GERMAN TRAGEDY OF DESTINY
German casualties in the second world war


Orion






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The 'Orion' was an auxiliary cruiser converted for trade war.

At the beginning of 1945 the ship was used to carry refugees and wounded from the eastern territories of Germany to the west.

On 4 May 1945 the vessel was on the trip to Copenhagen. In addition of the booths every passages and the entire upper deck were overcrowded with women, children and wounded members of the Wehrmacht.

In addition, 500 crew members of the cruiser 'Schlesien' were taken in, rescued from their sinking ship.

Off Swinemünde the vessel was bombed and sunk.

Only about 150 of more than 4,000 refugees on board survived the attack.

4,000 dead

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