30.8.1935 Kiel Harbor
Working in 2 shifts (port and starboard) the ship is outfitted and ready for departure in record time.
5,500 cbm3 of diesel fuel
4,000 cbm3 of lubricating oils
4,500 cbm3 of fresh water
3,200 t of coal
2,200 cbm3 of aviation fuel
1,000 cbm3 of reserve diesel fuel
Endurance of 350 days.
10,000 t of cargo and equipment.
In Stettin part of the cargo was loaded in accordance with 1.Okm. 100579/35 gkdos. this cargo was initially supposed to arrive by train and be loaded at Scheerhafen. But both trains were still sitting in the marshaling yards in Stettin when the Kommandant inquired about their arrival to Kiel. So, Hartmann decided to sail for the port and take aboard the cargo there.
In the evening Freg.Kpt. Hartmann travelled to Berlin for the last time for a final briefing and brought up to date on the latest political situation and intelligence from the B-Dienst. During the Kommandant’s voyage to Berlin the ship was disguised as a Transportschiffe A10 sailing under the Reich service flag.
1.) Outer hull dark grey
2.) On deck ventilators, hatches, winches, etc. light grey
3.) Superstructure grey
4.) Smokestack length unchanged, painted light grey with black top
5.) Masts light grey, crow’s nest unchanged
6.) Pole masts put up including cargo booms
7.) I and X cannons completely disguised, painted grey
8.) Boats setout
9.) Draft marks and identification markings on hull
10.) Reich Service Flag hoisted on roof of signal deck
In the night, the disguise work was complete, Schiff 30’s outbound orders are as follows to proceed independently to Cape Arkona and meet the tanker “Esso Bremen”. From here both will proceed via the Great Belt, Kattegat, and Skagerrak to the North Sea where they will follow 4224 AN, 7878, 4949 AF, 9939 AB, 1236 AC, and 8711 AG. Here they will meet another freighter the “Wachtfels.”
The fitting out of Schiff Nr. 30 is on schedule and is anticipated to depart on 1.Sep.1935.
