Hilfskreuzer Schiff 44 (HSK-16) “Afrika”

[Rwearjr]

[propbeanie]

You cannot rush a good story!

[Rwearjr]

Agreed Propbenie, just scanning the surface after a longer than usual silent run from Kapitan z.S Hartmann.

[CPTLTJASON]

Sorry about the delay, I write the story as it comes to me and along with writing the Kriegstagebuch it does take a while to read up on the history and events and then write the story so it sounds plausible on top of this I have to create the single missions for the screenshots. I really appreciate the interest in the story.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.9.1936 Southern Ocean 56°28’S, 130°14’E 386th. day at sea

Schiff 30 departed the frozen expanses of the Ross Sea and began sailing northwest towards Heard Island. The “Altmark” signaled that she was 2 days from Heard Island. The “Ehrenfels” and “Reichenfels” are 3 days out. “Wachtfels” is 4 days out. On 12.9. The Ob.d.M. informed Kapitan.z.S Hartmann that the Seekriegsleitung will take over administrative control of the ship from now on. After passing the Balleny Islands on the 13th the following day the aircraft was catapulted on its afternoon reconnaissance flight at 1548 hrs. the aircraft returned and reported by VHF that 2 unidentified factory ships and 9 whalers were sailing in formation 121 sm. from the Hilfskreuzers position. There were no identification markings on the vessels nor where they flying any national flag. In the Kriegstagebuch the Kommandant was of the opinion that this whaling fleet was charted by the Spanish Republican Government requesting further information. The B-Dienst in Berlin reported 3 whaling fleets operating in the area 1 Japanese, 1 Dutch, and 1 unidentified. The fleet was later identified as a Soviet whaling fleet; however, Schiff 30 ran into a strong storm so the aircraft could not be catapulted for its daily reconnaissance and contact was lost with the fleet. On the afternoon of the 17th. during the storm, the catapult was damaged by a derrick which collapsed and caused several of the deck plates covering the catapult to be jammed in the rails. Luftwaffe personnel were able to repair the catapult by the 19th.

Schiff 30 will soon be assigned an operational area by the Seekriegslietung. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann anticipates that this will be either in the Indian Ocean, off Spanish South Africa, or in the Mediterranean.

The Spanish Civil War continues with the Nationalists taking the island of Ibiza while the rebellion succeeds in the island of Fernando Po in Spanish Guinea.

[CPTLTJASON]

10.10.1936 Southern Ocean, Heard Island 405th. day at sea

The remaining portion of the voyage through the Southern Ocean remained uneventful. Occasional snow showers and storms came and went. When the weather permitted the aircraft would be catapulted for reconnaissance flights.

On 19.9. the first court martial was held aboard for 2 ratings which broke into the ship’s canteen. Mtr.II Baron and Mtr.Gfr. Beyer were both found guilty and sentenced to 40 days imprisonment, demotion to the rank of Mtr and transfer to the supply ship Altmark.

On 3.10. Schiff 30 approaches Heard Island early in the morning. The Altmark, Ehrenfels, and Reichenfels come into view, after exchanging recognition signals the Ehrenfels comes alongside Schiff 30 to begin loading the cargo bound for the Spanish Nationalist Heer after loading the specified cargo which included the ship’s 4 Heinkel He 60c aircraft Schiff 30 took aboard from the Ehrenfels fresh provisions, ammunition, torpedoes, 2 Heinkel He 114b aircraft and several tons of stores. At 1800 hrs. on the 4.10. the Ehrenfels departed for Spanish Waters. The Altmark comes alongside and Schiff 30 begins to take on diesel fuel and lubricating oils and the Luftwaffe personnel began to assemble the 2 Heinkel He 114b aircraft. The following day the master of the Reichenfels Captain Wolf Dietrich is informed that the ship is being taken in for naval service and he is commissioned as Korv.Kpt(S) the deck officers are commissioned as L.z.S(S) through Kplt(S) the petty officers and ratings are given their appropriate ranks. To augment the crew of the Reichenfels 2 officers, 10 Port U.O./U.O, and 40 ratings of all career tracks were sent aboard. At 1300 hrs. the Reichenfels was commissioned into the Kriegsmarine. Work began to try and install armament however when the first 15cm was put on the deck it began to buckle, therefore Kapitan.z.S Hartmann and Korv.Kpt.(Dipl-ing) Sonntag decided to send the ship back to Germany to have the vessel rebuilt after the capture of the Spanish gold ships. On 6.10. the Altmark departs for naval square 2121 JM. The last 2 days are spent training the crew and conducting gunnery exercises. After a conference was held in the early morning of 10.10. to discuss the details of the operation Reichenfels departed at 0815 hrs.

At 1030 hrs. Schiff 30 weighs anchor. For the crew of Schiff 30 their hour had come and the raids which would gain them and their ship eternal fame were about to begin.......................

[CPTLTJASON]

18.10.1936 Indian Ocean South of Madagascar 405th. day at sea

After 8 days of sailing Schiff 30 and the Reichenfels arrive off Madagascar. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann orders the supply ship to carryout reconnaissance as far as 50°E and keeping south of Reunion and Mauritius Island. Schiff 30 remains stopped in position 28°27’S, 47°8’E south of Cape St. Marie.

B-Dienst reports that the 3 Spanish gold ships have rounded the Cape of Good Hope and are now making for 40°S, 40°E to meet up with the Spanish tanker.

Kapitan.z.S Hartmann plans to sail for the Mozambique Channel then turn south towards the Cape-Indi-Australia routes and begin tracking the Spanish vessels.

[Tomi_099]

[CPTLTJASON]

27.10.1936 Indian Ocean 423rd. day at sea

On 19.10. Schiff 30 setout for the Mozambique Channel at 0600 hrs. almost 2 hours later she catapulted one of her Heinkel He 114B aircraft fore reconnaissance nothing was sighted. At noon Schiff 30 was entering the Mozambique Channel. The following day she altered course to 217° On the 21st Schiff 30 used her radar operationally for the first time conducting sweeps at distances of 16-32 nm. Nothing was detected. The following day she received a radio signal from the “Reichenfels” that she had conducted reconnaissance from 24°S to 29°S and have sighted nothing so far. Another aircraft was sent for reconnaissance and again nothing was sighted. On 22.10. at 1400 hrs. the Bridge radio room picked up a signal from the Spanish liner “Santa Ana” indicating a meeting would take place between 40°S and 40°E at 1000 hrs. The vessel is identified as one of the gold ships. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann recalls the “Reichenfels” and steers Schiff 30 towards the radioed coordinates now the race to catch the treasure laden ships has begun. A reconnaissance flight was launched on the morning of the 23rd. and 2 British ships were sighted the Blue Funnel freighter “Cyclops” 9 076 grt and the “Berwickshire” 7 646 grt sailing on course 021° sailing for Madagascar Schiff 30 remained unseen. 2 days later D/T was carried out and 3 vessels which were identified as being Spanish were detected bearing 314°T on the 26th. various radio messages indicated that the gold ships were under escort by 2 armed trawlers. at 0600 hrs. the aircraft is catapulted and at 0659 flew passed Schiff 30 dropping a red flare, this indicated that the vessels were close by, the Beobachter L.z.S(M) Lehmann reported that the ships were stopped less than 50 nm. on course 089° from the ship. Schiff 30 comes to course 089° On the bridge the W.O. puts the engine telegraphs to full speed ahead, 19.9 knots, the pilot and Beobachter also confirmed that there are 2 armed trawlers with the vessels which are 2 single stack liners and a larger 2 stack liner. They could not be positively identified, Kapitan.z.S Hartmann informed the crew that the Spanish ships were nearby the adrenaline was running high as the crew has been at action stations since midnight, at 0723 Mtr.F.Gfr Dietrich of the port bridge watch sighted mastheads bearing 332°T range 150 hm.

Kapitan.z.S Hartman ordered Hard to port speed 16 knots. As the range closed a “sea of masts” was sighted when the range was down to 100 hm. Hartmann ordered “ set war flag, drop camouflage on fore cannons, signal via lamp “REMAIN STOPPED, DO NOT USE WIRELESS, OR I OPEN FIRE”

Armed trawler signaled: “Who are you?”
Schiff 30 replies: “German Boarding Ship 33. Do not use your wireless or guns or I open fire. Identify yourself immediately!”
Armed trawler replies: “Armed trawler ‘Durango” in service of the Spanish Republican Navy. Understood.”
Schiff 30 replies: “Sending boats!”

All the ships hoisted the flag of the Spanish Republicans 6 boats were sent to inspect the ships 3 liners, 1 French freighter, and 2 armed trawlers were boarded. The Investigation Commandos were not interfered with by the Spaniards protecting the gold shipment. According to the cargo manifests which were saved by the Investigation Officers a total of over 1,230,336.05 Kg. of gold bars and coins are aboard. On the liner “Santa Ana” there are 4,200 t of general cargo. At 0915 the “Reichenfels” appeared over the horizon with the captured Spanish tanker “Malta” loaded with over 13,000 t of diesel fuel and 1,200 t of aviation fuel.

During the next few hours, the prisoners are spread out between the 6 ships and prize crews assigned. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann plans to use the armed trawlers as scouts and commissions them into the Kriegsmarine. as the Auxiliary Minelayers “Indien” and “Pazifik”. At 1040 hrs. the liners “Santa Ana” and “Silva” are dismissed to naval grid square 2121 JM. Aboard the “Indien” and “Pazifik” work parties from Schiff 30 install 4 10.5cm/45 SK C/32 cannons and mine rails on the deck. The two trawlers were armed with the British made 4.7” QF Mark IX cannon. these were removed and stored aboard Schiff 30.

At midnight all preparations were completed and with the ships in formation the convoy sets off for Naval Grid Square 2121 JM.

Schiff 30 drifting in the Indian Ocean shortly before capturing the Spanish gold ships

The captured Spanish fleet pictured shortly after the arrival of the "Reichenfels" and the Spanish tanker "Malta"

Schiff 30 with the newly commissioned Auxiliary Minelayers "Indien" and "Pazifik"

Convoy preparing for departure for Naval Grid Square 2121 JM.

[Rwearjr]

[CPTLTJASON]

1.11.1936 Indian Ocean 39°43’S, 51°20’E 427th. day at sea

Schiff 30 arrives on the evening of 30.10. after an uneventful 2 day voyage from where the Spanish treasure ships were captured. All the liners have been released and only the captured tanker “Malta” and the auxiliary minelayers “Indien” and “Pazifik” remain. They arrive at naval square 2121 JM, drifting down towards their current position of 2192 JM. For most of the 31st Schiff 30 spent taking on fuel and supplies while the 2 auxiliary minelayers carried out reconnaissance to augment them a seaplane were launched.

Once the oiling was completed the aircraft undertook test flights and made several practice runs on the prize tanker “Malta” unfortunately the pilot accidentally dropped one of the SC50s which landed square on the tankers after deck causing a large explosion which sank the tanker and damaged the aircraft. The entire prize commando was able to leave the tanker before it sank, however 10.000 t of high quality diesel fuel was lost. The pilot and observer were severely reprimanded by Kapitan.z.S Hartmann and Obstlt Forester for the incident, punishment pending. “Indien” and “Pazifik” were sent to pickup the survivors. 8 of the prize commando including L.z.S Heusinger were injured according to Geschw.Arzt Dr. Brinkmann they are expected to make a full recovery.

Schiff 30 has been assigned to operate in the Indian Ocean and will be disguised as an anonymous Norwegian freighter however when she stops a ship she will present herself as a Spanish Hilfskreuzer. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann plans to setout to Madagascar tomorrow at 0600 hrs.

Schiff 30, Altmark, and Malta stopped while aircraft gains altitude on a reconnaissance flight

Tanker Malta sinking and on fire after being accidently hit by one of the Schiff 30's aircraft while on a practice run.

Schiff 30 and Altmark on the evening of 1.11.

[CPTLTJASON]

12.11.1936 Indian Ocean 35°13’S, 40°2’E 438th. day at sea

Schiff 30 meets the freighter “Hansa” off Durban to take on needed spares for the diesel engines and seaplanes. Along with them were 8 prize officers. Schiff 30 will sail this evening to meet the “Indien” and “Pazifik”.

[CPTLTJASON]

25.11.1936 Indian Ocean 14°35’S, 68°18’E 451st day at sea

Today Schiff 30 completes 451 days at sea matching the record set by her namesake in the Great War the dreaded commerce raider SMS Wolf (IV).

Excerpt from Kriegstagebuch des Schiff Nr. 30
1220 hrs. Schiff 30 has been at sea for 451 days matching
the time at sea from her namesake of the Great War
SMS Wolf (IV). Unfortunately, the success achieved
by the SMS Wolf (IV) has yet to be reached by
Schiff 30.

So the hunt began for Spanish Republican merchant shipping. The 2 auxiliary minelayers disguised as British naval trawlers while Schiff 30 changed camouflage to the Dutch freighter “Abbekerk” later changed to the “Mar Verde” after a radio message from operations received on the 12th. indicated that Spanish Republican vessels are disguising themselves as British, Dutch, and even Norwegian. The following day the funnel was shortened and insignia was painted on. The aircraft was catapulted almost daily on reconnaissance flights. On 11.17. the 3 ships stopped and a Kommandant’s Conference was held aboard Schiff 30 and a procedure for scouting was set the two vessels were further equipped with 1 2cm MG C/30 anti-aircraft cannon and Both vessels were topped off with fuel. On 0030 hrs. on the 18th. Schiff 30 and the scouts sailed further into the Indian Ocean. At 1641 hrs. a radio signal was received informing that the Reich and Italian government officially recognize the Franco government.

0658 hrs. on 19.11. the “Pazifik” sights a freighter bearing 025°T range 154 hm. the vessel is flying a British flag and making evasive maneuvers Kapitan.z.S Hartmann orders the “Pazifik” to make contact. meanwhile aboard the raider the Spanish Republican flag was hoisted and crew went to combat stations, approaching as the “Mar Verde” the “British” freighter signaled at 100 hm. in Spanish “Comrade! we are being persecuted by the British!” Confirming the nationality of the vessel the war flag was set. The 7.5cm cannon fired a warning shot over the bow and signals to stop by flag. The freighter began to transmit, the 15cm cannons were permitted to open fire and the Bridge radio room successfully jammed the transmissions after 3 salvos the freighter stopped transmitting. Investigation and Prize commandos were disembarked the vessel was identified as the Spanish freighter “Florida” 7.803 grt from Manzanillo to Valencia with a crew of 31 loaded with 8.000 t of military equipment bound for the Spanish Republican Army.

The crew was disembarked and the Demolition commando went aboard. At 0800 hrs. 3 detonations and an explosion send the “Florida” to the bottom of the Indian Ocean. The hunt continues, on the 22nd. a radio message was picked up indicating that a Spanish Republican tanker was sailing from the Persian Gulf to Cartagena via Durban. The tanker is reportedly disguised as a tanker from the British Tanker Company. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann decides to detach the two scouts and orders them to wait at “Point Hans” while Schiff 30 will continue alone to hunt for the tanker in the Arabian Sea.

Schiff 30 has sunk or captured 58.077 grt of Spanish shipping.

Schiff 30 on the hunt in the Indian Ocean

Demolition charges going off on the freighter "Florida"

"Florida" 7.803 grt Sinking

Schiff 30 and the auxiliary minelayers "Indien" and "Pazifik" at "Point Hans"

[Rwearjr]

[CPTLTJASON]

16.12.1936 Arabian Sea 13°31’N, 59°8’E 472nd. day at sea

Schiff 30 has been busy since the last report after hunting to the east of the Seychelles Islands. Schiff 30 sailed west between Madagascar and the Seychelles. Twice daily, weather permitting, the Heinkel He 114b seaplanes are catapulted for reconnaissance. On 30.11. the seaplane sighted the Cunard liner “Aquitania” and a P&O liner several other freighters and tankers were sighted. On 2.12. a radio message was intercepted from a tanker contacting Valencia. Schiff 30 continued in pursuit of the elusive Spanish tanker. The following day Prize II signaled she had arrived at Las Palmas and disembarked the prisoners. The three prizes are expected to arrive at Wilhelmshaven by 1.2.1937.

On 7.12. the Meteorological Officer reported that a strong storm was approaching Kapitan.z.S Hartmann ordered the boats and camouflage for the deck cannons be checked and secured. At 1230 hrs. a large wave hits the ship causing significant damage on the aft boat deck wiping out most of the ventilators deck fittings and 2 boats and their davits. Stbs.O.Masch Munster and Masch.Gfr Haag who were securing the deck and carrying out maintenance and Heizer Freiwald, who against orders was smoking on deck were slammed against the railings they were sent down to the ships hospital all were severely injured but the ships doctor Geschw.Arzt. Dr. Brinkmann expects all to recover.

On 13.12. Schiff 30 went to work at 0433 hrs. a tanker was sighted and when approached turned away from the Hilfskreuzer. Hartmann ordered the fore 15cm. cannons to open fire! Six salvos and a torpedo send the fleeing Spanish tanker to the bottom. Only 20 of the 121 man crew were picked up the 1.Offz. was interviewed and said the tanker was the “San Domingo” 11.401 grt loaded with 12.000 t of diesel fuel and 1.200 t of gasoline. The tanker was on its way from Aden to Valencia via Durban- Cape Town. The first officer stated that several Spanish tankers were in the Indian Ocean and were either sold or charted from the British Tanker Company. He identified 6 tankers which were destined for Spanish Republican ports. The watch on the bridge and crosstrees were doubled as any tanker could be sighted at any moment. On 15.12. smoke was sighted by the bridge watch and after a staggering 52 salvos and 312 shells 2 charted tankers were sent to the bottom the largest was the “British Might” 11.200 grt loaded with 12.000 t of fuel oil while the smaller tanker was the “British Monarch” 3.528 grt loaded with 5.000 t of gasoline were sunk.

Less than 2 hours later another tanker was sighted by the Bridge watch and by 1400 Oblt.z.S Brandt’s demolition commando sent the Spanish tanker “La Palma” 4.500 grt loaded with 6.000 t of gasoline to the bottom. Schiff 30 pressed further north into the Arabian Sea and on the 16th. the tanker “British Cannon” 8.990 grt was spotted and stopped for inspection it was determined by the Investigation Commando that she was sailing for a Spanish Republican port loaded with 11.000 t of high quality diesel oil and 100 t of bunker fuel. Hartman ordered the tanker to be taken prize and was placed under the command of L.z.S(S) Hansen who was instructed to take the tanker to “Point George”

Almost 2 hours later at 1550 the tanker “British Duchess” was sighted and stopped for inspection. However, when the first warning shot from the Hilfskreuzer’s 7.5cm stop gun rang out the tanker turned and ran from the raider and began sending distress signals. Hartmann ordered the fore 15cm cannons to drop camouflage and open fire. 6 salvos bring the tanker to halt but the tanker burns heavily on the bows and the Kommandant decided not to send the Investigation Commando aboard. The tanker was in fact the Spanish tanker “Vargas” 3.400 grt sailing from Abadan to Barcelona loaded with 6.000 t of gasoline. The Norwegian freighter “Triton” picked up the distress signals from the tanker and relayed it to Ceylon, Aden, and Bombay however the Bridge Radio Room reported that only “S.O.S..........” were transmitted before jamming and the shelling stopped the transmission.

In just a few days Schiff 30 has sunk or captured 43.019 grt of shipping. Hartmann will break off the tanker hunt and proceed to meet the “Pazifik” and “Indien” along with the prize tanker which was sent to wait at “Point George”.

The situation in Spain is rapidly deteriorating. Hartmann expects to be in the Mediterranean Sea sooner or later.


Schiff 30 speeding through the smoke of the sinking tanker shortly after launching a torpedo.

Schiff 30 approaching two sinking tankers.

Schiff 30 in the Arabian Sea

[CPTLTJASON]

7.1.1937 Indian Ocean 2°14’S 82°24’E 494th. day at sea

After a calm Christmas and New Years Schiff 30 continues the hunt for merchant shipping bound for the Spanish Republicans.

On 5.1. a large French liner was sighted coming out of a rain squall and was stopped and boarded. The S.S. “Bordeaux” 34.225 grt from Saigon to Marseille loaded with tin, rubber, and refrigerated cargo along with 120 naval and army officers bound for Spain, the ship was to stop in Valencia and Barcelona. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann ordered the vessel taken prize, it was placed under the command of Oblt.z.S Krammer with a large prize crew, the liner will be used as a prison and supply ship. With 6 weeks’ worth of provisions the liner was ordered to 13°48’S, 77°32’E and await the return of the Hilfskreuzer.

The master of the “Bordeaux” stated that there were several French vessels sailing for Spanish Republican ports via the Indian Ocean and entering the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. Hartmann plans to search for these vessels. Hartmann intends to meet the “Bordeaux” and the “Ehrenfels” no later than 20.2.

Schiff 30 has sunk or captured 124.566 grt. The Skl. has instructed that the Hilfskreuzer remain active in the Indian Ocean. No information has been given by the Skl. in regards to potential shipping sailing for Spanish Republican ports.

The situation in Spain continues to deteriorate.