[ Page 49 ]

Stier. (Ship 23)

Stier," was a 4,418 ton ship- formerly the "Cairo," from the Deutche Levante Line, on the 12th. of May, 1942, under Captain Gerlach, she sailed from Rotterdam, pretending to be "Sperrbrucher 171," one of the armed Merchant ships, the Germans used to sweep up magnetic mines- and provide close cover to coasting convoys.

Escorted by 4 Torpedo Boats, and 16 Motor Mlnesweepers, she crept out of the Maas estuary. The convoy deployed as follows:- 6 Motor Minesweepers in the van, then, one mile astern, 10 more Motor minesweepers, 600 yards astern, "Stier," plus the 4 Torpedo Boats. As this convoy approached the Straits of Dover, radar warning was received to expect attacks from British M.T.B's.

In the middle watch, at 0200, (2AM) the sound of motor boat engines was heard both to starboard and astern Although star shell were thrown up, nothing was in sight. At 0300, (3AM) as the Straits were entered- the Dover 14 inch batteries opened fire, two or three salvoes fell short, again, M.T.B. engines were heard, and it was apparent that the German convoy would soon be attacked. By 0325, (3.25AM) abreast of Gris-Nez starshell from "Stier," flushed out British M.T.B.'s on both sides of the Germans, and the starboard Boats attacked.

They were, in turn, engaged, and one set alight, the port group now closed in, but, one was hit, and clearly put out of control. One of"Stier's" Torpedo Boat's was torpedoed, she exploded, breaking in two pieces, and soon sank, "Seadler," another German Torpedo Boat was caught by a torpedo, she too, broke in half and sank. The last 2 T.B.'s escorted "Stier" into Boulogne, then set off to sea again, to search for survivors, 88 German sailors, and 3 British from M.T.B. 220, were collected, the German losses over 200.

As night fell, "Stier" left for Le Hayre, working down the coast to Gironde on the 19th. of May, later that month she was, at last, able to leave European waters behind her, and claimed her first success on the 4th. of June.

The British 4,986 ton "Gemstone," was fired on at 8,300 yards, the crew then removed, and a torpedo completed the task of despatching another Allied ship to the Atlantic depths. At 0915, (9.15AM) on the 6th. of June, the Panamanian "Stanvac Calcutta," of 10,170 tons was chased, 148 rounds of 5.9 inch ammunition used, but a torpedo was still necessary to sink her. This Tanker was on her way to load oil at Aruba, close to the Eastern entrance of the Panama Canal, 37 of a crew strength of 52, were rescued, the Captain and Radio operator, killed by "Stier's," first salvo.

Another 4 days, found "Stier" oiling from "Charlotte Schliemann," not without incident, this operation difficult, the hose pipe connections to allow oil transfer, did not fit, and needed much modification, then it was discovered that the supposed oil the Tanker was pumping, was 98% water, a mistake made by the Tanker's Chief Officer. Gerlach was not impressed, and fined him 150 Reichinarks- about 14 Pounds sterling at pre war rates.

For the next 5 weeks, nothing of any interest happened, an intercepted signal from the British "Tordene" showed she should pass close by, "Stier" waited, stopped in the dark- nothing happened, it was too rough to use the seaplane- no action, and the Raider again oiled. Kruder noted in his War Diary:- "That, as in Germany, people doing no work had reduced rations, so did his prisoners, on board."

This site was created as a resource for educational use and the promotion of historical awareness of the Gustloff and associated events. All rights of publicity of the individuals named herein are expressly reserved, and, should be respected consistent with the reverence in which this memorial site was established.

Copyright © 1984/1999 Computrain All rights reserved