9.9.1936 Ross Sea 74°42’S, 165°38’E. 374th. day at sea
After steaming for 23 days Schiff 30 arrives in the Ross Sea on 25.8. The previous day Germany and Italy joined France, England, and the Soviet Union to form the Non-Intervention Committee.
Kapitan.z.S Hartmann plans to remain in this area until 20.9. In the 2 radio rooms transmissions are being picked up calling for a tanker with no response. Soon British warships from Rabaul and Australian warships from Sydney sailed out to search for the tanker in the Bismarck Sea. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann decided to make for Victoria Land and began the advance east on 28.8. at 1600 hrs. however 2 days later a powerful snowstorm brought the 606ft. raider to a halt with the temperature at 2.1°C winds at force 11 and sea state of 12. Everyone was ordered below decks with the exception of the bridge watch wearing every jacket and oil skin they could find, stood watch as the ship was battered by the snow and wind. By the 31st. the weather began to improve and at 0700 hrs. the advance east resumed.
Schiff 30 arrived off Victoria Land on 1.9., 365 days after departing Kiel and immediately sent an aircraft on reconnaissance all the way to Cape Washington. However, the aircraft returned early as in the cold weather fuel consumption increased drastically. The pilot reported he did not make it to Cape Washington but in the distance flown the intended route was free of ice and there were no ships in the area. On 3.9. Schiff 30 anchored in position 74°42’S, 165°38’E.
In the cold of the Antarctic the Spanish Civil War was followed with great zeal. On the evening of 3.9. the Island of Majorca was taken by the Nationalists as Republican forces retreated from the island. The following morning Schiff 30 received a series of messages from the Ob.d.M. with a very interesting mission, to capture 3 ships laden with Spanish gold. These were in fact just the beginning of the transfer of gold reserves to the Soviet Union. In the same radio message, the Non-Intervention zone for Germany was established between Almeria and Valencia. At 1020 hrs. another radio message came through indicating that Schiff 30 was to be fully resupplied by 2 freighters and a naval tanker at Heard Island.
On 5.9. for the first time the onboard Seetakt/De-Telegraph radar was used. The thick ice and snow cleared off the hatch where the radar “mattress” antenna was stored and was then fully extended. The radar referent Korv.Kpt.(N.T.) Dr. Schlosser reported the radar to be in working order and will be tested on the supply ships. During the following days the ship remained at anchor, another radio message came through on 6.9. indicating what ships were sailing with the gold reserves and the estimated value of the cargo along with news that there had been a mutiny in the Portuguese Navy in which 2 vessels attempted to sail and join the Spanish Republican Navy. But perhaps the most interesting off all was Incoming radio message 31425/36, the contents of the message informed that the sealed orders were to be opened, the very first page was “Führer Directive 100a” which instructed Kapitan.z.S Hartmann to establish a shipping company between India-Dutch East Indies, Asia and Germany to supply raw materials, it was to be called the “German East India Trading Company”.
On 9.9. the first Non-intervention meeting took place between 23 countries in which Mexico firmly and openly gave its support to the Spanish Republicans.
Kapitan.z.S Hartmann plans to sail for the Indian Ocean on 10.9.
Schiff 30 off Cape Washington in the Ross Sea