World War II Today

World War II Today

Nazi 'Pirates' in the Pacific

26th November 1940: ‘Hilfskreuzers’ - warships disguised as merchantmen begin a trail of destruction on the other side of the world

Nov 26, 2025
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The Komet was a relatively small ship of 3287 tons gross register, built in 1937 as the Ems for the Norddeutscher Lloyd. Propelled by two oil-engines geared to a single shaft, she had a speed of about 15 knots. She was armed with six 5·9-inch guns, nine light anti-aircraft guns, six deck and four underwater torpedo-tubes. She carried one Arado seaplane …

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© 2025 Martin Cherrett
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