[ Page 45 ] As the high level of prisoners on board gave him many headaches, Kruder, now decided toship all prisoners back to Germany in "Storstad." She topped up "Atlantis" on her way, gave 6.500 tons of diesel oil to the Tanker 'Nordmark," and reached the safety of Gironde, on the 4th. of February. This ship had been a wonderful capture. She had proved a useftil auxiliary, as a minelayer, was a milch cow with her oil, a prison ship, and now wasback in Europe, ready to again be employed.
By the 17th. of December, "Pinguin" had entered the Antarctic. She had now sailed in both the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. Christmas eve, found the Raider reading traffic emanating from members of the Anglo-Norwegian Whaling fleet. Kruder also learned he had been awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Just after Christmas Day, the seaplane had to make a forced landing, a 3 hour, full speed, rescue dash had to be performed by "Pinguin" to recover it. By the New Year of 1944, "Pinguin' had placed herself in position North of the Whaling Ships between them and any escape route to the open sea. Two groups were operating, "Ole Wegger" with 6 catchers, under the lee of the ice, and "Pelagos" and 7 catchers exposed to bad weather. Radio/Telephone chatter between these two distinct Whaling groups. indicated they felt themselves to be far removed from any war and its attendant risks.
On the 3rd. of January, these two Mother ships discussed the fact that the Tanker was now 2 weeks overdue, and "Pelagos" was almost out of oil, but "Ole Wegger" still retained fuel oil, but her Whale oil tanks were practically full, and no further whales could be processed. It was decided to give oil to "Pelagos" and to fill her Whale oil tank ~ from "Ole Wegger," preparing her to be ready to go home. The Tanker's Company in New York was contacted by radio, to learn that their ship would still be delayed another 14 days.
On the 6th. of January, the Germans, reading all the local radio traffic, learned that "Thorshammer" (another Mother ship ) was 400 miles South West of the "Ole Wegger." One of her catchers wanted to send one last letter by "Solglint," from this traffic, it was deduced that "Solglint" was a Norwegian 12,000 ton, Whale oil transport, and she would visit "Thorshammer," "Ole Wegger," and finally "Pelagos."
"Pinguin' made tracks for "Ole Wegger' and bad weather intervened, whales previously captured and flagged, were reported lost, prior to being towed for processing. The weather improved, and Kruder waited patiently, he had decided to attack the two large ships as they were alongside one another. By the 13th. of January, "Solglint" and "Ole Wegger' were secured beside each other.
Slowly "Penguin" made her approach, out of the West late at night - a sudden snow squall shut out all visibility- when it cleared, Kruder found himself slap on top of his intended victims.
He now ordered both ships not to use radio, he kept his guns silent, so that the catchers were not alerted to the impending action. He wanted to sneak up, and grab the lot. Two boats with prize crews were sent on their way.
At a crucial time, the engineroom reported that a cylinder cover had cracked, putting one motor out of commission, frenzied repairs were put in train, the prize crews flashed the heartening news:- "Ships in our hands."
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