Re: North Korean Naval OOB

[Donald McElfresh <a0019874@airmail.net>]

In July 1993 I had correspondence with Captain J. E. Moore, R.N. "Jane's
Fighting Ships") and here is part of what he wrote regarding N.K. submarines.
"The transfer of Soviet submarines to North Korea is a very shrouded subject.
I can find no record of the transfer of any M class to North Korea - the
earliest such transfer of which I know was to China in July 1953...My best
interpretation is that during the Korean War, neither China nor north Korea
had any submarines. If any was suspected in the combat area the most likely
source would have been the Soviet pacific Fleet at Vladivostok."

However, Soviet Admiral A. P. Michaelovski, in his biography (1st volume -
"Vertical Ascent" or "Surfacing" - 1995) tells about (with a couple pictures)
of the 11 submarines at the Port Arthur submarine base in the Yellow Sea from
1947 until 1955 (base transfer from the Soviets to the Chinese). The eleven
were the C-53, C-52, M-VI and M-VI BIS's No. 46 thru 51 and Shcha ("Pike")122,
123 and 124. Many of these plus a number of M-XV's were transferred to the
Chinese in 1955. In the Spring of 1951 they closed down the base to show off
the "glorious" M's and Shchas to a large group of Chinese trainees and
visiting dignitaries.

I would suggest that not a lot is known about the real activities of the Port
Arthur submarines during the Korean War; where they sailed or who made up
their crews. Somewhat along the lines of the MiG pilot "volunteers" that were
buried in the Russian Cemetary in Port Arthur. After all, three years
(1950-53) is a long time for Soviet submarines to sit in Port Arthur, waiting
for an end to hostilities and open access to the Pacific.

Don

Mike Yared wrote:

> In Jane's Fighting Ships 1954-1955, nothing on North Korea, just Korea
> (meaning South Korea), The CNO was Vice-Admiral Pak-ok-Kyu and most of the
> ROK ships were transferred to them by the U.S. Navy.
>
> However, in Jane's Fighting Ships of 1957-1958.
> Korea (North): Personnel: strength estimated at 7,000 officers and men in
> September 1956.
>
> Ships:
> 6 to 12 motor torpedo boats armed with 2-21 inch torpedoes, 2-40 mm. guns
> and 2-20 mm. guns.
>
> 20 patrol vessels armed with 1-3 inch gun and 1 heavy M.G.
> 8 old coastal minesweepers
> 69 armed motor junks
> (there are also unconfirmed reports of 1 or 2 old Soviet submarines)
>
> Mike Yared
>
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