HSK ATLANTIS

HSK Atlantis: The German Merchant Raider of World War II

The HSK Atlantis was a German auxiliary cruiser and commerce raider that operated during World War II, officially known as Schiff 16 and Allied code-named Raider C. Operated by the Kriegsmarine, the Atlantis served as a powerful disruptor of Allied merchant shipping, utilizing disguise and deception to devastating effect. Originally the cargo ship Goldenfels, the Atlantis was built in 1937 by Bremer Vulkan in Bremen, Germany, for the Hansa Line. Its impressive size and engine capacity made it an attractive option for conversion into a heavily armed merchant raider, designed to blend in with civilian shipping while packing a powerful punch. Complementing its concealed armaments, the Atlantis carried a Heinkel He 114 seaplane, later replaced by an Arado Ar 196, for reconnaissance and long-range operations. It had one of the longest cruises of any German raider during World War II, lasting 622 days from 1940 to 1941. During this time, the Atlantis sank or captured a total of 22 ships, with a combined tonnage of 145,697 gross register tons, making it one of the most successful German raiders of the war. This article will discuss the Atlantis’s design and unique features, as well as its key roles in battles and operations during World War II.

Design and Conversion

Origins as a Merchant Vessel

The Atlantis had an origin as a cargo ship, known as Goldenfels before it was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine and converted into an auxiliary cruiser. Built in 1937 by Bremer Vulkan, a German shipbuilding company in Bremen, for the Hansa Line, the Goldenfels was originally used for commercial trade. It had a gross register tonnage of 7,862, with a length of 155 meters, a beam of 18.5 meters, and a draught of 8.7 meters. The ship was powered by two 6-cylinder diesel engines that enabled a maximum speed of 17 knots. The Goldenfels was reliable and efficient, with good cruising range and fuel economy for long-distance commercial routes.

Conversion to a Merchant Raider

In late 1939, the Kriegsmarine requisitioned the Goldenfels and converted it into an auxiliary cruiser at the Deutsche Werft in Hamburg, Germany. The ship was commissioned on 19 December 1939 and designated Handelsstörkreuzer 2 (HSK-2), or merchant raider 2. The conversion process involved the installation of a range of concealed weapons to support its raiding operations while maintaining the appearance of a neutral merchantman. The primary armament of the Atlantis consisted of six 15-centimeter guns, sourced from older warships and positioned for broadside attacks, with two additional guns mounted aft for stern chases. Secondary armaments included one 7.5-centimeter gun, two 3.7-centimeter anti-tank guns, and four 2-centimeter anti-aircraft guns, all of which were hidden behind false panels and covered when not in use. The Atlantis was also equipped with six torpedo tubes, four above water and two below, and carried 92 sea mines for disrupting shipping routes. A Heinkel He 114 seaplane, later replaced by an Arado Ar 196, was used for reconnaissance purposes, extending its scouting range and improving its ability to locate and avoid targets. Its diesel engines provided exceptional endurance, allowing it to operate for nearly two years without returning to port. The Atlantis’s crew was trained to maintain its disguises as a neutral or Allied vessel, notably the Wilhelmsen Line’s Tamesis of Norway and the Japanese Kasii Maru, as well as capturing and operating these ships to mislead its targets.

What Made the Atlantis Special

Strategic Role in Commerce Raiding

The Atlantis was one of nine German merchant raiders that were deployed with the purpose of interdicting Allied supply lines. The Kriegsmarine used this strategy to counter the naval superiority of the Allies by targeting merchant shipping, forcing them to divert warships and aircraft to protect trade routes. This increased the strain on Allied resources and disrupted the supply of vital materials to the war effort. The Atlantis’s operations spanned the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans for 622 days, making it a persistent and effective threat during this period. Unlike submarines, which relied on stealth and evasion, or surface warships, which engaged in direct combat, the Atlantis used a combination of deception, endurance, and firepower to attack vulnerable targets, contributing to the overall German war effort.

Disguise and Deception

The Atlantis was a master of disguise and deception, often masquerading as a neutral or Allied vessel to approach its targets undetected. The ship was able to change its camouflage and fly false flags of different nations, such as Norway, Japan, or the Netherlands, to further its ruse. The concealed armaments on the Atlantis were only revealed at the moment of attack, providing a devastating surprise to unsuspecting targets. Its use of disguised ships as prizes, such as the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara, allowed it to capture additional resources and mislead its enemies. The Atlantis’s seaplane extended its reconnaissance range, allowing it to spot targets and track potential threats more effectively. The crew was also trained in deceptive tactics, such as broadcasting false distress signals, to exploit the hesitation of other merchant vessels and close the distance for effective attacks.

Endurance and Logistical Support

The Atlantis was also able to support its operations by exploiting its fuel capacity and cargo space. The ship could meet with supply ships, such as Tannenfels, Nordmark, and Uckermark, to replenish fuel and provisions, and it could use captured ships to boost its supplies. The Atlantis also provided support to other Kriegsmarine units, including U-boats, by transferring fuel, provisions, intelligence, and captured materials. It was also used for mine-laying, intelligence gathering, and capturing prizes. The combination of speed, firepower, and endurance of the Atlantis made it a versatile and effective raider.

Key Roles in Battles and Operations

Atlantic Operations (March–August 1940)

On 31 March 1940, the Atlantis was commissioned by its captain, Kapitan zur See Bernhard Rogge, in Bremen and broke out into the Atlantic via the Denmark Strait, disguised as a neutral merchantman. The Atlantis targeted Allied merchant shipping along North and South Atlantic routes. The ship sank her first victim on 3 May 1940, when she sank the British freighter Scientist (6,199 tons) with gunfire, after capturing her crew. On 10 June, the Atlantis captured the Norwegian motor ship Tirranna (7,230 tons) that was carrying wheat and petrol, which was later sent to France as a prize. On 11 July, Atlantis sank the British steamer City of Baghdad (7,505 tons) with gunfire, after her crew were taken prisoner. The Atlantis also sank the British steamer Kemmendine (7,769 tons) with gunfire on 13 July 1940 after her crew were taken prisoner.

On 26 July 1940, in the South Atlantic, the Atlantis and the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara exchanged fire. The Alcantara, commanded by Commander Godfrey Baseley, was on patrol in the South Atlantic, when Rogge, disguised as a neutral merchantman, cut in front of the cruiser and turned to start a stern chase. The Atlantis opened fire with her 15-centimeter guns, landing several hits on the Alcantara, which damaged her bridge and engine room. The Alcantara returned fire with her anti-aircraft guns, hitting Atlantis’s fuel tanks and wounding four crewmen. The Atlantis suffered damage to her fuel tanks, and Rogge considered scuttling his ship, but the two ships broke contact, with Alcantara limping to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for repairs. The Atlantis managed to limp to sea for repairs, and continued her cruise.

The Atlantis sank the British steamer King City (4,744 tons) with gunfire on 24 August 1940. On 10–11 August 1940, the Atlantis laid 100 mines off Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Some of these mines were responsible for the loss of the British steamer City of Exeter. The Atlantis was able to resupply from the tanker Tannenfels on 2 August, and went to the Indian Ocean to raid.

Indian and Pacific Ocean Operations (September 1940–July 1941)

On 9 September 1940, the Atlantis sank the British steamer Athelking (9,557 tons). On 20 September 1940, the Atlantis sank the French liner Commissaire Ramel (10,061 tons). On 22 October 1940, the Atlantis captured the Yugoslav steamer Durmitor (5,635 tons) which was later taken to Italian-controlled Somalia as a prize. On 8 November 1940, the Atlantis sank the Norwegian tanker Teddy (6,750 tons). On 11 November 1940, the Atlantis sank the British steamer Automedon (7,528 tons), which was carrying secret documents, including British naval dispositions in the Far East. These were later passed on to the Japanese, and were used in their war planning. The ship was escorted into Bordeaux, France.

In December 1940, the Atlantis began to use the Kerguelen Islands as a base, in order to effect repairs and resupply. On 18 December 1940, the Atlantis sank the British steamer Mandasor (5,144 tons). On 2 January 1941, the Atlantis sank the British steamer Speybank (5,154 tons). On 11 January 1941, the Atlantis sank the Norwegian motor ship Ketty Brøvig (7,031 tons), which was later taken to France as a prize. On 2 February 1941, the Atlantis sank the Norwegian tanker Ole Jacob (8,306 tons). These operations in the Indian Ocean were in support of Germany’s oil and cargo supply needs, and by mid-1941, the British were responding by increasing patrols, resulting in the sinking of multiple Axis ships in the Indian Ocean.

In April 1941, the Atlantis met up with the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer, and the raider Orion, where the Atlantis transferred prisoners and fuel, and received provisions from the Admiral Scheer. The Admiral Scheer was kept supplied from the remote location by Atlantis for three months. On 14 May 1941, the Atlantis sank the British steamer Rabaul (6,809 tons). On 24 May 1941, the Atlantis sank the British steamer Trafalgar (4,530 tons). The Atlantis spent June in the Pacific, sinking the New Zealand steamer Tottenham (4,762 tons) on 17 June 1941, and the British steamer Balzac (5,372 tons) on 23 June 1941. The search for targets was greatly assisted by the Atlantis’s seaplane, but the ship’s diesel engines required constant maintenance to keep the ship at sea.

South Atlantic and Sinking (November 1941)

In July 1941, the Atlantis returned to the South Atlantic to resume operations. The Atlantis sank the British steamer Silvaplana (4,793 tons) on 10 September 1941, and the Egyptian steamer Zamzam (8,299 tons) on 17 April 1941, which was carrying neutral passengers and released. On 1 November 1941, the Atlantis sank the Norwegian motor ship Leopoldville (11,509 tons). By this stage, the Atlantis had sunk or captured 22 ships, with a combined tonnage of 145,697 tons, making the Atlantis the most successful German raider in terms of tonnage.

On 22 November 1941, while the Atlantis was trying to refuel from the U-boat U-126, the British heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire, with the heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire in support, was tracking the raider and opened fire from 17,000 yards. The Atlantis, which was disguised as the Dutch merchantman Polyphemus, was immediately hit several times by 8-inch gun fire. The raider was unable to return fire and, before it was lost in the smoke, Rogge ordered the ship scuttled, and the crew abandoned ship. The Atlantis had been hit numerous times and was suffering catastrophic damage to her engines and hull. The Devonshire had opened fire, and the Atlantis was sinking. The shipwreck is at coordinates . Rogge was ordered to ensure that any survivors were picked up and transported to Argentina and Brazil, but Rogge instead ordered U-126 to tow a lifeboat with 343 survivors back to Germany, where they were interned. Devonshire withdrew and returned to Freetown to refuel and avoid being attacked by U-boats. The German crew that was saved by U-126 was transferred onto supply ships and returned to Germany. The sinking of the Atlantis was only the most recent in a long list of sinkings that the Devonshire had achieved at this point of the war. By this point of the war, the British were coordinating intelligence and information gathering, along with operations in all oceans, and finding and neutralizing the Kriegsmarine’s commerce raiders had become easier.

Legacy

The Atlantis had the longest cruise of any German raider, and it had completed its mission and was operating again in the South Atlantic by July 1941. The Atlantis had sunk or captured 22 ships for a total tonnage of 145,697 tons in the 622 days at sea it had taken. This cruise was successful, with the capture of the Automedon providing secret information that would be used by the Japanese, and the Allied presence in the Indian Ocean being distracted to combat the loss of supply ships and oil tankers that were caused by its mine-laying operations and its engagement with armed merchant cruisers like the Alcantara. The renewed effort to stop the Atlantis by the Allies also forced an increase in patrols in the Indian Ocean, and multiple Axis ships were sunk. The capture of the Atlantis was a victory for the Allies, as the ship’s career had been a thorn in their side during a critical period of the war.

The Atlantis’s legacy was largely that it demonstrated the Kriegsmarine’s ability to exert force by proxy through surprise, stealth, and endurance. In this way, the Atlantis’s effectiveness is largely the result of its crew, under the command of Rogge, their discipline and training, and the deception tactics. The ship was both reliable and, given her use as a raider, had multiple measures to keep the ship out of range of her opponents by disguises, intelligence, and contacts that the crew would make while operating in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. The Atlantis’s mission to capture or sink merchant ships while disguised as neutral vessels or Allied ships in peacetime to avoid detection has been used by navies worldwide.

final thoughts

In conclusion, the HSK Atlantis was a German auxiliary cruiser and commerce raider that operated in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans during World War II. The Atlantis had a disguised appearance, while it had a strong battery of guns, a seaplane, and was able to disguise its presence by firing from false positions. These features allowed the ship to undertake long-range operations in all three oceans during World War II, sinking 22 ships with a total tonnage of 145,697, and it was one of the most successful commerce raiders of the war. The Atlantis was eventually sunk by the British heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire in November 1941, but its mission to capture or sink merchant ships while disguised as neutral vessels or Allied ships in peacetime to avoid detection has been used by navies worldwide.