There is a gloomy atmosphere at the pier at Naval Base Frederikshavn. Heavy machine guns are being loaded and vunerable heads are being protected with green steel helmets. The crews aboard FGS ZOBEL and FGS FRETTCHEN are preparing for combat. They are not certain about what to expect, but they are ready for most things.

GEPARD-class data: Length 57,6 m Beam 7,8 m Draught 2,6 m Displacement 391 ton, fuldt lastet Crew 34 GEPARD-class units in DANEX 06: P 6125 S75   ZOBEL P 6126 S76   FRETTCHEN

The two fast and heavily armed boats are a part of the German force in DANEX 06. They arrived in Frederikshavn on Wednesday, where they participate in their last DANEX exercise elements, before they to night will set course towards Naval Base Eckernförde in the northern part of Germany. The remaining part of the German force in DANEX 06 will participate in the entire exercise which continues until September 14.

Security Force on the pier
While FGS ZOBEL and FGS FRETTCHEN are at harbour the opportunity is used to train coordination between the crews and the soldiers of the Naval Home Guard Security Force. As their name implies, they provide security. Barbed wire entanglements block the pier and with their rifles firmly settled in their shoulders they watch all activities on the pier and in the harbour.

De interesserede soldater får et kig  på de tyske håndvåben.  Foto: Martin Pedersen, SVN

It doesn’t happen every day that the Danish Home Guard people meet crew members from a German fast patrol boat, so while they are on guard they use the opportunity to chat with the foreign sailors. Across the boat’s side a couple of Germans tell about the weapon systems of the boat and the interested Home Guard soldiers get a chance to see the German small arms.

Fighting on the pier
After a few hours of guarding the enemy suddenly tries to force its way into the harbour. The Home Guard soldiers are ready and quickly the German boats are alerted. For the next half hour the Naval Base resounds of gunfire. Guns and machine guns aboard the two patrol boats are turned towards the enemy fire and the intruders are quickly forced to flee.

The crews on FGS ZOBEL and FGS FRETTCHEN can relax again. The steel helmets can be stowed away for a while and they can prepare themselves for their trip home.

Addition photos