March 1, 1939 Deutsche Bucht, 1st day at sea
At dusk the “Afrika” raised anchor and cast off from Bremerhaven for the North Sea for her training cruise she will meet her sister ship “Kybfels” who was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine on January 19th and converted into a supply ship, Codename “Ship-19”. They will meet in Naval Grid Square AO 8419 (55°15'00"N, 015°55'00"E) just west of Bornholm Island. Here both ships will conduct gunnery, torpedo, minelaying (ship and LS Boat), searchlight, and de camouflage exercises. Afterwards the Afrika will arrive at Kiel disguised as a Swedish freighter the Ship-19 will arrive 5 days after “Afrika”.
The adjutant Oblt.z.S Hellmuth Mohr took this picture from the bearing deck, the duty officer KKpt.z.S Rollmann has posted the watch as follows,
On the fore cross trees
2 officers and 1 petty officer
On the bridge/wheelhouse
3 officers, 2 petty officers, and 4 ratings.
Before sailing Hartmann received at telegram stating he was to take 15 prize officers and 6 war correspondents aboard to document the cruise. As for the prize officers it was a sign of what was expected of the “Afrika”.
