9/10/1939 North Atlantic 30th day at sea (43°7’N, 34°55’W)
Since the last report conditions have deteriorated and one does not refer to the weather, the Wehrmacht invaded Poland at 05:00 hrs. on September 1, 1939 just as Ship 77 began her transit to the Denmark Strait. On Sunday the 3rd on the outskirts of the strait the main radio room picked up the message that England had declared war on Germany. The passage through the Denmark Strait was successful and now Ship 77 begins the trek south on the 5th she received the first radio message from the Seekriegslietung (SKL) informing that they would take command before Ship 77 crossed 40°N. So far, the passage through the Atlantic has been quiet only sighting a neutral Swedish freighter at night on the 8th.Hartmann is not authorized to engage in commerce warfare until September 21st. at 16:00 hrs. on the 9th Ship 77 passed 45°N and will soon signal this to the SKL. While the transit to the operational area continues the crew carry on with the usual shipboard routine and maintenance. Hartmann expects to be in the operations area by the 15th.
