The engine was built by Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau (Deschimag), Wesermünde.

[1] Gustav Adolf Kühling was built by Deschimag as yard number 498 in 1929 for the Hochseefisherei J Wieting AG, Wesermünde.

On 4 September, her port of registry was changed to Wesermünde and the fishing registration PG 478 was allocated.

From 1 March to mid-April, she operated in the Denmark Strait in support of the auxiliary cruiser Atlantis,[4] which was to escape into the Atlantic Ocean.

On 1 May, she was ordered to Hardangerfjord to supply coal to Kvitsøy, which had been impressed into German service as a troop transport.

On 2 May, she was ordered to assist in the recovery of material from Cläre Hugo Stinnes 1, which had been attacked by HMS Trident and had been beached in Korsfjord.

Her destination was an area north east of Iceland where she was to operate in support of the auxiliary cruiser Widder.

Adolf Vinnen sailed two days later to relieve Fritz Homann east of Iceland.

Two of them had died by the time they were rescued on 25 October by the Norwegian trawler Odin 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of Stadlandet.