A new model in my 1/350 submarines collection. Soviet submarine Щ-303 “Ёрш” тип “Щука” (SCH-303 Ruffe, “Pike” type) was laid down in 1930 and joined the Baltic Fleet in 1933. She had a long and hard career. Routing repairs and training didn’t allow her to take part in Soviet-Finland War and first encounters of the Great Patriotic War. Her first patrol – June-July 1942. Captain – Ivan Travkin. At the beginning of that patrol SCH-303 made three crossings of German “Nashorn” mine barrage. She attacked and damaged ship “Aldebaran” (7891t.) and then she suffered heavy attack from German convoy ships. Her nose torpedo tubes and rudders were damaged. On the way back to base SCH-303 made another two crossings of the “Nashorn” barrage and was attacked by German patrol plane. Near “Seeiegel” mine barrage she waited for support for six days and every night German ships made attacks on the submarine, but SCH-303 at last reached Kronshtadt by herself.
Second patrol – October-November 1943. She crossed Nashorn and Seeiegel, and then damaged three ships. SCH-303 ran out of ammo and returned to base through Seeiegel barrage.
Third patrol of SCH-303 became one of most dramatic in history of Soviet Baltic Fleet. Germans improved their defense. Nashorn was filled up with additional 7300 mines and Seeiegel with 2300 mines. Beyond that, in Finnish Gulf were installed two large barrages of anti-submarine nets.
There were period of “White nights” and every hour on the surface was a great risk to SCH-303. She unsuccessfully tried to cross net and mine barrages and nearly get out of electric power and air regeneration supplies. Food were cooked with sea water. On surface she several times met German warships. Conditions for people were very hard and nervous. One night watchman Galkin take submarine on surface, went out and began to made signals with white pillowcase to passing German patrol warships. They opened fire on “Ersh”. Captain Travkin made a decision to leave the traitor (he became prisoner of war) and ordered emergency submerge. Then were more then 70 hours of incessant Germans attacks. SCH-303 survived. Travkin decided to go back to base. Two Soviet cutters (MO-102 and MO-123), which were sent to met the submarine were lost on mines of Seeiegel. On the way to Kronshtadt the convoy with SCH-303 suffered of air attacks – two minesweepers were damaged.
Ivan Travkin was awarded with American Navy Cross. His new submarine was K-52. In 1945 he received the Gold Star of The Hero of the Soviet Union.
Fourth patrol – December 1944 – January 1945. Captain – E. A. Ignatiev. SCH-303 passed the barrages with some damages. She tried to attack German convoy but were intercepted and attacked. Her rudders were damaged, but she successfully returned to base.
It was evident that more then 10 years old submarine became obsolete, but she had another two patrols in February and March 1945. After numerous encounters with German patrol ships SCH-303 performed two attacks and returned to base. The war for “Lucky pike” was over.
In-progress photos:
My little subs collection
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