Hilfskreuzer Schiff 44 (HSK-16) “Afrika”

[CPTLTJASON]

The aircraft currently in use the Heinkel He 60c with a range of 826 km at 2,000 m. The Pilots described the aircraft as being a sturdy but sluggish aircraft. Nonetheless they've proved useful in the reconnaissance flights carried out so far.

The aircraft carried by Schiff 30 were modified to have their wings folded for storage.

[CPTLTJASON]

21.9.1935 Norwegian Sea “Point Blue 10” 74°17’N, 18°26’E, 20th day at sea

During training in refueling procedures A 39 suffered a list to starboard, the engineering staff under the LI of Schiff 30 Korv.Kpt.(Dipl-ing) Sonntag go aboard in an attempt to repair the damage which the Kommandant of A 39 believes was sustained during the stormy passage through the North Sea. Despite the best attempts of the engineering staff nothing could be done and the list of the tanker grew from 5° to 19° and Freg.Kpt. Hartmann ordered A 39 abandoned and sunk with scuttling charges this was carried out by 16:45 hrs. and the tanker sank in position 74°17’N, 18°26’E. A radio message was sent to operations stating that A 39 had sunk and another suitable replacement tanker be sent. A reply from the Ob.d.M. is expected sometime tonight or tomorrow morning.

Korv.Kpt. Hoffmann will be put in command of the incoming tanker the crew will be kept aboard and used to supplement the Prize Commandos. Of the 49 ratings 21 are civilian merchant sailors they all volunteer to join the Kriegsmarine.

With this new delay the departure of the convoy is now anticipated to be in mid-October. For the time being, the crew continues with their training and daily shipboard routine, the 3 radio rooms with their intelligence gathering, and the seaplanes are being sent out 4 times a day, 2 flights per aircraft. The catapult has proved to be very useful more than 60 flights have been carried out as opposed to the 10 or 15 that would have been able to have carried out without a catapult.


Schiff 30 stopped in stormy weather off Bear Island

"Esso Bremen" 'A 39' 4,500 grt DOKL sinking after being scuttled due to damage sustained during a storm in the North Sea

Schiff 30 and one of her seaplanes approaching to land after carrying out a reconnaissance flight

[Rwearjr]

Fingers crossed SH5 install remains stable well into the future to follow this career. Nice screenshots.

[CPTLTJASON]

23.9.1935 “Point Blue 10” 74°17’N, 18°26’E, 23rd day at sea

The “Wachtfels” arrived at 06:00 hrs. and the Kommandant of the freighter Korv.Kpt. Siegfried Becker boarded Schiff 30 to give a report and for a conference with Freg.Kpt. Hartmann, Obstlt Foerster (Luftwaffe), and Hptm Deutsch (Heer). In a meeting the day before they decided to hold an exercise on Kapp Thor, Hoppen Island for the 3 branches of that make up the ship’s company this would in Hartmann’s view weld the three branches together and be able to develop tactics for future Hilfskreuzers.

In a separate report to the Kommandant of Schiff 30, Korv.Kpt. Becker stated that he had run into a storm in the North Sea but no damage had been sustained. He also reported that the “Wedemark” and the “Lindenfels” had not departed Stettin or Wilhelmshaven when he departed on the evening of the 18th. from Kiel this meant that the ships would not arrive until early October at the earliest. This would hamper Hartmann’s plans for the exercise if the ships did not show by October 5th. he would have no choice but to scrap his plans and resume his voyage south in spite of this the crew, besides the daily shipboard routines, are building a mock harbor on the raiders decks from canvas and wood.

There has been no radio message from operations in regards to the delay of the freighter and tanker. Freg.Kpt. Hartmann summed it up to the inefficacy and bureaucratic red tape of deskbound officers working in the Shipping Office of the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine. A message will be sent on the evening of the 31st. to see what if any update can be given on the status of the “Lindenfels” and “Wedemark”.

So far this “merchant raider” has become, to Hartmann’s dismay a passenger/cargo ship for the Kriegsmarine. But soon, events in Spain 10 months from now would give the ship her legendary reputation.


"Wachtfels" arrives, Schiff Nr. 30 photographed from the funnel of the freighter.

"Wachtfels" photographed from the fore crosstrees of Schiff 30

Another photograph of "Wachtfels" from the deck of Schiff 30. One of the 4 seaplanes was moved to Hold Nr. II for repairs (damage sustained while landing on rough seas)

[CPTLTJASON]

23.9.1935 Norwegian Sea, Point Blue 23rd day at sea

Schiff 30 is still stopped in the Norwegian Sea while planning on the voyage south continues.

I had to alter the storyline due to a conflict in events. Special Station IX was to be located on Henderson Island, with construction starting in late 1935. However further reading on the history of Henderson Island indicates that in August 1937 H.M.S. Leander carried out an ariel survey of Henderson, Oeno, and Ducie Islands. These were claimed as British Territory. Therefore, the construction will have to wait until after August 1937.

There will be also a change in tankers. But in spite of this slight delay, the ship will soon begin her trek south.

Schiff 30 in the Norwegian Sea.

[CPTLTJASON]

1.10.1935 Norwegian Sea 74°17’N, 18°26’E, 30th day at sea

During the last few days there have been changes in the operations of Schiff 30. The “Wedemark” was out, she was heavily damaged when she ran aground in the Jade Bay. Operations radioed on 23.9. to Schiff 30 the situation and Hartmann responded 2 days later requesting that a new tanker be assigned, hold the “Lindenfels” in port, and that he was dismissing the “Wachtfels” back to Bremen. There would be no more indecision, Schiff 30 would embark as much material, stores, etc. from the “Wachtfels” as possible then begin the trek west to the Denmark Strait.

Today in the afternoon, the crew of Schiff 30 bid farewell to the “Wachtfels” she circled the merchant raider twice before crossing her bows at 10 knots as she sailed south towards the North Sea. Now Schiff 30 was alone and tomorrow would weigh anchor and set sail for Jan Mayern then to the Denmark Strait and disappear forever into the wide expanses of Atlantic.

Freg.Kpt. Hartmann would radio operations when he was ready for the transports to sail.

[CPTLTJASON]

25.10.1935 Barents Sea 77°5’N, 48°22’E 54th day at sea

Schiff 30 weighs anchor after 19 days Freg.Kpt. Hartmann decides to sail to the Barents and Kara Sea for reconnaissance and to test the reinforced bow. Just before leaving the crew disguised the ship as an anonymous Soviet freighter


Paint and camouflage of the ship:
1.) Russian nationality markings
2.) Name plates and name affixed
3.) Smokestack and masts lowered, smokestack insignia
4.) Forward bulwark lengthened
5.) Superstructure white
6.) Bridge and signal deck brown
7.) Russian merchant flag on the signal deck roof.
8.) 2 lifeboats with davits added over the catapult.

Schiff 30 sailed eastward, on the 4th. the chief Meteorological Officer reported to the Kommandant, Oblt.z.S Dr. Wurst informed the Kommandant that the bad weather being experienced will cease within 24-48 hrs. by 07:30 the following morning the weather had calmed but the seas remained choppy. Schiff 30 began sighting Soviet merchant traffic on the 10th. at 19:20 hrs. she sighted the Soviet steamer “BELOMORKANAL”. The following day she sighted at 13:45 the Soviet tanker “SMOLETS” just under an hour later the Soviet freighter “KOSMOSEK” were passed. Also, that day the Meteorological Office reported that a storm was to be expected within the next 3-4 days, heavy seas, high winds, and strong rain squalls were expected. The I. Navigation Officer Oblt.z.S Neumann suggested sailing as far north as Salm Island to avoid the worst of the storm, but this was rejected because this would add an additional 3 day sail. Hartmann decided to sail through the storm and ordered the ship prepared. The camouflage for Cannons I and X were secured as well as the disguised 3.7cm cannons. In the afternoon the ship carried out boat drills and practiced a silent alarm.

Schiff 30 began encountering heavy seas on the 12th with overcast skies and light fog by 06:00 hrs. on the 13th. the ship was being pounded by heavy seas. A large wave slammed into the forepeak causing damage to the 7.5cm stop gun, the bridge watch reported that the gun was swinging from port to starboard, no repairs could be carried out so, 2 Port.U.O. were sent forward to secure the gun with rope this was successfully carried out. On the bridge the engine room telegraphs were moved to Kleine Fahrt Voraus.

On 14.Oct. at 04:51 hrs. Schiff 30 rounded Cape Zhelaniya in bad weather and cruised the area until the 19th. then the Kommandant ordered the voyage westward to commence. The I. Navigation Officer informed the Kommandant that Schiff 30 would be entering the Denmark Strait by the first week of November.

[CPTLTJASON]

11.11.1935 18 Miles North of Jan Mayern, 71st day at sea

Schiff 30 continued sailing east, during her eastward passage the F.T. detected a Soviet Research vessel less than 20 miles away heading for Murmansk from Alexandra Land. Freg.Kpt. Hartmann ordered A.K. Voraus (21 knots). The Research Vessel was heard to make now for Archangelsk. Hartmann reduced speed to 16 knots then went back to cruising speed 12 knots (1 engine) after 36 hrs. Another pass with the direction finders resulted in no contacts. However, on 31.10. the British freighter “King” was sighted the British steamer passed at a distance of 4 miles, making no contact with Schiff 30 which was still disguised as a Soviet vessel.

Schiff 30 was once again alone. She arrived off Jan Mayern Island without incident. Hartmann ordered the ship to be camouflaged as an anonymous German Freighter:

Paint and Camouflage:
1.) Outer hull black
2.) Superstructure white
3.) On deck ventilators, hatches, winches, etc. yellow
4.) Smokestack black, length unchanged
5.) Cannons I and X camouflaged, painted grey
6.) 3.7cm guns camouflaged, painted grey
7.) 2 Additional lifeboats on aft boat deck removed.
8.) Awnings with coverings added on the after boat deck
9.) German Merchant Flag hoisted on the mainmast
10.) Added 2 derricks on the after boat deck.

The work will be completed in 2 days and the ship will then set sail for the Denmark Strait and into the North Atlantic.

[CPTLTJASON]

1.12.1935 North Atlantic 49°25’N, 40°37’W 91st day at sea

The work was completed in 2 days and the ship immediately set sail for the Denmark Strait. Meteorological reports from operations said that clear weather was to be expected in the strait. The Kommandant decided to proceed to the ice limit near Greenland to await for more favorable weather for the breakthrough into the North Atlantic.

Schiff 30 arrived at the ice limit on 14.11. and stopped until more favorable weather reports were received. It was not until the 19th that bad weather began to develop and soon the ship was steaming at 12 knots for the Denmark Strait. As the ship headed southeast the weather became worse. On the 22nd the breakthrough began at 09:06 hrs. speed was increased to 18 knots. At noon her 9 cylinder MAN diesel engines were put to the test; speed was increased to her actual top speed of 25 knots for the remainder of the breakthrough.

At 12:15 hrs. a shadow was sighted in the rain bearing 214°T, Schiff 30 steered a new course 258°T the rest of the cruise through the strait was uneventful. On 24.11. at midnight the breakthrough was successfully carried out and now Schiff 30 was loose in the North Atlantic.

The ship is to carryout the first task of her expedition, survey of the Labrador Sea for suitable areas to build weather stations. This is to be completed by the end of the year.

[CPTLTJASON]

10.12.1935 Labrador Sea, Davis Strait, Anchored 1 mile from Knight Island, 100th day at sea

Schiff 30 spent her 100th day at sea at anchor off an uninhabited island in the Davis Strait. She arrived after an uneventful voyage from the Denmark Strait and North Atlantic. 2 Survey teams disembarked from the ship as follows:
Boat Nr. I under Oblt.z.S Dr. Wurst to Knight Island
Boat Nr. III under L.z.S Dr. Klein to Lawson Island
Boat Nr. V under Reg.Rat. Dr. Bey to Knight Island
V-Boot Nr. I under L.z.S Schmidt on standby in the water
During the time the ship is anchored the following repairs are carried out:
Repairs to the canvas camouflage on the foredeck
Repairs to the 7.5cm stop gun
Superstructure was given a fresh coat of white paint
Floatplane moved from Hold Nr. II back to Hold Nr. IV.

Schiff 30 will then move up the Davis strait and stop at Resolution Island, Loks Island, and finally Coburg Island in the Baffin Bay. The meteorological expedition is expected to be completed by 31.12.1935.


Schiff 30 on the high seas

Boats I and V making for Knight Island

[Rwearjr]

Keeping the boat at PD until we spot another post from Schiff30. Enjoying the series so far.

[CPTLTJASON]

31.12.1935 Cumberland Sound 65°9’N, 65°25’W, 121st. day at sea

Schiff 30 completed her meteorological expedition on 15.12. The specialists will begin preparing their reports and packing their suitcases.

Reg.Rat. Bey and Reg.Rat. Hoffmann intended to survey Hudson and Morris Islands but a reconnaissance flight carried out by aircraft determined that the approaches were obstructed by ice so the specialists instead decided to survey Monumental Island and Lady Franklin Island. Schiff 30 arrived off the first island at 11:00 hrs. and by 22:30 hrs. both had been surveyed and the ship was sailing for Cumberland Sound to spend Christmas and New Year’s. Schiff 30 arrived on the 16th. and anchored in the middle of Cumberland Sound. Here she was isolated from the world. the 3 V-Boots were launched and 3 aircraft were put in the water for pilots to conduct trial flights.

The expedition team decided to carryout an expedition on Baffin Island beginning at Hall Peninsula and ending at Cumberland Peninsula on the other side of the island. From the 17th.-20th. the crew carried out gunnery and camouflage exercises then proceeded to give the superstructure, hull, and smokestack a new coat of paint. With the current paint scheme used by Schiff 30 she can be camouflaged as a British, Norwegian, or Dutch freighter.

21st.-31st. The crew of Schiff 30 rested and celebrated Christmas and New Year’s. On Boxing Day, a radio message finally came through from operations indicating that arrangements had been made with the German Embassies in Montevideo and Buenos Aires and clearance had been granted by port authorities to dock at the respective ports. Transit through the Atlantic is anticipated to begin after 5.1.1936. Hartmann’s objective is to be in Yokohama Harbor by the beginning of June.

On 26.12. Freg.Kpt. Hartmann was promoted to Kapitän zur See.

[CPTLTJASON]

Originally Posted by Rwearjr

Keeping the boat at PD until we spot another post from Schiff30. Enjoying the series so far.

Danke!


I'm glad you're enjoying the series. I Fell behind on the storyline but rest assured the voyage is going as planned!

[CPTLTJASON]

11.1.1936 North Atlantic 49°33’N, 42°55’W 132nd day at sea

Since the end of the Great War 18 years ago, a German merchant raider is loose on the high seas.

Schiff 30 left the freezing expanses of the Labrador Sea and is now slowly working her way south. Calm weather with high winds and heavy seas accompany her southward. Schiff 30 will meet an inbound German freighter east of Bermuda to transfer the specialists, their equipment, and 2 wounded ratings who were injured in Cumberland Sound when taking aboard a V-Boot. Kapitan.z.S Hartmann announces to the crew that they will make for the South Atlantic and cross the equator.

Our next patrol report will take place once the ship has crossed the equator.

[CPTLTJASON]

I've decided to rewrite part of the storyline I didn't like the quality of the photos and the story itself, with this i must also change the war dairy of the ship but I won't be restarting the voyage.

So in the meantime Schiff 30 is drifting in the North Atlantic on a southerly course.