View source for Soviet destroyer Besposhchadny (1936)

{{short description|Gnevny-class destroyer built for the Soviet Navy}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=Besposhchadny.jpg
|Ship caption=''Besposhchadny'' at sea
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[Soviet Union]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Soviet Union|naval}}
|Ship name=''Besposhchadny''
|Ship renamed=
|Ship ordered=[[Five-year plans for the national economy of the Soviet Union#Second plan, 1933–1937|2nd Five-Year Plan]]
|Ship builder= [[Black Sea Shipyard|Shipyard No. 198 (Andre Marti (South))]], [[Mykolaiv|Nikolayev]]
|Ship laid down=15 May 1936
|Ship launched=5 December 1936
|Ship struck=
|Ship honors=[[Order of the Red Banner]], 4 April 1942
|Ship completed=22 August 1939
|Ship commissioned= 2 October 1939
|Ship fate=Sunk by aircraft, 6 October 1943
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption= (''Gnevny'' as completed, 1938)
|Ship class= {{sclass|Gnevny|destroyer}}
|Ship displacement={{cvt|1612|t|LT|lk=on}} ([[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard]])
|Ship length= {{cvt|112.8|m|ftin}} ([[o/a]])
|Ship beam={{cvt|10.2|m|ftin}}
|Ship draft={{cvt|4.8|m|ftin}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 shafts; 2 geared [[steam turbine]]s
|Ship speed= {{convert|38|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range={{cvt|2720|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|19|kn}}
|Ship power=*3 [[water-tube boiler]]s
*{{cvt|48000|shp|kW|lk=on}}
|Ship complement=197 (236 wartime)
|Ship sensors=Mars [[hydrophone]]
|Ship armament=*4 × single [[130 mm/50 B13 Pattern 1936|{{cvt|130|mm}} guns]]
*2 × single [[76.2 mm anti-aircraft gun Model 1935 (34-K)|{{cvt|76.2|mm|0}}]] [[AA gun]]s
*2 × single [[45 mm anti-aircraft gun (21-K)|{{cvt|45|mm}}]] AA guns
*2 × single [[DShK|{{cvt|12.7|mm}}]] [[anti-aircraft machinegun|AA machineguns]]
*2 × triple {{cvt|533|mm|0}} [[torpedo tube]]s
*60–96 [[Naval mine|mine]]s
*2 × [[depth charge]] racks, 25 depth charges
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''''Besposhchadny''''' was one of 29 {{sclass|Gnevny|destroyer}}s (officially known as [[List of ships of Russia by project number|Project 7]]) built for the [[Soviet Navy]] during the late 1930s. Completed in 1939, she was assigned to the [[Black Sea Fleet]]. After the start of the [[Operation Barbarossa|German invasion of the Soviet Union]] (Operation Barbarossa) in June 1941, the ship helped to lay [[minefield]]s off Sevastopol. During the [[Siege of Odessa (1941)|Siege of Odessa]] the ship transported troops and supplies while providing [[naval gunfire support]] to the defenders until she was crippled by German [[dive bomber]]s in September. ''Besposhchadny'' was further damaged by bombs while still under repair in November and they were not completed for almost another year.

The ship ferried troops and supplies for the rest of the year and then provided fire support during an [[amphibious landing]] behind German lines in the [[Caucasus]] in February 1943. She later bombarded Axis positions and unsuccessfully attempted to intercept German convoys off the [[Crimea]]. After a one such attempt, ''Besposhchadny'' and two other destroyers were attacked by German aircraft in October. After repeated attacks, she was sunk with only 41 survivors.

==Design and description==
Having decided to build the large and expensive {{convert|40|kn|lk=in|adj=on}} {{sclass|Leningrad|destroyer|0}} [[flotilla leader|destroyer leader]]s, the Soviet Navy sought Italian assistance in designing smaller and cheaper destroyers. They licensed the plans for the {{sclass|Folgore|destroyer|4}} and, in modifying it for their purposes, overloaded a design that was already somewhat marginally [[ship stability|stable]].<ref>Yakubov & Worth, pp. 99, 102–103</ref>

The ''Gnevny''s had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|112.8|m|ftin|sp=us}}, a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|10.2|m|ftin|sp=us}}, and a [[draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|4.8|m|ftin|sp=us}} at [[deep load]]. The ships were significantly overweight, almost {{convert|200|MT|LT|0|lk=on}} heavier than designed, displacing {{convert|1612|MT|LT}} at [[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard load]] and {{convert|2039|MT|LT}} at deep load. Their crew numbered 197 officers and sailors in peacetime and 236 in wartime.<ref>Yakubov & Worth, p. 101</ref> The ships had a pair of geared [[steam turbine]]s, each driving one propeller, rated to produce {{convert|48000|shp|lk=on}} using steam from three [[water-tube boiler]]s which was intended to give them a maximum speed of {{convert|37|kn}}.<ref>Budzbon, p. 330</ref> The designers had been conservative in rating the turbines and many, but not all, of the ships handily exceeded their designed speed during their [[sea trial]]s. Variations in [[fuel oil]] capacity meant that the range of the ''Gnevny''s varied between {{convert|1670|to|3145|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|19|kn}}.<ref>Yakubov & Worth, pp. 101, 106–107</ref>

As built, the ''Gnevny''-class ships mounted four [[130 mm/50 B13 Pattern 1936|{{convert|130|mm|in|adj=on|sp=us}} B-13 guns]] in two pairs of [[superfiring]] single mounts fore and aft of the [[superstructure]]. [[Anti-aircraft warfare|Anti-aircraft defense]] was provided by a pair of [[76.2 mm anti-aircraft gun Model 1935 (34-K)|{{convert|76.2|mm|adj=on|sp=us|0}} 34-K]] [[AA gun]]s in single mounts and a pair of [[45 mm anti-aircraft gun (21-K)|{{convert|45|mm|adj=on|sp=us}} 21-K]] AA guns<ref>Hill, p. 40</ref> as well as two {{convert|12.7|mm|adj=on|sp=us}} [[DShK|DK or DShK]] [[machine gun]]s. They carried six {{cvt|533|mm|in}} [[torpedo tube]]s in two rotating triple mounts; each tube was provided with a reload. The ships could also carry a maximum of either 60 or 95 [[naval mine|mines]] and 25 [[depth charge]]s. They were fitted with a set of Mars [[hydrophone]]s for [[anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine work]], although they were useless at speeds over {{convert|3|kn}}.<ref>Yakubov & Worth, pp. 101, 105–106</ref> The ships were equipped with two K-1 [[Paravane (weapon)|paravanes]] intended to destroy mines and a pair of depth-charge throwers.<ref>Berezhnoy, p. 335</ref>

== Construction and service ==
Built in [[Mykolaiv|Nikolayev]]'s [[Black Sea Shipyard|Shipyard No. 198 (Andre Marti (South))]] as [[yard number]] 322, ''Besposhchadny'' was [[laid down]] on 15 May 1936. The ship was completed on 22 August 1939<ref>Rohwer & Monakov, p. 233</ref> and was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] into the Black Sea Fleet on 2 October 1939.<ref name=y9>Yakubov & Worth, p. 109</ref> When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, the ship was assigned to the 2nd Destroyer [[Division (naval)|Division]] of the Black Sea Fleet. On 23–25 June ''Besposhchadny'' laid 114 defensive [[Naval mine|mines]] off Sevastopol. On 9 July, the 2nd Destroyer Division, including the [[flotilla leader|destroyer leader]] {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Kharkov||2}}, ''Besposhchadny'' and her sister ships {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Bodry|1936|2}}, {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Boyky|1936|2}} and {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Bezuprechny|1937|2}} made an unsuccessful attempt to interdict Axis shipping near [[Fidonisi]]. ''Besposhchadny'' [[Ship grounding|ran aground]] near the [[Yevpatoria|Eupatoria]] lighthouse on 14 July and damaged her propellers. After repairs, she began escorting cargo ships to [[Odessa]] while also transporting supplies and troops there. In addition, the ship provided gunfire support. On 14–17 August, ''Besposhchadny'' escorted the incomplete ships being evacuated from the shipyards at [[Mykolaiv|Nikolayev]]. The destroyer helped to escort transports ferrying the [[157th Rifle Division (Soviet Union)|157th Rifle Division]] to Odessa on 16–21 September.  While providing fire support during the [[amphibious landing]] at Grigorievka on 22 September, ''Besposhchadny'' was attacked by [[Junkers Ju 87]] ''Stuka'' [[dive bomber]]s of [[Sturzkampfgeschwader 77|StG 77]]. They nearly blew her [[bow (ship)|bow]] off and she steamed to Odessa for emergency repairs. The following day, she was towed, stern-first, to [[Sevastopol]] by the destroyer {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Soobrazitelny|1940|2}}. The ship was repaired using the [[Marine salvage|salvaged]] bow from her sunken sister {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Bystry|1936|2}}. While still under repair, ''Besposhchadny'' was attacked by ''Stuka''s from StG 77 on 12 November; they hit her once in the aft [[Fire room|boiler room]] and near missed her several times. The bombs badly damaged her propulsion machinery and started a large fire. She was [[drydock]]ed for emergency repairs on the 14th and was towed to [[Poti]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] three days later by the destroyer {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Shaumyan||2}} for further repairs that lasted until September 1942.<ref>Platonov, p. 194; Rohwer, pp. 80–81, 85, 92–94, 100, 102, 114; Yakubov & Worth, p. 109</ref>

While still under repair, ''Besposhchadny'' was awarded the [[Order of the Red Banner]] on 4 April. The ship completed her post-repair sea trials and [[Glossary of nautical terms (M-Z)#working up|working up]] by 9 October and helped to ferry the 8th, 9th and 10th Guards Rifle Brigades and other troops from Poti to [[Tuapse]] on 19–28 October. On 29 November, ''Besposhchadny'' and ''Boyky'' were tasked to attack Axis shipping off the [[Bulgaria]]n coast and to bombard the port of [[Mangalia]], [[Romania]]. They failed to locate any ships and mistook coastal rocks for a convoy in heavy fog on 1 December, firing 141 shells from their main guns and six torpedoes at them. ''Besposhchadny'', together with the [[light cruiser]] {{ship|Soviet cruiser|Krasnyi Krym||2}} and the destroyer {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Nezamozhnik||2}}, transported the [[9th Mountain Rifle Division]] and other troops from [[Batumi]], Georgia, to Tuapse in early December. Together with ''Soobrazitelny'', ''Besposhchadny'' covered the [[sortie]] of a division of [[minesweeper]]s off the Romanian coast and then unsuccessfully patrolled south of [[Fidonisi]] themselves on 26–29 December.<ref>Platonov, p. 194; Rohwer, pp. 204, 215–216, 220</ref>

The destroyer bombarded German positions around [[Novorossiysk]] on 1 February 1943 with 206 shells from her 130&nbsp;mm guns. On 4 February, she provided fire support during the amphibious landing west of  Novorossiysk, firing 151 [[Shell (projectile)#Illumination|illumination]] and 56 [[Shell (projectile)#High-explosive shells|high-explosive shells]]. ''Besposhchadny'' fired 105 shells at Axis troops near [[Anapa]] on 13 February. During the rest of the month, the ship helped to ferry 8,037 troops from Tuapse to [[Gelendzhik]]. On the night of 30 April/1 May, ''Boyky'' and ''Besposhchadny'' shelled Axis positions on the [[Kerch Peninsula]] and then the ship bombarded [[Alushta]] on the night of 20/21 May. ''Boyky'' and ''Besposhchadny'', together with the destroyer {{ship|Soviet destroyer|Sposobny|1940|2}} made an unsuccessful attempt on 30 September to intercept German transports evacuating troops and equipment from the [[Kuban bridgehead|Kuban Bridgehead]]. During the night of 5/6 October, ''Kharkov'', ''Besposhchadny'' and ''Sposobny'' attempted to intercept German evacuation convoys off the Crimean coast, but were again unsuccessful. ''Kharkov'' bombarded [[Yalta]] and Alushta while the two smaller destroyers steamed to do the same to [[Feodosia]]. The latter pair were attacked by five [[E-boat|S-boats]] of the 1st S-Boat Flotilla en route. The Germans failed to damage either destroyer and ''Sposobny'' claimed one hit on ''S-45''. On their way home the three ships were spotted by German [[reconnaissance aircraft]] and were attacked by ''Stuka''s of III./[[Sturzkampfgeschwader 3|StG 3]]. ''Kharkov'' was damaged by their first attack and had to be towed by ''Sposobny''. The second attack damaged all three ships and ''Sposobny'' alternated towing ''Besposhchadny'' and ''Kharkov''. The next attack sank both ''Kharkov'' and ''Besposhchadny'' with only 41 crewmen rescued from the latter. This incident prompted [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]] to issue an order forbidding the use of ships destroyer-sized and larger without his express permission.<ref>Platonov, pp. 194–195; Rohwer, pp. 229, 231, 246, 251, 274, 280</ref>

==Citations==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
*{{Cite book|title=Легендарные "семёрки" Эсминцы "сталинской" серии|last=Balakin|first=Sergey|publisher=Yauza/Eksmo|year=2007|isbn=978-5-699-23784-5|location=Moscow|language=ru|trans-title=Legendary Sevens: Stalin's destroyer series}}
*{{Cite book|title=Крейсера и миноносцы. Справочник|last=Berezhnoy|first=Sergey|publisher=Voenizdat|year=2002|isbn=5-203-01780-8|location=Moscow|language=ru|trans-title=Guide to Cruisers and Destroyers}}
*{{cite book|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946|url=https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds00ches_314|url-access=limited|editor-last=Chesneau|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=Greenwich, UK|year=1980|isbn=0-85177-146-7|last=Budzbon|first=Przemysaw|pages=[https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds00ches_314/page/n325 318]–346|chapter=Soviet Union|editor-first=Roger}}
* {{cite book | last = Hill | first = Alexander | year = 2018 | title = Soviet Destroyers of World War II | place = Oxford, UK| publisher = Osprey Publishing| isbn = 978-1-4728-2256-7|series=New Vanguard|volume=256}}
*{{cite book |last1=Platonov |first1=Andrey V.|title=Энциклопедия советских надводных кораблей 1941–1945 |trans-title=Encyclopedia of Soviet Surface Ships 1941–1945 |date=2002 |publisher=Poligon |location=Saint Petersburg |isbn=5-89173-178-9 |language=ru}}
*{{cite book|last1=Rohwer|first1=Jürgen|last2=Monakov|first2=Mikhail S.|title=Stalin's Ocean-Going Fleet|publisher=Frank Cass|location=London|year=2001|isbn=0-7146-4895-7|name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book|last=Rohwer|first=Jürgen|title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=2005|edition=Third Revised|isbn=1-59114-119-2|author-link=Jürgen Rohwer}}
* {{cite book|last1=Yakubov|first1=Vladimir|last2=Worth |first2=Richard |chapter=The Soviet Project 7/7U Destroyers|editor1-last=Jordan |editor1-first=John |editor2-last=Dent |editor2-first=Stephen |publisher=Conway|location=London|year=2008|title=Warship 2008|pages=99–114|isbn=978-1-84486-062-3|name-list-style=amp}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last=Whitley|first=M. J.|title=Destroyers of World War 2|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1988|isbn=0-87021-326-1}}

{{Gnevny-class destroyer}}

{{coord missing|Black Sea}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Besposhchadny (1936)}}
[[Category:Gnevny-class destroyers]]
[[Category:1936 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built at the Black Sea Shipyard]]
[[Category:Destroyers sunk by aircraft]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German aircraft]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in October 1943]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Black Sea]]