Can anyone tell me if there were any survivors from the German Blockade runner WESERLAND (Kapitan Krage ?) when it was sunk by USS SOMMERS on 2 January 1944 in the South Atlantic.
My reason for the request is I am attempting to find the survivors she picked up after shooting down a British aircraft in the Bay of Biscay from about 19 September (Left Baudeaux 19th) to say, the end of September 1942 when on route to the Far East. One survivor was badly burnt and the other had a leg amputated by the ships doctor. Any names or information would be appreciated.
Also has anyone a photo of the WESERLAND, most interested in what she looked like.
Thanks,
Arthur Arculus N.Z.
'WESERLAND' Blockade runner. - any srvivors?
-
Arthur W Arculus
- Member
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2002 8:54 pm
- Location: Auckland New Zealand
'WESERLAND' Blockade runner. - any srvivors?
Arthur Arculus. WW2 aircraft & Aircrew Researcher.
WESERLAND, ex ERMLAND
Hi ARTHUR!
I had collected the following data for you:
WESERLAND, ex ERMLAND
The HAPAG-motorship ERMLAND (building year 1922, 6528 BRT) reached Manila on august 26, 1939, coming from Houston. It sailed again immediately and entered the harbour of Takao, Formosa, on august 31, 1939.
The ship sailed to Kobe, Japan, from July 28 until August 5, 1940.
Without any cargo the ship sailed again on December 28, 1940, to take prisoners from German auxiliary cruisers.
ERMLAND reached successfully Bordeaux on April 4, 1941.
After that the ERMLAND was renamed into WESERLAND.
Between august 17 and august 20, 1942, the ship tried to sail to Japan, but failed.
Between September 18 and December 1, 1942, the WESERLAND sailed from Bordeaux to Yokohama.
The ship was leaveing Yokohama on January 5, 1943 for France, but had to return.
Finally WESERLAND sailed again on October 26, 1943, but was sunk by the US destroyer SOMERS at the Southern Atlantic on January 2, 1944.
source: Cai Boie/Bernd Oesterle, Die deutsche Handelsschiffahrt bei Kriegsausbruch 1939
The motorship ERMLAND (6528 BRT) reached Takao on August 31, 1939, coming from Manila. She had 706 t of fuel left, with an daily use of 13,2 t.
On August 5, 1940, the ship entered the harbour of Kobe.
ERMLAND (Kpt.F. Krage) sailed to Bordeaux from December 28, 1940, until April 4, 1941, taking 350 prisoners from the auxiliary cruiser ORION (Schiff 36) in the vicinity of the Marshall-islands and later 56 additional prisoners from the cruiser ADMIRAL SCHEER.
Renamed as WESERLAND, she reached Yokohama again on December 1, 1942.
She was lost on January 3, 1944, at about 17°S/21°W by gun fire of the US destroyer SOMERS.
source: Hans Jürgen Witthöft, Die deutsche Handelsflotte 1939-1945, 2. Band
picture available
ERMLAND (Kpt. Krage) met the auxiliary cruiser ORION, from which she takes 330 prisoners, and the prize tanker OLE JACOB on January 5, 1941, at the Lamutrek-atoll.
Under the prisoners were a French, called Paul Vois, who wrote a book about his journey on board of ORION and ERMLAND, called “Tausend Inseln und keine für uns”.
On January 9, 1941, ERMLAND was leaving the two other ships and continued her journey home.
On February 23, 1942, ERMLAND met a British troop transport or auxiliary cruiser, but without any consequences.
Later the ship met first the NORDMARK (Kpt. Grau) at point “Andalusien”, and later the cruiser ADMIRAL SCHEER, from which 56 more prisoners were taken.
On board of the ERMLAND, Lt. Georg was responsible with 9 other men for watching all the prisoners!
ERMLAND reached Bordeaux on April 3, 1941.
After renaming the ship into WESERLAND, she was loaded with a machinery cargo for Japan and armed with 1x10,5 cm and 4x2 cm guns. She started a new journey to Japan, but at Kap Ortegal 3 enemy aircraft were attacking. One or two were shoot down, the third escaped. After watching an other air attack at the nearby tanker UCKERMARK, WESERLAND entered the Spanish harbour Finisterre, but only to return to Bordeaux shortly after!
In the middle of September 1942 she tried again. Far away from the Spanish coast a Sunderland was attacking, but failed and was shoot down. Two survivors were rescued by Kpt. Krage – one was heavily burnt, the other had a leg amputated, but both survived! WESERLAND successfully reached Japan, sighting 6 ships on this journey!
After taken 35 Italian uboat-drivers in Singapore, WESERLAND was sighted by an aircraft on January 1, 1944, which was shoot down. But on the next day 4 more aircraft shadowed the ship and at 22.00 o’clock the ship was gunned by the US destroyer SOMERS. It sunk at about 23.00 by scuttling charges. 5 men were killed, all others were rescued on the next day´s morning by the destroyer.
source: Jochen Brennecke, Schwarze Schiffe – Weite See
On December 28, 1940, ERMLAND (6528 BRT, Kpt. Krage) sailed from Kobe for the Lamutrek-atoll to meet the auxiliary cruiser ORION and her tanker OLE JACOB. This took place on January 5, 1941, but after only a few hours the ship sailed again. Later all three ship met again and travelled together until January 9, 1941.
On January 1, 1944, the US Bombron 107 consists of 11 PB4Y-1 Liberators with 15 crews, stationed at Natal and Ascension (airfield Widewake). Normally they flew a triangular search of 700, 400 resp. 1000 nm at a maximum range of 2290nm. Moreover there were an Army Airforce unit of B25 with a range of 1275 nm stationed at Ascension.
On January 1, 1944, 07.20, the first PB4Y started with Lt. Krug, but sighted nothing at her 7,5 hours flight.
At 07.40 the “Baker 9” of Lt. Taylor started and at 14.00 she saw a ship at ENE-course with 10 knots speed at 9°35N23°45W. It was identified as GLENBANK, which had leaved Capetown on December 24, 1943, for Montevideo, but of course it was WESERLAND. After firing a few 12,7 mm rounds, the WESERLAND fired back and wounded one crew member (MacGregor). Despite that, the aircraft safely returned at 18.45.
In the meantime at 14.14, the “Baker 5” reported another ship, 200 nm away at position 7°52N21°40W, which seem to be the SEAPOOL.
The cruiser MARLBEHEAD and destroyer WINSLOW were detached to control the ship of “Baker 5”, the destroyer SOMERS to look for the ship of “Baker 9”.
At 20.35 “Baker 12” sighted the GLENBANK of “Baker 9” again, at a position 70 nm SE from the last reported. This aircraft landed at January 2, 1944, 03.30.
At 22.00 MARBLEHEAD and WINSLOW reached the SEAPOOL and identified her positively.
In the meantime two more ship were sighted, the FORT WELLINGTON and the WASCANA PARK.
On January 2, 1944, 09.30, the “Baker 12” with Lt. R.T. Johnson started again.
SOMERS (Cdr. E.C. Hughes) was controlling the WASCANA PARK, when “Baker 12” sighted another ship 60 nm away. Lt. Johnson called for assistance, but at 17.25 the ship – of course the WESERLAND – opened accurate AA-fire and damaged the aircraft. Nevertheless until 18.30 three more aircrafts were in place and “Baker 12” started her 600 nm-flight for Ascension. “Baker 2” escorted her and at 21.30 “Baker 12” lost height down to 430 m, and at 21.45 to only 180 m. At 21.47 she went finally down.
At 22.00 SOMERS sighted the WESERLAND 12 nm away, illuminated by aircrafts. At 23.00 SOMERS opened fire at a distance of only 4 nm and the ship sunk at 00.30 on January 3, 1944. there were 5 deaths, but SOMERS rescued 134 survivors, like she reported at 04.00.
source: Martin Brice, Blockadebrecher
building yard: Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
building number: 414
6528 BRT, about 11150 t, 136,87 x 17,77 x 7,65 m, height 9,00 m, 3500 PSe for 11 kn,
2 x B&V 6zyl. 4takt diesel engines, 33020 nm / 11 kn / 1853 t oil, crew 42-58, 9850 tdw,
armed since October 1941 with 4x2cm, 4xMG
launched on 18.02.22, commissioned on 29.08.22 as ERMLAND
lost on 03.01.44 at 17°S21°W by scuttling in sight of US destroyer SOMERS
source: Erich Gröner, Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945, Band 4
sketch available
I hope, there is something of some help!
Greetings from Austria
Peter K.
I had collected the following data for you:
WESERLAND, ex ERMLAND
The HAPAG-motorship ERMLAND (building year 1922, 6528 BRT) reached Manila on august 26, 1939, coming from Houston. It sailed again immediately and entered the harbour of Takao, Formosa, on august 31, 1939.
The ship sailed to Kobe, Japan, from July 28 until August 5, 1940.
Without any cargo the ship sailed again on December 28, 1940, to take prisoners from German auxiliary cruisers.
ERMLAND reached successfully Bordeaux on April 4, 1941.
After that the ERMLAND was renamed into WESERLAND.
Between august 17 and august 20, 1942, the ship tried to sail to Japan, but failed.
Between September 18 and December 1, 1942, the WESERLAND sailed from Bordeaux to Yokohama.
The ship was leaveing Yokohama on January 5, 1943 for France, but had to return.
Finally WESERLAND sailed again on October 26, 1943, but was sunk by the US destroyer SOMERS at the Southern Atlantic on January 2, 1944.
source: Cai Boie/Bernd Oesterle, Die deutsche Handelsschiffahrt bei Kriegsausbruch 1939
The motorship ERMLAND (6528 BRT) reached Takao on August 31, 1939, coming from Manila. She had 706 t of fuel left, with an daily use of 13,2 t.
On August 5, 1940, the ship entered the harbour of Kobe.
ERMLAND (Kpt.F. Krage) sailed to Bordeaux from December 28, 1940, until April 4, 1941, taking 350 prisoners from the auxiliary cruiser ORION (Schiff 36) in the vicinity of the Marshall-islands and later 56 additional prisoners from the cruiser ADMIRAL SCHEER.
Renamed as WESERLAND, she reached Yokohama again on December 1, 1942.
She was lost on January 3, 1944, at about 17°S/21°W by gun fire of the US destroyer SOMERS.
source: Hans Jürgen Witthöft, Die deutsche Handelsflotte 1939-1945, 2. Band
picture available
ERMLAND (Kpt. Krage) met the auxiliary cruiser ORION, from which she takes 330 prisoners, and the prize tanker OLE JACOB on January 5, 1941, at the Lamutrek-atoll.
Under the prisoners were a French, called Paul Vois, who wrote a book about his journey on board of ORION and ERMLAND, called “Tausend Inseln und keine für uns”.
On January 9, 1941, ERMLAND was leaving the two other ships and continued her journey home.
On February 23, 1942, ERMLAND met a British troop transport or auxiliary cruiser, but without any consequences.
Later the ship met first the NORDMARK (Kpt. Grau) at point “Andalusien”, and later the cruiser ADMIRAL SCHEER, from which 56 more prisoners were taken.
On board of the ERMLAND, Lt. Georg was responsible with 9 other men for watching all the prisoners!
ERMLAND reached Bordeaux on April 3, 1941.
After renaming the ship into WESERLAND, she was loaded with a machinery cargo for Japan and armed with 1x10,5 cm and 4x2 cm guns. She started a new journey to Japan, but at Kap Ortegal 3 enemy aircraft were attacking. One or two were shoot down, the third escaped. After watching an other air attack at the nearby tanker UCKERMARK, WESERLAND entered the Spanish harbour Finisterre, but only to return to Bordeaux shortly after!
In the middle of September 1942 she tried again. Far away from the Spanish coast a Sunderland was attacking, but failed and was shoot down. Two survivors were rescued by Kpt. Krage – one was heavily burnt, the other had a leg amputated, but both survived! WESERLAND successfully reached Japan, sighting 6 ships on this journey!
After taken 35 Italian uboat-drivers in Singapore, WESERLAND was sighted by an aircraft on January 1, 1944, which was shoot down. But on the next day 4 more aircraft shadowed the ship and at 22.00 o’clock the ship was gunned by the US destroyer SOMERS. It sunk at about 23.00 by scuttling charges. 5 men were killed, all others were rescued on the next day´s morning by the destroyer.
source: Jochen Brennecke, Schwarze Schiffe – Weite See
On December 28, 1940, ERMLAND (6528 BRT, Kpt. Krage) sailed from Kobe for the Lamutrek-atoll to meet the auxiliary cruiser ORION and her tanker OLE JACOB. This took place on January 5, 1941, but after only a few hours the ship sailed again. Later all three ship met again and travelled together until January 9, 1941.
On January 1, 1944, the US Bombron 107 consists of 11 PB4Y-1 Liberators with 15 crews, stationed at Natal and Ascension (airfield Widewake). Normally they flew a triangular search of 700, 400 resp. 1000 nm at a maximum range of 2290nm. Moreover there were an Army Airforce unit of B25 with a range of 1275 nm stationed at Ascension.
On January 1, 1944, 07.20, the first PB4Y started with Lt. Krug, but sighted nothing at her 7,5 hours flight.
At 07.40 the “Baker 9” of Lt. Taylor started and at 14.00 she saw a ship at ENE-course with 10 knots speed at 9°35N23°45W. It was identified as GLENBANK, which had leaved Capetown on December 24, 1943, for Montevideo, but of course it was WESERLAND. After firing a few 12,7 mm rounds, the WESERLAND fired back and wounded one crew member (MacGregor). Despite that, the aircraft safely returned at 18.45.
In the meantime at 14.14, the “Baker 5” reported another ship, 200 nm away at position 7°52N21°40W, which seem to be the SEAPOOL.
The cruiser MARLBEHEAD and destroyer WINSLOW were detached to control the ship of “Baker 5”, the destroyer SOMERS to look for the ship of “Baker 9”.
At 20.35 “Baker 12” sighted the GLENBANK of “Baker 9” again, at a position 70 nm SE from the last reported. This aircraft landed at January 2, 1944, 03.30.
At 22.00 MARBLEHEAD and WINSLOW reached the SEAPOOL and identified her positively.
In the meantime two more ship were sighted, the FORT WELLINGTON and the WASCANA PARK.
On January 2, 1944, 09.30, the “Baker 12” with Lt. R.T. Johnson started again.
SOMERS (Cdr. E.C. Hughes) was controlling the WASCANA PARK, when “Baker 12” sighted another ship 60 nm away. Lt. Johnson called for assistance, but at 17.25 the ship – of course the WESERLAND – opened accurate AA-fire and damaged the aircraft. Nevertheless until 18.30 three more aircrafts were in place and “Baker 12” started her 600 nm-flight for Ascension. “Baker 2” escorted her and at 21.30 “Baker 12” lost height down to 430 m, and at 21.45 to only 180 m. At 21.47 she went finally down.
At 22.00 SOMERS sighted the WESERLAND 12 nm away, illuminated by aircrafts. At 23.00 SOMERS opened fire at a distance of only 4 nm and the ship sunk at 00.30 on January 3, 1944. there were 5 deaths, but SOMERS rescued 134 survivors, like she reported at 04.00.
source: Martin Brice, Blockadebrecher
building yard: Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
building number: 414
6528 BRT, about 11150 t, 136,87 x 17,77 x 7,65 m, height 9,00 m, 3500 PSe for 11 kn,
2 x B&V 6zyl. 4takt diesel engines, 33020 nm / 11 kn / 1853 t oil, crew 42-58, 9850 tdw,
armed since October 1941 with 4x2cm, 4xMG
launched on 18.02.22, commissioned on 29.08.22 as ERMLAND
lost on 03.01.44 at 17°S21°W by scuttling in sight of US destroyer SOMERS
source: Erich Gröner, Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945, Band 4
sketch available
I hope, there is something of some help!
Greetings from Austria
Peter K.
-
Arthur W Arculus
- Member
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2002 8:54 pm
- Location: Auckland New Zealand
Peter,
I do thank you so much for your signal and as it is such a long and interesting one it willl take time to inwardly digest. so if you could be a little patient with me I will reply more fully later on.
May I thank you again, it is so much appreciated, I was begining to wonder how much futher I was going to get on all this.
I return greetings from N.Z. It is very many years since my wife and I visited Austria when we lived in England
Arthur.
I do thank you so much for your signal and as it is such a long and interesting one it willl take time to inwardly digest. so if you could be a little patient with me I will reply more fully later on.
May I thank you again, it is so much appreciated, I was begining to wonder how much futher I was going to get on all this.
I return greetings from N.Z. It is very many years since my wife and I visited Austria when we lived in England
Arthur.
Arthur Arculus. WW2 aircraft & Aircrew Researcher.
-
Arthur W Arculus
- Member
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2002 8:54 pm
- Location: Auckland New Zealand
Greetings again Peter,
I have now had time to go through all the information you sent me in your last signal, the bulk of which I hadn't knowledge of at all.
The dates that relate close to the shooting down of aircraft X, as I shall call it as I cannot reconcile it to any Sunderland loss, was information I already had, with the exception of two points.
1. I didn't know of the abortive attempt by the renamed Weserland to leave Bordeaux for Japan then following the attack by three aircraft off Cape Ortegal and then having to put in at the port of Finisterre, later returning to Bordeaux. I want to put a little time into this episode
2. The extra information via yourself relating to the Weserland's second attempt to leave for Japan (approximately 19 September 1942) was that the aircraft attacked quote "Far away from the Spanish coast" unquote, this gives me a closer view of where the attack took place.
a.It has been very pleasing to read that the two men picked up by the Weserland - survived, I knew the 'one legged' airman did ,but not the fellow who was burnt
b. I feel that there is a lot of credit due to Kapitän Krage and the crew for stopping to rescue the survivors, also the hard work put in by the ships doctor who I believe had written a report and it is sitting in some files somewhere.
c. It is quite possible that Kapitän Krage disembarked either one or both at the port of Batavia, Java rather than taking them on to Japan, unless it was necessary to take the burnt airman onward being better facilities in Japan.
d. I now realise I have to do a big re-think to find the identity of aircraft X and the exact date of the aircraft loss.
e. All of the added information of the demise of the Weserland is most interesting and I will be wanting to look into this as well. All after clearing of aircraft X and the names of the airmen involved!
I am not writing a book as at 76 I do not feel that I want the hassle of publishers etc, so I will, as usual, as on any of my projects, write a summary of my research which will be available to anyone who may wish to use it.
Thanks Peter, you have been a big help.
Regards,
Arthur
I have now had time to go through all the information you sent me in your last signal, the bulk of which I hadn't knowledge of at all.
The dates that relate close to the shooting down of aircraft X, as I shall call it as I cannot reconcile it to any Sunderland loss, was information I already had, with the exception of two points.
1. I didn't know of the abortive attempt by the renamed Weserland to leave Bordeaux for Japan then following the attack by three aircraft off Cape Ortegal and then having to put in at the port of Finisterre, later returning to Bordeaux. I want to put a little time into this episode
2. The extra information via yourself relating to the Weserland's second attempt to leave for Japan (approximately 19 September 1942) was that the aircraft attacked quote "Far away from the Spanish coast" unquote, this gives me a closer view of where the attack took place.
a.It has been very pleasing to read that the two men picked up by the Weserland - survived, I knew the 'one legged' airman did ,but not the fellow who was burnt
b. I feel that there is a lot of credit due to Kapitän Krage and the crew for stopping to rescue the survivors, also the hard work put in by the ships doctor who I believe had written a report and it is sitting in some files somewhere.
c. It is quite possible that Kapitän Krage disembarked either one or both at the port of Batavia, Java rather than taking them on to Japan, unless it was necessary to take the burnt airman onward being better facilities in Japan.
d. I now realise I have to do a big re-think to find the identity of aircraft X and the exact date of the aircraft loss.
e. All of the added information of the demise of the Weserland is most interesting and I will be wanting to look into this as well. All after clearing of aircraft X and the names of the airmen involved!
I am not writing a book as at 76 I do not feel that I want the hassle of publishers etc, so I will, as usual, as on any of my projects, write a summary of my research which will be available to anyone who may wish to use it.
Thanks Peter, you have been a big help.
Regards,
Arthur
Arthur Arculus. WW2 aircraft & Aircrew Researcher.