Hilfskreuzer Schiff 44 (HSK-16) “Afrika”

[Rwearjr]

Will keep checking in a couple of times a week as usual and watching for the new storyline. Thank you for sharing these CPTLTJASON.

[CPTLTJASON]

15.2.1936 Central Atlantic 34°26’N, 16°21’W 168th day at sea

On entering the North Atlantic the Kommandant Kapitan.z.S Hartmann mustered the crew and gave a short speech in which he announced that Schiff Nr. 30 would be christened “Wolf”. On 12.1. at 1630 hrs. the inbound German freighter “Kanada” was met and the specialists and their findings were transferred. Both ships departed after 2 hours of transferring the crew and supplies. afterwards Schiff 30 continued on her voyage south. The following day a radio message was received from operations indicating that the raider was to put into Santa Cruz de Tenerife and meet the HAPAG liner M.S. Milwaukee for transfer of cargo, mail, and passengers.

On the 15th. Schiff 30 stopped west of the Azores and the disguise was changed to a HAPAG Line freighter M.S. Seattle 10 800 grt DKSE homeport, Bremen.

Paint and camouflage of the ship:
1.)Outer hull black
2.)Superstructure white
3.)On deck ventilators, winches, hatches, etc. buff color
4.)Smokestack buff with HAPAG livery, length unchanged.
5.)Markings painted on the bows and stern
6.)Lifeboat painted white, after most set of boats removed
7.)Masts painted buff, crow’s nest put up
8.)cargo booms put up
9.)Name and markings added on the hull, bridge, and signal deck

By 18.1. the camouflage was completed and Schiff 30 resumed transit to Las Palmas. On the 23rd. La Isleta Lighthouse came into view and by noon Schiff 30 was tied up alongside the HAPAG Liner M.S. Milwaukee. For 2 weeks Schiff 30 transferred cargo and passengers from the liner to the Hilfskreuzer these “Passengers” were actually personnel from the Kriegsmarine, Heer, and Luftwaffe and the “cargo” was spare parts for the diesel engines and aircraft, mail, official correspondence, and other material for the H.K.’s voyage to the east. On 25.1. another radio message was received indicating that the German Reich purchased 3 old vessels for Schiff 30 to use as target practice or any use the Kommandant would see fit all three were built between 1900-1915 they were 1 freighter and 2 tankers of just over 4 400 grt each. The vessels were currently located in Puerto Franco and would be sailed by Spanish crews to our location.

On 26.1. the tanker “Spichern” arrived and topped off the H.K.’s stores of diesel fuel, lubricating oils, and aviation fuel. That same day another radio message was received indicating that the German freighter S.S. “Afrika” outbound for Hong Kong was to be met off Punto Santo Island.

30.1. the three purchased vessels arrived and 3 prize crews were assembled they were ordered to sail for 49°36’N, 25°55’W. During the night Schiff 30 and the three ships moved to Punta del Arrecife to prepare the ships they were disguised as HAPAG freighters at midnight they departed for the ordered location.

On 5.2. Schiff 30 departed for the meeting area and after 5 days arrived and began the preparations that the freighter and one tanker were to be sunk as the raider would conduct a mock attack on both ships. All day on 11.2. the gunnery exercises were carried out both ships sank just after 1200 hrs. the Artillery officers and the Kommandant discussed the performance of the crew, artillery, rangefinders, and the ship itself. At 1840 the tanker was dismissed bound for the South Atlantic Schiff 30 would radio the tanker further instructions. Schiff 30 departed at 1900 hrs. for Punto Santo Island.

After 4 days of sailing Schiff 30 arrived and now awaits the arrival of the S.S. “Afrika”.


Schiff 30 and M.S. Milwaukee in Las Palmas

Schiff 30 after sinking her practice targets

Schiff 30 preparing to sail for Punto Santo Island

[propbeanie]

[CPTLTJASON]

18.2.1936 Central Atlantic 34°26’N, 16°21’W 171st day at sea

The S.S. “Afrika” arrives at 0500 on 16.2. and the transfer of cargo destined for Montevideo and Buenos Aires. A second transfer was begun later in the day in which Schiff 30 took aboard spare parts for the diesel engines and aircraft, fresh vegetables, and other stores and equipment.

Schiff 30’s new orders now state that the ship is to make directly for Yokohama, Japan and deliver her cargo as instructed.

The “Afrika” departed at 2331 hrs. on 17.2. Schiff 30 departed today at 0600 hrs. bound for Yokohama the raider will not sail through the Panama Canal but instead sail through the Drake Strait to enter the Pacific Ocean.


Schiff 30 and the S.S. "Afrika"

[CPTLTJASON]

Current disguise of Schiff 30

HAPAG Line freighter M.S. Seattle 10 800 grt DKSE homeport, Bremen