This record was kindly provided by the generous assistance of Tony Cooper

 
 

   
                                                                                                                 COPY No.
     
 
This book is invariably to be kept locked up when not in use and is not to be taken outside the ship or establishment for which it it issued without the express permission of the Commanding Officer
 
     
     
     
 
C.B.  4051 (51)
 
   
     
 
 
 
German Minelayer
 
 
 
 
"U L M"
 
     
 
 
 
Interrogation of Survivors
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
 
 
     
 
November, 1942
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
 
     
 
This report is not to be considered accurate in all respects, having been prepared before complete information was available.  It is therefore not to  be taken as historically correct.
 
     
     
     
     
     

 

 
 

   
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
     
     
     
     
 
SECRET
 
     
          This book is the property of His Majesty's Government.  
     
          It is intended for the use of the Officers generally, and may in certain cases be communicated to persons in His Majesty's Service below the rank of Commissioned Officer who may require to be acquainted with its contents in the course of their duties.    The Officers exercising this power will be held responsible that such information is imparted with due caution and reserve.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

     
     
 
CB 4051 (51)
 
   
   
 
 
 
German Minelayer "Ulm" as camouflaged after conversion at Helsingers
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
German Minelayer "Ulm" painted grey shortly before her last operation
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
  (C47177)                                                                                                          (Frontispiece.  
     
     

 

     
     
 
CONFIDENTIAL
 
   
 
Attention is called to the penalties attaching to any infraction of the
 
Official Secrets Acts.
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
C.B.  4051 (51)
 
     
     
 
 
 
German Minelayer
 
     
 
"ULM"
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interrogation of Survivors
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
 
 
     
 
November, 1942
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
 
     
     
     
     
  NAVAL INTELLIGENCE DIVISION,  
                          ADMIRALTY.  
     
          N.I.D. 04987/42.  
     
     

 

     
     
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
          The following report is compiled from information derived from prisoners of war.  The statements made cannot always be verified; they should therefore not be accepted as facts unless they are definitely stated to be confirmed by information from other sources.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

     
     
 
3
 
     
 
CONTENTS
 
_______
 
 
 
Frontispiece - German Minelayer "Ulm"
 
     
 
         
Page
I.
  Introductory Remarks  
5
II.
  Complement of "Ulm"  
5
III.
 
Early History of "Ulm"
 
7
IV.
  Earlier Operations of "Ulm"  
7
          (i)  First Norwegian Operation;  (ii)  Second Norwegian Operation;  (iii)  Third Norwegian Operation;  (iv)  Finnish Operation;  (v)  Channel and North Sea Operation;  (vi)  Fourth Norwegian Operation    
V.
  Last Operation and Sinking of "Ulm"  
11
VI.
 
Technical Details of "Ulm"
 
11
            (i)  Displacement;  (ii)  General Description;  (iii)  Engines;  (iv)  Speed;  (v)  Radius of Action;  (vi)  Fuel;  (vii)  Water;  (viii) Armament;  (ix)  Ammunition;  (x)  Torpedoes;  (xi)  Scuttling Charges;  (xii)  Depth-Charges;  (xiii)  Degaussing and other Gear;  (xiv)  Minesweeping Gear;  (xv)  Recognition Lights;  (xvi)  Communications;  (xvii)  R.D.F.;  (xviii)  Pumps;  (xix)  Armour Plating;  (xx)  Victualling Stores;  (xxi)  Camouflage;  (xxii)  Smoke Screen Apparatus;  (xxiii)  Flame-Thrower;  (xxiv)  Mine Loading;  (xxv)  Mine Stowage;  (xxvi)  After Trimming Tank;  (xxvii)  Cinema Apparatus;  (xxviii)  Flags Carried;  (xxix)  Aircraft.    
VII.
  Other Minelayers  
15
   
        (i)  "Tannenburg";  (ii)  "Brummer";  (iii)  "Roland";  (iv)  "Kaiser";  (v)  "Skagerrak";  (vi)  "Ostmark";  (vii)  "Kobra";  (viii)  "Königin Luise";  (ix)  "Versallies";  (x)  "Isar";  (xi)  "Hai";  (xii)  "Lothringen."
 
VIII.
  General Remarks on Minelayers  
16
            (i)  Speed in Laying Minefields;  (ii)  Escorts while Minelaying;  (iii)  Organization of Minelayer Command;  (iv)  Award of Mining Badge ("Minenabzeichen");  (v)  Opinion on British Minefields;  (vi)  German Minefields off Kirkenes;  (vii)  Composite Minefields;  (viii)  Navigation while Minelaying.    
IX.
  Mines and Minelaying  
17
          (i)  Mines usually carried by "Ulm";  (ii)  Types of Minefield laid by "Ulm";  (iii)  Mines carried on Last Operation;  (iv)  Description of Mines carried;  (v)  Safety Gear;  (vi)  Stehandmannchen" (Multiple Type Mine);  (vii)  Depth Setting;  (viii)  Colour of Mines;  (ix)  River Mines;  (x)  "Reissbojen" (Cutter Floats) and "Sprenigbojen" (Explosive Floats).  
X.
  Sperrbrecher  
19
    (A)  List of Known "Sperrbrecher"  
19
    (B)  Other Possible Conversions  
19
    (C)  "Stolzenfels"  
19
    (D)  "Ingrid Horn"  
19
    (E)  "Odenwald"  
19
    (F)  Armament  
19
    (G)  Sweeping Gear  
19
    (H)  Generators  
20
    (I)    Effective Magnetic Field  
20
    (J)    Numbers of "Sperrbrecher" in Existence  
20
    (K)  Torpedo Tubes  
20
XI.
  Raiders  
20
          (i)  "Raider 23";  (ii)  "Raider 24";  (iii)  "Raider 48."  
XII.
  German Destroyers  
21
            (i)  "Friedrich Eckholdt" (Z.16), "Hans Lody" (Z.10), "Karl Galster" (Z.20), "Erich Steinbrinck" (Z.15), "Erich Giese" (Z.12), "Wilhelm Heidkamp" (Z.21), "Leberecht Mass" (Z.1), "Max Schultz" (Z.3);  (ii)  "Seetier" Class;  (iii)  "Narvik" Class;  (iv)  Numbering of Destroyers;  (v)  Destroyer Command;  (vi)  R.D.F. in "Friedrich Eckoldt."    
XIII.
  U-Boats  
23
            (i)  Sunk Russian Submarine;  (ii)  U-Boat with Hour-glass Badge;  (iii)  U-Boats for Black Sea;  (iv)  U-Boats at Narvik;  (v)  U-Boats Flying Finnish Flag.    
 
     
  (C47177)                                                                                                                              B2  
     
     

 

     
     
 
4
 
     
 
         
Page
XIV.
  Other Ships  
24
            (i)  "Lützow";  (ii)  "Emden; and "Köln";  (iii)  "Prinz Eugen";  (iv)  "Graf Zeppelin";  (v)  "Gneisenau";  (vi)  "Grille";  (vii)  Gunnery School Ship "Mars";  (viii)  "Tanga";  (ix)  "August Bolten";  (x)  "Sivas";  (xi)  "Levante";  (xii)  "C. A. Larsen";  (xiii)  "Monte Olivia";  (xiv)  "Wangoni";  (xv)  "Monte Sarmiento";  (xvi)  "Pelican" and "Pontos";  (xvii)  Sister Ship of Sloop "Grille";  (xviii)  Minesweeper "M 4";  (xix)  Hannomag E-Boats;  (xx)  New "Flottengeleitboote" (Escort Vessels);  (xxi)  New Type E-Boat;  (xxii)  Improved Type Torpedo Boats;  (xxiii)  M-Boats (Fleet Minesweepers);  (xxiv)  New River R-Boats;  (xxv)  Hannomag E-Boat Depôt Ship;  (xxvi)  "Vorpostenboote" (Patrol Boats);  (xxvii)  Flying Boat Parent Ships;  (xxvii)  Flak Ships.    
XV.
  Bases and Training Establishments  
26
            (i)  Germany:  (A)  Cuxhaven,  (B)  Glücksburg (Flensburg),  (C)  Hamburg,  (D)  Kiel,  (E)  Kolberg,  (F)  Lebo,  (G)  Neustadt,  (H)  Rendsburg,  (I)  Rügen Island,  (J)  Sassnitz,  (K)  Stralsund,  (L)  Swinemünde,  (M)  Wilhelmshaven.    
            (ii)  Norway:  (A)  Kristiansand S.,  (B)  Narvik,  (C)  Ramsundet,  (D)  Tromsø,  (E)  Trondheim.    
            (iii)  Denmark:  (A)  Copenhagen,  (B)  Helsingør.    
            (iv)  Bulgaria:  Varnia.    
            (v)  Poland:  (A)  Gdynia,  (B)  Hela,  (C)  Pillau.    
XVIi.
 
Miscellaneous Remarks
 
28
          (i)  Aircraft;  (ii)  German Naval Command;  (iii)  German Radio Greetings Programme;  (iv)  Torpedoes;  (v)  Signalling by Teleprinter;  (vi)  Anti-Torpedo Nets;  (vii)  Pilotage in Norwegian Fjords;  (viii)  Patrols in Norwegian Waters;  (ix)  "Flagge Luzzi."    
 
     
 
APPENDIX - List of Ship's Company of "Ulm"
 
     
 
PLATE 1. - Profile and Plan of "Ulm"
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 
 
 
5
 
 
 
 
REPORT ON INTERROGATION  OF SURVIVORS  FROM "ULM"  A GERMAN
 
        3,100-TON MINELAYER, SUNK AT 2235 ON 25th AUGUST, 1942
 
     
 
 
 
I.  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
 
     
          The Minelayer "Ulm," a 3,100 ton converted Norddeutscher Lloyd banana boat, was sunk at 2235 G.M.T. on 25th August, 1942, in approximate position 74° 44' N., 28° 56' E., by H.M.S. "Onslaught," "Marne" and "Martin."  She was on her way to mine waters through which Allied convoys were expected to pass.  
          She is the first German minelayer sunk this war from which prisoners have been captured and it is therefore possible to give a detailed description of her construction, methods of operation and the types of mine she carried.  
          Other points of special interest in this report concern a number of surface ships with which prisoners were familiar.  These include other minelayers, "Sperrbrecher." "F-Boats," types of E-Boats, raiders and destroyers.  
          Four officers - including the captain - and 57 ratings were taken prisoner.  One of the ratings died on passage to the United Kingdom and three were transferred to U.S.S. "Tuscaloosa."  
          The standard of security consciousness among the ratings was not as high as in U-Boats, but their knowledge was very limited.  The officers, on the other hand, were unwilling to give information.  
          Some 30 to 40 survivors were left swimming in the water, the British ships considering it imprudent to remain longer in the vicinity owing to the presence of enemy aircraft.  British officers present however, considered it reasonable to suppose that they had subsequently been rescued.  
          The following are the English equivalents for German naval ranks used in this report:  
 
Grossadmiral Grand Admiral
Generaladmiral Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral Admiral
Vize-Admiral Vice-Admiral
Konter-Admiral Rear Admiral
Kapitan zur See Captain
Fregattenkapitän der Reserve Senior Commander (Reserve)
Korvettenkapitän Junior Commander
Korvettenkapitän der Reserve Junior Commander (Reserve)
Kapitänleutnant Lieutenant-Commander
Kapitänleutnant der Reserve Lieutenant-Commander (Reserve)
Kapitänleutnant (Sonderführer) Lieutenant-Commander (Supplementary Reserve)
Oberleutnant zur See Lieutenant
Oberleutnant (V) Lieutenant (Supply)
Oberassistentarzt Surgeon-Lieutenant
Leutnant zur See Sub-Lieutenant
Leutnant zur See der Reserve Sub-Lieutenant (Reserve)
Leutnant (W) Sub-Lieutenant (for armament duties)
Leutnant (Ing.) der Reserve Sub-Lieutenant (E) (Reserve)
Leutnant (V) Sub-Lieutenant (Supply)
Oberfunkmeister Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist
 
     
 
II.  COMPLEMENT OF "ULM"
 
     
          "Ulm" had a normal complement of 186.  This was made up of 11 Officers, 10 Chief Petty Officers, 30 Petty Officers and Leading Seamen and 135 other ratings.  
          On her last operation a senior meteorological official, with the honorary rank of Kapitänleutnant, was also carried as supernumerary.  
          One Officer, one Chief Petty Officer, one Petty Officer and nine ratings did not sail on her last sortie.  There were therefore 181 on board "Ulm" when she sank.  
          Kapitänleutnant der Reserve Ernst Biet, the captain, was the first survivor to be picked up by H.M.S. "Onslaught," after being in the water approximately five minutes.  He was completely bewildered.  When he had had time to recover, he said that he had realised as soon as he sighted the destroyers that his position was hopeless, but had fired his guns for a few minutes before ordering the crew to muster prior to abandoning ship.  He described his crew as "all boys," whom he could not prevent from panicking as soon as the situation became alarming.  He was not a popular captain with his crew.  Some survivors considered that he was to be awarded the Deutsche Kreuz in gold after "Ulm's" last sortie, and that most of them would be decorated with either the Iron Cross, 1st Class, the Polar Badge or the Mining Badge.  
          Biet was a Reserve Officer, aged 50, who had served throughout the whole of the Great War in the navy.  He was first in the "Bremen" and "Schlesien," but in 1917 was appointed to U-Boats, serving for a short while in "U 3" and "U 11," before transferring to the depôt ships "Borderland" and "Oran."  He left the Navy at the end of 1918, and was employed by the Hapag.  His last command before the war was of the Norddeutscher Lloyd steamer "Roland," plying between Bremerhaven and Heligoland.  
     
  (C47177)                                                                                                                          B3  
     
     

 

     
     
 
6
     
          When the war began, "Roland" was requisitioned by the Navy as a minelayer and Biet was relegated to the position of Navigating Officer.  He was appointed to command "Ulm" on 15th May, 1942, and joined her in Trondheim.  His unpopularity with all on board was due to his nervous and irritable disposition, no doubt caused by a number of major operations.  The atmosphere in his ship was unhappy.  A keen tennis and ping-pong player, he was much distressed by the loss of his sports gear when "Ulm" was sunk.  
          The previous captain was Korvettenkapitän der Reserve Wehr, who took over at Tromsø in March, 1942.  Hitherto he had been second-in-command of "Ulm."  He was an independent character, who thought nothing of abandoning his escort craft if the weather became too stormy for him to operate.  Once, before he was due to lay a particular minefield, members of the staff came on board and showed him the plan they had drawn up for it.  Wehr, however, argued fiercely with them, telling them that it looked all right on paper, but was practically impossible.  Kapitan zur See von Schönermark (S.O. Minelayers, North) was sent on board "Ulm" for this operation to see that Wehr carried out his orders.  The captain and Wehr quarreled throughout the operation, and when "Ulm" returned to port, Wher was court-martialed, several of his ship's company being called as witness.  He was nevertheless acquitted and ordered to Oslo to assume another minelayer command.  Though admittedly stern in punishing offenders, Wehr was a popular captain.  
          Wher was preceded in the command of "Ulm" by Kapitan zur See von Schönermark, the most popular captain she ever had.  Von Schönermark, who is now Führer der Minenschiff Nord (Senior Officer Minelayers (North)) (see also later sections) and a holder of the Ritterkreuz, was formerly captain of the minelayer "Tannenburg" (sunk in July 1941), and brought most of his crew with him to "Ulm."  He assumed command on 25th November, 1941, in Swinemünde.  
          Kapitänleutnant (Sonderführer) Willy Eggert, who did not survive, was the Navigating Officer.  He had served in "Ulm" for about three months.  He was unpopular and considered inefficient.  He had previously served in Raider 45 (see C.B. 4051(49)) and held the raider decoration.  
          Oberleutnant zur See Martin Doerfeldt was the First Lieutenant and had been in "Ulm" for about eighteen months.  He was Gunnery Officer, and did not survive.  
          Leutnant zur See der Reserve Heinrich Birckenstadt, the Second Lieutenant, who survived, was by far the most popular officer on board.  He acted also as Captain's Secretary.  Five or six years before the war he joined the merchant service as an ordinary seaman with the Laisz company, in one of whose sailing ships he served his apprenticeship.  He later went to the Navigation School at Hamburg-Altona for eighteen months, afterwards serving with the Hapag in the "Burgenland."  Six months before the war he returned to the Navigation School at Hamburg-Altona, where he obtained his master's certificate at the outbreak of war, and was called up into the German Naval Reserve.  Aged 29, he wore both classes of the Iron Cross and the Mine Badge.  He considered himself one of the most experienced officers in minelaying in the whole German Navy, having been on 27 different operations since the war began.  
          Leutnant zur See der Reserve Otto Kaufmann, who did not survive, was the Third Lieutenant and W/T Officer.  He served previously in the "Tannenberg."  
          Leutnant zur See Alfred Appold was the Fourth Lieutenant and Signals Officer.  He had only been in "Ulm" for three or four months and did not survive.  
          Leutnant (V) Erwin Jansen, an older man, did not sail from Swinemünde with "Ulm" the last time she left Germany, but went instead to hospital with appendicitis.  Many of the crew thought that he had got wind of the dangerous nature of her next operation and had faked his illness.  
          Leutnant (W) Helmut Röderer, the ship's Mining Officer, was a man of considerable education.  He held a degree in chemistry of Leipzig University and before the war was a chemist with an artificial silk concern.  He joined the Navy in January, 1939, as an ordinary seaman, and later became a mining officer.  He claimed to have discovered a process for reclaiming used oil.  
          Oberleutnant (V) Wendelin Münich was recalled from leave by telegram to join "Ulm" before she sailed from Germany on her last operation.  He replaced Leutnant (V) Jansen, who, as described above, had gone sick.  He did not survive.  
          A senior meteorological official, who had the honorary rank of Kapitänleutnant, joined the ship for her last operation.  This man was, however, normally addressed as "Herr Oberregierungsrat" (a high official in the civil service).  He did not survive.  
          The Engineer Officer, Leutnant (Ing.) der Reserve Martin Meyer, a native of Hamburg, served with the Hapag from 1934-38.  In October 1939 he was called up by the Navy and given a commission in December 1941.  He served for a short while in the "Tirpitz."  
          Oberassistentarzt Hans Riemensperger, the ship's surgeon, did not survive.  
          Officer prisoners admitted that "Ulm" carried more officers than she needed.  They said they could have done with at least two less.  
          Kapitänleutnant Biet said that he had written a report that his younger officers did not possess enough knowledge of seamanship.  They were not, in his opinion, capable of taking a ship to sea.  
          Very many of "Ulm's" ship's company were drawn from survivors from the minelayer "Tannenberg," which sank in the Baltic on 9th July, 1941.  
          Many of them had served previously in various surface craft, but quite a number were in their first ship and, according to their officers, had no idea of their duties.  Officers said that the best of their men came from minesweepers.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
7
     
 
III.  EARLY HISTORY OF "ULM"
 
     
          "Ulm" was built in 1938 by the International Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Danzig for the Norddeutscher Lloyd Company, and was launched as the "Rapide."  She was designed as a fruit carrier and in this capacity made several passages to the Netherlands East Indies and the Cameroons before the war.  When war broke out, she was caught at a port in the Cameroons, but ran the blockade to Hamburg, where, for the first part of 1940, she lay in the Blohm & Voss yards.  A fire broke out on board while she was there, but was got under control.  
          Late in 1940 she was sent to the Helsingørs Jernskibs og Maskinbyggeri A/S yards at Helsingør Denmark, for conversion into a minelayer.  Two other minelayers were there at the same time, one refitting and the other fitting out.  Survivors said it was not a difficult job converting her.  
          On 20th November, 1941, the structural conversion was complete, and "Ulm" sailed from Helsingør via Copenhagen for three days and went over the D.G. range.  Here she lay in the Fredriksholm Naval Harbour.  She carried on this passage only a streaming party, most of whom had been drafted from Swinemünde.  She was commanded between Helsingør and Swinemünde by Kapitänleutnant (Sonderführer) Jacobsen, the peace-time captain of the minelayer "Tannenberg."  
          On arrival at Swinemünde on 25th November, Kapitan zur See von Schönermark, former captain of the minelayer "Tannenberg," took over from Kapitänleutnant Jacobsen, and "Ulm" was commissioned.  Schönermark gave a party on board at which the whole ship's company was present.  Many of them had been accommodated for some weeks at the Hotel Meeresweite at Swinemünde awaiting their ship's arrival.  
          On 27th November she sailed for Kiel, where she entered the Deutsche Werke yards.  Here her guns were mounted, her mine rails fitted and the whole of her technical equipment embarked.  Shortly before Christmas she returned to Swinemünde and proceeded thence to Stettin.  Most of her ship's company came from Stettin, and von Schönermark was anxious to give them Christmas leave as near their homes as possible.  
          "Ulm" remained at Stettin over Christmas and the New Year.  
     
 
IV.  EARLY OPERATIONS OF "ULM"
 
     
          The early operations of "Ulm" may be summarized as follows:  
 
(i)
  First Norwegian Operation (6th January to 22nd February, 1942).
(ii)
  Second Norwegian Operation (2nd March to 3rd April, 1942).
(iii)
  Third Norwegian Operation (13th April to 23rd June, 1942).
(iv)
  Finnish Operation (24th June to 3rd July, 1942).
(v)
  Channel and North Sea Operation (3rd July to 23rd July, 1942).
(vi)
  Fourth Norwegian Operation (11th to 24th August, 1942).
 
          Most of the dates and times in the subsequent narrative have been obtained from survivors' diaries.  The times are expressed throughout in German Summer Time.  
     
  (i)  First Norwegian Operation  
          On 6th January, 1942, "Ulm" left Swinemünde on her first minelaying operation.  The first field was laid across the main shipping artery in the Skagerrak on 8th January, in company with the minelayer "Rolland."  This was an experimental field of E.M.F. mines.  Prisoners said that the mines mostly detonated soon after being laid; on their way back into Fredrikshavn they heard one explode every few minutes until eighty had detonated.  The same day a German aircraft crashed in the sea nearby.  
          On 9th January she embarked mines at Fredrikshavn from lighters which came out to her in the roads.  Survivors said that these mines had been brought to Fredrikshavn by other ships.  The next day she laid more mines in the Skagerrak.  One of her crew, named Giese, fell overboard and was drowned.  He caught his braces in one of the mine horns and went down with the sinker.  "Ulm" then returned to Fredrikshavn and embarked more mines.  
          At 1500 on 11th January, while "Ulm" lay at anchor off Fredrikshavn, her escort aircraft crashed, but the pilot was rescued.  
          On 12th January she sailed via Kristiansand S. to Stavanger, where she arrived on 13th January.  On the 14th she made Bergen, and on the next day Aalesund, where her escort ship caught fire.  
          On 16th January, "Ulm" anchored off Trondheim, and the next day, after remaining at anchor a short while in the Lekafjord, set course for Narvik.  At 1940 on 18th January she anchored off Bodø, on the 19th she made Lødingen, on the 20th Harstad and on the 21st Tromsø.  On that day survivors remembered having seen a fishing boat catch fire in the harbour.  
          The whole of the next day was spent in Tromsø, but on the 24th January, at 0500, she sailed on a minelaying operation, which later had to be abandoned owing to heavy weather.  She was forced to put into Reppefjord (inland from Hammerfest).  At 1730 there was an aircraft alarm, which proved false.  
          "Ulm" was obliged to remain in the Reppefjord until 31st January.  All this time very bad weather prevailed and it snowed heavily.  
     
  (C47177)                                                                                                                          B4  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
8
     
          At 1030 on 31st January she resumed her minelaying from the Reppefjord.  The operation began at 1430, and by 2100 she had again dropped anchor in a sheltered bay.  This field was laid in Rolfsoey Sund and consisted of U.M.B. mines.  The next day, while she lay at anchor, a rating named Jungermann fell overboard and was drowned.  
          On 2nd February she sailed on her next operation at 0800.  Mines were laid from 1230, and she put into Tromsø at 1950.  Prisoners thought this field was laid between Andøy and the opposite island of Senja.  
          She embarked mines in Tromsø from 1230 to 1700 on 5th February, but was prevented by a fierce snowstorm, coupled with a force 8 wind, from putting to sea until 12th February.  Her crew complained of great boredom during this period.  One of them was court martialed for immorality.  
          At 0800 on 12th February, she sailed, escorted by a B.V.138 flying boat, and from 1300 laid mines off Hammerfest, returning to Tromsø ar 2000.  
          At 0700 on 14th February she cast off from Tromsø on her way back to Germany to embark more mines.  She proceeded via Harstad, Lødingen, where she anchored for the night, Bodø, where she picked up an escort of two UJ-boats, and Aalesund.  On the evening of 21st February she met the minelayer "Ostmark" and returned with her to Cuxhaven.  While off Heligoland, the "Ostmark" ran on a sandbank, but was soon refloated.  "Ulm" arrived at Cuxhaven on 22nd February.  
          She encountered fog in the earlier part of her journey southwards, being forced on one occasion to anchor.  Aircraft alarms were frequent and she also saw and detonated a number of floating mines.  
     
  (ii)  Second Norwegian Operation  
          She lay in Cuxhaven from 23rd February to 2nd March, during which period there were constant aircraft alarms.  On 2nd March at 1530 she sailed for Heligoland, where she spent the night.  Next day, escorted by three fighter aircraft, she made once more for Norway.  
          On 4th March she was joined by eight R-boats, her air protection on that day being two Messerschmidt 109's and one Heinkel 111.  There was an aircraft alarm but no attack.  At 1600 she anchored at Stavanger, where Kapitänleutnant Dobberstein, a wearer of the Ritterkreuz, came on board.  He had previously served with some of the ship's company in minesweepers and was now in R-boats.  
          At 0500 on 5th March she sailed from Stavanger and proceeded via Bergen, Aalesund, Ramsfjord, Rorvik, Bodø, Lødingen and Harstad to Tromsø, which she made at 1900 on 10th March.  On the way, she destroyed two floating mines.  
          She remained in Tromsø until 14th March.  Shore leave was granted and some of her crew went skiing locally.  Korvettenkapitän Wehr, hitherto First Lieutenant, here took over command from Kapitan zur See Schönermark.  
          At 0700 on 14th March she sailed for the Reppefjord, where she anchored at 1715.  Next day she again proceeded northwards, and on the morning of 16th March she laid a minefield off the North Cape, anchoring the same evening at Hamnbukt, at the head of the Porsanger Fjord.  Here she embarked more mines from the S.S. "Sivas" until 0200 next day.  
          She sailed from Hamnbukt at 0600 on 17th March and laid a minefield from 1030 to 1300 in the Porasanger Fjord, anchoring at 1800 in Billefjord (an inlet on the western side of the Porsanger Fjord).  
          Next day she embarked mines from the "Sivas" in Billefjord from 0815 to 1400 and laid another minefield from 1500 to 1610 in the Porsanger Fjord, returning to Billefjord at 1700.  This field was said to consist of one row of "Reissbojen" (cutter floats) and a row of anti-submarine U.M.B. mines parallel about 200 metres distant.  These were both laid approximately across the fjord near Store Tamsoy Island.  
          On 19th March she put to sea at 0600 and laid a minefield from 1100 until 1245, anchoring in La Fjord at 1700.  
          On 20th March she proceeded via Reppefjord to Tromsø, which she made at 1400 on 21st March.  An officer said that between 16th and 19th March she laid 1,900 mines and floats.  
          On 26th March, at 0500, the return passage to Germany began.  She proceeded via Harstad, Lødingen, Bodø, Ramsø Fjord, a fjord near Trondheim, Aalesund, Bergen, Stavanger and Kristiansand S.  While at Bodø she received a distress signal stating that a ship was being attacked by aircraft in the West Fjord, but took no action.  
          She arrived at Kristiansand S. at 1800 on 1st April, and left next day at 0300, followed by the hospital ship "Berlin," for which she cleared a way through the harbour ice.  The "Berlin," however, got caught in the ice, and "Ulm" was ordered to go astern into the floe to release her.  In doing so she severely damaged her propeller.  The "Berlin" accompanied "Ulm" as far as Heligoland, which was reached at 2300 on 2nd April.  On passage across the North Sea there were frequent aircraft alarms, but no attack developed.  On 2nd April prisoners learned of the Norwegian and British ships having broken out of Gothenburg, a feat which greatly impressed them.  
          On 3rd April, "Ulm" left Heligoland and proceeded via Cuxhaven, where she disembarked ammunition, to Hamburg, which she reached at 1900.  Her ship's company went on leave in watches.  
     
  (iii)  Third Norwegian Operation  
          While in Hamburg, "Ulm" entered dry-dock at the Stülcken yards to fit a new propeller.  
          On 13th April, she sailed down river to Cuxhaven, where she embarked mines in the roadstead from 2030 the next day, sailing for Norway on 15th April at 1030.  She was escorted by two UJ-boats and two aircraft.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
9
     
          At 0100 on 17th April she entered Bergen, but at 0500 weighed anchor and proceeded to Aalesund, which she made at 2100.  At 0700 on 18th April she left Aalesund and arrived at Kristiansand N. at 1300.  She remained in Kristiansand N. the whole of the 19th, embarking mines from the minelayer "Roland."  During the day, the minelayer "Brummer" arrived and shipped mines from "Ulm."  "Ulm's" ship's company played football against "Roland's" losing 6-2.  
          She put to sea at 0500 on the 20th and laid an E.M.C. minefield some distance out to sea, from 0630 to 0810, returning to Kristiansand N. at 1030.  This operation consisted of making good gaps in the standard mined area off south-west Norway.  
          At 1300 she again put to sea.  At 1630 there was an aircraft alarm, and she made Trondheim the same evening.  
          On 21st April, while in Trondheim, there was an alarm from 1630 to 1700.  On the 22nd she disembarked mines, and on the next day she embarked U.M.B. mines from the S.S. "August Bolten."  On 24th and 25th April "Ulm" remained at anchor in the roads and embarked more mines on the 25th.  On both days there were aircraft alarms.  
          At 0400 on 26th April, she put to sea and laid mines between 1000 and 1125, returning to Trondheim at 1730.  This was a composite field between Trondheim and Namsos.  
          Next day she disembarked mines.  There was a more severe aircraft attack on Trondheim on the night of 27th April, and there was one casualty on board, "Ulm."  Survivors claimed that even British aircraft had been shot down.  
          On 28th April at 0600 "Ulm" proceed via Aalesund to Bergen, which she made at 1600 on 29th April.  There was an aircraft alarm the same evening.  
          The 29th April was spent embarking mines in Bergen.  
          On 1st May, "Ulm" left Bergen at 0915 and set course northwards once more, anchoring in the Nordjford at 1830.  Next morning, at 0600, she proceeded to sea and laid a field of E.M.C. mines northwards from Froeien from 0805 to 1015.  At 1810 she made fast at the pier in Kristiansand N., where she remained until 11th May.  On 4th May, at 1200, there was an aircraft alarm, and a Norwegian steamer only 200 metres distant was twice hit by bombs.  Neither "Ulm" nor "Ostmark," which was also there, suffered any damage.  "Ulm" opened fire with her 3.7 cm and 20 mm. guns.  On 6th May "Ulm" left her berth and made fast at the coaling pier, returning to her former position later in the day.  
          At 0600 on 11th May she left Kristiansand N., and anchored at 1150 off Trondheim, where the mine transport "August Bolten" arrived on 14th May.  
          On 15th May, Kapitänleutnant Ernst Biet relieved Korvettenkapitän Wehr in his command, and the day was spent embarking 300 mines.  
          On 16th May, at 1250, "Ulm" left Trondheim and proceeded southwards towards Kristiansand N.  At 1720 the cruiser "Prinz Eugen," escorted by two destroyers and two torpedo-boats, overhauled and passed them at about 20 knots.  "Ulm" reached Kristiansand N. at 1900 and made fast at the pier.  
          At 0900 on 17th May she left Kristiansand N., and laid an E.M.C. minefield from 1137 to 1226.  The same evening, as she was approaching Trondheim through the Edø Fjord, German land batteries on the southern extremity of Edø Island fired three warning shots at her.  This happened when she had already passed the battery and was hugging the opposite shore, so that the fire came from astern.  She was escorted by two minesweepers.  An Officer survivor explained the incident by saying that mist was fairly thick at the time preventing land batteries from easily distinguishing her outline; she fired a recognition signal, and it was not until "Ulm" made the correct one that the batteries ceased fire.  She reached Trondheim at 1900.  
          On 18th May she went alongside "August Bolten" shortly after 0600 and embarked mines from her until 1830.  At 1500 Admiral Schniewind, Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, who was on a visit from Kiel, came on board her for an inspection.  
          At 0600 on 19th May "Ulm" cast off from "August Bolten" and at 0930 passed over the D.G. range.  At 1230 she set course northwards, arrived at Rorvik at 2025, and at Harstad at 2230.  
          At 1015 on 21st May, she sailed from Harstad arriving at Tromsø at 1715.  Here she embarked mines.  At 0600 on 23 May she sailed from Tromsø with "Brummer" towards the North Cape.  She was proceeded by a convoy of two small merchantmen escorted by a UJ-boat.  About 1030, as the group was about to pass through Bustad Sund (south-east of Rolfsoey Sund), one of the two merchantmen blew up.  "Ulm's" ship's company at first thought it was a submarine attack and she accordingly dropped a number of depth charges and hoisted the submarine warning ("Flagge Ulli").  Biet was in two minds as to whether to put about or proceed at full speed through the narrows.  He finally chose the latter course and "Ulm" raced through Bustad Sund at 17 knots.  It was later discovered, however, that the explosion was due to a Russian aircraft-laid mine.  "Ulm" arrived in La Fjord during the night of 23rd/24th May, having previously parted company with "Brummer" and the convoy.  
          She sailed from La Fjord at 1100 on 24th May, and laid a minefield at its entrance between 1923 and 2022, afterwards shaping course again for Tromsø, where she arrived at 1738 on 25th May.  On the way she sighted floating mines.  
          She remained in Tromsø until 8th June.  On 27th May she was inspected by Vizeadmiral Schenk, Admiral commanding Arctic Coast.  On 1st June, three Russian aircraft attacked the town, hitting oil installations, which burnt out.  
     
  (C47177)                                                                                                                          B*  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
10
     
          At 1900 on 8th June, "Ulm" sailed from Tromsø in company with "Brummer" and "Ostmark," one destroyer, two torpedo-boats and the whole of the 1st UJ-flotilla.  "Brummer" accompanied "Ulm" to the neighbourhood of the North Cape, whence she continued eastwards with the torpedo-boats at 14 knots.  "Ulm," however, continued at only 8 or 9 knots, escorted by the UJ-boats.  She passed Nordkyn at 1500 on 9th June.  From 0345 to 0350 on 10th June she laid a small field of U.M.B. mines off Vardø.  One man said they were interspersed with "Reissbojen."  From 0600 to 0630 she laid a composite field of U.L.M. and E.M.C. mines off Petsamo and within sight of Pummanginnineal Point.  One survivor said that they disembarked mines at Kirkenes, but this statement lacks confirmation.  
          "Ulm" passed Nordkyn on the return journey to Tromsø at 1500 on 10th June.  On the way back she was rejoined by "Brummer," with whom she made Tromsø at 1510 on 11th June.  
          She remained in Tromsø until 16th June.  Some attempt to entertain her ship's company was made by inviting a band to play on board.  
          At 0600 on 16th June she sailed via Harstad, Lødingen, Rorvik, Trondheim, Kristiansand N. and Aalesund for Kristiansand S., where she arrived at 2400 on 19th June.  
          At 1200 on 20th June she proceeded across the Skagerrak escorted by one patrol boat.  She passed Skagen at 2100 and arrived at Helsingør at 1100 on 21st June.  
          At 1245 on 22nd she left Helsingør for Kiel, where she made fast at the Dietrichsdorf Mining and Harbour Defence Depot at 1200 on 23rd June.  Here she embarked U.M.A. mines until 0300 next day.  
     
  (iv)  Finnish Operation  
          At 0800 on 24th June, "Ulm" sailed from Kiel-Dieteichsdorf for the eastern Baltic, and at 0730 on the 26th she anchored in Libau, where she went aground, but was later refloated.  While entering the port, she passed Raider 45 outward bound.  Kapitänleutnant Eggert, who had previously served in her, sent her a signal of good wishes.  "Ulm" did not lay any mines on this operation and acted solely as a transport.  On 29th June she arrived at Kota, where she transferred U.M.A. mines to a small Finnish minelayer.  (N.I.D. Note.  Possibly "Vakava" or "N. Kaf Klercker.")  On 30th June she transhipped mines to German F-boats at Helsinki, which she left the same day, returning to Kiel-Dietrichsdorf to embark more mines on 3rd July.  
     
  (v)  Channel and North Sea Operation  
          "Ulm" left Kiel-Dietrichsdorf on 3rd July, passed through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal and reached Cuxhaven on 4th July.  She sailed from Cuxhaven on 6th July and proceeded to Wilhelmshaven, which she made the next day.  Here she embarked a number of mines and sailed at 0300 on 13th July, having spent three days at anchor in the roadstead.  With her were the minelayers "Brummer" and "Kaiser" and they were each proceeded by a "Sperrbrecher", which detonated, in all, eight magnetic mines.  "Ulm" herself exploded three drifting mines, previously swept by M-boats preceding the Sperrbrecher.  
          On 13th July "Ulm," "Kaiser" and "Brummer" laid a field of E.M.C.2 mines in the North Sea between Wilhelmshaven and Rotterdam, which they reached the next day, and where "Ulm" embarked more mines.  Here "Brummer" entered dock for repairs.  
          At 1800 on the 15th July "Ulm" again put to sea, this time accompanied only by "Kaiser."  They laid a further field and returned to Rotterdam at 0800 next morning.  On this sortie two destroyers were encountered and the alarm sounded, but they proved friendly.  
          "Ulm" then again embarked mines and put to sea at 1800 on the evening of 17th July, again accompanied by "Kaiser."  Very heavy weather was encountered, however, and both minelayers were forced to return to Rotterdam without laying.  The party returned to Rotterdam at 0830 on 18th July.  Kapitan zur See von Schönermark, Führer der Minenschiffe Nord, was present on this operation.  
          The mines from Rotterdam were embarked direct from railway trucks on the quay.  These held between eight and twelve mines each.  
          While in Rotterdam, "Ulm" lay in the Merwehaven, on the westerly side of the pier bordering the Radio Straat.  "Kaiser" lay just ahead of her.  
          At 1800 on 21st July "Ulm" and "Kaiser" again sailed from Rotterdam on an operation.  When this was complete, "Ulm" received a signal from the Hook of Holland telling her to proceed direct to Wesermünde in company with a "Sperrbrecher" and two merchantmen.  "Kaiser," however, returned to Rotterdam.  "Ulm" reached Wesermünde on 23rd July and entered the Norddeutscher Lloyd Company's Kaiser Dock in the Verbindungshaven.  
          The mines laid from Rotterdam on both occasions were intended as a protective field down the whole length of the Netherlands and Belgian coasts, as far west as opposite Dover.  An officer said that they were a renewal of earlier fields laid in 1940.  On each occasion she was accompanied by about twelve R-boats.  "Ulm" herself laid about 900 mines in the three Channel operations in July.  
          While at Wesermünde between 23rd July and 11th August, her capstan was repaired, and the fresh water tanks and boilers were cleaned, the latter by convict labour.  The ship's company were very disgruntled at not being sent on leave during the two or three weeks that "Ulm" lay in Wesermünde, especially as Kapitänleutnant Biet, who lived locally was able to go home every day.  The Engineer Officer complained that his engines needed an overhaul badly, but he was told that this could not be done until November, when the ship was due for a refit at Helsingør.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
11
     
  (vi)  Fourth Norwegian Operation  
          At 1500 on 11 August "Ulm" left Wesermünde for Kiel, whence she sailed at 1300 next day.  She made Swinemünde at 1200 on 13 August and spent the next two days embarking mines.  Some of these were stowed elsewhere than on her mine deck and were intended for transfer.  Survivors said that as many as 500 mines in all were embarked.  
          While in Swinemünde she was inspected by Vizeadmiral Schmundt (Admiral Commanding Arctic), which gave rise to a lower-deck rumour that she was destined for a particularly dangerous operation.  The elderly officer, Leutnant (V) Jansen, managed to develop appendicitis and was replaced by Oberleutnant (V) Münch.  
          A senior meteorological official, holding the honorary rank of Kapitänleutnant, also joined the ship.  
          Survivors said that among other ships they saw at Swinemünde at this time were the cruiser "Emden" and one other, which they thought might have been "Köln."  (N.I.D. Note.  Reconnaissance showed that "Emden" was at Swinemünde on 31st July, and possibly at Wilhelmshaven on 15th August, and that "Köln" had left Faetten Fjord between 3rd and 8th August.)  According to survivors, a number of destroyers and E-Boats were also lying in Swinemünde  
          "Ulm" left Swinemünde at 1500 on 15th August, escorted by the Narvik class destroyer "Z-23," which remained with her until she made Narvik.  A "Sperrbrecher" from Kiel preceded them through the Great Belt, leaving them soon afterwards.  
          While at sea off the Norwegian coast on 16th August, a signal was received ordering her to put into Bergen to embark stores and to signal her E.T.A. via Egeroy.  On 17th August she accordingly anchored off Bergen for two hours, later proceeding to Narvik, which she reached at 0745 on 19th August.  Two torpedo-boats escorted her between Bergen and Narvik.  They had no air protection.  
          She only stayed a few hours off Narvik, afterwards putting into Skjomensfjord, where she lay alongside the U-Boat depôt-ship "Pelagos" and transferred a few "T.M.A." mines (for U-Boats) to her.  Also lying in the fjord was a tanker and the steam yacht "Stella Polaris," closer to which lay ten U-Boats.  
          At 2000 on 19th August, "Ulm" made fast alongside a net-layer at a pier at Ramsundet, where she disembarked a large number of "T.M.A." mines on to a jetty on the eastern side of the sound.  These were transferred to the Arsenal ("Sperrzeugamt").  
          At 1520 on 20th August, she made fast at the pier in Harstad, having previously picked up the pilot at Lødingen, and at 2230 anchored off Tromsø, where she remained the whole of the next day.  While in Tromsø she transferred a number of "T.M.A." mines to F-Boats, and embarked fur clothing.  
          At 1100 on 22nd August she left Tromsø for Narvik, where she arrived at 2100.  Next day a Rear Admiral, representing Vizeadmiral Thiele, Admiral Commanding the North Coast, came on board for an inspection at about 2300.  
          A number of high naval and air officers were present for a lengthy conference, which made the ship's company more than ever nervous as to their future.  Shortly before the Admiral came on board, Kapitänleutnant Biet made a short speech to the assembled ship's company, in which he told them they were going to sea on an important mission ("Pfundiges Unternehmen").  Several survivors used these words in interrogation.  He added that they would pass Bear Island, would be at sea for about ten days, would lay their mines in the path of the Allied convoys to Russia, and would have distant screen of two U-Boats.  
          In Narvik they also took on board their mail, and fuelled from a tanker in Skjomensfjord.  
          By this time, the crew were all aware of the dangerous nature of their operation, and many of them were anxious to trump up excuses to get put ashore before she sailed.  Several spoke to their officers in this vein, but got no encouragement from them.  
     
 
V.  LAST OPERATION AND SINKING OF "ULM"
 
 
(All times until sighting of British force are expressed in G.S.T.)
 
     
          "Ulm" left Narvik on her last operation at 0400 on 24th August, 1942.  She proceeded via Lødingen, where she picked up the pilot, Harstad, where she victualled, up the Solberg Fjord past Finsnes and Tromsø, where she dropped the pilot and embarked stores from the "C. A. Larsen."  She sailed from Tromsø at 1600, and at about 2100 passed Fugloey Sveet, to the north of which she was joined by three unidentified destroyers, based on Tromsø.  
          Survivors also knew at this stage that there were two U-Boats screening them ahead about 10 hours distant.  They had both left Narvik on the previous day.  As "Ulm" was leaving Tromsø she was sighted by a British aircraft.  Survivors said they intercepted a signal from it, "Appears to be a German ship; believed to be the minelayer leaving Tromsø."  Shortly afterwards is signalled, "Will attempt to attack."  This caused "Ulm" to close up her guns so as to assure the aircraft a warm reception.  But no attack developed.  From that moment onwards, nevertheless, her ship's company felt they were under observation.  
          On picking up her destroyer escort, "Ulm" proceeded at about 15 knots on a northerly course until approximately 1230 on 25th August.  About this time a signal was received from the screening U-Boats to the effect that the course was clear and the destroyers parted company.  "Ulm" then altered course to about 045° and continued at 15 knots.  Bear Island which some survivors believed to be occupied by the British was never in sight.  
     
  (C47177)                                                                                                                          B*2  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
12
     
          A number of rumours circulated throughout the ship regarding the exact nature of their operation.  The general opinion was that they were to lay mines between Spitzbergen and Bear Island and along the edge of the Ice Barrier.  Some survivors said that this was to be done on her return journey, having first proceeded as far as Franz Josefs Land.  Another rumour current was that a minefield was also to be laid off Murmansk.  Yet another was that they were to proceed to Japan in company with "Admiral Scheer."  (N.I.D. Note.  It is impossible to make a northern passage to Japan without ice-breakers and Russian pilots at any time of the year.)  A more sober version of this was that they were to meet "Scheer" on their return journey.  
          Most survivors admitted that they were not to be at sea for very long, as the ship was due for a lengthy refit on her return to Germany.  
          Mine-laying was to have started on the night of 27th August and continue over the next day.  Prisoners realised that the two screening U-Boats were to have escorted her during this operation, as the High Command realised that her armament was insufficient for proper protection if attacked.  
     
 
(All the following times are expressed in Greenwich Mean Time.)
 
     
          At 1540 on 25th August, H.M.S. "Onslaught," "Martin" and "Marne" were steering 230°, speed 15 knots, in order to pass through a position 75° 20' N., 28° 31' E.  A Force 7 W.S.W. wind prevailed, with 45 sea and visibility six miles.  Ships were spread two miles on either beam of "Onslaught."  
          At 1900 ships were spread five miles apart and speed was increased to 19 knots as visibility improved.  
          At 2151 "Marne," the port wing ship, reported by light "bearing 232°" and half a minute later "Onslaught" sighted an unknown ship bearing 215° approximately seven miles distant and steering an opposite course.  This bearing and "close" was passed by light to "Martin" and course was altered to close.  "Onslaught" had one W/T receiver and transmitter ready to jam enemy W/T and "Marne" was keeping D/F watch.  
          At this point survivors stated "Ulm" made signals reporting the presence of what she called "Cruisers," adding a moment later that the "Cruisers" were pursuing her and suggesting that a German pocket battleship be sent to her aid.  
          At 2155 the enemy ship was reported as a well-camouflaged merchant ship.  A minute later, "Onslaught," "Marne" and "Martin increased speed to 25 knots, whilst the enemy turned to port until she was steering directly away.  
          Great confusion meanwhile reigned in "Ulm."  When he first sighted the group of destroyers, Biet at once realised the hopelessness of his position and gave the order to haul down the German and hoist the United States flag.  Many in "Ulm" thought the destroyers were Russian which made them even more anxious, owing to the Russians' reputation for taking no prisoners.  
          At 2201 "Onslaught" opened fire at a range of 9,000 yards, followed immediately by "Marne."  Prisoners thought that "Onslaught's" fire hit their rudder and after smoke canister.  "Ulm," therefore had to rig a jury-rubber.  She altered course to the westward and then back to southwest and started zigzagging.  Birckenstadt, who was on the signal deck, pointed out to the captain that the United States flag was still flying.  Biet replied, "Yes, Yes, I know" and appeared very agitated.  He ordered it to be hauled down and the German to be hoisted instead.  He then ordered the 10.5 cm. gun to open fire.  
          Meanwhile "Marne" was told to keep to the eastward and to head "Ulm" off and "Onslaught" altered course and increased speed to 28 knots to close as rapidly as possible, keeping clear of "Ulm's" track in case she dropped floating mines astern.  As salvoes could not be seen clearly, fire was checked until the range closed to 7,000 yards.  
          A few minutes later "Ulm" fired further rounds from her 10.5 gun and made smoke from bow, midships and stern, at the same time making a large alteration to port.  
          Survivors from "Ulm" said at this stage the gunnery officer, Doerfeldt, lost his head completely.  According to their accounts, the first round from "Ulm" hit one of the destroyers at 4,800 metres.  Although the ships were closing rapidly, Doerfeldt gave the order to fire the second round at 4,900 and the third at 5,200 metres.  Prisoners said that he either lost his head or saw that to continue the action was hopeless and therefore gave the wrong ranges on purpose.  
          "Onslaught" had by then reduced the range to about 4,000 yards and course was altered to 230° to keep windward of the enemy and to fire torpedoes.  "Onslaught" obtained hits on the enemy's forecastle and abaft the bridge.  "Ulm" survivors said that the former of these knocked out the 10.5 cm. gun killing many of its crew.  "Onslaught: was then doing 28 knots, with heavy spray interfering with the working of her foremost guns.  
          At 2216 at a range of 3,000 yards "Onslaught" fired two torpedoes, having reduced speed to 20 knots.  Owing, however, to "Ulm" having just stopped, both torpedoes missed ahead.  They had been fired with 12 knots left deflection.  
          The range had by then closed to 2,500 yards, and pom-pom fire was opened on the enemy's bridge in order to destroy any W/T or fire control gear.  This burst of fire was very effective.  According to Biet, it was responsible for most of the casualties among his ship's company, nearly all of whom were mustered by the bridge preparing to abandon ship.  
          "Marne's" salvoes began to fall close to "Onslaught," so the latter increased speed to 30 knots past the enemy to clear the line of fire.  When clear of the smoke "Marne" was ordered to cease fire and "Onslaught" turned to fire another torpedo.  The enemy was swinging slowly to port at the time and eventually stopped heading approximately 030°.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
13
     
         "Onslaught" fired her third torpedo at 2231.  This hit "Ulm" abreast the foremast at 2232-1/2, causing a very large explosion in which detonating ammunition could be seen.  An officer survivor said this hit her magazine.  The ship broke up completely and sank in two and a half minutes at 2235.  
          Despite the foregoing account, Biet persisted in saying that he personally sank his ship by scuttling changes, eight or nine of these being fired.  
          All officer survivors and some of the telegraphists insisted that they sent a W/T signal reporting the fate of their ship before she was sunk.  They thought the screening U-Boats would have picked this up.  
          Prisoners did not speak highly of the behaviour of their officers once the order to abandon ship had been given.  With the exception of Biet, who remained to the last, they all scrambled into the boats or over the side.  The meteorological official who had been embarked at Swinemünde behaved particularly badly, forcing ratings to make room for him in a boat at the point of a pistol.  Biet meanwhile had seen to the destruction of all secret documents and W/T gear.   
          Prisoners said that the first hit their ship sustained was right aft on the smoke screen canister, temporarily blinding many of the 3.7 cm. gun's crew.  The second and third hits were on the port and starboard quarters respectively, at about the level of the 3.7 cm. gun, whose crew they killed with one exception.  
          Officer survivors blamed the German authorities greatly for having sent their ship to sea without adequate support.  They all felt strongly that they would never return.  One of them blamed the German Air Force for having made a faulty reconnaissance.  
          "Onslaught" and "Martin" at 2235 closed to pick up survivors, while "Marne" carried out an A/S patrol.  "Marne" reported that she had been hit aft and sustained casualties, but could still do 25 knots.  A few minutes later the first German reconnaissance aircraft was reported and the British destroyers considered it wiser to leave the neighbourhood.  They therefore had to abandon between 30 and 40 survivors, most of whom were in floats.  The British destroyers considered it reasonable to suppose that they would have been rescued later.  At 2300 from position 74° 33' N., 26° 56 E. the British force proceeded on a course 271° at 20 knots, increasing to 25 knots at 2325 when "Martin" had got into station.  
     
 
VI.  TECHNICAL DETAILS OF "ULM"
 
     
  (i)  Displacement  
          3,100 tons gross.  
     
  (ii)  General Description  
          Converted fruit carrier.  Meier form bow, cruiser stern.  Single funnel.  Two masts.  Single screw.  Her officers spoke highly of her seaworthiness.  
     
  (iii)  Engines  
          Six-cylinder, 2-cycle double-acting M.A.N. Diesel developing 3,500 h.p.  An officer said that the engine had done 19,000 miles without giving trouble.  There were four auxiliary engines; each a six-cylinder, 4-cycle M.A.N. Diesel developing 250 h.p.  Two were for air-compressors and two for the generators.  
     
  (iv)  Speed  
          Cruising speed was 15 knots, though she was capable of 17 in emergency.  
     
  (v)  Radius of Action  
          An officer said that she carried enough fuel to circumnavigate the globe at 9 knots.  Engine-room personnel said she could steam for 48 days at 15 knots.  
     
  (vi)  Fuel  
          She carried about 1,200 tons of fuel oil, stowed in built-in fuel tanks on either side.  
     
  (vii)  Water  
          She carried about 500 tons of fresh water.  
     
  (viii)  Armament  
 
        One 10.5 cm. (4.1") gun forward.  One 3.7 cm. (1,46") gun aft.  A 20 mm. either side of the signal deck.  A 20 mm. either side abaft the funnel.
 
     
  (ix)  Ammunition  
          200 rounds for 10.5 cm. gun.  2,000 rounds for 3.7 cm. gun.  6,000 rounds for the 20 mm. guns.  All the ammunition was "kopfzunder" (nose-fused).  The 10.5 cm. ammunition could be converted into "zeitzunder" (could be used for time-fuses).  The ammunition for the 10.5 cm. and the 20 mm. was stowed together in the forward magazine below the 10.5 cm. gun; that for the 3.7 cm. in special compartments abaft the galley below the 3.7 cm. gun.  
     
  (C47177)                                                                                                                          B*3  
     
     

 

     
     
 
14
     
  (x)  Torpedoes  
          She carried no torpedoes.  No tubes were fitted.  
     
  (xi)  Scuttling Charges  
          Scuttling charges were fitted at the time of her conversion.  Some of these were on either side forward in the engine-room and the fuses were fired by pulling lanyards.  
     
  (xii)  Depth Charges  
          "Ulm" carried six depth-charges, probably of the W.B.F. type.  She had no throwers.  Two depth-charges were carried right aft two on either side of her main mast.  
     
  (xiii)  Degaussing and Other Gear  
          "Ulm" was fitted with:  
                  (a)  M.E.S. Gear (Minen Eigen Schutzgerät).  
                  (b)  Paravanes (Bug Schutzgerät).  
          The M.E.S. gear consisted of 24 cables wound fore and aft around her hull and supplied with current of 220 amperes from a generator in her engine-room at 220 volts.  The gear is bi-polar.  The Bug Schutzgerät was seldom used.  It consisted of paravanes.  These normally swept at a depth of 15 metres some 20 metres distant.  Officers considered it unsatisfactory, as its proximity to the ship had caused the loss of several vessels using it.  Furthermore, the mooring wire encountered on British moored mines parted at the sweep.  
     
  (xiv)  Minesweeping Gear  
          She carried no minesweeping gear other than that described in (13).  
     
  (xv)  Recognition Lights  
          She carried an array of three red or white lights on the yard-arm.  She also had red and white lights mounted at the mast-head for both signalling and recognition purposes.  
     
  (xvi)  Communications  
          She was originally fitted with two "Elektrola" short-wave receiving sets, one all-wave receiver and one 40/70 watt receiver and transmitter.  
          When she was last in Germany, the two "Elektrolas" were exchanged for one large receiver ("Grossschiffempfänger") for short-wave traffic only.  A telegraphist rating said that this gave far better results than the previous arrangement.  The change was made specially for her last operation.  
          At the same time, the 40/70 watt receiver-transmitter, which survivors thought was exchanged for a 200-watt Lorenz transmitter and a Debeg merchant ship transmitter, which survivors thought was also of 200 watts.  In addition she carried two V.H/F sets for emergency communication with other ships.  
          She normally worked on the North Norwegian "Kustenlangwelle" (Coastal Long Wave), known as "Nanni Max."  This is the wave on which she kept touch with the Admiral Commanding Arctic Coast.  
          A small subsidiary W/T mast on the after end of the bridge was mounted some six months before her sinking, following the discovery that fire from her H/A guns once brought down the main aerials between the two masts.  An emergency aerial was consequently fitted on the smaller mast.  
     
  (xvii)  R.D.F.  
          She was fitted with R.D.F.  
     
  (xviii)  Pumps  
          The pumps were worked by seven Siemens and Halske electric motors.  
     
  (xix)  Armour Plating  
          She had 12 mm. (.46') armour plating on her bridge, but none elsewhere.  
     
  (xx)  Victualling Stores  
          Victualling stores for four weeks were carried.  
     
  (xxi)  Camouflage  
          The original camouflage given her at Helsingør was very thorough.  Before leaving Swinemünde on 15th August, 1942, she was painted grey all over.  One man, who was a painter by trade, complained of the inferior quality of the paint applied.  
     
  (xxii)  Smoke-Screen Apparatus  
          Smoke canisters were carried aft, amidships and forward.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
15
     
  (xxiii)  Flame-Thrower  
          "Ulm" was fitted with a flame-thrower on her main mast.  Prisoners said that it had never been used.  
     
  (xxiv)  Mine Loading  
          "Ulm" used her derricks for loading mines unless cranes were available.  Mines were loaded through hatches fore and aft.  
     
  (xxv)  Mine Stowage  
          Mines were stowed only on the mine deck.  On a few occasions, when a very full load was carried, eight or ten were stowed abaft the main mast.  (See Plate I for plan of mine deck.)  
     
  (xxvi)  After Trimming Tank  
          Right aft she was fitted with a trimming tank holding 90 cubic metres of water.  This was flooded when mines were stowed forward, so as to prevent her counter rising.  
     
  (xxvii)  Cinema Apparatus  
          She carried her own film projector and eighty films.  These were embarked at Swinemünde  
     
  (xxviii)  Flags Carried  
          She carried the British, United States, Russian, Swedish and Finnish flags in addition to the German.  
     
  (xxix)  Aircraft  
          She carried no aircraft.  
     
 
VII.  OTHER MINELAYERS
 
     
  (i)  "Tannenberg"  
          The minelayer "Tannenberg" (5,5000 gross tons) commissioned at Wesermünde on 2nd September, 1939.  She sailed in October for Kiel and Swinemünde, whence she carried out contraband control in the Baltic.  Her captain was then Kapitan zur See von Jagow, now Naval Attaché in Bucharest.  He was formerly a Berlin Police Chief and is a close friend of Hitler's.  He appears to have been popular with ship's company.  
          In March, 1940, she entered the Oderwerke yards at Stettin for conversion to a minelayer.  This was completed by mid-April, and she then cruised in the Baltic with cadets for training.  She laid minefields off the English coast from Rotterdam between 6th and 8th July, proceeding to St. Nazaire in August via Le Harve, Cherbourg and Nantes, and returned to Wesermünde in November.  Prisoners said that "Tannenberg" was very nearly sunk by Kapitänleutnant Endrass' boat ("U 567") off St. Nazaire.  Endrass mistook her for a British ship, only at the last moment recognising the German escort ships and realising his mistake.  He afterwards came on board and there was a celebration.  
          She spent a few days in the yards at Stettin in December, after which she proceeded to Norway, where she was based on Stavanger and Bergen for minelaying operations until March, 1941, when she returned to the yards at Stettin until May, 1941.  That month she left Stralsund for Nargu in the Aaland Islands, where she remained until the outbreak of the Russian war.  While at Nagru she was camouflaged so effectively with foliage that Russian aircraft passing overhead at 300 metres failed to spot her.  Her crew were frequently sent to Abo in a Finnish ship for short leave.  
          On 8th July, she left Nargu for Germany, but ran on a Swedish minefield and sank on the 9th.  A swedish destroyer, which had been laying in the field, rescued some of the survivors.  The Swedes apologised for not having announced the laying of the field.  
          Kapitan zur See von Schönermark was her captain when she sank, the First Lieutenant being Korvettenkapitän Hagemann.  
     
  (ii)  "Brummer"  
          The minelayer "Brummer" is the ex-Norwegian "Olaf Tryggvason."  She still carries her Norwegian armament, but has been fitted with additional A/A guns in Germany.  She can carry between 170 and 180 E.M.C. mines.  She looks like an outside destroyer, except that she has a continuous superstructure aft.  
          Prisoners said she was in dry dock in Rotterdam for refitting in August, 1942.  
          On 19th April, 1942, she shipped mines from "Ulm" in Kristiansand N.  
          On 21st May she sailed from Tromsø with "Ulm" and "Ostmark" north from Tromsø.  At the North Cape she continued eastwards at 14 knots, escorted by several smaller craft, probably on another minelaying operation.  She rejoined "Ulm" on 10th June, and they made Tromsø together next day.  
          On 13th July she left Wilhelmshaven with "Ulm" and "Kaiser" and laid mines in the North Sea.  Next day she entered dock for repairs at Rotterdam, where, it was rumoured, she received a direct hit from a bomb.  
     
  (C47177)                                                                                                                          B*4  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
16
     
  (iii)  "Roland"  
          The minelayer "Roland" laid a minefield in the Skagerrak on 8th January, 1942, with "Ulm."  On 19th April she transferred mines to "Ulm" in Kristiansand N.  
          She now has only one funnel, the dummy funnel having been removed.  
     
  (iv)  "Kaiser"  
          The minelayer "Kaiser" (1,900 gross tons) left Wilhelmshaven on 13th July, 1942, with "Ulm" and "Brimmer," and laid a minefield in the North Sea, arriving at Rotterdam the next day.  She laid fields from Rotterdam with "Ulm" between 15th and 21st July, when she returned to Rotterdam.  
     
  (v)  "Skagerrak"  
          The minelayer "Skagerrak" has been lying at a pier in Swinemünde for over a year.  She is the ex-Norwegian ferry "Skagerrak I" (1,281 G.R.T.).  
     
  (vi)  "Ostmark"  
          The French cross-channel steamer "Cote D'Azur" (3,000 gross tons) was converted at Stettin in summer, 1940, into a minelayer and renamed "Ostmark."  She was then converted to oil fuel and her funnel slightly shortened.  She is not to be confused with the catapult ship "Ostmark" flying the flag of the German Air Force.  
          On 4th May she was at Kristiansand N. during an air raid, but was undamaged.  
          On 8th June she sailed northwards from Tromsø in company with "Ulm," "Brummer," a destroyer, and smaller craft, probably on a minelaying operation.  She lay at Stettin in August, 1942.  
          Members of "Ulm's" company who could not be recalled in time before she sailed from Swinemünde on 15th August, were ordered to report on board "Ostmark."  
     
  (vii)  "Kobra"  
          The minelayer "Kobra" (2,100 gross tons) was in Rotterdam in July, 1942.  
     
  (viii)  "Königin Luise"  
          The minelayer Königin Luise" (2,400 gross tons), a former Hapag ship, is sunk.  
     
  (ix)  "Versailles"  
          The former French cross-channel steamer "Versailles" (2,200 gross tons) was formerly used by the Germans as a minelayer.  In summer, 1941, however, she was found to be unsatisfactory owing to excessive vibration of her keel plates, and was taken out of commission.  Since then she lies at a pier in Wesermünde, with a care and maintenance party of seven men.  
     
  (x)  "Isar"  
          The former Norddeutscher Lloyd cargo ship "Isar" (9,000 gross tons) has been converted into a minelayer.  (N.I.D. Note.  "Isar" has been reported to be a troop transport, which is more likely.)  
     
  (xi)  "Hai"  
          One man spoke of a minelayer called "Hai," which he said had been sunk off Heligoland.  (N.I.D. Note.  The escort vessel "F 3" was renamed "Hai" and was probably used for minesweeping, not minelaying.)  
     
  (xii)  "Lothringen"  
          The minelayer "Lothringen" was recently commissioned and is now in service.  She was built at Le Harve and displaces about 3,000 gross tons.  She was laid down by the French before the collapse.  
     
 
VIII.  GENERAL REMARKS ON MINELAYERS
 
     
  (i)  Speed of Laying Minefields  
          "Ulm" usually laid at between 10 and 12 knots.  U.M. mines were laid on average every 15-18 seconds and E.M. mines every 20-21.  An interval of as much as 30 seconds was, however, not unusual.  When laying in company, minelayers proceed in line abreast.  
     
  (ii)  Escorts while Minelaying  
          "Ulm" was usually escorted by R-Boats, minesweepers or patrol boats when laying.  When R-Boats escorted her, she laid at about 12-14 knots, but at only 8-9 knots when with patrol boats or minesweepers.  She sometimes laid unaccompanied.  The main purpose of the escorting craft was to sweep a channel for her.  They could also pick up survivors if she sank.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
17
     
  (iii)  Organisation of Minelayer Command  
          The minelayer Command is organised into four groups as follows:  
                  Führer der Minenschiffe Nord, based on Swinemünde (Kapitan zur See von Schönermark, 1917 term).  
                  Führer der Minenschiffe Süd, based on a Black Sea port.  
                  Führer der Minenschiffe West, based on Brest (Kapitan zur See Bentlage, 1915 term).  
                  Führer der Minenschiffe Ost, based on a FInnish port.  
          Each F.d.M. (or F.d.Minsch, as he is more usually known) is responsible directly to the Commander- in-Chief of the Fleet, Admiral Schniewind.  Each normally has three minelayers under his command, though this figure varied from time to time.  Normally "Ulm," "Brummer" and "Ostmark" operated under F.d.M. Nord.  Minelayers are often transferred from one command to another.  
          Kapitan zur See Beltlage was F.d.M. Nord before von Schönermark was appointed.  
          Kapitan zur See von Schönermark has a house at Stralsund, where he commanded the 11th Manning Division in 1938-9.  He is a very popular officer, though admittedly excitable when conducting an operation.  He and Korvettenkapitän Brill, of the April, 1937 term, are the only holders of the Ritterkreuz in minelayers.  
     
  (iv)  Award of Mining Badge ("Minenabzeichen")  
          The mining badge is awarded when ten points have been received.  After each operation, two to three-and-a-half points are awarded, depending on the danger involved.  This applies equally to officers and ratings.  
     
  (v)  Opinion on British Minefields  
          An officer said that Germany had acquired plans of all British minefields from the captured submarine H.M.S. "Seal" in 1940.  He said that the British had left a five-mile wide channel to the south of one of their own protective minefields.  This channel, he added, had been itself mined by five German destroyers, three torpedo boats and three minelayers, proceeding one mile distant from the British fields.  While laying this field, they had narrowly escaped detection from a British cruiser force, but the fog saved them.  The fields the German forces had laid were equipped with all kinds of floats, and this officer thought the British had to date been unable to sweep them.  
     
  (vi)  German Minefields off Kirkenes  
          An officer said that it had been well worth laying minefields off Kirkenes.  A British submarine he said, had once run into a field of anti-submarine mines there and been sunk.  Other submarines had consequently kept clear of this neighbourhood.  
     
  (vii)  Composite Minefields  
          The laying of a composite minefield was described as follows:  If the field is to consist of E.M.C. and U.M.B., starting with E.M.C., about 40 E.M.C., are stowed on the outside rails, about 80 explosive floats on the inner rails and 20 U.M.B. on the central rails.  E.M.C. mines, floats and U.M.B. mines are then laid in rotation according to instructions from the captain.  There is no set order for laying them.  
     
  (viii)  Navigation while Minelaying  
          Survivors had no knowledge of taut-wire measuring gear and stated that ordinary navigational methods were used in fixing the position of minefields.  
     
 
IX.  MINES AND MINELAYING
 
     
  (i)  Mines Usually carried by "Ulm"  
          "Ulm" carried mines of the following types on her various operations:  
                  (a)  Contact against surface ships (E.M.C., E.M.C.2 and E.M.D.).  
                  (b)  Contact against submarines (U.M.A., U.M.B. and U.M.C.).  
                  (c)  Torpedo-tube Mines (T.M.A., T.M.B. and T.M.C.).  These were handed over for use by U-Boats.  
                  (d)  Magnetic Mines (E.M.F.).  
          She normally carried between 200 and 300 E.M. type mines or up to 400 U.M. type mines.  
          (N.I.D. Note.  E.M. Mines are moored mines, and U.M. mines are moored anti-submarine mines having a smaller charge.  T.M. mines are cylindrical for laying from torpedo tubes, and seen to have been carried in "Ulm" for passage only.)  
     
  (ii)  Type of Minefield laid by "Ulm"  
          Generally "Ulm" laid contact mines directed against surface ships, though in the North of Norway she more often laid deep fields consisting of anti-submarine contact mines.  Sometimes a field of both anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel mines was laid.  (N.I.D. Note.  They were probably both antennae mines.)  
          On one occasion in the Skagerrak, referred to in the narrative, she laid an experimental field of electrically charged E.M.F. mines only.  Reference is made to these mines below.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
18
     
  (iii)  Mines Carried on Last Operation  
          At the time of her sinking "Ulm" was carrying between 240 and 270 E.M.C. and E.M.F. mines and no others.  
     
  (iv)  Description of Mines Carried  
          The mines normally carried by "Ulm" may be briefly described as follows:  
                  (a)  E.M.C.  Is practically spherical with seven horns and a charge of 300 kilograms (661 lb.).  Is a contact mine.  (N.I.D. Note.  This is Type "Y."  See A.F.O. Diagram 58/42 (i).)  
                  (b)  E.M.C.2.  These are the same as E.M.C., except that they are fitted with 20 metres long antennae.  (N.I.D. Note.  These antennae consist of a small copper balls floating on the surface and each attached to the mine by a length of copper wire.  When the enemy ship's steel hull contacts the ball it induces enough current to activate the mine at a distance.  It is practically certain that this mine is Type "V."  See A.F.O. Diagram 58/42 (i).)  
                  (c)  E.M.D.  Are smaller that the above and spherical, with five horns and a charge of 150 kilograms (331 lb.).  (N.I.D. Note.  Type "X."  See A.F.O. Diagram 58/42 (i).)  
                  (d)  E.M.F.  This is a hornless moored mine of non-contact type.  It is said to be magnetic.  It is the same size as E.M.C.  Prisoners said that it required an electric charge an hour to an hour and a half before laying.  Four mines can be charged at once.  The period of charge was about 20 minutes.  Prisoners were uncertain regarding the object of this procedure, but one man suggests it was to charge accumulators in the mine.  On one occasion after laying a field of these mines in the Skagerrak (see Section IV), they all detonated spontaneously.  (N.I.D. Note.  It is believed that a moored non-contact mine of this type exists and that it is probably magnetic.  
                  (e)  E.M.G.  This is as large as E.M.C. and also has seven upper horns.  Prisoners did not know whether it is magnetic or contact.  
                  (f)  E.M.T.  Prisoners stated that E.M.T. are acoustic mines.  
                  (g)  U.M.A.  These are smaller that the E.M. type and contain a charge of 90 kilograms (198 lb.).  They are fitted with the old type of sinker.  They have two sets of horns, five upper and three lower.  The upper are called "Stosskappen" and the lower "Stossdornen."  The lower horns activate the charge by means of a battery, and the upper by means of a liquid.  Some prisoners said they are fitted with a lower antenna consisting of a wire around the mooring wire.  This detonated the mine when it makes contact with a steel object.  
                  (h)  U.M.B.  These are similar to U.M.A., except that they are fitted with automatic destruction gear in case they break adrift.  (N.I.D. Note.  It is probable that U.M.A. and U.M.B. are Types "Z" and "R," see A.F.O. Diagrams 58/42 (i) and 266/42; but are not identified with certainty.)  
                  (i)  T.M.A., T.M.B. and T.M.C.  Are cylindrical mines for laying from the torpedo tubes of U-boats.  (N.I.D. Note.  T.M.A. is a moored magnetic mine, charge 450 lb.  This is known to us as Type "T."  (See A.F.O. Diagram 58/42 (i) and (ii).)  T.M.B. is a ground magnetic mine, charge 1,200 lb. and is Type "s,"  T.M.C. exists but details are unknown.  
     
  (v)  Safety Gear  
          The E.M. type of mine is fitted with a switch to blow up the mine of it breaks adrift.  
     
  (vi)  "Stehaufmännchen" (Multiple Type Mine)  
          One prisoner said that the Germans lay a type of mine which, when swept or detonated, releases another mine from the bottom to take its place.  These are called "Stehäufmannchen" (Arise, little man).  
     
  (vii)  Depth Setting  
          Depth setting for both E.M. and U.M. type mines is obtained by means of a plummet ("Voreilgewicht").  U.M.A. and U.M.B. were generally laid at 20-25 metres (65-82 ft.)  E.M.C. were laid up to 10 metres, E.M.C.2 and E.M.F. were laid up to 20 metres below the surface.  Most moored mines laid by "Ulm" had a 200-metre mooring wire.  
          It was stated that some mines do not use the plummet method of depth-taking, but had a mooring with a fixed length of cable for use when the depth of water is known.  The mooring wire in such cases is wound around the outside of the sinker.  Mines can be laid in depth up to 800 metres (437 fms.).  
     
  (viii)  Colour of Mines  
          All mines are painted the colour of the water in which they are laid.  
     
  (ix)  River Mines  
          Prisoners spoke of the existence of river mines, known as F.M.B. and F.M.C. (Flussmine B and Flussmine C).  
     
  (x)  "Reissbojen" (Cutter Floats) and "Sprengbojen" (Explosive Floats)  
 
        From time to time "Ulm" laid both "Reissbojen" and "Sprengbojen" in her minefields as sweep obstructors.  (N.I.D. Note.  "Reissbojen" are conical floats supporting static cutters in their mooring wire.  "Sprengbojen" are explosive conical floats.  See A.F.O. Diagram 58/42 (i) and (ii).)
 
     
     

 

     
     
 
19
     
 
X.  SPERRBRECHER
 
     
  (A)  List of Known "Sperrbrecher"  
          The following ships have been converted into "Sperrbrecher":  
 
(i)
  "Kyphissia" 3,000 gross tons ex-Hapag.
(ii)
  "Jason" 1,025 gross tons ex-Neptun Line.
(iii)
  "Wuppertal" 6,700 gross tons ex-Hapag.
(iv)
  "Sauerland" 7,100 gross tons ex-Hapag.
(v)
  "Vogtland" 6,600 gross tons ex-Hapag.
(vi)
  "Frida Horn" 5,200 gross tons ex-Horn Line.
(vii)
  "Bitterfeldt" 7,100 gross tons ex-Hapag.
(viii)
  "Ammon" 7,100 gross tons ex-Hapag.
(ix)
  "Ernst L. M. Russ" 3,000 gross tons ex-Russ Line.
(x)
  "Olga Siemers" 3,200 gross tons ex-Siemers Line.
(xi)
  "Kurt Hartwig Siemers" 1,100 gross tons ex-Siemers Line.
(xii)
  "Brandenburg" 1,000 gross tons ex-Gribel Line.
(xiii)
  "Odenwald" 5,100 gross tons ex-Hapag.
(xiv)
  "Ceuta" 2,719 gross tons ex-Oldenburg-Portuguese
(xv)
  "Karpfaenger" 5,000 gross tons ex-Hanseatische Line.
(xvi)
  "Simon Von Utrecht" 5,000 gross tons ex-Hanseatische Line.
(xvii)
  "Stolzenfels" 7,512 gross tons ex-Hansa Line..
(xviii)
  "Ingrid Horn" 4,000 gross tons ex-Horn Line.
(xix)
  "Lübeck" 3,100 gross tons ex-Hapag.
(xx)
  "Oldenburg" 8,500 gross tons ex-Hapag.
 
     
  (B)  Other Possible Conversions  
          Prisoners thought that a number of "Fels" class merchantmen, and ships belonging to the Leonhardt and Blumberg Company, the Rickmers Line, and the Siemers Line had been converted.  
     
  (C)  "Stolzenfels"  
          "Stolzenfels" was at first fitted with bow and stern Oropesa sweeping gear and was engaged in minesweeping on the Warnemunde-Gjedser Ferry route for nine months in the early part of the war.  She has since been fitted with electric sweeping gear and her Oropesa gear given to others.  She was at first commanded by Fregattenkapitän der Reserve Schmidt, an elderly landowner who distinguished himself by reporting for duty at the beginning of the war in Imperial naval uniform.  The First Lieutenant was Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve Schweigert, from Bremen, who was the pre-war captain of the "Stolzenfels."  Prisoners said that these officers had little idea of minesweeping.  Some of her crew were later drafted to the"Sperrbrecher" "Ingrid Horn."  
     
  (D)  "Ingrid Horn"  
          The "Ingrid Horn" is commanded by Kapitänleutnant der Reserve Kissner, in private life in the cigarette firm of Neurburg.  He relieved Leutnant der Reserve Koch, an older merchant marine officer who went sick.  The Second Lieutenant is Leutnant der Reserve Reichstein.  
     
  (E)  "Odenwald"  
          The "Odenwald" has a forward twin 10.5 cm. (4.1 in.) gun mounting, twin 3.7 cm. (1.46 in.) mountings on either side of the forecastle and four 20 mm. quadruple mountings.  In each corner of the bridge are two single 20 mm. mountings.  There is a rotary platform for a single 20 mm. and on the poop there is a twin 10.5 cm. gun.  The twin 10.5 cm. guns use director firing, being controlled from the bridge.  
          The "Odenwald" recently ran into a mine off Heligoland and had to put into Stettin for repairs.  
     
  (F)  Armament  
          Most "Sperrbrecher" carry one 88 mm. gun forward, two 20 mm. on the signal deck, one 3.7 cm. on the boat deck, and two 20 mm. aft on the upper deck.  The armament described as carried by the "Odenwald" is much heavier than usual.  
     
  (G)  Sweeping Gear  
          (N.I.D. Note.  The following description evinces some confusion between the magnetic sweep and de-gaussing circuits, and must be accepted with reserve.)  
          Several types of sweep are carried by "Speerbrecher" as follows:  
          1.  Oropesa Sweep.  Just before the bridge there are two extensible towing points on either side of the ship which can be run out and to which Oropesa sweep is attached.  
          Two or more Oropesa sweeps are fitted aft in the normal way.  Each is run out to about 200 metres distance.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
20
     
          2.  Forward Electric Sweep.  Some "Sperrbrecher" are fitted with a boom forward, having a heel fitting on the lower part of the stem.  It is operated by a winch.  There is an electric cable leading to its point from a special port just abaft the hawsepipe.  This fitting is known as a "Spargel."  It has an effective radius of up to 150 metres.  It is said to take two knots off the speed of the ship.  
          3.  Horizontal Electric Sweep.  A prisoner who had served in the "Odenwald" said she was fitted with an electric sweep similar to degaussing cables.  The cables are fitted on the outside of the ship and are contained in casing about 30 by 30 cm.  There are usually 24 cables so contained, 12 being positive (red) and 12 negative (blue) placed alternatively.  The cable runs from the engine-room to the extremity of the ship's quarter, round her bow and back to the engine-room from the extremity of the other quarter, thus leaving about three metres of her stern unprotected.  Prisoners had no idea of the current used.  They were not allowed into the engine room.  
          4.  Vertical Electric Sweep.  This consists of a number of electric cables wound around the outside of the fore part of the "Sperrbrecher's" hull - generally for a distance of about 3 metres.  They are encased in wood.  The cable is about 2 cm. thick and coloured red and blue alternatively.  As each cable reaches the centre of the deck it enters a central watertight junction box and is connected with the generator.  No great heat is ever induced in the windings.  
          The hull in the neighbourhood of the winding is generally filled with sand and buoyancy tanks.  Right at the bottom is a quantity of old iron which is said to become magnetised.  The whole forepart is separated from the after part of the ship by a welded bulkhead.  
     
  (H)  Generators  
          Electric power is generated as a rule by two large Diesels below decks fitted specially for this purpose.  In addition, auxiliary Diesels for emergencies are sometimes carried.  
     
  (I)  Effective Magnetic Field  
          The effective magnetic field of the "Ingrid Horn's" vertical sweep varied.  The normal forward effective range was intended to be up to 250 metres (273 yards) ahead, 25° on either bow.  
          The normal distance ahead for a mine to explode, however, was 50 metres, but they sometimes exploded between 100 and 150 metres ahead.  There were three instances of explosions only 15 metres ahead.  On one occasion a mine exploded astern, giving the following convoy a nasty shock.  It is quite common for a "Sperrbrecher" to damage her bows by near misses when sweeping.  
     
  (J)  Numbers of "Sperrbrecher" in Existence  
          A prisoner said that at the outbreak of the war Germany possessed about 12 "Sperrbrecher," but that there are now about 30.  The system of numbering has been dropped; they are now all known by name.  (N.I.D. Note.  It is believed that there are now 50-60 "Sperrbrecher" in existence.)  
     
  (K)  Torpedo Tubes  
          Some "Sperrbrecher" are fitted with collapsible ports behind which are fitted torpedo tubes.  
     
 
XI.  RAIDERS
 
     
          The following information about Raiders was given by a leading seaman, who was drafted to "Raider 23" in mid-December, 1941, while she was fitting out at the Oderwerke, Stettin.  
     
  (i)  "Raider 23"  
          "Raider 23" is the "Cairo" a 4,800 gross ton ship of the Atlas-Levante Line.  She arrived at Stettin in mid-December, 1941 and left Kiel during April, 1942 on an operational cruise.  She was under the command of Fregattenkapitän Gerlach, who was not on board during her conversion.  Her First Lieutenant was formerly Leutnant zur See Geissler, son of General Geissler.  This officer left the Raider before she sailed and is now serving in U-Boats.  Her adjutant was Oberleutnant zur See Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, who presided at the Christmas festivities attended by her skeleton crew of about 50 men.  Her total complement is 300.  
          Many of "Raider 16's" crew were drafted to "Raider 23."  When the prisoner was questioned about Kapitan zur See Rogge, he said that as far as he knew Rogge had been killed, but did not know the circumstances.  (N.I.D. Note.  This statement should be treated with reserve.  Another prisoner said Rogge was again at sea in a Raider.)  
          "Raider 23's" armament consists of eight 15 cm. guns, five twin 3.7 cm. guns and several quadruple 20 mm. mountings.  She is fitted with two quadruple torpedo tubes below the water-line on either side, and has a flame thrower on her mainmast.  It was stated that two E-Boats and two aircraft were to be carried.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
21
     
  (ii)  "Raider 24"  
          This Raider lay together with "Raider 23" in Stettin and was of about 6,000 tons.  Her Captain was Oberleutnant zur See Lange.  Her armament was identical with that of "Raider 23" except that she was fitted with two triple (not quadruple) torpedo tubes on either side.  She also carried E-Boats and the prisoner presumed that aircraft would be carried.  He was not able to identify this ship or give her previous merchant name.  
     
  (iii)  "Raider 46"  
          In December, 1941 he heard from dockyard mates of the Oderwerke, Stettin, that "Raider 46" was at sea.  
          He stated that German Raiders are now operating off the South American coast and mentioned that the Japanese are quite capable of looking after Australian waters.  
     
 
XII.  GERMAN DESTROYERS
 
     
  (The following information derives from a leading seaman who served in the destroyer "Friedrich Eckholdt" (Z.16) from April, 1939, to October, 1941.)  
     
  (i)  "Friedrich Eckholdt" (Z.16), "Hans Lody" (Z.10), "Karl Galster" (Z.20), "Erich Steinbrinck" (Z.15), " "Erich Giese" (Z.12), "Willhelm Heidkamp" (Z.21), "Leberecht Maas" (Z.1), "Max Schultz" (Z.3).  
          "Friedrich Eckholdt" did her trials in the Baltic and North Sea before the war.  
          Probably in January, 1940, "Friedrich Eckholdt" "Leberecht Maas" and "Max Schultz" laid mines in the Thames Estuary.  The leading destroyer was challenged by a British patrol boat in the mouth of the Thames, but did not reply.  On sighting a second patrol boat the destroyers repeated the challenge which they had learned from the first patrol boat and passed safely.  The mines were laid inshore of a darkened lightship.  Each destroyer carried her maximum load of 84 mines.  The whole force then returned to Wilhelmshaven.  
          During the next few days "Friedrich Eckholdt's" crew were instructed in boarding exercises and soon afterwards sailed in company with "Leberecht Maas" and Max Schultz" to capture some British patrol boat crews.  On the way, however, "Max Schultz" was bombed by a German aircraft and sank, only twenty men being rescued.  "Leberecht Mass" was torpedoed, some of her survivors being picked up by "Friedrich Eckholdt."  Next day a German patrol boat picked up eighty bodies.  
          (N.I.D. Note.  Previous interrogations of prisoners confirmed that "Leberecht Maas" and "Max Schultz" were sunk during February, 1940.)  
          Her first important operation was the Norwegian campaign, when she was one of a force of five destroyers escorting "Hipper."  The destroyers were some distance off when "Hipper" sank H.M.S. "Glowworm" in April, 1940.  During one of the Narvik actions there was considerable indignation in "Friedrich Eckholdt,"  caused by the announcement that the then Captain (D), Kapitan zur See Bonte, had been killed in action.  He was in fact killed in his nightshirt on board his ship, "Erich Giese," which was alongside the quay when she should have been at sea.  The destroyer "Wilhelm Heidkamp" was also alongside the quay.  A British destroyer approached her with a view to boarding, but was driven off by heavy land-based fire.  "Wilhelm Heidkamp's" ships' company were ready to fire a shallow pattern of depth charges had the British destroyer approached close enough, thus putting both ships out of action.  
          "Friedrich Eckholdt" then returned to the Blohm & Voss yards at Hamburg, where she refitted until mid-July, when she did further trials in the Baltic.  Prisoner related how "Friedrich Eckholdt" and other destroyers of her class mined the approached to Scapa Flow, each carrying sixty mines, and indicated that it was at about this time.  
          In September/October, 1940, "Friedrich Eckholdt" sailed for Cherbourg with four other destroyers, three of which were "Hans Lody" (Fregattenkapitän Schulze-Hinrichs), "Erich Steinbrinck" and "Friedrich Ihn."  They remained about a fortnight in Cherbourg, during which time they laid mines off Plymouth.  
          They then sailed for Brest.  While at this port "Friedrich Eckholdt" was unable to take part in any operations, as one of her engines was out of commission.  The others, however, took part in large-scale invasion exercises off St. Nazaire, in which infantry, naval shock troops ("Marine Stosstruppen") and auxiliary craft took part.  The destroyers went in under a smoke screen, each dropping a depth charge every five minutes as an antisubmarine measure.  The whole destroyer force, except "Friedrich Eckholdt" then mined the Bristol Channel, an operation which was later given much publicity in Germany.  
          At the beginning of November "Friedrich Eckholdt" returned to Wesermünde with "Hans Lody" and another destroyer, and refitted until 31st December.  
          In May, 1941, she escorted "Bismarck" to Bergen, which was reached on 21st May,  She was accompanied by "Hans Lody" and one other destroyer.  (See also C.B. 4051(24) Section V (i).)  On 21st May "Friedrich Eckholdt" returned to Wilhelmshaven and "Hans Lody" to Wesermünde.  
          "Friedrich Eckholdt" remained at anchor in Wilhelmshaven for about 10 days, after which she proceeded to Swinemünde, her new base.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
22
     
          In June, 1941, she escorted "Lützow" to Germany from Norway, together with four other destroyers, two of which were "Hans Lody" and "Karl Galster."  He said that "Lützow" had been hit by a torpedo off Stavanger.  (N.I.D. Note.  Lützow" was damaged by an aircraft torpedo on 13th June and was later seen returning to the Skagerrak.)  
          The force returned to Kiel, where "Freidrich Eckholdt" remained for about a week, during which she did anti-submarine exercises with several 500-ton U-Boats.  These included the trial of new R.D.F. sets in U-Boats.  
          "Friedrich Eckholdt" arrived at Kirkenes at the end of July with three other destroyers.  From here she made a number of unsuccessful sorties against merchant shipping, and was attacked on several occasions by aircraft, sustaining no damage.  She was also engaged in escorting convoys to Tromsø, where she lay in October, 1941.  
          The following officers served in "Friedrich Eckholdt" during the period the prisoner was on board.:  
 
Captain: Joined Left.
    Korv. Kap. Schemmel April, 1939. End July, 1941.
    Korv. Kap. Menge End July, 1941. Still on board, October 1941.
    Korv. Kap. Schemmel Stated to be in command again now
Commander:    
    Korv. Kap. Wittig
-
October/November, 1941.
    Klt. Bachmann October/November, 1941 Still in ship.
First Lieutenant:    
    Olt.z.S. Giessler
-
Just before war.
    Olt.z.S. Blöse Just before war. Beginning 1940.
    Oltz.S. Pirkam (?) Beginning 1940. Still on board, October, 1941.
Second Lieutenant:    
    Olt.z.S.  Blöse
-
Promoted First Lieutenant just before the war.
Watchkeeping and Cypher Officer:
 
    Lt.z.S. Wilzer
-
July, 1941.
Watchkeeping Officer:    
    Obfur.z.S.  Geissler (later Lt.z.S.)
-
Beginning 1941.
Gunnery Officer:
 
    Lt.z.S. Eberlein
-
Still on board, October, 1941
Engineer Officer:
 
    Klt. (Ing.) Stahr
-
November, 1940.
    Lt. (Ing.) Gerhardt (later Olt. (Ing) ) November, 1940 Still on board, October, 1941.
 
          The prisoner stated that her armament was five 12.7 cm. (3 in.) guns, two twin 3.7 cm. (1.46 in.) mountings and four single 20-mm.  "Friedrich Eckholdt" was originally fitted with two traps aft containing six depth charges.  She had four single charge chutes on either side aft.  After the Norwegian campaign four throwers were added to either side.  It was stated that when carrying mines she did not sacrifice depth charges or fuel.  
     
  (ii)  "Seetier" Class  
          "Z.33" denotes the beginning of the new "Seetier" class destroyers.  
          As far as he can remember, "Z.33" is the "Seerose," "Z.34" "Seeigel," "Z.35" "Seeschwamm" "Z.36" "Seeschwalbe" and "Z.37" "Seeadler."  Four others are on the slips.  
          The existence of this class has been confirmed by another prisoner.  
          They are said to be armed with two twin 12.7 cm. (5 in.) turrets forward and a single 12.7 mounting aft.  On the after island a twin 3.7 cm. (1.46 in.) mounting is carried, and on either side of the bridge quadruple 20 mm. mountings are fitted.  
          These destroyers were described as being faster then the "Narvik" class.  The whole after part of the ship is lower in the water than any previous destroyers.  The bow has a greater rake than the "Narvik" class and is higher.  
          They are built on covered slipways at the Deutsche Werke, Kiel.  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
23
     
          (N.I.D. Note.  There is no confirmation that this class is known as "Seetier."  It is thought that the destroyers building are and resemble the "Narvik" class.  The armament varies slightly to provide for A/A protection.  The main armament is probably 15 cm. (5.9 in.).  Six of these destroyers are known to be fitting out and five are on the slips.  The latest type have a twin mounting forward.  
          There are covered slipways at the Germania Werft, Kiel, but it is thought that these are being employed for U-Boat construction.)  
     
  (iii)  "Narvik" Class  
          Destroyers numbered "Z.23" to "Z.32" are "Narvik" class.  They have no names.  
          They mount five 15 cm. guns; one twin turret forward and three single mountings aft.  (N.I.D. Note.  Only some of these destroyers mount a twin turret forward at present.  
     
  (iv)  Numbering of Destroyers  
          Destroyers no longer carry tactical numbers; these were all painted out early in the war.  The "Seetier" class, however, are said to carry two letters, denoting their names on either side of the bridge.  Thus, "S.I." would denote "Seeigel," "S.R." "Seerose," etc.  
          (N.I.D. Note.  The numbers carried by the destroyers mentioned in this section are yard numbers.  Tactical numbers used to run up to about 60.)  
     
  (v)  Destroyer Command  
          In October, 1941, when prisoner left "Friedrich Eckholdt," the Captain (D) was Kapitan zur See Bet, who succeeded Kapitan zur See Bonte.  
     
  (vi)  R.D.F. in "Friedrich Eckholdt"  
          The "Friedrich Eckholdt" was fitted with R.D.F., which can be operated from the bridge or from the W/T cabinet.  
          The size of the aerial is about 1 yard square.  It is fitted to a standard on a hard rubber mounting, and can be rotated.  The set is fitted with a fluorescent glass screen.  There are two large hand wheels on either side for rough adjustment and two small central wheels for fine adjustment.  
          (N.I.D. Note.  German press photographs in September, 1940, showed a "Narvik" class destroyer with an R.D.F. aerial about 2 yards square.)  
     
 
XIII.  U-BOATS
 
     
  (i)  Sunk Russian Submarine  
          Prisoners said that in the middle of April, 1942, they learned that a UJ-Boat had sunk a Russian submarine off the coast of Norway.  
     
  (ii)  U-Boat with Hour-Glass Badge  
          A prisoner said that he had seen a U-Boat in Kiel with a black hour-glass badge.  
     
  (iii)  U-Boats for Black Sea  
          250-ton U-Boats are being transported overland to Black Sea ports.  Their conning towers are removed for the journey.  A prisoner, who was stationed at Varna in May, 1942, said that there were German U-Boats operating there.  (N.I.D. Note.  It is considered improbable that 250-ton U-Boats are being transported complete.  It has been reported that the Danube port of Galatz is now equipped for assembling small submarines, which arrive in parts by rail or Danube.  During July, 1942, five U-Boats were launched.  There is no confirmation that U-Boats are operating from Varna or other Black Sea ports in Rumania or Bulgaria.  
     
  (iv)  U-Boats at Narvik  
          Prisoners said that they had seen U-Boats at Narvik, but they could not remember their numbers or captains.  They were mostly 500-tonners.  A wearer of the Ritterkreuz commands one of the U-Boats operating in the Arctic.  
 
 
  (v)  U-Boats Flying Finnish Flag  
          At Libau, in June, 1942, lay a 250-ton German U-Boat flying the Finish flag.  Prisoners said she was painted black all over.  She was manned by a German crew.  
     
     

 

     
     
 
24
     
 
XIV.  OTHER SHIPS
 
     
  (i)  "Lützow"  
          The pocket battleship "Lützow" remained in or near the Bogen Fjord nearly all the time between 3rd May and 14th August, 1942.  She remained at anchor most of the time, apart from a few short trips to turn the engines.  A few days before she sailed for Germany, early in August, she ran aground near Ofot Fjord during the night.  She then stove in her port side amidships below the water line and developed a slight list owing to flooding.  It was for this reason that she returned to Germany.  
          On passage to Germany she was escorted by two torpedo-boats.  
          Everyone had to be on board at night.  The ship's company were all extremely bored.  Their only recreation was to go into Narvik, which took 1-1/2 hours by boat, or to land in Bogen Fjord and go for a walk.  According to a Chief Petty Officer, who was in her at the time, her ship's company would welcome a little sea time.  
          Korvettenkapitän Knoke is the commander of the "Lützow."  The signal officer is Kapitänleutnant Kopp.  
          She lay in Swinemünde when "Ulm" left Germany on 15th August, 1942.  
     
  (ii)  "Emden" and "Köln"  
          The 6-in. cruisers "Emden" and "Köln" lay in Swinemünde when "Ulm" sailed from there on August, 1942.  
     
  (iii)  "Prinz Eugen"  
          One man said that, while entering Lo Fjord in February, 1942, an explosion had taken place damaging the 8-in. cruiser "Prinz Eugen."  Those who saw it had no idea whether it was a torpedo or a mine that caused it, but they knew that it was aft.  She was afterwards patched up.  
          On 16th May, 1942, at 1720, the "Prinz Eugen" escorted by two destroyers, overhauled "Ulm," proceeding southwards between Trondheim and Kristiansand N.  
          A Chief Petty Officer who had served in her early in 1941 said that after parting company with "Bismark" on 24th May, 1941, after the action in which H.M.S. "Hood" was sunk, she rendezvoused with a tanker somewhere south of the Denmark Straits and refuelled.  She subsequently reached Brest on 1st or 2nd June.  He said the reason she was detached from "Bismarck" was because she had insufficient fuel.  (N.I.D. Note.  See C.B. 4051 (24) Section V (3).)  
     
  (iv)  "Graf Zeppelin"  
          The aircraft-carrier "Graf Zeppelin" is completed except for internal fittings.  
     
  (v)  "Gneisenau"  
          The battle cruiser "Gneisenau" at Gdynia, is being fitted with 15 in. or 16.5 in. guns and lengthened 15 metres.  One man said that part of her complement had been transferred to the "Graf Zeppelin"  (N.I.D. Note.  There is no confirmation of this report.)  
     
  (vi)  "Grille"  
          The Chancellor's yacht "Grille" (2,500 tons) is being converted into a minelayer or raider.  She lies in Hamburg and is capable of carrying 220 mines.  She is commanded by Korvettenkapitän Lands.  The Engineer Officer is Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) Pfeifer.  She has a normal complement of 300, of which 30 are officers.  She has a cruising speed of 25 knots.  She is fitted with four Bensen boilers and is twin screw.  
          Her armament consists of two 12.7 cm. (5 in.) guns - one forward and one aft, and a number of 20 mm. guns.  She has no torpedo tubes.  She carries six D/C.s but has no throwers.  
          She entered the Deutsche Werke, Kiel, in October, 1941, for an extensive refit and was not recommissioned until July, 1942.  Prior to that her base was Kiel, where she was mostly used for taking officers on visits.  Admiral Mootz, Second Admiral, Baltic, has sometimes made trips in her.  Hitler came on board for a short rest trip early in 1940.  
     
  (vii)  Gunnery School Ship "Mars"  
          The "Mars" was a Swinemünde in August, 1941, but had left by August, 1942.  She was commanded in August, 1941, by Leutnant zur See Gottes, and had a complement of 56 men, of whom five Petty Officers or Chief Petty Officers.  Her armament consists of two 20 mm. guns amidships.  
     
  (viii)  "Tanga"  
 
        The E-Boat depôt ship "Tanga" (4,200 tons) is in Narvik (August, 1942).  She accommodates Admiral Commanding Arctic (Vizeadmiral Schmundt).
 
     
  (ix)  "August Bolten"  
          The s.s. "August Bolten" (3,700 tons gross) is now serving as a mine transport between Germany and Norwegian ports.  On 23rd April and 18th May she transferred mines to "Ulm" at Trondheim.  
     
     

 

     
     
 
25
     
  (x)  "Sivas"  
          The S.S. "Sivas," late of the Deutsche Levante Line, is also used as a mine transport.  On 16th February, 1942, she transferred mines to "Ulm" at Hamnbukt, in Potsanger Fjord  
     
  (xi)  "Levante"  
          The "Levante" (4,800 tons gross), ex Atlas Levante Line, lay at Lödingen in August, 1942.  Prisoners said that she was full of Russian and Polish women.  
     
  (xii)  "C. A. Larsen"  
          The ex-Norwegian whaling ship "C. A. Larsen" (13,200 tons gross), formerly the tanker "San Gregorio," lies at Tromsø, where she acts as a store ship.  
     
  (xiii)  "Monte Olivia"  
          The "Monte Olivia" (13,800 tons gross), late of the Hanburg-Südamerika Line, lay in Swinemünde in August, 1942.  She is being used as a gunnery training ship.  
     
  (xiv)  "Wangoni"  
          The S.S. "Wagoni," (7,800 tons gross) late of the Woermann Line, lies at a pier at Swinemünde where she accommodates about 200 ratings attending the naval gunnery school.  
     
  (xv)  "Monte Sarmiento"  
          The "Monte Sarmiento" (13,800 tons gross), late Hamburg-Südamerika liner, is burnt out and no longer in use.  (N.I.D. Note.  She previously lay in Kiel as a U-Boat depôt ship.)  
     
  (xvi)  "Pelikan" and "Pontos"  
          The two former Laisz Company refrigerator ships, each of 3,300 tons gross, are now serving as torpedo recovery vessels.  
     
  (xvii)  Sister Ship of Sloop "Grille"  
          One man said that a sister ship of the sloop "Grille" lies at the Blohm and Voss yards at Hamburg.  He described her as a "Frontschiff" (active service ship).  (N.I.D. Note.  This may apply to the sloop "Hala.")  
     
  (xviii)  Minesweeper "M 4"  
          The M-class minesweeper "M 4" was mined near Trondheim in June, 1940, and sank.  Only 20 of her complement of 80 were saved.  She was in the 1st Minesweeping Flotilla, which was then operating with the 3rd Flotilla.  
     
  (xix)  Hannomag E-Boats  
          There are 45 Hannomag E-Boats in existence.  They each carry four mines (dropped through the keel) and four torpedoes.  They have two torpedo tubes.  They are built by the Deutsche Werke, Kiel.  Some are said to be operating in the Channel.  One man said that four had proceeded to the American coast carried by a depôt ship last May.  Maximum speed is given as 45 knots.  (N.I.D. Note.  No boats of this description have been seen or reported in operation).  
     
  (xx)  New "Flottengeleitboote (Escort Vessels)  
          One man said that a new class of "Flottengeleitboote" was in commission, replacing the older type no longer in service.  The new vessels have a speed of 35 knots, carry twin 12.7 cm. A/A guns forward and aft, one 3.7 cm. and quadruple 20 mm. aft.  They also carry twin torpedo tubes on either side amidships.  One man thought they were built at Wilhelmshaven (N.I.D. Note.  There is no confirmation that this type of vessel is being built.)  
 
 
  (xxi)  New Type E-Boat  
          One man said that Germany was building a new type of E-Boat.  They have no bridge, but the forecastle is elevated, and there are two glass domes forward.  The starboard dome is occupied by the captain, and the port by the second-in-command.  Their decks are practically flush.  Only the two glass domes are visible above water level.  
 
Armament One 20 mm. A/A gun on forecastle, fitted on a disappearing "bana" mounting operated by compressed air.  Aft one 3.7 cm. (1,46 in.) gun.
Torpedo Tubes Two built in forward.  Abaft there are containers for two spare torpedoes.
Speed 50 knots.
Builders Yards at Bremen and Wesermünde.
Gunnery Control The 3.7 cm. after gun is trained by the captain, and has push-button firing.  All calculations are made by a "Vorhaltsrechner" (deflection calculator).
 
     
     

 

     
     
 
26
     
          There were some 50 to 60 of them in Rotterdam in July, 1942.  Production of other type E-Boats has been abandoned in favour of these.  (N.I.D. Note.  Air photographs have shown E-Boats at Rotterdam but all appeared to be of normal type.)  
     
  (xxii)  Improved Type Torpedo Boats  
          One prisoner said that improved type torpedo boats were being built.  They have a flush deck appearance and have two funnels.  They mount four guns; he was not sure whether 10.5 cm. (4.1 in.) or 8.8 cm. (3.5 in.).  He said they had a speed of nearly 50 knots.  They are fitted with two sets of triple torpedo tubes.  (N.I.D. Note.  This information may refer to Elbing class destroyers about 1,000 tons, which have been previously reported.)  
     
  (xxiii)  M-Boats (Fleet Minesweepers)  
          Yards at Emden are said to be building M-Boats with a speed of 35 knots, fitted with twin 10.5 cm. guns.  (N.I.D. Note.  There is no confirmation that this type of vessel is being built.)  
     
  (xxiv)  New River R-Boats  
          Blohm and Voss, Hamburg, are said to be building new river R-Boats.  These carry no armament and are intended for sweeping magnetic mines only, their hulls being used as the magnet.  
     
  (xxv)  Hannomag E-Boat Depôt Ship  
          One man said that a special depôt ship had been built for Hannomag E-Boats.  
     
  (xxvi)  "Vorpostenboote" (Patrol Boats)  
          All patrol boats are being fitted with flame throwers on their masts against low-flying aircraft attack.  
     
  (xxvii)  Flying-Boat Parent Ships  
          Parent ships for twin-engined flying boats lay in Tromsø and Trondheim in summer, 1942.  
     
  (xxviii)  Flak Ships  
          A prisoner who was in Kiel in September, 1941, said he saw there four ex-Norwegian coastal defence ships, which had been converted at the Deutsche Werke, Kiel, into Flak ships.  They used to leave their moorings daily at 1900 and take up position for the night in Kiel Bay.  He said their armament was as follows:  
              Forward:  Two twin 15 cm. H/A turrets.  
              Amidships:  Two 10.5 cm. twin turrets on either beam.  
              Aft:  Two twin 15 cm. H/A turrets.  
              Also three twin 3.7 cm. A/A mountings.  
              One quadruple 20 mm. mounting either side of bridge.  
              Two further quadruple 20 mm. mountings in unspecified positions.  
          (N.I.D. Note.  This may refer to the "Tonderskjold," "Harald Haarfagre" and "Eidsvold," taken over from Norway.  The first two have been renamed "Nymphe" and "Thetis."  
     
 
XV.  BASES AND TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS
 
     
  (i)  Germany  
          (A)  Cuxhaven.  There is a Drafting Depôt on board the depôt ship "M.S. Heinrich."  (Information as at February, 1942.)  
          (B)  Glücksburg (Flendsburg).  The 4th Company of the Marine Lehr Abteilung (Naval Training School) is commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Rausch.  (Information as at July, 1942.)  
          (C)  Hamburg.  Hamburg is headquarters of the Naval Anti-Aircraft Gunnery Organisation.  
          (D)  Kiel.  Part of the Torpedo-Regelstelle, formerly at Kiel-Wik, was moved to a position opposite Laboe, after it had been severely damaged in an R.A.F. raid.  U-Boats, according to prisoners, now embarked all their torpedoes opposite Laboe.  The 1st Manning Division, consisting of six companies, is stationed at Kiel.  In February, 1942, Kapitänleutnant (MA) Weiss was in command of the 3rd Company.  The 3rd Manning Division is also here.  Its 5th Company is commanded by Kapitänleutnant Luethge (October, 1941).  There is also a Drafting Depôt at Kiel.  There is a Maintenance Depôt.  (Motorenbrischstation) for harbour launches, with a complement of about 20 men.  
          (E)  Kolberg.  There is a Signal Station here commanded by Obermaat Guth.  It is under the orders of that at Swinemünde  (March, 1942.)  
          (F)  Leba.  There is a Recruits Training Company here.  (Information as a June, 1941.)  
          (G)  Neustadt.  Leutnant zur See Kirchbaum commands the 3rd Company of the Signalling School at Neustadt.  (Beginning 1942.)  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
27
     
          (H)  Rendsburg.  The Steuermanns Schule (Navigation School) originally at Hamburg and removed to Rendsburg in the early part of the war, was removed from Rendsburg in summer, 1941.  Kapitänleutnant Heede was then in command.  
          (N.I.D. Note.  Information from other sources indicated that is now at Tünning, In Schleswig.)  
     
          (I)  Rugen Island.  It is proposed to build rest camps on Rugen Island to accommodate 2,000 men.  
     
          (J)  Sassnitz.  There is a signal station here commanded by Signalmeister Brux.  It is under the orders of that at Swinemünde  (October, 1941.)  
     
          (K)  Stralsund.  The Marine Lehr Abteilung (Naval Training School) at Stralsund is commanded by Kapitan zur See Steffen.  It has five companies.  There is also a Drafting Depôt.  (All at June, 1942.)  The 2nd Company of the 11th Manning Division is commanded by Leutnant (MA) Stock.  (May, 1941.)  
     
          (L)  Swinemünde  A number of "Sperrbrecher" are now based on Swinemünde  (August, 1942.)  
          Korvettenkapitän Passange is Chief Communication Officer here.  (Narch, 1942.)  
          The "Monte Olivia" lies there as a Gunnery School Ship. (August, 1942.)    
          Swinemünde is the Headquarters of the S.O. Minelayers, North ("Führer der Minenschiffe Nord.") Kapitan zur See von Schönermark.  
          The ss. "Wangoni," 7,800 tons (gross), late of the Woermann Line, lies at a pier at Swinemünde, where she acts as an accommodation ship and contains a Naval Gunnery School.  
     
          (M)  Wilhelmshaven.  The Marine Nachrichten Offizier Nord (Naval Signals Officer (North)) controls the Marine Peil Haupstelle (Principal D/F Station) at Wilhelmshaven.  
     
  (ii)  Norway  
          (A)  Kristiansand S.  There is a signal station to starboard on entering the harbour.  A patrol boat patrols just outside the harbour.  
          Most of the harbour area is strongly fortified, especially in the high ground around Ducknipen.  
          Naval patrols are maintained between Kristiansand S., and Stavanger and Kristiansand S. and Oslo.  
          There are no training depôts in this area.  
     
          (B)  Narvik.  The boom at Narvik is guarded by two B.D.V.s.  It consists of a net suspended from floats, stretching roughly north to south across the harbour mouth.  
          There is an A/S net supported by floats across the entrance to Bogen Fjord.  
          The depôt ship "Pelagos" lies in Skjomens Fjord.  (All information as at August, 1942.)  
          An officer said that the ore pier had now been sufficiently repaired to enable one steamer - instead of the six hitherto - to load there.  
          Narvik is the Headquarters of the Admiral Polar Coast.  
          (N.I.D. Note.  There is no confirmation that the boom was in the position stated.  It is believed that the ore pier can now load more then one vessel at a time.  H.Q. of Admiral Polar Coast is believed to be at Tromsø.)  
     
          (C)  Ramsundet.  There is a mine depôt at Ramsundet.  
     
          (D)  Tromsø.  The 5th Destroyer Flotilla is based on Tromsø.  It sometimes lies at Narvik.  The 1st UJ Boat Flotilla is based here.  The whaling ship "C. A. Larsen" lies here as a depôt ship.  
     
          (E)  Trondheim.  The catapult-ship "Westphalen," 5,400 tons (gross), lies at Trondheim.  She is solely used for repairs and lies always at anchor.  
     
  (iii)  Denmark  
          (A)  Copenhagen.  Copenhagen is linked direct with Berlin on the teleprinter.  
     
          (B)  Helsingør.  There is a signal station here.  (July, 1942.)  
          The Helsingørs Jernskibs og Maskinbyggeri A/S is engaged in building and converting a number of ships for the Germans.  (January, 1942.)  
          (N.I.D. Note.  This yard is reported to be very active and no doubt in German interests.)  
     
  (iv)  Bulgaria  
          Varna.  A prisoner said that the 22nd Minesweeping Flotilla is based on Varna.  Most of the personnel for this flotilla derives from the 6th, which is in the Channel.  There are six boats in the flotilla, M-15, M-16, M-17, forming the first group and commanded by Leutnant zur See Albrecht, and M-21, M-22 and M-23 forming the second.  Each boat comes from a different English Channel flotilla.  Prisoner had also heard of minesweepers being transported overland from Germany to the Black Sea.  An hotel in Varna has been requisitioned for the ships' companies of this flotilla.  (All information as at May, 1942.)  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
28
     
          (N.I.D. Note.  A report (B.2) of September, 1942, stated that during July three large German motor torpedo boats, 30 metres long, armed with cannon and very fast, arrived in Varna.  Others are to be assembled in the docks.  
          A report (C.3) of April, 1942, stated that there were 17 F-boats at Varna and 10 being built in this port.  In May, 1942, 12-14 very fast reconnaissance motor-boats, armed with machine-guns, flying the German flag and disguised as fishing vessels were observed between Varna and the Turkish border (C.4).).  
     
  (v)  Poland  
          (A)  Gdynia.  The depôt ship "Sophie X" lies here.  A course in seamanship is held on board.  A technical course on mines is held on board the depôt ship "Cap Arcona."  
     
          (B)  Hela.  A/S nets stretch from Hela to Cammiona Gora (Steinberg).  Prisoners think there are several parallel nets supported by buoys and anchored by means of heavy concrete blocks.  The opening is enough to allow two ships to pass at the same time.  The entrance is constantly guarded by B.D.V. consisting of minesweepers and patrol boats.  The nets employ wire, 8 to 9 mm. diameter, forming 15-20 cm. meshes.  They believe the nets are fitted with explosive charges.  
          Two small depôt ships lie outside the mole protecting the naval harbour.    
          N.I.D. Note.  One of these is probably the "Swakopmund").  In one of them are situated the headquarters of the "Agru-Front."  A number of U-Boats usually lie just inside the mole.  In the centre of the Naval Harbour are wrecks of one Polish destroyer and a floating dock.  
     
          (C)  Pillau.  The Harbour Protection Vessel Flotilla at Pillau consists of about 15 converted motor-boats and fishing trawlers.  
     
 
XVI.  MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS
 
     
  (i)  Aircraft  
          W.34.  A new type of fighter aircraft, said to be the W.34, was being tested near Luneburg in August, 1942.  It is single-engined and resembles the United States "Morane."  It is fitted with rockets and has five tubes on the after part of the fuselage, intended to give it additional acceleration when either closing to attack or evading superior forces.  
          B.V.138.  A number of B.V.138 flying boats are stationed in Norway.  They can remain airborne for two days.  
          B.V.220.  The B.V.220 transport aircraft has six motors and an action radius of 4,000 miles.  
     
  (ii)  German Naval Command  
          Two prisoners said that General-Admiral Carls had in fact replaced Grossadmiral Raeder as supreme commander of the German Navy.  Raeder now confines himself to inspection and receptions.  
     
  (iii)  German Radio Greetings Programme  
          A prisoner who had served in a raider in 1941 said that he received greetings four times in 19 months through the German greetings programme.  He could not remember which wave-length this operated on, but said that he thought it was a short-wave station.  Every Saturday it broadcast specially for sailors in distant waters.  Greetings messages were received in the Pacific between 2100 and 2200 and repeated next morning.  
     
  (iv)  Torpedoes  
          One prisoner said that the Germans are experimenting with acoustic torpedoes, torpedoes with double warheads and torpedoes with magnetic pistols.  Air torpedoes are going out of use.  
     
  (v)  Signalling by Teleprinter  
          A signalman said that Berlin and Copenhagen are joined by direct teleprinter line.  Before transmitting a signal from Copenhagen to Berlin, the code group MDKP has to be signalled.  Berlin then answers with MDKPKK, after which Copenhagen proceeds to send the signal.  He also spoke of the code groups MDHS and MOZ, the latter of which indicates "Oberkommando" (G.H.Q.).  
          (N.I.D. Note.  It is believed that MDKP means "Melde Kopenhagen," or "Copenhagen calling," and that the letter KK after MDKP mean "Komm Komm," or "please transmit.")  
     
  (vi)  Anti-Torpedo Nets  
          Some German anti-torpedo nets employ 8 mm. diameter wire, forming 10 cm. (4 in.) meshes.  The buoys are about 1.5 m. long and of the same diameter, spaced one every 6 m.  There is usually only one line of nets.  The net is not anchored.  The removable section of a boom defence net can be placed in position by tugs in about half an hour.  It takes the best part of a day to lay a net around a large warship.  
          (N.I.D. Note.  It is known that the Germans also employ larger, mesh nets, both 10 in. and 16 in. mesh having been reported.)  
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
29
     
  (vii)  Pilotage in Norwegian Fjords  
          "Ulm" always had a pilot on board when entering Norwegian ports.  
     
  (viii)  Patrols in Norwegian Waters.  
          Patrol boats and minesweepers patrol both the inner and outer Norwegian leads both day and night, often sweeping at the same time.  "Sperrbrecher" are sometimes used independently to sweep channels.  Prisoners said that east of Stavanger, shipping keeps out to sea.  He added that "Ulm" had never used Sonvaar Fjord, Skjernoesund or Hillsund when proceeding between Kristiansand S. and Stavanger.  
     
  (ix)  "Flagge Luzzi"  
          "Flagge Luzzi" (Flag "L") is the name given to a form of punishment in the German Navy.  When this flag is flown, the whole ship's company have to shift from whites to blues and vice versa throughout the day.  It is not strictly allowed to give the punishment in the modern German Navy, but many captains who served in the last war still inflict it.  Schönermark, for instance, inflicted it on 22nd January, 1942, to punish his men for having damaged one of the lifeboats.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 

 

     
     
 
30
 
     
 
APPENDIX
 
 
 
     
 
LIST OF SHIP'S COMPANY OF "ULM"
 
     
 
(1)  Survivors
 
     
 
Name.
Rank.
English Equivalent.
Born.
Biet, Ernst Kapitänleutnant der Reserve Lieutenant-Commander (Reserve)
29.09.92
Birckenstandt, Heinrich Leutnant zur See der Reserve Sub-Lieutenant (Reserve)
15.12.13
Meyer, Martin Leutnant zur See der Reserve Sub-Lieutenant (Reserve)
21.07.14
Roederer, Helmut Leutnant (W) Sub-Lieutenant (for Armament duties)
15.01.10
____________________
     
Kamper, Wilhelm Bootsmann Chief Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class
22.02.18
Weschezfelder, Paul Bootsmann Chief Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class
1.02.15
Weisskopf, Wilhelm Oberfunkmeister C.P.O. Telegraphist
22.07.13
Weidhüner Maschinist (Sonderführer) Chief Mechanician, 2nd Class (Supplementary Reserve)
12.12.07
Quehl, Karl Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
22.12.16
Osmy, Paul Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
9.04.15
Wehnert, Leo Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
7.01.17
Vincena, Horst Signalmaat Yeoman of Signals, 2nd Class
6.04.20
Schultz, Günther Verwaltungsmaat Supply P.O., 2nd Class
22.08.15
Lihenthal, Ernst Maschinenmaat Mechanician, 2nd Class
24.03.13
Heltwig, Hermann Sperrmechanicianikersmaat P.O. Artificer, 2nd class
29.01.20
Günther, Edgar Matrosenhauptgefreiter Leading Seaman
26.02.20
Manke, Rudolf Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
6.11.16
Scharata, Leo Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
30.08.09
Egloff, Hans Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
24.05.22
Eisenhut, Ernst Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
10.04.23
Faber, Friedrich Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
9.11.22
Felich, Bruno Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
11.09.22
Weber, Hans Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
31.12.21
Stegelmann, Bruno Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
31.05.22
Wichmann, Heinz Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
4.06.21
Schneider, Ewald Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
20.09.08
Winkler, Wilhelm Maschinenobergefreiter Stoker, 1st Class
18.02.13
Boelk, Erich Zimmermannsobergefreiter Shipwright, 1st Class
29.07.16
Breker, Franz Materoseksatbergefreiter
-
28.04.99
Dahnrich, Herbert Schreiberobergefreiter Writer, 1st Class
15.12.21
Müller, Eibo Verwaltungsobergefreiter Supply Assistant, 1st Class
16.10.19
Schultmeyer, Leopold Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
2.03.23
Wussow, Bruno Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
7.06.21
Boehm, Johannes Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
31.08.23
Burkert, Karl-Heinz Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
4.01.24
Abt, Herbert Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
4.03.18
Wohlboldt, Helmut Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
31.01.23
Diestelrath, Johann Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
24.08.22
Hoffmann, Günther Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
30.03.23
Groesst, Rudolf Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
7.12.22
Thomas, Werner Funkgefreiter Ordinary Telegraphist, 1st Class
30.08.23
Eckel, Josef Signalgefreiter Ordinary Signalman, 1st Class
8.05.19
Hochhaus, Kurt Signalgefreiter Ordinary Signalman, 1st Class
20.12.21
Adam, Herbert Signalgefreiter Ordinary Signalman, 1st Class
21.09.22
Häbner, Günther Signalgefreiter Ordinary Signalman, 1st Class
10.06.22
Schafer, Ernst Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
2.02.22
Jacob, Adolf Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
11.05.23
Giessmann, Herbert Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
11.07.23
*Henkel, Alfons Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
3.12.20
Arnthor, Willi Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
3.09.11
Lange, Richard Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
24.07.24
Kaseh, Werner Steuermann, Gefreiter
-
25.11.23
Grossmeilert, Heinz Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
8.05.21
Biakowski, Zeslaus Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
16.06.23
Dittmar, Johann Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
3.01.22
Fischer, Hubert Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
12.07.24
Burow, Paul Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
16.12.21
Fuchtjohann, Johann Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
21.08.17
Fornahl, Helmut Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
14.04.22
Kellner, Otto Verwaltungsgefreiter Supply Assistant, 2nd Class
27.07.23
 
  * This rating contracted pneumonia after arrival in United Kingdom and subsequently committed suicide.  
     
     

 

     
     
 
31
 
     
 
(2)  Casualties
 
     
 
Name.
Rank.
English Equivalent.
Eggert, Willy Kapitänleutnant (Sonderführer) Lieutenant-Commander (Supplementary Reserve)
Douerfelt, Martin Oberleutnant zur See Lieutenant
Kaufmann, Otto Leutnant zur See der Reserve Sub-Lieutenant (Reserve)
Appold, Alfred Leutnant zur See Sub-Lieutenant
Münch, Wendelin Oberleutnant (V) Lieutenant (Supply)
Riemensperger, Hans Oberassistentarat Surgeon-Lieutenant
____________________
     
Bohn, Willi Obersteuermann Chief Q.M., 1st Class
Grade, Max Zimmermeister Chief Shipwright, 2nd Class
Schultz, Theodor Maschinist Chief Mechanician, 2nd Class
Grawert, Johannes Machinist (Sonderführer) Chief Mechanician, 2nd Class (Supplementary Reserve)
Berndt, Robert Machinist (Sonderführer) Chief Mechanician, 2nd Class (Supplementary Reserve)
Roll, Karl Verwaltungsobermaat Supply P.O., 1st Class
Werner, Heinz Verwaltungsobermaat Supply P.O., 1st Class
Gebhardt, Wilhelm Feuerwerkerdobermaat Gunner's Mate, 1st Class
Neubauer, Heinz Maschinenobermaat Mechanician, 1st Class
Kretschmer, Gerhard Maschinenobermaat Mechanician, 1st Class
Rudnick, Walter Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
Wenzel, Gustav Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
Dehling, Siegfried Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
Sprrognagel, Johann Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
Stoldt, Karl Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
Loewer, Georg-Albert Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
Abben, Bruno Bootsmannsmaat Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class
Dinter, Wilhelm-Georg Steuermannsmaat Quartermaster, 2nd Class
Jung, Georg Funkmaat P.O. Telegraphist, 2nd Class
Klement, Gerhard Funkmaat P.O. Telegraphist, 2nd Class
Guhlke, Otto Signalmaat Yeoman of Signals, 2nd Class
Schlag, Kurt Schreibermaat P.O. Writer, 2nd Class
Yogel, Rudolf Maschinenmaat Mechanician, 2nd Class
Pallas, Heinz Maschinenmaat Mechanician, 2nd Class
Schwarzkopf, Siegfried Maschinenmaat Mechanician, 2nd Class
Kurz, Werner Artilleriemechanikersmaat P.O. Artificer, 2nd Class
Jendrny, Albert Sanitatsmaat Sick Bay P.O., 2nd Class
Tegtmeyer, Ernst-Dietr Matrosenhauptgefreiter Leading Seaman
Jungermann, Heinrich Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Lange, Max Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Swallisch, Franz Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Weiss, Ewald Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Beyer, Heinz Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Voss, Ferdinand Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Erler, Karl Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Elsholz, Erich Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Günther, Johannes Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Hendrich, Paul Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Ruchel, Fritz Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Scharf, Simon Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Wulf, Friedrich Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Zoennchen, Walter Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Zielinski, Josef Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Zellen, Paul Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Zwick, Josef Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Christ, Gotthard Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Schmitz, Josef Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Scheid, Paul Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Braun, Werner Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Lux, Willi Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Jahnke, Hans Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Baltrusch, Erwin Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Orwald, Johann Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
Gunkel, Rudi Funkobergefreiter Telegraphist
Hennigfeld, Siegfried Verwaltungsobergefreiter Supply Assistant, 1st Class
Habeck, Heinz Maschinenobergefreiter Stoker, 1st Class
Wolkner, Erich Maschinenobergefreiter Stoker, 1st Class
Kapinos, Joschim Maschinenobergefreiter Stoker, 1st Class
Schultz, Fritz Maschinenobergefreiter Stoker, 1st Class
Sommerschuh, Heinz Maschinenobergefreiter Stoker, 1st Class
Herbst, Walter Maschinenobergefreiter Stoker, 1st Class
Prenz, Karl Maschinenobergefreiter Stoker, 1st Class
Peters, Otto Sperrmechanikerobergefreiter Artificer, 1st Class
Schulze, Günther Steuermannobergefreiter
               -
Raguse, Herbert Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Hoch, Heinz Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Bode, Heinz Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Bey, Artur Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Blass, Werner Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Meier, Claus Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Kleen, Adolf Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Adria, Ernst Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Adamerak, Hans Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Althoff, Wilhelm Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Eschenbacher, Hermann Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
 
     
     

 

     
     
 
32
 
     
 
(2)  Casualties - continued
 
     
 
Name.
Rank.
English Equivalent.
Lindemann, Rudi Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Braukmann, Dittmar Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Kurmax, Otto Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Durr, Karl Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Cuppok, Walter Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Las, Adolf Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
Bork, Erich Funkgefreiter Ordinary Telegraphist, 1st Class
Wohlrab, Heinz Funkgefreiter Ordinary Telegraphist, 1st Class
Weikert, Martin Funkgefreiter Ordinary Telegraphist, 1st Class
Lansing, Werner Signalgefreiter Ordinary Signalman, 1st Class
Schrank, Alfred Signalgefreiter Ordinary Signalman, 1st Class
Kempel, Martin Signalgefreiter Ordinary Signalman, 1st Class
Lucas, Albert Feuerwerkergefreiter                     -
Rohlfing, Josef Verwaltungsgefreiter Supply Assistant, 2nd Class
Hausmann, Bruno Verwaltungsgefreiter Supply Assistant, 2nd Class
Hammer, Wolfgang Verwaltungsgefreiter Supply Assistant, 2nd Class
Koehler, Friedhold Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
Hubner, Rudolf Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
Griesshaber, Paul Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
Guth, Franz Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
Hofmann, Heinruch Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
Niehoff, Wolfgang Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
Schmidt, Otto Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
Cario, Günther Steuermanngefreiter                  -
Grottke, Walter Sanitatagefreiter Sick Bay Attendant, 2nd Class
Schroeder, Günther Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
Podleschny, Gerhard Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
Wachen, Franz Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
Kretzschmann, Werner Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
Altrock, Albert Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
Blum, Heinrich Matrose II Stoker, 3rd Class
Ligus, Günther Matrose IV  
Paschedag, Karl Matrose IV  
     
(3)  Not on Board
     
Jansen, Erwin Leutnant (V) Sub-Lieutenant (Supply)
    (Hospital Swinemünde.)  
____________________
     
Schulze, Robert Stabsbootsmann Chief Boatswain
    (Leave.)    
Bodenhoefer, Kurt Steuermannsmaat Q.M., 2nd Class
    (Hospital, Wesermünde.)  
Müller, Ludwig Matrosenhauptgefreiter Leading Seaman
    (Hospital, Narvik.)    
Scheffler, Bruno Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
    (Hospital.)    
Schmuteer, Willi Matrosenobergefreiter Able Seaman
    (Leave)    
Mullner, Hermann Mechanikerobergefreiter Artificer, 1st Class
    (Leave.)    
Tempelmeyer, Franz Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
    (Hospital, Wesermünde.)  
Wimmer, Karl Matrosengefreiter Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class
    (Hospital, Wesermünde.)  
Heide, Helmut Maschinengefreiter Stoker, 2nd Class
    (Hospital.)    
Ehrichs, Walter Matrose I Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class
    (Hospital, Swinemünde.)  
 
     
 
  Officers. C.P.O.s P.O.s Ratings. TOTALS.
Survivors
4
4
7
45
60
Casualties
6
5
22
81
114
Not on board
1
1
1
9
12
 
11
10
30
135
186
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  (C47177)  4/30  11/42  
     
     

 

     
     
     
   
     
     
     

 


 

Click the icons to view the associated records

Return to the British Interrogation Reports page