[CPTLTJASON]

1.9.1935 Kiel Harbor, Buoy Nr. 10. 1st. day at sea

After months of preparations, at 24:00 hrs. on the 31st. of August Schiff 30 weighs anchor casts off from Kiel. None of the 800 men aboard had any idea that their 10 month cruise would turn into 10 years and that some would never see Kiel or Germany again.

Schiff 30 will meet the tanker “Esso Bremen” off Cape Arkona from here they will then proceed to Keldsnor. Then to a meeting point with the freighter “Wachtfels” which is currently off Spitzbergen.

Excerpt from Operational Orders of Schiff Nr. 30 O.K.M. I Op 4424/35
“.........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.........”