SS Westfalen
Encyclopedia
SS Westfalen was a German ship built in 1906 at J.C. Tecklenborg in Geestemünde.
In the early 1930s the Westfalen was converted into a seaplane tender to serve as both weather reporting and refueling station for Dornier Wal flying boats of Lufthansa carrying mail trans-Atlantic between Europe and South America. The conversion of the Westfalen consist of a large retractable stern mounted canvas drag apron for the flying boat to taxi on (ie for use in heavy seas and so the ship does not have to come to dead stop), cranes to lift the flying boats out the water to be refueled and serviced, and a large compressed air catapult for launching the aircraft heavy with fuel back into the air. When in operation, the Westfalen cruised 900 miles in the middle of the South Atlantic between Bathhurst, Gambia (now Banjul) and Pernambuco, Brazil. First test trans-Atlantic flights by Lufthansa Wals began in 1933 and the first commercial mail flights in 1934.
, the ship was used for transport between Germany and German-occupied Norway
. On 7 September 1944 the ship sank off Marstrand
, after hitting a naval mine
. Seventy-eight people aboard survived, but most of the locked-up Norwegian prisoners-of-war were casualties, including Petter Moen
, Reidar Olaf Østlid and Sverre Lid. SS-Sturmscharführer
Wilhelm Heinze also died.
In the early 1930s the Westfalen was converted into a seaplane tender to serve as both weather reporting and refueling station for Dornier Wal flying boats of Lufthansa carrying mail trans-Atlantic between Europe and South America. The conversion of the Westfalen consist of a large retractable stern mounted canvas drag apron for the flying boat to taxi on (ie for use in heavy seas and so the ship does not have to come to dead stop), cranes to lift the flying boats out the water to be refueled and serviced, and a large compressed air catapult for launching the aircraft heavy with fuel back into the air. When in operation, the Westfalen cruised 900 miles in the middle of the South Atlantic between Bathhurst, Gambia (now Banjul) and Pernambuco, Brazil. First test trans-Atlantic flights by Lufthansa Wals began in 1933 and the first commercial mail flights in 1934.
World War Two
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the ship was used for transport between Germany and German-occupied Norway
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
. On 7 September 1944 the ship sank off Marstrand
Marstrand
Marstrand is a seaside locality situated in Kungälv Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 1,432 inhabitants in 2005. It has held city privileges since 1200. The most striking feature about Marstrand is the 17th century fortress Carlsten, named after King Carl X Gustav of Sweden. The...
, after hitting a naval mine
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
. Seventy-eight people aboard survived, but most of the locked-up Norwegian prisoners-of-war were casualties, including Petter Moen
Petter Moen
Petter Moen was a Norwegian resistance member later known for his diaries.During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany he edited the underground newspaper London Nytt...
, Reidar Olaf Østlid and Sverre Lid. SS-Sturmscharführer
Sturmscharführer
Sturmscharführer was a Nazi rank of the Waffen-SS that existed between 1934 and 1945. The rank was the most senior enlisted rank in the Waffen-SS, the equivalent of a Sergeant Major in other military organizations...
Wilhelm Heinze also died.
External Links
- "Steamer Is Floating Airport For Flying Boats" May 1933 Popular Mechanics
- SS Westfalen (+1944) Wreck site