8/15/1939 North Greenland Sea, 18th day at sea
Ship 35 has completed her metamorphosis, she is now the Greek freighter OLYMPUS 8,822 grt as Hartmann was preparing to set out a radio message came in from the Seekriegslietung,
1/SKL 1113/39 Gkdos
“Remain at prearranged location wait for “Ship 19” vessel departed on August 6th. Afterwards both ships will continue passage to the Southern Seas.
Hartmann sets sail for AA 8832 “Point Eisberg”
As this was not anticipated minor changes to the disguise,
-Soviet flag hoisted,
-Funnel painted black with red band and on both sides a hammer and sickle
-Greek names on the bow and stern painted over
-Signs in Russian added aft
-Aft deckhouse disassembled and stored in large pieces for later use aft 15cm exposed
-1 Arado At 196 A-1 (6W+FF) firmly lashed on top of Hold Nr.3 painted in Soviet Naval paint scheme
Ship 35 proceeding temporarily as the Soviet naval auxiliary KOVSKI 9,938 grt (JSHR) speed 4 knots one engine, course 020°
The Luftwaffe detachment aboard Ship 35 has been given the designation Kampfgeschwader/135
Major Richter and FKpt.z.S Hartmann begin to plan operations for the South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The group hasn’t had any practice runs as the weather hasnt been suitable to launch the aircraft. A catapult would’ve been ideal (hopefully one will be sent aboard Ship 19) in any case the problem of heavy seas hampering aircraft recovery still makes the training flights impossible.
While on passage the radio room began picking up faint radio transmissions in English from what can be made out they it could be a whaling fleet or a research fleet. We’ll keep tabs on that.
