"Seehunds" operated mainly around the German coast and in the English Channel, and could attack on the surface in turbulent weather, but had to be almost stationary for submerged attacks. From January to April 1945 "Seehunds" performed 142 sorties, and accounted for about 93,000 gross tons of shipping (British sources estimate 120,000 tons). Administratively, the Seehunds were under the command of "Lehrkommandos", which were part of the German Navy's special operations branch. Within each "Lehrkommando" were subordinate "K-Flotilla"; K-Flottille 311 was specifically designated to oversee deployment of the Hecht miniature submarine while the Seehund submarines were dispersed between K-Flottille 312, 313, and 314.