Auxiliary Cruiser Orion

History
27 March 30: Launched as the Kurmark by Blohm und Voss in Hamburg under the Hamburg-America Line. 1930-1939: Served as a merchant ship in the German Handelsmarine. 9 December 39:Commissioned into the Kriegsmarine as HSK 1, otherwise knownas Hilfskreuzer Orion. 30 March 40: Orion set sail from Kiel, but was quickly ordered to remain in coastal waters to avoid leaving at the same time as Hilfskrueuzer Atlantis. 6 April 40:Orion set sail once more, this time from Süder Piep onthe west coast of Schleswig-Holstein, with orders to head for the PacificOcean. The Orion was disguised as the Dutch freighter Beemsterdijk.
Commanders
Korv.Kap. Kurt Weyher

History

27 March 30: Launched as the Kurmark by Blohm und Voss in Hamburg under the Hamburg-America Line.

1930-1939: Served as a merchant ship in the German Handelsmarine.

9 December 39:Commissioned into the Kriegsmarine as HSK 1, otherwise knownas Hilfskreuzer Orion.

30 March 40: Orion set sail from Kiel, but was quickly ordered to remain in coastal waters to avoid leaving at the same time as Hilfskrueuzer Atlantis.

6 April 40:Orion set sail once more, this time from Süder Piep onthe west coast of Schleswig-Holstein, with orders to head for the PacificOcean. The Orion was disguised as the Dutch freighter Beemsterdijk.

Commanders

Korv.Kap. Kurt Weyher