Built

Name

Type

Homeport

Owner

1929

Adolf Vinnen
PG 478

Trawler

Geestemünde

"Nordsee" Deutsche Hochseefischerei, Wesermünde

Kriegs-
marine

Name

WBS#

WBS-Service

Complement

1.3.1940
Gruppe West
?.?.1940
Gruppe Nord

Adolf Vinnen

5

1.3.40
24.10.40 V

App. 15 crew
? meteorologists

20.3.1940 - medio April 1940
Schiff 16 - Atlantis

Denmark Strait (OG 1) - WBS

WBS in OG 1 (Operations Gebiet) in Denmark Strait in support of Schiff 16 - Atlantis.

In same operation: WBS 3 and WBS 4

5.5.1940 - (25.5.1940)
Schiff 21 - Widder

Northeast of Iceland (OG 2) - WBS

WBS in OG 2 (Operations Gebiet) northeast of Iceland in support of Schiff 21 - Widder.

On 4th May 1940 Admiral Westküste receives order from Seekriegsleitung to fasten the deployment of Adolf Vinnen to the area around Iceland to make weather and ship reconnaissance before the breakthrough of Denmark Strait by Schiff 21 Widder - later to become known by the allied as Raider D.

5th May 1940: Adolf Vinnen set sail from Bergen towards the area around Iceland camouflaged as Belgian steamer.

In same operation: ?

22.7.1940 - (18.8.1940) - ?
Adm. Hipper & Adm. Scheer

North of Jan Mayen (OG 3) - WBS

WBS in OG 3 (Operations Gebiet) north of Jan Mayen in support of Admiral Scheer and Admiral Hipper.

Departed Bergen on 22nd July for OG 3 (North of Jan Mayen) to make weather observations in the area between 03°W and 71°-73° N. Station relieved by WBS 4 on 18th August and returned to Bergen. (App. 30 days at sea).

In same operation: WBS 3 and WBS 4

22.9.1940 - 24.10.1940
Adm. Hipper & Adm. Scheer

North of Iceland (OG 2) - WBS

WBS in OG 2 (Operations Gebiet) north of Iceland in support of Admiral Scheer and Admiral Hipper.

Departed Bergen on 22nd September for OG 2 (North of Iceland) to make weather observations in Marine-Planquadrat AE39. Called back to Norway after 4 weeks on station in OG 2. On the night of 23rd and 24th October attacked by artillery fire from Royal Navy destroyers (6th Destroyer Flotilla) - HMS Somali, HMS Punjabi and HMS Matabele app. 25 sm northwest of Stadtlandet. Captain Genz and 4 crew members killed by artillery fire and 2 drowned when ship sank. Last 7 members of the crew was saved on a life raft - and rescued on 25th October by a Norwegian trawler Odin - by then 2 more of the crew had died. The 5 survivors were landed in Ålesund. (32 days at sea - 9 crew members dead).

In same operation: WBS 3

Feldpost Nr.
?