Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

I am trying to find some photos of the German minelayer/ auxiliary cruiser, “Nordlinger”. I‘m not sure of the correct spelling.

This was one of the ships that operated in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and was instrumental in the mining of Bass Strait; it was also in the company of the “Kormoran” before it met the HMAS “SYDNEY”.

The source of this info is my father-in-law who served on this ship at the time.

Could you provide me with some direction?

Thankyou,
W. Macfarlane

Dear Sir,
 
I can find no reference to Nordlinger.  The German raider Pinguin captured the Norwegian tanker Storstad, and turned her into an auxiliary mine layer, and renamed her Passat.

She laid mines successfully in Bass Strait to claim some victims.

Nordmark was a supply ship for Kormoran at one stage.

The only other ship captured by German raiders and converted to an auxiliary minelayer that I am aware of, was Speybank, she then was renamed Doggerbank.

I will E-Mail you separately a report on Mine Laying by German ships in Australian waters in WW2, but no mention of a ship called Nordlinger.

Could you please ask your Father - in - law for some more details?

Best regards, 
Mac. Gregory.