| Accession Number | P03626.017 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | At sea |
| Date made | c February 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
View of the unarmed tanker Altmark which served as a supply ship and prison ship for seamen ...
Description
View of the unarmed tanker Altmark which served as a supply ship and prison ship for seamen captured by several German surface raiders, including the pocketship Panzerschiffe Admiral Graf Spee. The Altmark, carrying approximately 300 British Merchant sailors, took refuge in neitral Norwegian waters after encountering the British cruiser Arethusa with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla. Under orders from Churchill to board the Altmark, HMS Cossack tried to pull alongside the Altmark, which tried to ram her. In doing so, the Altmark succeeded in running herself aground, at which point, British sailors rushed on board, freeing the 300 Merchant sailors on board. The Altmark was refloated at high tide and returned home to Germany.