In the Fall of 1943, the SEK was established under the command of a FKpt. Broeckel-mann for the purpose of testing mine material for serviceability from the seaman's point of view. This command was based at Kalungsborg, Danmark and consisted of a flottilla of mine layers, mine sweepers and work boats. Approximately 700 officers and ratings com-prised the staff. Departments were set up for each type of mine and gear, such as con-trolled mines, moored mines, ground mines, mechanical mine-sweeping gear, etc. An air-craft mine section, headed by an Air Force officer, was created; but on account of the shortage of planes, fuel and personnel, little aircraft testing was carried out, the task being left to the Luftwaffe.

Apparently, there was no set pattern for acoustic or magnetic trials of mines. Target ships provided the actuation under the supervision of a specialist officer, who had famil-iarized himself with the unit being tested by working together with SVK. Tests were de-signed to similate field conditions as closely as possible.

Trials Group (SEK) reported the trial results to Mine Inspection (SI) and made its own recommandations; if the item was already operational, SEK could advise discontinuance. Drafts of publications prepared by SVK and covering the item under test were checked by SEK from an operational viewpoint.