A Vorpostenboot (plural Vorpostenboote) was an auxiliary warship used by Germany in both World Wars. Many vorpostenboote also served in other roles, such as sperrbrecher (mine clearance) and weather ships. During World War II, the Vorpostenboote were organized into several surface flotillas which were in turn attached to various German ports. Over 30 Vorpostenflotillas were established to operate off the German, Channel, Baltic and Scandinavian coasts.
1 Vorpostenflotille was active in the western Baltic from 1 October 1939 to 1 October 1940, when it was redesignated 3 Sperrbrecherflotille.
2 Vorpostenflotille existed from September 1939 to December 1944, when it was disbanded. Many vessels were redesignated within the unit, later designations are shown in brackets
3 Vorpostenflotille was established in September 1939.
4 Vorpostenflotille was formed in September 1939 and was disbanded in September 1944. Many vessels were re-designated within the unit. Later designations are shown in brackets.
5 Vorpostengruppe was established in September 1939 and disbanded on 22 May 1940.
6 Vorpostengruppe was established in September 1939 and disbanded on 22 May 1940.
6 Vorpostenflotille was established on 1 January 1943 and disbanded in September 1944.
7 Vorpostenflotille was established on 22 September 1939. It was disbanded in September 1944.
8 Vorpostenflotille was formed in September 1939 and disbanded in 1945. One vessel was redesignated within the unit.
9 Vorpostenflotille was established on 27 September 1939. It was disbanded on 23 April 1945.
10 Vorpostenflotille was established in September 1939. It was renamed 10 Sicherungsflottille on 1 October 1943.
11 Vorpostenflotille was formed in September 1939. A few vessels were redesignated within the unit.
12 Vorpostenflotille was formed on 26 September 1939. It was disbanded in December 1947.
13 Vorpostenflotille was established in September 1939. It was disbanded in January 1945.
14 Vorpostenflotille was established on 1 February 1943 and disbanded in 1945.
â Losses:- V 1401 Deister suffered a boiler explosion and sank in the North Sea off IJmuiden, North Holland, Netherlands on 26 April 1944; a vessel designated V 1401 was bombed and sunk at IJmuiden on 24 August 1944. V 1405 Ritzebüttel (as V 2008 Ritzebüttel) struck a mine and sank in the Broad Fourteens off Westkapelle, West Flanders, Belgium on 25 February 1943. Ten crew were killed. V 1408 Aue was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off IJmuiden by Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force on 29 April 1943. V 1409 Limburgia was torpedoed and sunk in Seine Bay by and on 18 April 1943. V 1411 Zeemeeuw sank in the North Sea off IJmuiden on 5 July 1944. V 1412 Witte Zee was sunk in the North Sea in a battle with , , , , , and on 14 July 1944. V 1415 Azimuth on 26 March 1944. V 1416 was sunk at IJmuiden by Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft of the United States Eighth Air Force. V 1417 Stoomloodsvartuig 11 was sunk in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands by British aircraft on 17 January 1945.
15 Vorpostenflotille was formed in September 1939. It was disbanded in 1945.
The unit also operated these s captured whilst under construction in France.
16 Vorpostengruppe was formed in July 1940. It was redesignated 16 Vorpostenflotille on 20 September 1940.
16 Vorpostenflotille was formed on 20 September 1940. It was disbanded in July 1945.
17 Vorpostenflotille was formed in June 1940. It was disbanded in 1945.
18 Vorpostengruppe was formed in July 1940. It was redesignated 18 Vorpostenflotille on 3 October 1940.
18 Vorpostenflotille was formed on 3 October 1940. It was disbanded in 1945.
19 Vorpostenflotille was formed in July 1940. It was redesignated 5 Sicherungsflotille on 1 October 1943. One vessel was redesignated within the unit.
20 Vorpostenflotille was formed in July 1940. It was renamed 20 Minensuchflotille post-war.
51 Vorpostenflotille was formed on 23 December 1940. It was disbanded in June 1945. A number of vessels were redesignated within the unit.
â¡ Formerly named Hareidingen.<br /> â¡â¡ Formerly named Aalesund.
53 Vorpostenflotille was formed on 23 December 1940. It was disbanded in June 1945. A number of vessels were redesignated within the unit.
â¡Formerly named Jim.<br />â¡â¡ Formerly named Pol VIII.
55 Vorpostenflotille was formed in December 1940. It was disbanded in June 1945. A number of vessels were redesignated within the unit.
57 Vorpostenflotille was formed in November 1940. It was disbanded in June 1945. A number of vessels were redesignated within the unit.
59 Vorpostenflotille was formed in February 1941. It was disbanded in June 1945.
61 Vorpostenflotille was formed in November 1940. It was disbanded in June 1945. A number of vessels were redesignated within the unit.
63 Vorpostenflotille was formed in May 1944. It was disbanded in 1945.
64 Vorpostenflotille was formed in June 1944. It was disbanded in 1945.
65 Vorpostenflotille was formed in May 1944. It was disbanded in 1945.
66 Vorpostenflotille was formed in May 1944. It was disbanded in 1945.
67 Vorpostenflotille was formed on 1 July 1944. It was disbanded in 1945.
68 Vorpostenflotille was formed in May 1944. It was disbanded in 1945.
7 Sicherungflotille was formed in February 1943 and was expanded in March 1943. It was disbanded in October 1944 and its vessels transferred to 13 Sicherungflotille, which was disbanded on 24 April 1945.