Sunday, June 8, 2014

Marinefährprahm (MFP) in the North African Harbor

This photo shows a MFP (or an Italian MZ) in the North African harbor (could be Benghazi or Tripoli), the load compartment cover (corrugated iron) is open at the bow. The photo is M.E. first class, because there are hardly any color photos of the MFP's. The Marinefährprahm (MFP) or "naval ferry barge" was the largest landing craft operated by Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. It served a variety of roles (transport, minelayer, escort, gunboat) in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Black Seas as well as the English Channel and Norwegian coastal waters. Originally developed for the proposed invasion of England (Operation Sea Lion), the first of these ships was commissioned on 16 April 1941, with approximately 700 being completed by the war's end in May 1945. Allied sources sometimes refer to this class of vessel as a "Flak Lighter" or "F-lighter". Photo taken by General Erwin Rommel during his Campaign in North Africa, 1941


Source:
http://www.cybermodeler.com/history/germany/rommel.shtml

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