The Neger
was the first attempt to build a so called "Kleinkampfmittel". Since it had to be build in huge numbers and without long design work, a simple solution was chosen: Two G7e torpedoes were connected above each other, in the upper one the warhead was removed, a transparent dome and a driver cockpit was installed. The Neger
had to approach closely to its target, fire its torpedo and disengage.
Since this vehicle was not able to dive, it was very vulnerable against enemy attacks, once the transparent dome was damaged, the driver almost had no chance to escape from the sinking vessel. The Neger
was first used in Italy in April 1944 and saw action the whole year. Despite heavy losses, it was also used against the invasion beachhead in France, sinking one cruiser, one destroyer and several smaller ships. About 200 of these crafts were build.
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