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"Atlantis" only beat her in the tonnage sunk stakes by a mere 5,000 tons. "Pinguin" became the first German Armed Merchant Raider to be sunk, but that is to pre empt her story.

The Captain, Felix Knider, joined the Navy in 1915, unusually, having been promoted from the lower deck, he was 43. 300 mines were placed on board, to be laid on the West coast of India, and off Australia. By the 9th. of June, trials were complete, she was to operate off the Australian coast, and, from December to March 1941 to harry Allied Whaling fleets in Antarctica.

Life started as the Russian "Patschura," bad weather assisting her initial break Out attempt, although the high percentage of day light during mid summer was not helpful. By the 1st. of July, "Pinguin" was away, the French Armistice, and withdrawal of their Navy, placed an extra burden on the Royal Navy- its main efforts being given to the Battle of the Atlantic, and ensuring "safe and timely arrivals" of vital convoys.

Further distractions for the Royal Navy were coping with the French Navy at Oran and at Dakar, on the West coast of Muca. At that time I was serving as a Midshipman, in H.M.A.S."Australia" a County Class 8 inch Cruiser, we were in U.K. waters, and eventually were at Dakar, on two occasions.

H.M.A.S. Australia

H.M.A.S. Australia.

"Pinguin" was now the Greek ship "Kassos," and, on the 17th. of July, met the German Submarine UA, she had stores, fuel and torpedoes for this Submarine. Rough weather hindered this transfer, and to conserve fuel, UA, was towed Southward until level with Freetown.

The last day of July found "Pinguin" chasing her first victim, the British "Domingo de Larrinage" of 5,358 tons. The alarm had been given, but the Raider closed to 2.5 miles, and set her alight by accurate gunfire. The crew used 3 boats to evacuate their ship, she had been carrying 7,500 tons of grain, the boarding party uncovered 4 men, dead on deck.

The Cape was rounded, and on the 19:h. of August, Knider commented in his diary, on the British changing their Merchant Navy Code:- "Up to now we have had an almost complete picture of wireless traffic between ships, which was very helpful in judging the situation in the South Atlantic. But this state of affairs has now ended, a fact that is regrettable because such a picture would have been a great help when the ship entered the new operations area East of the Cape of Good Hope. It is hoped that the B-Service will soon succeed in breaking the new Code, and letting us know ~ " Kruder was worrying unnecessarily, his own Communications Officer, Lieutenant Brunke achieved this task for his Captain, and, no doubt gained his approbation.

This comment above from Kruder, highlights the importance of the radio, and of radio traffic to a Raider, all alone, ploughing a lonely path across the oceans. It was really the only link they had with SKL and home, it was the medium for good news, eg, awards of the Iron Cross to crew members, promotion for the Captain, orders to meet with a Tanker, a blockade runner, a fellow Raider, intelligence about enemy shipping, the whereabouts of enemy Warships, the best order of all, "COME HOME'."


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