At the beginning of the war, the Kriegsmarine used auxiliary
cruisers to great affect, with hidden weapons and they usually
approached there target under a false flag and with guns concealed.
The ships themselves averaging approximately 7,000 tons. Armament
usually was made up of six 15 cm guns, between two and six
torpedo tubes, and a collection of 4 cm, 3.7 cm, and 2 cm
automatic weapons. The vast majority of these merchant raiders
kept on board an Arado Ar-196 seaplane for reconnaissance.
Kormoran, Komet, and Michel were also supplied with motor
torpedo boats. The first Hilfskreuzer began its mission in
March 1940, briefly before the Norwegian campaign.
German Warships, 1815-1945: Major Surface Vessels.
ISBN-10: 0851775330
German Warships, 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels.
ISBN-10: 155750301X
German warships of the Second World War.
ISBN-10: 0668040378
For a complete list of
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