At the
beginning of the war, the Kriegsmarine used auxiliary cruisers to great affect,
with hidden weapons and they usually approached there target under a false flag
and with guns concealed. The ships themselves averaging approximately 7,000 tons.
Armament usually was made up of six 15 cm guns, between two and six torpedo tubes,
and a collection of 4 cm, 3.7 cm, and 2 cm automatic weapons. The vast majority
of these merchant raiders kept on board an Arado Ar-196 seaplane for reconnaissance.
Kormoran, Komet, and Michel were also supplied with motor torpedo boats. The first
Hilfskreuzer began its mission in March 1940, briefly before the Norwegian campaign.
German
Warships, 1815-1945: Major Surface Vessels.
ISBN-10: 0851775330
German
Warships, 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels.
ISBN-10: 155750301X
German warships of the Second World War.
ISBN-10: 0668040378
For a complete list of
sources 
