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.