The Orion had originally been converted into an auxiliary cruiser for commerce raiding.
At the beginning of 1945, it was used to transport refugees and wounded people from Germany’s eastern territories westwards.
On 4 May 1945, the ship was sailing towards Copenhagen. Cabins, passageways and the upper deck were overcrowded with women, children and wounded members of the Wehrmacht.
Around 500 crewmen rescued from the damaged cruiser Schlesien were also taken aboard.
Off Swinemünde, the ship was bombed and sunk.
Only about 150 of more than 4,000 people on board survived according to the figures given here.