A group of confident novice sailors recently arrived at the train station in the German town of Stralsund, where, together with the rest of the group (13), they entered marine training school where they started their careers.

Dressed in blue uniforms, in high spirits, they later boarded the Schlageter at the port of Kiel where they later sailed towards Gotenhafen during February 1944, on a voyage that would be one of adaptation and training on the new ship that they would call "home" in the supposed coming years... On what would be the first and last initial voyage to Gotenhafen, the crew of the "ALS" would train naval maneuvers, weapon firing, maintenance of equipment, material and machinery and would even have to compete in tournaments, while sailing alongside the "sister ship" "SSS Horst Wessel", a voyage that would transform them from "land rats into sailors...

In a series of future publications and using the diary of the German sailor "Hans Heinrich" to which we had access (courtesy of his son) and pleasure in translating, we will leave excerpts that we consider to be of interest to readers...

"Friday, February 4, 1944 - we finally got on board our ship, we were finally on board. We tried to enjoy the view but the chaos and stress took over the rest of the day, with bags and supplies to load and unpack, there was a lot to do..."

"Saturday, February 5, 1944 - the day didn't start well as we had to take a shower, half-naked on the upper deck, it was a nightmare. We continued loading supplies and later practiced how to store things in a miniature replica of a closet, I managed it...."

"Sunday, February 6, 1944 - first Sunday on board, we spent the morning washing the ship. The "SSS Horst Wessel" sailed past our dock today, what a beautiful ship and sight. I wrote letters and washed clothes in the afternoon, which was unpleasant because the room was full..."

"February 7-9, 1944 - the real service began, we trained and had lessons in knowledge and behavior in the barracks and on deck..."

"February 10-13, 1944 - we all heard rumors and wanted to know when we were going to leave port. The day is approaching but we are still at the docks. There are always problems and many preparations to make..."

"Monday, February 14, 1944, the day of our first trip out of port, finally arrived...."

"Tuesday, February 15, 1944 - the bad weather has disappeared, the sky is blue and there is a light sea breeze, we are going to weigh anchor. We are under escort because there is a danger of mines. From 8-10 p.m. I was on duty on deck, It was a cold wind, I could barely move with all the clothes I was wearing..."

"Wednesday, February 16, 1944 - we approached the coast of the island of Rügen. In the distance we saw the ship "Cap Arcona"..."

"Thursday, February 17, 1944 - Commander "Joachim Asmus" welcomed us on board and at the end we introduced ourselves individually. The ship ran aground on a rock today and the engine suddenly stopped, thank God it was just a sandbank..."

"Friday, February 18, 1944 - we arrived in Gotenhafen with the beautiful mountains in the background. In the harbor, our war fleet was waiting, the "Schlesian", "Admiral Scheer", "Emden", "Nürnberg" and "Schleswig - Holstein". The wind is picking up and we are anchored in Winnenden, we have to make sure the ship stays anchored..."

"February 19-20, 1944 - the tugboats are coming, they're going to anchor us near to the "Cap Arcona" and some schnellboots. What an incredible sight this is, thinking that only four weeks ago I was just a recruit..."

"Monday, February 21, 1944 - normal service as usual. Today a schnellboot departed, if I could I would join these lucky colleagues. It snows non-stop, winter won't go away..."

"Tuesday, February 22, 1944 - the fourth platoon is on watch again and I am on duty below deck. We have to wash the ship but I need to finish my log and some letters..."

"Wednesday, February 23, 1944 - today we went out and visited "Cap Arcona".

"Thursday, February 24, 1944 - food and more food. Today we worked catering on the lower deck and I ate chicken and canned fruit. Hungry sailors..."

"Friday, February 25, 1944 - Cleaning day again, the whole crew washed and scrubbed. I have never seen the ship as clean as today..."

"February 27-29, 1944 - we gathered on deck in the presence of Vice Admiral Thiele. We visited the ship "Wilhelm Gustloff"..."

"SSS Albert Leo Schlageter is currently the Portuguese school ship "NRP Sagres"

We spoke with Dankward Heinrich, the son of "Hans", who authorized us to produce this and other articles based on his father's records and photographic data.

António Fragoeiro e Dankward Heinrich