Q&A · 7:02-7:28

Why Operation Berlin could not simply use the Kiel Canal

Royal Air Force mining made the canal an unreliable route for German capital ships.

Aerial Minelaying Kiel Canal Operation Berlin Royal Air Force

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Question

Why did the German ships in Operation Berlin not use the Kiel Canal?

Short answer

The Royal Air Force repeatedly mined the canal, making it an unreliable route.

Notes

The Kiel Canal was effectively unavailable because the Royal Air Force repeatedly mined it. The mining flights were routine enough to be compared to a tea-and-biscuit run. That persistent route-denial effort made canal passage too risky and unreliable for the German ships in Operation Berlin.