Raider war

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] "• In the Indian Ocean 300 miles east of the Seychelles, an He-114 seaplane from German armed merchant cruiser Atlantis bombs and strafes British 5,100 ton Mandasor and orders her to heave-to. Her captain’s response is to take evasive action and increase speed. Atlantis overtakes the steamer, which is carrying 2,000 tons of pig iron & 1,800 tons of tea from Calcutta, and opens fire, expending sixty-one 15cm shells to gain eight hits. Several hours are spent transferring fresh food and tea to the German ship before demolition charges and a torpedo send Mandasor to the bottom. On landing, the He-114 capsizes in choppy water and has to be sunk, robbing Atlantis of invaluable spotting capabilities. Four Allied cruisers search the area without success."

 

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] "• German raider Orion, operating in the Pacific, receives a Nakajima E8N floatplane to replace her own floatplane which has broken down. "

 

E8N aboard Orion. Hilfskreuzer floatplanes are painted with British markings in an attempt to mislead vessels spotted.