- Yes
- No
Special thanks to @TADAMAT for helping with sources and translations.
History:
The Czechoslovakian river forces were formed in 1919, inheriting some of Austria-Hungary river craft and split into two sectors one at the Danube and the other at Elbe. The former was where combat was more likely hence the flotillas more combat capable boats were deployed. Eventually, the inherited fleet became obsolete, leading Czechoslovakia to build it’s own vessels (and complete some of the unfinished vessels inherited like torpedo retrievers).
The OMm boats do not have much history (as do most of the Czechoslovakian flotilla) the OMm35 would be the only OMm class to be fully built before Czechoslovakia’s annexation. It was delivered by Skoda Works, Komarno in October of 1938.
It’s sister ship OMm36 was layed down but was only completed during the German occupation in the summer of 1939. Both OMms were handed over to Romania as V5 and V6 and were rearmed with 8mm and 20mm guns.
V5 and V6 would go on to take part in Operation Müchen by laying mine barrages in the Chilla branch located in the Danube Delta (to little effect). In 1943, V5 and V6 took part in the German-Romanian minesweeping of the Danube Delta, removing around 50 mines.
Both boats were captured by the USSR in September 1944. It is unknown if either the OMm35 or OMm36 remained in service post war or if it was disposed of. Regardless, this would mark the last confirmed event involving the OMm35.
The main function of the OMms was to be the minelayers of the Czechoslovakian flotilla. This would serve in conjunction with the OMd gunboats, OMh launches and the monitor President Masaryk to guard the Danube and Elbe rivers.
Some pre war boats ended up returning to service alongside some captured boats like the DC-1 up until the navy was disbanded and the Soviets took over guarding the Danube in the late 1950s. This was also partially due to the fact the flotilla would preform poorly in a full scale war due to it’s vulnerability to air attacks.
Specifications:
Armament- 4x 7.92mm vz.37 machine gun and 22x mines
Max speed- 35kmh
Max armour- 48mm
Displacement- 60t
Beam- 4m
Draught- 0.92m
Propulsion- 2 diesel engines (900hp)
Crew- Unknown
Sources:
Jipa Rotaru, Ioan Damaschin, Glorie și dramă: Marina Regală Română, 1940-1945
Vojenské lodě Československa 1918-1959