Wetterbeobachtungs-Schiff

Schiff 36 - Orion

Hilfskreuzer (HSK 1)


 

Built

Name

Disguise

Denmark Strait

Note

1930
Kurmark

Orion
(Schiff 36)

Raider A

Dutch - "Beemsterdijk"
Russian - "Sovjet"
Greek - "Rococ"
Japanese - "Maebisa Maru"
Spanish - "Contramestre Casado"

app. 11.4.1940

Supported by weather ships:
WBS 5 : Adolf Vinnen
WBS 5 : Adolf Vinnen
WBS 5 : Adolf Vinnen

Orion (HSK 1, SCHIFF 36) was formerly Kurmark, belonging to Hamburg-Amerika-Linie in Hamburg, build 1930, 7021 gt, top speed 13,5 knots. Captain was Kurt Weyher. Orion went out from Kiel on March 30-1940 and returned to Gironde in France on August 23-1941. On her 511-days voyage she sunk or captured 17 ships (85.779 gross tons).

Operations 5.5. - 31.10. 1940


Support from Weather ships and Weather flights:

2.5.1940: Seekriegsleitung issues following

"Orion" - Possible mail connections

Date

Port / Ship

Direction

to 30.3.1940

Kiel, Germany

In & Out

30.3.-6.4.1940

Süder-Piep Bucht, Schleswig-Holstein Out (?)

app. 5.6.1940

Meet supply ship Königsberg (from Belem, Brazil). After refuelling Köningsberg proceed to Vigo, Spain. On 16.6.40 Königsberg was scuttled by her crew as she was stopped by a french cruiser.

Out
Königsberg
(lost)

No Covers
 

Feldpost Nr.
M 11089


1939 - (26.1.42)
Hilfskreuzer I
Hilfskreuzer 1
Handelsschutzkreuzer 1
Schiff No. 36
 

From: "Die deutsche Feldpostübersicht 1939-1945" by Norbert Kannapin.


 


Schiff 36 Orion disguised as the dutch freighter "Beemsterdijk"


 


 


Transcript of Radio message from PoW Fraser (ex. Triona or Triaster)

 

War Records  5.5.40 -  31.10.40

Prize Name Type Flag Date Tonnage Fate
Haxby Freighter United Kingdom 24-4-40 5.207 Sunk
Niagara Passenger United Kingdom 18-6-40 13.415 Mined
Tropic Sea Freighter Norway 19-6-40 5.781 Captured
Notou Freighter France 16-8-40 2.489 Sunk
Turakina Freighter United Kingdom 20-8-40 9.691 Sunk
Ringwood Freighter Norway 14-10-40 7.203 Sunk
Holmwood Freighter United Kingdom 25-11-40 546 Sunk*
Rangitane Passenger United Kingdom 27-11-40 16.712 Sunk*
Triona Freighter United Kingdom 6-12-40 4.413 Sunk*
Vinni Freighter Norway 7-12-40 5.181 Sunk*
Komata Freighter United Kingdom 7-12-40 3.900 Sunk*
Triadic Freighter United Kingdom 8-12-40 6.378 Sunk*
Triaster Freighter United Kingdom 9-12-40 6.032 Sunk*
HMNZS Puriri Minesweeper United Kingdom 14-5-41 927 Mined
Chaucer Freighter United Kingdom 29-7-41 5.792 Sunk
Port Bowen Freighter United Kingdom - 8.276 Mined
Batavia Freighter United Kingdom - 1.739 Mined

* = by Komet and Orion

   
Total by Schiff 36 Orion (adjusted):

85.779

 

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Update: 06.2.2005
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