8/31/1939 North Greenland Sea, Kriegstagebuch Nr.2 61st day at sea
Since the last report, the radio room has picked up numerous radio messages indicating war might be imminent so the Kommandant has stepped up training. For 42 days the crew carried out Artillery, Minelaying, torpedo firing, ship boarding, aircraft launching, and ship boarding exercises. The Kommandant is now satisfied that the crew is ready for action. Today at 03:36 Lookouts sighted smoke bearing 177°T range 7.750 m the ship closed to 1.300m and exchanged recognition signals its is the freighter Kybfels under the command of KKpt Karl Miller (EK I) the ships tied alongside and began loading fuel, fresh food, 3 prize crews (2 officers, 5 petty officers, and 15 ratings each), parts for the Leichte Schnellboote and the Aircraft (4 spare floats, 2 wings, and 3 engines), and some maps , sailing instructions, and pilot books not available at the time of Schiff 35’s departure. By 19:42 loading was complete while the Kommandant of Schiff 35 and the Kybfels held a conference the radio room picked up a radio message for Schiff 35. here is part of the radio message “Open sealed orders and proceed as directed.” Schiff 35 is ordered to make for the Barents Sea and await further instructions. She is to sail along with the Kybfels as soon as possible. Hartmann will weigh anchor early tomorrow morning and make for the ordered position “Schiff 35 and the Kybfels are to patrol the area between 30° E and 100° E” these would be naval squares Ä G, Ä F, XA, and YB. The Camouflage of the ship was altered the funnel’s red band was made wider and the hammer and sickle larger. Schiff 35 and the Kybfels will depart tomorrow at 00:00 hrs.
