9/2/1939, Norwegian Sea 67°30’N, 6°17’W 32nd day at sea,
As Ship 35 was proceeding southeast lookouts on the Foremast sighted smoke bearing 019°T range about 17,700m and closing, Hartmann slowed to 10 knots, ordered the crew to battle stations, and soon the ship was on standby to de camouflage. At 14:06 the contact comes into view a neutral Norwegian freighter course 345° speed 9 knots At 14:09 the order came, de camouflage, hoist battle flag, and open fire with the 3.7 cm, shot across the bows. The Soviet flag was hauled down, black tarps over the funnel and bridge sides, and 4 heavy flaps on the starboard side dropped with a thud as the 5.9 in guns were brought around.
The Norwegian stopped without hesitation and soon the boarding party under the command of Oblt.z.S Schmidt, 4 officers, 10 petty officers, and 25 ratings. The vessel appears to cooperate, then the radio officer Oblt.z.S(F) Köhler reports that the Norwegian began transmitting on the 600m wavelength, the boarding party is recalled and Hartmann orders “open fire with the starboard battery” soon 6 x 5.9 in guns open fire on the Norwegian ship at a range of 1,900 m the first 3 salvos demolish the bridge and radio room on the fourth salvo the raider hits the cargo, ammunition, and the vessel is sent to the bottom in a massive detonation. Hartmann orders a cease fire and sails Ship 35 away and sends 2 boats to pickup survivors, after 3 hours of searching only 3 are picked up the 3rd mate, radio officer, and a steward.
The officer is interviewed by prison officer Oblt.z.S Schultz and discovers that the Norwegian freighter PETROVIA 5,033 grt (KZPT) under Master S.B Karlstad and was enroute from Liverpool to the Port of Hela with 3,400 tons of ammunition of English manufacture, tank parts, steel plates, tires, 3 military trucks, and mail. she belonged to the Norwegian Steamship Company, Trondheim and was under charter by the Polish Navy.
Ship 35’s first success cost her 34 5.9 in rounds. The steamer sank at 18:32 hrs. Hartmann rewarded the crew with an extra ration of beer. Shore stations attempted to regain contact with the Petrovia however to no avail. With one success under her belt the mysterious pirate ship resumes her voyage.
