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  Thor (HSK 4, Schiff 10) Raider E
Kriegsmarine
Auxilliary Cruiser

9,200 Tons
122m x 16.7m x 7.1 m
6 x 150mm guns
2 x 37mm guns
4 x 20mm canons
4 x 21" torpedo tubes
1 x Arado Ar 196

Ship History
Built by Deutsche Werft Hamburg, (DWH) in Hamburg, Germany during 1938. Named Santa Cruz the vessel was owned by Oldenburg Portuguese Line (OPDR). During the winter of 1939 requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) and converted to a war ship by Deutsche Werft Hamburg.

Wartime History
During March 1940, commissioned as a commerce raider Thor (HSK 4) named after the Germanic deity under the command of Captain Otto Kähler. Also known as Schiff 10. This vessel was code named "Raider E" by the Royal Navy.

First Cruise
On June 6, 1940 departed Germany begining 328 days at sea that resulted in the sinking or capturing twelve ships with a combined tonnage of 96,547 before returning to Germany in the middle of April 1940.

Second Cruise
Departed November 30, 1941 under the command of Captain Günther Gumprich. During 328 days at sea, sank or captured 10 ships total of 58,644 tons. Operated in the Indian Ocean At the end of her cruise, steamed via Batavia then onward to Yokohama arriving October 9, 1942 for refit in prepairation for another cruise.

Sinking History
On November 30, 1942 while moored alongside Uckermark in Yokohama Harbor, an explosion aboard the supply ship caused burning debris to land on Thor, Nankin/Leuthen and Unkai Maru, destroying all four ships. The fire damaged Thor beyond repair and twelve of her crew were killed. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

Fates of the Crew
Many of the surviving crew boarded the blockade runner Doggerbank in an attempt to return to Eurpoe. Ironically, on March 3, 1943 Doggerbank was mistakenly sunk by U-43 with all but one crew lost at sea.

References
YouTube "Hilfskreuzer (Auxiliary Cruiser Raider) Thor visiting Japan"

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Last Updated
September 8, 2023

 

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