Hilfskreuzer Schiff 44 (HSK-16) “Afrika”

[CPTLTJASON]

7.2.1940 Nedstrandsfjord 7th day at sea

Schiff 19 arrives without incident to Nedstrandsfjord and anchors next to the ESSO HAMBURG and began taking on fuel, water, coal, stores, and spare parts for the LS Boot. In the meantime, the Kommandant of M 22 Korv.Kpt. Hertz came aboard to inform Kapitan.z.S Hartmann of the mine situation in the North Sea. At around midnight M 17 and the torpedo boats “FALKE” and “LEOPARD” depart for Wilhelmshaven leaving only M 22 and the ESSO HAMBURG. When the tanker leaves later in the day the change in camouflage will begin this time she will be disguised as a Norwegian Freighter of the Fred Olson Line the BATAVIA 7,771 grt N V B K homeport Oslo. While this change in camouflage is being carried out M 22 will patrol the entrance to the fjord.

Paint and camouflage of the ship:
1.Outer hull light grey, green waterline
2.On deck hatches, ventilators, winches, etc. light yellow
3.Superstructure grey with bridge and upper control position brown
4.Norwegian nationality markings on the hull
5.Smokestack grey, length unchanged
6.Pole masts put up, including cargo booms
7.Cannon I and VI disguised as deckhouses, grey
8.Boats set out
9.Draft marks removed
10.Norwegian flag hoisted on the mainmast

The work will continue throughout the night and a radio message will be sent via M 22 to signal Gruppe West that Schiff 19 is ready to sail.