A German military transport sunk in 1942 was found in the Barents Sea

In the Barents Sea, specialists of the reconnaissance diving team discovered and identified the German military transport ship Utlandshern, which sank in 1942. This was announced on August 9 in the organization's press service on the Telegram channel.

"The unknown vessel turned out to be a military transport, which became the first victory of Soviet boats in the Battle for the Arctic. This vessel also opened a list of German transports sunk in the Pechenga area," the report says.

The discovery was made as part of the Victory Mosquito Fleet project. North", which is being implemented with the support of the Russian Geographical Society and DOSAAF of Russia. The specialists conducted an underwater dive, videography and established the name of the vessel.

The ship made its last voyage on the morning of March 16, 1942. The steamer was supposed to cross from Liinahamari to Kirkenes, accompanied by two patrol ships. Upon exiting the fjord, the transport was blown up by a Soviet heavy mine. The minefields were exposed by the MO-153 and MO-163 boats in December 1941 – January 1942.

The vessel was identified thanks to the discovered bell with its original name of Cartagena. RVC reported that experts will continue to study underwater surveys and archival materials.

The transport was built in Hamburg in 1927. Initially it was called "Cartagena", later it was named "Golfo de Panama", and in 1939 it was renamed "Utlandshern".

During the Second World War, the transport was used by the German navy to transport military cargo in the Baltic, North and Norwegian Seas. After the outbreak of World War II, he supplied German troops in the Arctic and flew between Kirkenes and Liinahamari.

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