A Whiskey-class submarine of a latter type
Ron van Maanen
In the edition of Jane’s Fighting Ships 1959-1959 is also attention paid to the strength of the Egyptian submarines. There were six submarines available, 3 seagoing and 3 coastal types. The first were of medium size with a displacement of 1,100 (surfaced)-1,600 (submerged) tons and as dimensions 240 (over all) x 25 x 15 feet, armed with 6-21” torpedo tubes, 1-3.9” gun and 1 small anti aircraft gun were handed over by the Soviet Union in June 1957. According to unofficially reports dated January 1957 were two Russian-built submarines handed over while other tidings reported the delivery of 3 Polish-built submarines in 1958.
The last three with a displacement of 205 (surfaced)-256 (submerged) tons and as dimensions 146 x 10¾ x 8¾ feet were armed with 2-21” torpedo tubes, 14,5cm gun and 1 machinegun were in June 1957 handed over although also was reported that earlier M type was delivered.
Norman Polmar and Jurrien Noot in their book Submarines of the Russian and Soviet navies 1718-1990 (Annapolis 1991) wrote that 8 units of the Whiskey-class were sold to Egypt, four in June 1957, three on 24 January 1958 and a eight one in January 1962. This class had a displacement of 1.050 (surfaced)-1,350 (submerged) tons and as dimensions 246’9” (waterline)-249‘4” (over all) x 20’8” x 16.1” or 75,2-76 x 6,3 x 4,9 metres. Except for the 6-53,3 cm torpedo tubes (4 x bow, 2 x stern) were the earliest submarines of this class also armed with a 10cm gun mounted abaft the conning tower.
The 1979-1980 edition of Jane’s Fighting Ships mentioned that some units of the above mentioned eight submarines still were in service. There were now six Whiskey-submarines in the Egyptian navy available of which one was non-operational although apparently two were replaced by other Whiskey-class submarines in 1972 and two were replaced by submarines of the Romeo-class. The guns were in the meantime removed.
Directly after the Second World War started the period 1946-1991 which became known as the Cold War between the Eastern or Communist Bloc (Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact) and the Western Bloc (USA and the NATO allies). In this political and economic conflict with a (nuclear) arms race both sides tried to expand their influence for example in the Middle East area in countries like Egypt.
Egypt was part of the Ottoman Empire as an autonomous Khedivate when in 1882 England invaded Egypt to restore the political stability taking over the control. When the First World War broke out in which the Ottoman Empire was involved, declared the United Kingdom that Egypt became a British Protectorate while replacing the Khedive by a member of his family and appointed him as the ruler with the title sultan. On 28 February 1922 was the independent Kingdom of Egypt founded with Fuad as king When in 1936 Farouk succeeded him was a treaty signed with the United Kingdom with as result that the British troops left Egypt except for the Suez Canal until 1949. The relationship with the United Kingdom is also showed by the former British warships serving in the Egyptian navy.
In Dutch newspapers were several items published showing the panic in Israel for these submarines and lacking reliable information by the Western intelligence about these submarines. But the newspapers give an impression of this frightening period.
The newspaper Nieuw Israelietisch weekblad dated 11 November 1955 reported that according to American naval sources Egypt was enlisting German harbours former crewmembers of German Second World War U-boats. The same sources claimed that the sailors were to serve on board of the Russian submarines received by Egypt. The reason for this enlisting was that a submarine needed a well trained crew with special technical qualities and the reported doubted if the Egyptian sailors were schooled enough to use the Russian submarines efficiently. It was believed that Egypt would receive 6 submarines although the American George Smathers (1) recently in his speech for the American organisation of former Jewish soldiers a much larger number mentioned. Probably are the submarines of the German snorkel type of which the Soviet Union at the end of the Second World War a large number captured in the Baltic harbours. The Soviet Union now possessed an estimated fleet of more as 400 submarines excluded the hundred now being built and was able to sell the aged and no longer needed units to Egypt.
The newspaper Amigoe di Curacao dated 26 March 1956 wrote that the diplomatic correspondent of the British newspaper Daily Telegraph reported that 200 officers and subaltern officers of the Egyptian navy and army were secretly trained in a Russian base near the Polish harbour Gdynia. They were trained in using radar, anti aircraft guns and submarines and probably also amphibious operations. The instructors were principally Russian, none Polish was allowed to enter the base.
The same newspaper dated 24 April 1956 wrote that the American Democratic member of the House of Representatives Emanuel Celler (2) stated that six former Russian submarines now where in Egyptian service. Despite this fact refused Eisenhower Israel permission to buy submarine chasers. Celler who was chairman of the House Judiciary Committee spoke during a press conference at Trenton of the United Jewish appeal.
In the newspaper Het nieuws dated 11 July 1956 was an item dated Cairo 10 July published reporting that according to the Egyptian press some submarines were expected in Egypt. Shipping sources said that they were delivered by Russia. President Nasser would help with hoisting the flags on these ships and on the four new destroyers (two Russian and two British) which were recently acquired.
The newspaper Friese Koerier dated 27 June 1957 wrote that the chief of staff of the American navy admiral Arleigh Burke stated on board of the cruiser USS Salem that at least two of the three submarines Egypt purchased from Russia were suitable for nuclear missiles although he doubt if Russia had also delivered such missiles. The range of these two boats was too large than needed for patrolling in the waters around the Gulf of Akaba or the Suez Cabal. In fact were both ships not suitable for such tasks. The Egyptian Dui 53 was a threat for the American 6th Fleet although not a seriously one. These submarines were capable to watch the movements of the 6th Fleet from a large distance.
The newspaper Nieuwsblad van het Noorden dated 1 July 1957 published the following item. The Egyptian newspaper Al Gomhoeria which was supported by the Egyptian government reported that the three Russian submarines which were a week earlier handed over to Egypt were manned with Egyptian sailors which were trained during a long period in handling submarines. These submarines which went via the Channel to Alexandria were part of the arms delivery treaty between both countries of 1955. The training ended October 1956.
The newspaper Het Nieuwsblad van het Noorden dated 2 January 1958 referred to an item published in the Egyptian newspaper Al Chaab in which the chief of staff of the Egyptian navy admiral Soliman Ezzat announced that two new warships for Egypt were underway. There were no further details supplied, however they seemed to be coming from Russia or Poland. Another newspaper Friese Koerier dated 30 December 1957 reported that vice admiral Soliman Izeet which visited in November Russia said that the ships were underway without telling from where.
And finally the newspaper Nieuw Israelietisch weekblad dated 11 April 1958 published an item using the newspapers from Cairo reported that in the last weeks 6 modern submarines from the Soviet Union arrived. The last three came from a Polish harbour and were manned by a Egyptian crew which was trained in Poland.
Notes
1. George Armistead Smathers (14 January 1913 Atlantic City, New Jersey-20 January 2007 Indian Creek, Florida), lawyer and senator 3 January 1951-3 January 1969 for the Democratic party representing Florida.
2. Member between 4 March 1923 and 3 January 1945 and chairman 1949-1973 with a short break. Brooklyn 6 May 1888 Brooklyn-15 January 1981.
