WesWorld

Cam Rahn Bay, French Indochina, Tuesday, 22 July 1947

From the bridge of his flagship Vizeadmiral Hans Langsdorff watched as the eight slim corvettes of the Fifth Escort Group made their way into the anchorage – saluting first the guardships in the roadstead and then the French and Russian vessels here assembled. Lastly they passed his ships, sides manned by sailors in tropical white. It was with mixed feelings that Langsdorff looked upon them; soon he and his cruisers would be heading home.


Der Tagesspiegel, Wednesday, 23 July 1947



Elbinger Volksstimme, Thursday, 24 July 1947

The new air defence cruiser Aspern and the corvette Falke have arrived in the Russian port of Kronstadt to participate in the celebration of Russian Navy Day later this week. The ships will be open to the public during their stay.

Militär-Wochenblatt, Friday, 25 July 1947

The Ministry of Defence has issued requests for proposals to industry for supply of new aircraft for the Heeresflieger. As present, two commercial, off-the-shelf types are being sought – one to replace the Fieseler Fi156 in the battlefield liaison and artillery observation post roles and one to serve as a light utility transport aircraft. A decision on procurement is expected before the end of September.


Djibouti Harbour, French Somaliland, Saturday, 26 July 1947

The German cruisers Custozza and Novara rode placidly at anchor, surrounded by small craft bearing provisions and water; fuel barges had been there hours before. The crews of the cruisers, unaccustomed to the heat and humidity, did as best they could, working under awnings stretched fore-and-aft; the land breeze though brought little relief. Konteradmiral Bernhard Rogge, in his day cabin aboard Novara, at least had the benefit of an air conditioning unit that made the space tolerable; this, at least, would be their last port call before arriving at their destination.


Transradio Press Service, Sunday, 27 July 1947

Following a call at the French port of Bizerte the Kriegsmarine ships Jaguar, Löwe, Tiger, and Wolf have departed North African waters on the last leg of their return to Germany.

Handelsblatt, Monday, 28 July 1947

The Sloman Schiffahrts-Aktiengesellschaft has become the launch customer for the Howaldtswerke’s new freighter design, ordering two vessels of the type, to be known as Sagaland and Tundraland. It is expected that they will enter service sometime next year.


Cam Rahn Bay, French Indochina, Tuesday, 29 July 1947

In the air of excitement attendant upon the arrival of the corvettes of the former Fifth Escort Group the preparations being made on the replenishment ship Donau went unnoticed by all but the most observant. However, when she weighed anchor and began to make her way to sea, some wondered where she was bound. The cruisers of the East Asia Squadron were still moored in the anchorage, and the southward course she shaped left many questions open.

Sächsische Zeitung, Wednesday, 30 July 1947



Oberösterreichische Rundschau, Thursday, 31 July 1947

In consequence of the decision to transfer front-line tactical reconnaissance missions from the Luftwaffe to the Heeresflieger the Defence Ministry has announced that the former will withdraw from service the last of its Henschel Hs126 army cooperation aircraft, and stand down four of the existing army air reconnaissance groups that were equipped with the type. For an interim period the Focke Wulf Fw189 battle reconnaissance aircraft will be retained in service but it too is expected to pass out of service in the near future.

Berlin, Abwehr Headquarters, Friday, 1 August 1947



Flottenkommando Atlantik, Bremerhaven, Saturday, 2 August 1947

The newly organised headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet was still settling in to the large brick building that served as its home. Vizeadmiral Ernst Lindemann had to ask several times for directions to the office of his superior, Admiral Werner Lindenau. Once he had arrived there though there was no further delay, as he was ushered in immediately. Lindemann forced himself to not smile when he saw Lindenau’s desk piled high with folders and loose papers.

“Thank you for coming,” Lindenau said in greeting. “I need to do something other than push papers.” He smiled and shrugged; his promotion and assignment had brought him to a shore command, and its very new-ness was taxing in the extreme.

“Seeing this,” Lindemann retorted, “eases my disappointment; I at least still have a sea-going command.” They were old friends and traded such barbs often.

“Thank heaven that you do,” Lindenau agreed, and then he turned serious. “How soon can your battle group be ready for sea?”

Lindemann’s train of thought had to shift direction quickly. “Aspern is still in the Baltic and will not return here for days at least; she’s still working up. Berlin and Hamburg have only just finished their builders’ trials and need months of work-up. Most of the other ships are ready but I have only had one opportunity to meet with all the commanders of the ships; we are still new to one another.”

Lindenau nodded. “We are all in the throes of reorganisation. At least most of your crews are experienced; and sea-training will help those that are not. I will temporarily assign Augsburg and Mainz to relieve Berlin and Hamburg, but I want you ready to sail by mid-month.” Left unspoken was where Lindenau’s command, Einsatzgruppe 58.1, would be bound; Lindemann could guess but presumed orders would follow quickly.

“Then I will be busy for the next fortnight,” he said with deliberate understatement.


The South China Sea, 05 dgs 24 min South, 106 dgs 31 min East, Sunday, 3 August 1947

The replenishment ship Donau kept her course and speed steady while the slim cruisers Custozza and Novara manoeuvred alongside to refuel after their transit of the Strait of Malacca. Political considerations – perhaps overstated – had forced them to eschew a port call in Singapore or Palembang. After several breakaways the cruisers had filled their bunkers and all three ships shaped a course northwest-ward towards French Indochina, their destination.

Dithmarscher Landeszeitung, Monday, 4 August 1947

The corvettes Jaguar, Löwe, Tiger, and Wolf have arrived at Wilhelmshaven following their return from the Orient; their crews will be enjoying a full thirty-day’ leave before taking up their new assignments.


Rostocker Zeitung, Tuesday, 5 August 1947

The light cruiser Regensburg arrived here today upon conclusion of her final operational training cruise in the Baltic. It is expected that she will formally take up her duties with the fleet early next week.


Kieler Nachrichten, Wednesday, 6 August 1947

The air defence cruiser Aspern, returning from a good-will visit to Russia, entered the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal in transit to Bremerhaven.

Berlin, The Ministry of Economics, Thursday, 7 August 1947

Otto von Hapsburg read the latest report from the Wilhelmstraße on the situation in Lithuania, and he did so with a sense of hope. The Lithuanian Government had finally decided to draw down its overly-bloated defence establishment and begin putting money into its own economic development; in the von Hapsburg clearly saw the hand of the Russian Government. Germany had been urging such actions for months without success; someone had finally talked sense into Grinius – perhaps the Lithuanian strongman was now on his way out of power.

These were small comfort, as the fundamentals of economic relations between Germany and Lithuania had hardly begun to change. The customs union foisted upon Lithuania ten years ago had turned the Baltic nation into a German economic colony – a source of cheap raw materials and a market to be dominated – to the long-term detriment of the Lithuanian people. His ministry’s efforts to redress the balance had foundered on the twin pillars of German economic priorities and Lithuanian venality; if something could be done to deal with the latter, von Hapsburg felt he had a chance of shifting the former.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Friday, 8 August 1947



Der Tagesspiegel, Saturday, 9 August 1947

The aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin has returned to Wilhelmshaven following completion of her post-refit trials.

Cam Rahn Bay, French Indochina, Sunday, 10 August 1947

As the cruisers Novara and Custozza slowly steamed into the harbour the sound of saluting guns echoed across the anchorage; salutes rendered first to the French flagship, then to the flagship of the Russian squadron, lastly to the Graf Spee, flagship of the East Asia Squadron. Konteradmiral Bernhard Rogge stood at stiff attention on the Novara’s bridge as the saluting protocol seemed to go on forever. As the passed the last of the line of warships the Novara and Custozza changed course and manoeuvred to anchor near the Graf Spee for the next round of obligations.

Courtesy calls were required; calls upon Vizeadmiral Langsdorff, commander of the East Asia Squadron; calls upon the French and Russian admirals on their respective flagships; calls upon the captain of the port. It was only after these were complete that Rogge was able to spend a free moment to speak with Langsdorff.

“After all this,” Rogge asked, “would you think it better for the formal change of command to take place tomorrow?”

“Tuesday, I think,” answered Langsdorff. “Our hosts have prepared a celebratory party tomorrow to mark your arrival and my departure. It will also afford Donau the opportunity to fill her tanks – the Pacific is a wide ocean.”


Marburg, Monday, 11 August 1947

Hans Bessig reviewed the list of research assistants he and Hachmann had recruited. Archaeological work in the Persian Gulf was an unknown quantity and the work of Belloq and Dörner drew some of the best German scholars to Anatolia; others followed in the footsteps of Heick to Egypt or Dörpfeld to Greece. Of those who were to venture to Bahrain the most noted was Emil Kunze, a classical archaeologist who had previously dug sites in Roman-era Syria. They would also include one woman on their team – Annemarie Schimmel – a language scholar with excellent command of classical Arabic.

With little more than a month before the expedition left for the Gulf Bessig also reviewed the latest update from Klaws on the preparations being made on their behalf, and here he had to pronounce himself quite satisfied. Personnel, funds, and equipment were coming together – now all they needed were time and good luck to open a new storehouse of knowledge of ancient Arabia.


Transradio Press Service, Dublin, Tuesday, 12 August 1947

The German minister, Hans Heinrich Herwarth von Bittenfeld, called upon President Douglas Hyde today to present his revised letter of credence to the President signifying von Bittenfeld’s new status as ambassador. It is believed that the German Government took the action to upgrade the level of their diplomatic representation in recognition of Ireland’s change-in-status under the Republic of Ireland Act.

Cam Rahn Bay, Indochina, Wednesday, 13 August 1947

Anchor chains rattled in the forecastle of the Graf Spee and the other heavy cruisers of the First Cruiser Squadron – Admiral Hipper, Admiral Scheer, and Prinz Eugen. No longer a part of the East Asia Squadron their engines hummed and great bronze propellers began to churn the waters of the anchorage; they were going home after many adventures. So too was the replenishment tanker Donau, which lay deep in the water with a full load of fuel and stores for the long voyage back to Germany.

The day before Langsdorff and Rogge had executed the formal change of command, the latter assuming the mantle of leadership of the now more diminutive East Asia Squadron. The Novara and Custozza, with the octet of corvettes, would suffice to uphold German interests in the region. For Langsdorff the change was tinged with sadness – he had certainly enjoyed the independence of an overseas command; but the growing role of the Kriegsmarine demanded his return, together with the great cruisers. He knew something of his new assignment, and was quite pleased that it was not to be a desk or the beach.

Following a full round of farewell salutes the Graf Spee led the way eastward, out into the South China Sea – the sea, where ships belonged.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Thursday, 14 August 1947

The minesweepers Boggensee and Lautersee were completed today in the Deschimag yards here and have embarked upon their builders’ trials and operational training. Work continues on their sisters Hopfensee and Ploggensee, which are expected to launch sometime in September.


The North Sea, Friday, 15 August 1947

Vizeadmiral Ernst Lindemann stood on the flag bridge of the aircraft carrier Scharnhorst filled with a sense of exultation. At last he could command at sea a battle group worthy of the name. The ships of Einsatzgruppe 58.1 had filed out of Wilhelmshaven and Bremerhaven and rendezvoused, taking up their respective places in the formation. At the centre were the four aircraft carriers – Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Großer Kurfürst, and Friedrich der Große; beyond them were the cruisers Aspern and Zenta, the destroyers Wiesbaden, Augsburg, Kolberg, and Mainz, together with the frigates Birkenfeld, Ettenheim, Hollabrun, and Manching. Beyond the inner ring of escorts were the battlecruisers Blucher and Derfflinger supported by the cruisers Magdeburg, Lübeck, Rostock, and Stralsund, with sixteen destroyers, forming an outer ring. The formation was spread out over a radius of twenty-five kilometres.

There was no hiding such a force within the confines of the North Sea – and the combat air and antisubmarine patrols flown from the decks of the aircraft carriers would soon note the approach of patrol planes and ships; of this Lindemann was certain. The mission of the force was to exercise the new structure of the battle group and test its command and control. In the North Atlantic there would be room enough to do so.

Lübecker Nachrichten, Saturday, 16 August 1947

The small tanker Raab completed its conversion today and embarked upon a period of trials and training.


Rostocker Zeitung, Sunday, 17 August 1947



Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, Manila Bay, Monday, 18 August 1947

The Graf Spee and her consorts of the First Cruiser Squadron rode easily at anchor in the harbour; the ships had arrived at Cavite, the first stop on their homeward voyage, the prior Saturday. With formal calls completed the crews of the ships enjoyed a last shore leave before their trans-Pacific voyage, while storekeepers stocked the ships’ larders with fresh provisions and other supplies. In his cabin Vizeadmiral Langsdorff composed a dispatch for the Admiralstab summarizing his intentions and planned stops; it would take many weeks for the Graf Spee to reach Wilhelmshaven, and that despite the presence of Donau the Etappendienst would need advance notice to assure fuel supplies were available at her ports of call.

Is that a Turbo Commander?

Quoted from "Brockpaine"

Is that a Turbo Commander?

Aero Commander. The original configuration; design dates to 1944 with first flights in 1948.

Ah, cool. I recognized it since I used the Aero Commander as the basis for the Chilean "T3C Condor Commander" from 1946.

Einsatzgruppe 58.1, 60 dgs 28 Min North, 6 dgs 46 min West, Tuesday, 19 August 1947

Dawn had come early in these northern latitudes, and aboard the aircraft carriers of the German task force crews had worked all night to ready the ships for full flight operations; they were now in the open ocean, passing beyond the range of all but the longest-legged reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal Air Force.

Sitting in his chair on the flag bridge of the Scharnhorst Lindemann watched carefully as the ships of the task force turned into the wind as one to permit the aircraft carriers to launch their aircraft. The first scouts bounded down the four flight decks and fanned out along the task force’s forward course, followed by the inner antisubmarine patrol and a small combat air patrol, in case it was necessary to chivvy away a stray Sunderland flying boat. With aircraft launched, the task force turned again to its base course to the southwest; this procedure would become routine over the next several days.


Bremerhaven, Wednesday, 20 August 1947

The small aircraft carrier Pappenheim had arrived in port two days before, but now she was the centre of a task force; certainly not one intended for combat, for in her train were a pair of replenishment ships – the Neckar and Werra, two oilers – the Samland and Sauerland, and the victualler Mittenwalde. Four frigates – Dattelin, Graz, Klagenfurt, and Ravelsbach, with four corvettes – Iltis, Leopard, Luchs and Tiger provided the escort. To any observer it was obvious that they were going to sea to support Kriegsmarine vessels already in the Atlantic.

In the upper window of a ship chandler’s shop near the sea front a non-descript man sat at a telescope trained on the harbour channel. His eye was glued to the eyepiece, and he carefully noted the composition of the group of warships making their way to sea. With one hand he scribbled notes on a sheet of paper, in the other he adjusted the focus of the instrument. Word would soon flash to his superiors.


Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, 18 dgs 44 min North, 122 dgs 10 min East, Thursday, 21 August 1947

Having called at Manila the ships of the First Cruiser Squadron now made their way past Cape Engaño to enter the wide Pacific Ocean. Admiral Langsdorff ordered the flotilla to settle on a course of zero-nine-zero at the economical cruising speed of fifteen knots. Many days of sailing lay ahead of them.

Dornier-werke, Friedrichshafen, Friday, 22 August 1947

The tractor-tug manoeuvred carefully as it guided the prototype of the Dornier fighter out of the hangar. Much effort had gone into the design of the aircraft and no one wished to see it damaged in a ground accident. There was an air of anticipation as ground and engine tests would soon commence, and if these were successful the first flight of a prototype would soon follow. Once clear of the hangar the prototype was parked well clear of any other aircraft or building and the tug-tractor detached. A test pilot approached and was helped into the aircraft by the ground crew; now began the tests.


Einsatzgruppe 58.1, 49 dgs 53 Min North, 25 dgs 51 min West, Saturday, 23 August 1947

Carefully-encrypted reports from the Admiralstab kept Vizeadmiral Lindemann informed regarding the huge British exercise behind held in the North Sea, but it in no way deterred him from fulfilling his mission – to test the new structure and new doctrine of the Kriegsmarine’s main forces. Thus far the new ideas seemed superior, even if more lessons in ship-handling and station-keeping were required. The air defence cruisers and destroyers that provided the inner screen of the task force were proving their worth; their watchful electronics combined with the aircraft carriers’ combat air patrol gave excellent assurance that any threat would be detected in time to be dealt with. Soon they would turn north, to rendezvous with supply ships proceeding to sea with their own escort.


Die Welt am Sonntag, Sunday, 24 August 1947

Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, 6 dgs 11 min North, 144 dgs 49 min East, Monday, 25 August 1947

The four cruisers under Langsdorff’s command, with their attendant replenishment ship, enjoyed fair weather as they angled southeast towards the Equator. This was typhoon season, and the thunderclouds that appeared on the horizon might easily be harbingers of heavy weather. For the moment they proceeded in single file, Graf Spee in the lead. In a day or so they would need to mark time to top off their bunkers, as their next landfall would be in Fidji.


Dithmarscher Landeszeitung, Tuesday, 26 August 1947

The first pre-production Wiener Neustadter Flugzeugwerke Wf14 helicopter was flown to the Marineflieger station at Nordholz today to begin tests under operational conditions.


Einzatzgruppe 44.1, 59 dgs 19 Min North, 22 dgs 59 min West, Wednesday, 27 August 1947

The light aircraft carrier Pappenheim turned into the wind to launch aircraft, sending out a pair of Fw190 fighters and a trio of Fi168 bombers. These were not reinforcing either the combat air patrol or the antisubmarine patrol, but rather testing the ability of the Pappenheim to provide replacement aircraft for the operational units of Einzatzgruppe 58.1. Once formed up the aircraft flew southward, over the horizon, where they would make practice landings on one of the fleet carriers before flying back the next day. The Pappenheim was not quite suited for this role – she carried fewer aircraft than anyone would have liked – but she was available.

Göttinger Tageblatt, Thursday, 28 August 1947



Hamburger Abendblatt, Friday, 29 August 1947

The Ministry of Defence announced today its decision on the streamlined procurement of new light aircraft for the Heeresflieger. The Fieseler Fi256 has been selected to succeed the Fi156 in the air observation post and surveillance roles; the Dornier Do27 has been selected as a light utility transport and casualty evacuation aircraft; and additional examples of the Focke-Achgelis Fa336 helicopter will be acquired to fulfil a variety of roles. Present plans call for the establishment of one aviation company (Heeresfliegerkompanie) for each of the Heer’s army corps; however, the total number of aircraft to be procured has not been released at this time.

Einsatzgruppe 58.1, 56 dgs 20 Min North, 28 dgs 22 min West, Saturday, 30 August 1947

Vizeadmiral Lindemann sat in his day cabin, writing up notes for what would be his final report on the current exercise. Thus far the replenishment support provided by Einzatzgruppe 44.1 had proven the worth of the new operational concepts – though Lindemann would have preferred to have more oilers available to him (and what admiral did not). Ship handling skills still needed to be honed but despite a few close calls there had been no mishaps within the screen around the task force. He particularly noted the value of the long-range electronic detection equipment carried aboard the latest generation of air defence ships; it allowed the fighter direction centres aboard the carriers to better deploy their assets. Soon his ships would return to port, and the lessons learned passed on to the rest of the fleet.


London, The German Embassy, Sunday, 31 August 1947

“The exact nature of the establishment at Risley is yet to be determined,” Schellenburg wrote as he concluded his report, “but information obtained thus far indicates that some form of physics research is being carried out. All efforts will be made to ascertain further details.”

The conundrum of the British research establishment near Warrington was still unresolved. The British security services had thrown a very effective blanket over the activities there, yet his contacts and careful analysis of press reports provided enough circumstantial evidence that something very important was happening there. If not, why the high level of security? But whether this was merely theoretical nuclear physics or some form of weapons development remained elusive. From what he had been briefed on the subject, Schellenburg was of the opinion that any work might easily be applicable to both. Still, the fact that he had to prevaricate on his conclusion rankled, professionally. General Gehlen demanded completeness and precision; Schellenburg hoped that this report would pass muster.

Heavy Cruiser Graf Spee, 9 dgs 48 min South, 173 dgs 32 min East, Monday, 1 September 1947

The presence of a French patrol aircraft overhead announced that the First Cruiser Squadron was nearing Fidji, its first stop on the long voyage home. Langsdorff expected that the Etappendienst had made arrangements for fuel, water, and provisions as requested; while the Donau’s presence was reassuring it would not hurt to keep the storerooms of the cruisers filled as far as possible. He expected their stay at Suva to be as brief as possible, as press reports of the recent British snap exercises in the North Sea filled him with concern – despite no official directives from the Admiralstab. At least the Wilhelmstraße had cleared their use of the Panama Canal, which would significantly shorten the time the squadron would spend at sea.


Berlin, The Cabinet Meeting Room, Tuesday, 2 September 1947

“At least the SPD has some kind words to say about us,” joked Vice-Chancellor Ludwig Erhard. “Today’s editorial in the Oberösterreichische Rundschau skewers us for lack of response to the British foray into the Baltic.”

“The Oberösterreichische Rundschau has a rather provincial perspective,” said Otto von Hapsburg, the Minister of Economics, in a very droll manner. “I’ve met the editor – I doubt he knows where the Skagerrak is.”

Adenauer rapped the table. “Now Herr Blank, the next items on the agenda is your proposals on troop dispositions.”

“Yes Herr Chancellor,” Blank replied. “The first is the redeployment of the 11th Panzergrenadier Division from its garrisons in East Prussia to Wehrkreis IX. Given our excellent relations with Poland its presence there is redundant and its separation from the remainder of its constituent corps elements makes training difficult.”

Dehler, the Foreign Minister asked, “Will our French allies not view this as problematic?”

“I believe that His Excellency Prinz Franz Joseph can reassure them. Fulda is far from the French border and should in no way be viewed as an imminent threat.” Blank seemed reasonably sure on this point.

“Very well,” said Adenauer. “Now as to the equipment matters…”


Dithmarscher Landeszeitung, Wednesday, 3 September 1947

The air defence destroyer Aachen was launched yesterday at the Deschimag yard in Cuxhaven while her sister the Eisenach was launched at the Wilhelmshaven dockyard. Work is proceeding on their completion which is expected early next year.

Nachrichten für Außenhandel, Thursday, 4 September 1947

It has been reported that the civil engineering firm Hochtief AG has partnered with the local firm Akcinebendrove Paneveziokeliai of Panevezys, Lithuania, to bid on construction projects associated with that nation’s expanded road network.


Militär-Wochenblatt, Friday, 5 September 1947

The first examples of the Sturmhaubitze Braunbär infantry support vehicle were turned over to Heer crews at the Mainz-Mombach military depot. These vehicles, converted from existing Sturmgeschütz III chassis, feature new armament, revised internal configuration, and improved running gear. It is expected that over the next several years the remainder of the Sturmgeschütz fleet will be brought up to Braunbär standards.


Emder Zeitung, Saturday, 6 September 1947