrate into it from inside the durable hull through a hatch. The mine device itself was tested on the Forel submarine. When planting, the mines were moved by an electric winch along the rails and dropped under the hull through two hatches made in the light lining of the tank. The lever handle was brought to the mine release control post.

The K-3 submarine was the only one of the entire series that was equipped with Krab-3 pneumatic net cutters. A total of eight devices were installed: 4 in the stem, 2 in the center plane on the upper deck and 2 on the horizontal rudders. The operation of the net cutters did not cause any complaints, but they were not used in combat conditions.

Since some shortcomings of the Katyusha were identified even in the early stages of design, several attempts were made to develop and modernize the project. The first attempt to develop K-class submarines was made in 1937. Under the leadership of B. A. Malinin, work began at TsKB-18 on the XIV-bis series - project 41a or type “KE”. It differed from the basic project by the installation of 6,000 hp diesel engines that were being created at that time. each and return to placing a hangar with an SPL seaplane. One of the reasons for the official refusal was the inadmissibility of reducing the underwater speed and increasing the displacement.

In January 1940, by order of Kuznetsov N.G., the new People's Commissar of the USSR Navy, they returned to the development of an improved project, designated “KU” or “Cruising Improved”. The work was entrusted to TsKB-18 under the leadership of Z.A. Deribin. The main changes to the “KU”: the introduction of an all-welded hull and the installation of 10DKR engines (each power is 6000 hp). At the same time, the underwater displacement was supposed to increase by 80 tons, and the surface displacement by 50-60 tons. The surface speed was supposed to increase to 24 knots, and autonomy to 60 days. The preliminary design of “KU” was planned to be completed in 1941, but technically. project - in 1942. The laying of the first two boats under the new project was also planned for 1942. However, these plans were thwarted by the outbreak of the Second World War and the K-type submarines did not receive further development.

None of the Katyusha submarines took part in the Soviet-Finnish War, even though the K-1 and K-2 were introduced during it. Submarines of the K type, series XIV, served in the Northern and Baltic fleets.

Northern Fleet
During the war years, the Northern Fleet's Katyushas laid 399 mines and carried out 26 torpedo attacks, during which 89 torpedoes were launched.

K-1
Laid down on December 27, 1936. Launched April 28, 1938. Construction was completed on December 16, 1939. Made the transition to the Northern Fleet from Leningrad in June - August 1940. The mines placed by the submarine blew up the transports Ingvar Nielsen, Kong Nirg, Robert Bornhofen, Kurzsee with a total tonnage of 12,000 brt, the patrol ships Ubir and Cherusker, and the tanker Kongsdal (9,959 brt) was damaged. In September 1943 she went missing.

K-2
Laid down on December 27, 1936. Launched April 28, 1938. Construction was completed on December 16, 1939. Made the transition to the Northern Fleet from Leningrad in June - August 1940. On September 10, 1941, near the island of Vardø, she laid mines on which the Akka transport (2646 brt) was blown up. During one of her military campaigns, she destroyed a transport with artillery fire and upon return saluted with an artillery salvo, which became a tradition in the Northern Fleet. In September 1942 she went missing.

K-3
Laid down on December 27, 1936. Launched July 31, 1938. Construction was completed on November 27, 1940. On December 3, 1941, in the Bustansund Strait, K-3 attacked the Altkirch transport (4713 brt) and three anti-aircraft defense ships. As a result of the torpedo attack, the transport was damaged. However, the enemy discovered the submarine and began fierce bombing. While diving, the submarine hit an underwater rock. Depth charge explosions damaged the double-hull tanks. The fuel rising to the surface unmasked the submarine, so the division commander, Captain 2nd Rank Gadzhiev M.I. decided to surface and impose an artillery battle. As a result, the PLO ship "Föhrer" ("UJ-1708"), "Mecklenburg" ("UJ-1403") received serious damage. "UJ-1416" left the battle and disappeared. In March 1943 she went missing.

K-21
Laid down on December 10, 1937. Launched on August 16, 1939. Construction was completed on November 30, 1940. On July 5, 1942, the submarine K-21 attacked the German squadron. As a result of the attack by stern torpedoes, the battleship Tirpitz was damaged and one escort destroyer was sunk. In October 1942, the submarine cruiser K-21 was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. The enemy lost the Bessheim transport (1174 brt) and the UJ-1110 anti-aircraft submarine due to mine explosions placed by a submarine. Transport "Rigel" (3828 brt) was damaged. In the spring of 1944, it began major repairs, which were completed after the war. On September 11, 1954 it was withdrawn from service. In 1983 it was repaired and installed in Severomorsk as a memorial.

K-22
Laid down on January 5, 1938. Launched November 4, 1938. Construction was completed on July 15, 1940. In the fall of 1941, K-22 went on a combat mission, during which it sank a boat, a transport, and an oil barge. In the same campaign, another patrol ship and two transports were destroyed. In December 1941, she placed mine banks on the surface in the Rolsesund Strait (the Steinbeck transport, 2185 brt, perished here). Then the ship "Weidingen" (200 brt) was destroyed by artillery. January 19, 1942 The Mimon transport (1147 brt) was damaged by a torpedo salvo. The patrol ship was destroyed by artillery. While under enemy fire, the submarine K-22 was able to destroy the steamer Vaaland (106 GRT), after which it went into the open sea. The submarine K-22 became a guards submarine. In February 1943 she went missing.

Submarine "K-22"

K-23
Laid down on February 5, 1938. Launched April 28, 1939. Construction was completed on September 25, 1940. The submarine's mines killed the transports "Asuncion" (4626 GRT), "Birk" (3664 GRT), "Flotbek" (1930 GRT) and the trap ship "Altenland". Sunk by depth charges on May 12, 1942.

Submarine "K-23"

Baltic Fleet
During the war years, Baltic K-type submarines carried out 36 torpedo attacks, during which they fired 94 torpedoes.

K-51
Laid down on February 28, 1938. Launched July 30, 1939. Construction was completed on November 17, 1943. The first military campaign in the Kolberg area took place on November 23, 1944. On January 28, 1945, the Danish coal miner Viborg (2028 GRT) was sunk at the Rügenwalde lighthouse. On December 29, 1955 it was withdrawn from service.

Submarine "K-51"

K-52
Laid down on February 28, 1938. Launched July 5, 1939. Construction was completed on October 11, 1942. She was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. On December 29, 1955 it was withdrawn from service.

K-53
Laid down on May 30, 1938. Launched September 1, 1939. Construction was completed on July 31, 1943. On September 11, 1954 it was withdrawn from service.

K-54
Laid down on April 30, 1937. Launched March 3, 1941. Not completed, scrapped.

K-55
Laid down on April 29, 1937. Launching on February 7, 1941. Construction was completed on December 25, 1944. On September 11, 1954 it was withdrawn from service.

K-56
Laid down on October 17, 1937. Launching on December 29, 1940. Construction was completed on October 29, 1942. On October 10, 1957, it sank during nuclear tests.

Submarine "K-56"

In total, the K-type submarines of the XIV series sank 37 ships (total displacement 82,597 GRT) and 20 auxiliary and combat ships, 4 warships and 8 enemy ships (35,126 GRT) were damaged.
Submarines of this type destroyed:
- torpedoes on 4 auxiliary vessels, 5 warships and 16 transports (43195 GRT);
- 5 warships and 12 ships (33997 GRT) were killed by mines;
- 3 auxiliary ships, 3 warships and 9 transports (5405 GRT) were sunk by artillery.

After the war, the Soviet Navy retained 6 K-type submarines, which were assembled as part of the Northern Fleet in 1948. In 1949, they were reclassified as large submarines and K-21, -51, -52, -53, -55 and -56 received the indices B-4 - B-9, respectively. Significant modernization of these submarines was not carried out, since by that time large Project 611 submarines, which had higher characteristics, began to enter service. In 1954-1956, K-type submarines were removed from service. B-9 (K-56) was transferred to the experimental category. The remaining five were converted into floating charging stations, and in 1956-1958 into training stations.

Specifications:
Displacement:
surface – 1710 tons;
underwater - 2200 tons;
Length – 97 m;
Width – 7.8 m;
Draft – 4.04 m;
Buoyancy reserve – 41.4%;
Travel speed
underwater - 10 knots;
surface – 22 knots;
Power point:
2 diesel engines 9DKR51/55 with a power of 1200 hp. With. every;
diesel generator 38K8 rated power – 800 hp;
2 electric motors PG11 with a power of 1200 hp. every;
rechargeable battery type “C”, 240 cells, 4 groups;
Surface navigation range - 15,000 miles;
Maximum diving depth – 100 m;
Working immersion depth – 80 m;
Autonomy – 50 days.

Weapons:
10 torpedo tubes (6 bow, 2 stern, 2 in the superstructure, ammunition 24 torpedoes);
2 B-24PL guns of 100 mm caliber (ammunition 400 shells);
2 21-K guns of 45 mm caliber (ammunition 1100 shells);
MBC mine device (ammunition 20 min);
Crew – 67 people.

Prepared based on materials:
http://army.lv
http://korabley.net
http://www.deepstorm.ru
http://www.navy.su
http://book.uraic.ru

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Viktor Nikolaevich Kotelnikov(1908 - 1943) - submariner, captain 1st rank during the Second World War, commander of the Northern Fleet submarine division. Genus. in Bogorodsk, Nizhny Novgorod region. Participated in the rescue of the Papanins. The first person to go under the ice in a submarine. Died in a military campaign.

Autobiography

“Born on October 3, 1908 in the city of Bogorodsk, Nizhny Novgorod province (Gorky region) in the family of an employee. Before the start of the October Revolution, my father worked as a clerk in B. Lyublinov’s store; after the October Revolution, he worked in various government agencies in the same city. In 1906, he was exiled for two years by the Tsarist secret police to the Vologda province. The reason for the exile was that my father was elected secretary of one meeting where the needs of the rural community were discussed. In 1916 he was taken to war... In 1928 he died of tuberculosis. A peasant mother, a housewife."

Studies

Viktor Kotelnikov completed nine classes, worked in the district committee of the Komsomol and, following the Komsomol call, entered the Frunze Naval School. Graduated from VVMU named after. M. V. Frunze 1931. While still a cadet, he completed an internship on training ships in Germany and Norway. In 1932 he took special courses for command staff of the Red Army Navy. In August 1936, he completed courses at the Kirov Submarine Training Unit.

Words by I. Kolyshkin

Submarine D-1

This is how the famous submariner I. Kolyshkin talked about him: “Our navigator Vitya Kotelnikov came to the fleet on a Komsomol permit and was sent to the naval school. From there he went to the Frunze School, which he graduated from in 1931. Then he spent a year as a navigator on a snow leopard, and then was assigned to the D-1 submarine. He is a direct, open, honest person. He gives his all to the service without reserve. And despite his youth as a commander, he managed to master his navigator specialty one hundred percent. It’s nice to serve together with such a comrade and good to be friends with..."

Navy service

Submarine D-2

From 1931 to 1932 he was appointed assistant navigator on the leopard. In 1932 he became commander of the Combat Unit on the submarine D-2. From April 1933, he was transferred to the submarine D-1, where he also became the commander of the combat unit (BCh-1). In September 1933, the submarine Krasnogvardeets D-3 arrived in the city of Murmansk. Kotelnikov led it along the White Sea-Baltic Canal. While still on the submarine with the rank of navigator. In August 1936, Kotelnikov was appointed assistant commander of the submarine D-3. And from March 1937 he was transferred to the submarine Shch-301. In November 1937, Senior Lieutenant Kotelnikov was appointed commander of the submarine D-3 Krasnogvardeets.

Explorers on an ice floe

January 1938 was coming to an end. The close attention of the whole country was focused on the four scientists who carried out an Arctic experiment at the North Pole-1 station. Near the eastern coast of Greenland where drifting ice floes were observed. Scientists I. Papanin, P. Shirshov, E. Fedorov and E. Krenkel were on one of these ice floes. For eight months, the ice floe served as a refuge for daredevils. But due to warming, they began to collapse. On February 1, E. Krenkel sent a radiogram to Moscow. “... We are on a fragment of a field 300 meters long and 200 meters wide... If the connection is lost, please do not worry.” The government made a quick decision and decided to remove the researchers from the ice floe by all possible means.

Researcher Rescue Organization

The brave sailors of the Northern Fleet took the strongest part in rescuing the researchers. In a short time, the hydrographic vessels Taimyr and Murman were raised in full readiness. The destroyer Karl Liebknecht and three submarines were also preparing to go to sea. They were supposed to provide the best connection with the USSR B-6 airship lifted into the sky. And in the future become for him a beacon on the flight route. On February 5, the submarine D-3 under the command of Senior Lieutenant Kotelnikov set sail from the base and headed to the Kola Bay to determine the deviation (deviation of the magnetic needle) of compasses. In the morning, an order was received to direct our course from the bay to the Barents Sea. On the submarine was a group of the best radio operators in the fleet. They were supposed to provide the radio bridge: the North Pole-1 station and Moscow. Already on the way, the submarine received a report about the disaster of the airship. The explosion of twenty thousand cubic meters of hydrogen contained in the airship illuminated the Mountains near Kandalaksha. Now hope was only for the ships Taimyr and Murman.

Denmark Strait or Passage under the Ice

Submarine D-3

The hike took place in rather difficult conditions. An unimaginable storm broke out. There was a possibility of meeting an iceberg. Which would lead to the sinking of the Krasnogvardeets D-3 boat in the Denmark Strait. In the very central part of the strait, the submarine was forced to repeatedly pass through narrow strips of thin ice while on the surface. When D-3 approached thicker ice, Senior Lieutenant V. Kotelnikov received permission to conduct a test dive. On February 13, 1938, the submarine passed the ice barrier in a submerged position at a depth of 50 meters. The submarine was under ice cover for about 30 minutes. No one can convey the delight when the boat passed a dangerous section of surface ice. So senior lieutenant V. Kotelnikov was the first of the North Sea commanders to go under the ice cover in the Navy. In the same voyage, D-3 was the first of the North Sea submarines to cross the prime meridian.

Lines from the diary of Viktor Kotelnikov

In an almost telegraphic style, he reported on the roll of the submarine, icing and unprecedented storms. Fortunately, the entry dated February 13 has been preserved. “...During a snowstorm, I ordered a test dive. All mechanisms work properly. The team's morale is excellent. At 12.55 the island of Jan Mayen opened on the left side. We received an order by radio to go back, as Taimyr and Murman were already approaching the camp. The crew is saddened - after all, we hoped to get permission to go straight to the ice floe - the researchers’ camp.”

World War II

Submarine K-22

Taking into account the good track record of Viktor Nikolaevich Kotelnikov, in May 1941 the Admiralty decided to appoint him commander of the new cruiser K-22. The beginning of the Great Patriotic War found the submarine in Kronstadt. In August, an order came for the K-22 cruiser to be transferred to the Northern Fleet, and in October the submarine arrived and moored in Polyarny, joining the 1st Submarine Division.

Submarine K-22

From October 29 to November 18, 1941, the cruiser K-22 made its first military cruise to the Westfjord military line at that time. The K-22 submarine did not detect the enemy. On December 6, 1941, the submarine set out to mine the strait near Hammerfest (Rolvse Island and the Rolvse Sund Strait). On December 9, 1941, an enemy ship weighing 5 thousand tons was blown up and sank by mines laid there. In the holds of which there were 20 tons of short fur coats for German huntsmen. On the same day, the K-22 cruiser set another 20 minutes. While laying mines, the submarine discovered the enemy ship Veydingen, which she sank with artillery fire. After that, a coaster appeared in the distance, towing a barge with cargo. The submarine opened artillery fire and sank the enemy. On the same night, the German ship Steinbeke (2185 brt) was sunk by mines from the K-22 cruiser. On January 8, 1942, the K-22 cruiser under the command of Kotelnikov won an unshakable victory: in Tanafjord she sank two enemy transports and destroyed a patrol ship. On January 13, 1942, the submarine entered into battle with 2 enemy ships and again the sea accepted a small gift in the amount of 30 thousand sheepskin coats.

Storstenbukt Bay

On January 19, 1942, she discovered an enemy ship in Storstenbukt Bay. The K-22 boat fired a salvo at the ship, but all six fired torpedoes missed the target. Then the K-22, armed with two 45 mm and two powerful 100 mm guns, surfaced and opened artillery fire on the ship. Soon the fishing trawler Vaaland was discovered located at the very entrance to the bay. The submarine fired a couple of salvos at the Vaaland trawler. The trawler immediately burst into flames. The cruiser K-22 continued to attack the nearby transport, which soon sank it. Behind the lost ship, the cruiser K-22 discovered another ship, and since the fire was dealt with on the trawler. The submarine had to fight simultaneously with two enemy ships. Soon the trawler received damage incompatible with life and sank. The second transport was also destroyed. On January 31, 1942, K-22 returned safely to its home base.

Report on the trip or nickname of the K-22 submarine

Upon returning from the campaign, the submarine commander spoke about the destruction of two transports and one patrol ship of the German troops with a total displacement of 8800 tons. One of which was the ship Mimoň (1147 gross tons). On January 11, he was caught in a storm and washed ashore. Subsequently, the K-22, attacked by the cruiser, caught fire and burned out. The holds of the ship Mimoň were filled with fur coats intended for the German rangers fighting in the Murmansk direction of the Norway mountain rifle corps. The K-22 submarine has firmly established the nickname “specialist in undressing Germans.”

Sailor Rescue

Submarine Shch-421

From March 26 to April 9, 1942, the cruiser K-22 took up combat duty off the North Cape. On April 3, 1942, in the area of ​​Cape Sletnes, the submarine K-22 discovered an enemy transport and two patrol ships. The submarine fought and sank enemy ships with torpedoes. On April 9, 1942, the submarine, by order, left its combat position and went to the aid of the submarine (Shch-421). On April 8, the submarine (Shch-421) hit a mine 8 miles north of the North Cape. Around noon, K-22 approached the submarine Pike (Shch-421). After repeated towing attempts, she removed her crew and destroyed the emergency Pike with a torpedo. How sad it was to watch, but the submarine sank, leaving behind fragments of the hull and various crew belongings mixed with the oil and fuel of the submarine. The next day, K-22 arrived at Catherine Harbor.

Awarding the title

In the evening, the K-22 crew was congratulated in a solemn atmosphere at the Officers' House. By order of the People's Commissar of the Navy dated April 3, 1942 No. 72, the K-22 submarine was awarded the Guards rank for the successful completion of command tasks. And Captain 2nd Rank V.N. The fleet commander presented Kotelnikov with the Order of the Red Banner. In the same 1942, King George VI of Great Britain awarded Kotelnikov the British Order of Military Merit.

Two submarines

Submarine K-3

On February 3, 1943, two submarines K-22 and K-3 set off on a joint military campaign. Captain 3rd Rank V.F. was appointed commander of K-22. Kulbakin went with him and the commander of the submarine division, Captain 1st Rank V.N. Kotelnikov. On February 6, the first report came from K-3. The encryption said that the first meeting with enemy German ships had taken place and the first victory had been won. On February 7, 1943, at 19:00, K-22 was still conducting radio conversations with the K-3 submarine, then the acoustics on the K-3 recorded four loud clicks, and after that the connection with the submarine stopped. The boat did not appear in the designated area provided in case of loss of communication. Having sunk 2 German ships, K-3 returned to base on February 14.

Missing

K-22 is still listed as missing, and the crew numbered 77 people on the last voyage. And besides these 77 people, on board the submarine were the head of the political department of the brigade, Rudolf Radun, and the journalist A. Matsievich. Most likely, the submarine died on February 7, 1943 in the area of ​​​​Cape Harbacken. Presumably hit an underwater mine.

Orders

• Order of Lenin in 1942
• Order of the Red Banner in 1942
• Military Merit Order (British)

Latest awards

Kotelnikov Street. In the city of Polyarny, Murmansk region, Russia

On June 14, 1949, the executive committee of the city of Polyarny City Council of Workers' Deputies adopted Protocol No. 17 On the renaming of streets in the city of Polyarny in connection with the 50th anniversary of its founding. Based on this Protocol, the second line street was renamed and named in honor of the hero V.N. Kotelnikov. And in 1987, on the basis of the decision adopted by the executive committee of the Polyarny City Council of People's Deputies of February 26 No. 11 On the streamlining of street names, numbering of houses, entrances and apartments in Polyarny, the name of Kotelnikov street was moved to the street. Sovetskaya: Sovetskaya street was partially renamed and named after V.N. Kotelnikov.

The Russian Naval Guard traces its history back to the first quarter of the 19th century. The first naval unit of the Russian Imperial Guard - the Guards Crew - was formed only in 1810, 110 years later than the first land guards units. After the October Revolution, the very concept of the guard was eliminated, and the return of guard ranks in the Soviet fleet again occurred a little later than in the army! The first guards units of the ground forces in the USSR appeared on September 18, 1941, and the first guards ships received the rank of guards only on April 3, 1942. By Order No. 72 of the People's Commissar of the Navy, Admiral Nikolai Kuznetsov, four submarines of the Northern Fleet became guards: the D-3 "Krasnogvardeets", the submarine "K-22", "M-171" and "M-174". The first guards ships from the Red Banner Baltic Fleet were the destroyer Stoiky, the minelayer Marti, and the minesweeper Gafel. And only one warship of the Black Sea Fleet was awarded the Guards title, but it was the largest and most powerful ship - the cruiser "Red Caucasus".

To be fair, it must be said that a little earlier, the marines and naval pilots who fought hand in hand with the Red Army soldiers from the first days of the war received guards ranks. The first to receive the guards rank on January 5, 1942 was the 71st Naval Rifle Brigade, renamed the 2nd Guards Rifle Brigade. On January 8, four more naval units became guards: three Baltic air regiments (1st mine-torpedo and 5th and 13th fighter regiments, later reorganized into the 1st Guards mine-torpedo and 3rd and 4th Guards fighter) and one air regiment of the Northern Fleet - the 72nd mixed, which after being awarded the rank became the 2nd Guards Fighter. And on March 18, 1942, the rank of Guards was awarded to the 75th Naval Rifle Brigade, which became the 3rd Guards Rifle Brigade

Until the end of the war, the number of guard ships, units and formations of the Soviet Navy increased significantly: 18 surface ships and 16 submarines, 13 combat boat divisions, two air divisions, 20 air regiments, two anti-aircraft artillery regiments, a marine brigade and a naval railway artillery brigade. The last guards unit in the fleet during the war, on September 26, 1945, became the 6th Fighter Aviation Regiment, after being renamed the 22nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Pacific Fleet.

But no matter how great the merits of the marines and naval pilots, the fleet is first and foremost warships. That is why the birthday of the naval guard in the Soviet Navy is considered to be April 3, 1942. And the first guards ships are worthy of telling, albeit briefly, about the fate and combat path of each of them.

Guards submarine D-3 "Krasnogvardeets"

Submarine D-3 was the third boat of the first Soviet project of large submarines - series I. Laid down at the Baltic Shipyard on March 5, 1927, on November 14, 1931 it became part of the naval forces of the Baltic Sea, and on September 21, 1933, having made the transition from Leningrad to Murmansk - as part of the Northern Military Flotilla. In February 1935, the submarine involved in the operation to support the activities of the first drifting polar station “North Pole-1” made a 30-minute under-ice swim for the first time in the history of the world submarine fleet. During the Great Patriotic War, the boat made seven military campaigns and did not return from the eighth. D-3 became the first submarine in the USSR Navy to be awarded both the title of Red Banner (the Order of the Red Banner of Battle "Red Guard" was awarded on January 17, 1942) and the title of Guards. According to official data from the Soviet side, the Red Guard, which made 12 torpedo attacks and fired 30 torpedoes, was credited with 8 sunken ships with a total displacement of 28,140 GRT and one damaged with a displacement of 3,200 GRT.

Guards submarine "K-22"

This submarine actually repeated the fate of the D-3: the same eight military campaigns, the last of which ended with the disappearance of the boat, the same entry into service first of the Baltic and then of the Northern Fleet. The boat was laid down in Leningrad at plant No. 196 on January 5, 1938, according to the design of the XVI series - the largest Soviet submarines of the pre-war period - and ten months later it was launched. On August 7, 1940, the boat became part of the Baltic, and on October 30, 1941, after crossing the White Sea-Baltic Canal - the Northern Fleet. K-22's combat record includes 9 sunk ships - transport and auxiliary ships, as well as warships. On February 7, 1943, the submarine made contact for the last time with the K-3 submarine, with which it carried out a joint combat campaign, and nothing more is known about it.

Guards submarine "M-171"

The Malyutka-class submarine of the XII series was laid down at plant No. 196 in Leningrad on September 10, 1936, launched 10 months later, and on December 25, 1937 became part of the Baltic Fleet under the letter M-87. A year and a half later, on June 21, 1939, the boat, having passed the White Sea Canal, reached Murmansk and became part of the Northern Fleet under the designation M-171. It was with this letter that the boat earned its military glory, having completed 29 military campaigns during the Great Patriotic War, carried out 20 torpedo attacks, fired 38 torpedoes and chalked up two reliable trophies: the German transport Curityba (4969) sunk on April 29, 1942 brt) and the German transport Ilona Siemers (3245 brt) damaged on January 29, 1943. The submarine served in the Soviet Navy until 1960: in 1945 it returned to the Baltic as an underwater minelayer, in 1950 it became a training subclass, and on June 30, 1960, after 23 years of service, it was excluded from the lists of Navy vessels .

Guards submarine "M-174"

Like the submarine M-171, M-174 was laid down in Leningrad, but a little later - on April 29, 1937, and when laid down it received the letter designation M-91. On July 7, 1938, she was launched, and on June 21, 1938, she became part of the Baltic Fleet. Both “Malyutkas” arrived in the North at the same time, making the transition along the White Sea-Baltic Canal from May 15 to June 19, 1939. The boat was included in the Northern Fleet on June 21, 1939 with the name M-174, and it managed to make one combat campaign during the Winter War of 1939-40, although without achieving success. During the Great Patriotic War, the boat made 17 military campaigns, but did not return from the last one, which began on October 14, 1943. During service, the M-174 made 3 torpedo attacks and fired 5 torpedoes, accounting for the reliably confirmed German transport Emshörn (4301 GRT), sunk on December 21, 1941.

The submarine that sank the fascist transport approached the base pier. Photo: TASS

Guards destroyer "Stoikiy"

This destroyer was laid down in Leningrad, at plant No. 190 on August 26, 1936, according to the most massive pre-war project of Soviet destroyers. On December 26, 1938, it was launched, and on October 18, 1940, “Stoikiy” entered service and became part of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet. She fought from the very first day of the war, and the glory of this ship was brought by her participation in a unique operation to evacuate the Soviet garrison of the Hanko Peninsula. A detachment of ships for this operation was formed on October 30, 1941, and it included, among many others, the Stoiky and the other two first guards ships in the Baltic - the minelayer Marti and the minesweeper Gafel. But it was on the “Stoikoy” that the squadron commander and head of the operation, Vice Admiral Valentin Drozd, held the flag, whose name was assigned to the ship on February 13, 1943, after the death of the commander. The destroyer served in the Baltic until 1960, most recently as a target vessel.

Guards minelayer "Marty"

This is the oldest among all the first guards ships of the Soviet Navy. On October 1, 1983, she was laid down at a Danish shipyard as the royal steam yacht “Standard,” and after launching on March 21, 1895, she became the favorite yacht of the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas II. In 1917, Tsentrobalt, the command of revolutionary sailors, was on board, and after the legendary Ice Campaign from Helsingfors to Kronstadt, the yacht was put into storage. And only in 1936 the ship returned to service: it was converted into a minelayer. “Marti,” which received this name in 1938, met the war on June 22 at the Tallinn roadstead, and already on the night of June 23 went out for the first combat laying of mines. In total, during the war, “Marty” made 12 combat missions, laid 3,159 mines and shot down 6 enemy aircraft. She remained in service until 1961, providing her last service to the Navy as a missile target ship.

Minelayer "Marty". Photo: wikipedia.org

Guards minesweeper "Gafel"

Another participant in the legendary campaign to Hanko, the minesweeper "Gafel" was laid down in Leningrad on October 12, 1937 under Project 53u - the most massive project of basic minesweepers of the 1930-40s. On July 23, 1939, it entered service and became part of the Baltic Fleet. He took part in the Winter War, met the war in Kronstadt, became famous as an active participant in the evacuation of the defenders of Hanko, was engaged in trawling until the end of the war and ended his service in the navy on September 1, 1955.

Guards cruiser "Red Caucasus"

It was laid down in Nikolaev in 1913 as the light cruiser Admiral Lazarev, but in 1918 construction was interrupted. It resumed only in 1927, after the ship was renamed “Red Caucasus”. It entered service on January 25, 1932, becoming the most modern ship of the Soviet fleet at that time - and the last in its composition, which was laid down in Tsarist Russia. The cruiser met the war in Sevastopol, and already on June 23 and 24 began laying minefields on the approaches to Sevastopol harbor. "Red Caucasus" took part in the defense of Odessa and Sevastopol, in the Kerch-Feodosia landing at the end of December 1941. It was in Feodosia on January 4, 1942, during a bombing, that the cruiser received severe damage, which forced her to undergo repairs for six months. But already in August 1942, the “Red Caucasus” returned to service, and served until November 21, 1952, when, already disarmed and turned into a target ship, it served its last service, receiving an anti-ship cruise missile from a Tu-4 bomber. It is symbolic that this happened in the Feodosia region, and the ship was excluded from the lists of ships of the fleet on January 3, 1953.

Guards nuclear submarine with cruise missiles "K-22" (since 1993 - "B-22") Project 675

It was laid down on October 14, 1963 at the Northern Engineering Enterprise. On October 22, 1964, the boat was awarded the Guards rank; it inherited the Guards Naval Flag of the K-22 submarine of the XIV series SF. Launched on November 29, 1964, the acceptance certificate was signed on August 7, 1965, and on September 6, 1965 it was included in the Northern Fleet. By order of the commander of the Northern Fleet dated November 3, 1967, the boat was given the honorary name “Red Guard”.

Displacement: surface 4415 tons, underwater 5760 tons; length 115.4 m, beam 9.3 m, draft 7.1 m; diving depth 300 m; power 32,000 hp; speed: surface 14.0 knots, underwater 23.0 knots; armament: 8 P-5D missile launchers, four 533 mm bow torpedo tubes, two 406 mm stern torpedo tubes; autonomy 60 days, crew 105 people.

In 1966, K-22 made its first autonomous mission to combat service.

In the period from 1970 to 1973, it underwent medium repairs at the Zvyozdochka enterprise. On August 28, 1976, while performing combat service in the Mediterranean Sea, the nuclear submarine collided with the US Navy frigate “VOGE” and, having received damage to the hull and devices, was placed for emergency repairs. From 1985 to 1990, at the Zvezdochka enterprise, the boat underwent medium repairs and modernization along Project 675 MKV. In total, K-22 completed seven autonomous missions for combat service. On July 15, 1994, the boat was expelled from the Navy.