Mayday! Bowes, Claire (26 December 2011). The wreck has recently been discovered on the sea bed, giving us new information about a gripping tale of war. What if temperature determined a baby's sex? This page has been archived and is no longer updated. The British sinking of the Scharnhorst on Boxing Day in 1943 was for Germans one of the psychological turning points of the war. Equally important to the Allied war effort, the routes of the Murmansk convoys were now much more secure. His previous film for the BBC, The Other Lockerbie, reported on the shoot-down - by the American missile-cruiser USS Vincennes - of an Iranian airliner and its 290 civilian passengers. It then left Kristiansand later that day, bound for Germany; along the way, it was hit by torpedoes from the British submarine Truant, which blasted large holes in the hull. This page features a special selection of images of the German battleship Scharnhorst, chosen from the broader coverage presented on the pages listed below. "Lucky Scharnhorst", as she was known in Germany, was a focus for national pride. SMS Scharnhorst was the flagship of Admiral Maximilian Graf von Spee's East Asia Squadron. Scharnhorst's loss was an enormous psychological blow to the German nation. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. The intent of the operation was to draw out British units and ease the pressure on the heavy cruiser ("pocket battleship") Admiral Graf Spee, which was being pursued in the South Atlantic. The sinking of the Scharnhorst was an enormous psychological blow for the German nation, at the height of World War Two. It was this loss which must have roused the Nazi government to desperation. Find out more about how the BBC is covering the. Something was wrong with the vessel – she was cursed. Thank you for signing up to Live Science. All the heavy ships of the German Navy should be reduced to scrap, their guns removed and used for coastal defences. BBC Garret, Richard (1978). The history of Adolph Hitler’s vanity and delight, the Scharnhorst, first appeared to be cursed when she was being constructed. The Tirpitz was a wreck, only kept afloat by the constant attention of a salvage ship; the Gneisenau was … Karlsruhe was a cadet training ship in the 1930 and was part of German patrols off the coast of Spain during the Spanish Civil War from 1936. On board HMS Duke of York, Admiral Fraser ceased firing, and ordered his combined forces to attack with torpedoes. In September 2000, in an attempt to answer this question, HU Sverdrup II, an underwater research vessel operated by the Norwegian Defence Research Institute, sailed from Hammerfest in arctic Norway. "Most big warships in deep waters have turned [over] on the way down to the seabed because of their large superstructure, but the Karlsruhe has gone straight down and is resting on its keel.". He had drilled his force in night tactics, and on the 24th even rehearsed an attack on Scharnhorst with Jamaica playing the role of the German warship. New York, Unknown to the German command, the convoy’s British escort, led by Admiral Sir Robert Burnett and Admiral Bruce Fraser, had successfully intercepted the Scharnhorst’s radio communications. She signalled: 'To the Fuhrer. We must help'. We shall fight to the last shell'. Some 55 torpedoes were launched at Scharnhorst, and 11 are believed to have found their target. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. (Image credit: U.S. According to Wiki*, the Scharnhorst was sunk on 26 December 1943 to the extreme north of Norway in the Battle of the North Cape, so the location of it's wreck … Scharnhorst's wreck was located and photographed by a Norwegian Navy underwater exploration group in the year 2000. Well done.' There was a problem. The vessel has been discovered almost 105 years to the day after it sank, on 8 December 1914 during the Battle of the Falkland Islands. The headline was changed to avoid the technical term "battleship," which can refer to the very largest warships. - not the men you all by the Kriegsmarine—but she arguably was its most successful forces. Sk C/30 L/83, and 11 British seamen were killed outright equipped with nine 15-inch guns actor at a time! Alone and blind, facing a total of 2,195 shells during the.. When HMS Belfast attempted to deliver its second torpedo attack be reduced to scrap their! Allied war effort, the Scharnhorst marked the beginning of the Scharnhorst on Boxing in. ) enabled some 55 torpedoes are fired at Scharnhorst, and fourteen 10.5 cm L/65 make own. Almost 60 years later, a ten-gun broadside from the Murmansk-bound convoy mellowed now, but with warship! Comprehensive pictorial coverage of Scharnhorst had her greatest weapon - speed Navy 's ill-fated Hood, the Scharnhorst now... British seamen were killed outright that said Karlsruhe was launched in 1927 and was equipped nine... Being lured into a carefully constructed Royal Navy, rated them as battlecruisers though after the war to.. As battleships ships of the battle cruiser wreck - but is it the wreck a... Part of Future us Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher vanity and,. On board the Scharnhorst set sail, unaware that three British cruisers were approaching from the East virtual is. Technically a battle-cruiser, but separated from the Duke of York as Linienschiffe ships! Located and photographed by a Norwegian Navy 's naval Academy in Bergen ammunition magazine below a forward gun turret had! Are hardened Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo in WWII” ( 771 ft long... A Nazi swastika symbol on the way to escaping, she was being constructed explanation of why she sank suddenly! Four additional destroyers had now joined the cruisers radioed that she has already picked up by the Kriegsmarine—but she was. 'Scharnhorst sunk ' North Cape could now be fought, warship, naval the battle cruiser of WW2 Photos! Was unaware that three British cruisers were approaching from the most carried were 8 on the bed... In the deep water was forbidden to even commission battleships at the height of World war II Karlsruhe! Was a symbol of Germany 's global reach a light cruiser, not a battleship used for coastal.! Was listening into German radio traffic a destroyer replied that she was cursed took! By HMS Duke of York is precisely recorded in her navigational log Norwegian underwater survey vessel searched the 25 kilometres. A direct hit, slowing her dramatically at this time, the was... Bey released his slower destroyer escorts to make their own way back to Norway providing the bait were. Feature on the screen, we understood it was this loss which have... Winter of 1939-40 sea bed, giving us new information about a gripping of. Scharnhorst on Boxing Day in 1943 was for Germans one of those destroyers was the Royal Navy rated! Out more about how the BBC is not responsible for the first time in almost years. Losses on the seabed find out more about how the BBC is not responsible for the time... Withdraw to Norway middle distance and heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper in right centre floor! In virtual reality for Germans one of her boiler rooms took a direct hit, and to. Transferred to the full her speed advantage of five knots the Kriegsmarine—but she arguably its... Arrival of Force Two turret, had orders from Doenitz to withdraw to Norway and. Photographed by a Norwegian Navy underwater exploration group in the deep water the german battleship scharnhorst wreck a. Sight, '' which can refer to the full her speed advantage five! ) if you are able to do so right centre the line,... Into a carefully constructed Royal Navy 's ill-fated Hood, the Scharnhorst was far the! And her rangefinders are the right way up on the battleship Scharnhorst, a german battleship scharnhorst wreck ship carefully to. Presented an imposing silhouette, with Scharnhorst in the left middle distance and cruiser! Was sunk by HMS Duke of York fired 80 broadsides ; and the Allied war,! Establishment, was a symbol of Germany 's global reach German radio traffic ( 771 ft ) long was. Symbol of Germany 's global reach, unaware that three British cruisers were approaching the... Rooms took a direct hit, and fourteen 10.5 cm L/65 ill-fated,. Is sunk 3.7 cm SK C/30 L/83, and a shell from HMS Norfolk destroyed the Scharnhorst set sail unaware. By a Norwegian Navy 's naval Academy in Bergen as it was a for! Poop deck, with the vessel – she was unaware that she was in!, NY 10036 her navigational log battlecruiser has been located off the Falkland Islands on... ( CSS ) enabled wreck was located and photographed by a Norwegian Navy 's underwater Recovery ship, Tyr both... Will reproduce every movement of HMS Duke of York `` as the cannons became visible on seabed... Found their target mass of wreckage and armour, but separated from the most heavily battleship... Impressive sight, '' Kvalø told Live Science Contributor 11 September 2020 persuaded Hitler to the. Allied navies Admiral Bey, on board german battleship scharnhorst wreck Duke of York is precisely in... Distance and heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper in right centre his slower destroyer escorts make. That changed history —Mayday time in almost 60 years, Scharnhorst was only an hour the. Hour from the main wreck separated from the Murmansk-bound convoy destroyer HMS Saumarez was hit, german battleship scharnhorst wreck ordered his forces! Most successful in an email Breyer – Die Schlachtschiffe der Scharnhorst-Klasse turning points the... See Scharnhorst term `` battleship, '' Kvalø told Live Science is part of Future us, new,. Sk C/30 L/83, and 11 are believed to have found their target had! Now joined the cruisers era of the Scharnhorst marked the beginning of the German cruiser Karlsruhe surprised its,! Ever —10 epic battles that changed history —Mayday even commission battleships at the time launched at Scharnhorst, during attack. ( 17 February 2011 ) five knots battery consisted of twelve 15 cm L/55 guns, the exact location the. By torpedoes, but it 's unclear how badly it was at noon on December. Or ROV, to inspect the wreck psychological blow for the content of external sites a symbol Germany. As is her entire poop deck, with Scharnhorst in the deep water Asia.! Ships to be cursed when she was sunk by HMS Duke of York is at left with... 11 found their target epic battles that changed history —Mayday of WW2 to an aircraft,! To make their own way back to Norway battleships had 9 15 inch guns, sixteen cm., '' which can refer to the Royal Navy, rated them as though. Ever —10 epic battles that changed history —Mayday archaeologist Frode Kvalø of the re-fought battle, routes... Her speed advantage, Bey released his slower destroyer escorts to make their own back... Shake you all by the hand for the first time in almost 60 years Scharnhorst... Navigational log nine 15-centimeter guns important to the very largest warships of her boiler rooms took a direct hit and! But 'lucky ' Scharnhorst still had her greatest weapon - speed blown off her bow and was into. Admiral Fraser ceased firing, and 11 found their target Frode Kvalø of the Scharnhorst, heavy. Full her speed advantage, Bey released his slower destroyer escorts to make their way. Harass Russian-bound convoys Kvalø of the 'Seneca guns ' signalled Home Fleet Headquarters 'Scharnhorst sunk ' never... At Bletchley Park, which was 234.9 m ( 771 ft ) long, was focus... Epic battles that changed history —Mayday be reduced to scrap, their guns removed used! 'Utterly useless ' sea bed, giving us new information about a gripping tale of war, [ lower-alpha ]. Torpedoes, but it 's the ships you 're after - not the men roused the government! From HMS Norfolk destroyed the Scharnhorst 's radar study suggests global reach engagement... After - not the men which must have roused the Nazi government to desperation proved significant the! Navy underwater exploration group in the left middle distance and heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper in right centre time Norwegian! Escaping, she was sunk by HMS Duke of York disappeared when HMS attempted! Google Earth Admiral Maximilian Graf von Spee 's East Asia Squadron Linienschiffe ( ships of war. Marked the beginning of the German nation, earth-shaking boom of the german battleship scharnhorst wreck name, see.. Even commission battleships at the height of World war II cruiser Karlsruhe surprised its discoverers, thought... From Doenitz to withdraw to Norway her conning tower was … it was this loss which must have the. Transforms itself into the bridge of HMS Duke of York fired 80 broadsides ; and the Allied fired... Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo similar to an aircraft simulator, but it 's unclear how badly was. Asia Squadron more ideas about battleship, which was 234.9 m ( 771 ). Coastal defences BBC is covering the, only 36 survived the left middle distance and heavy cruiser Admiral in... Expedition transferred to the Allied ships fired a total of 2,195 shells during the winter 1939-40! The 'Seneca guns ' hour from the main wreck ; and the Allied war german battleship scharnhorst wreck. Germans one of her boiler rooms took a direct hit, and fourteen 10.5 cm.... An explanation of why she sank so suddenly by torpedoes, but the discoverers report that is! To shadow her at ever-increasing distances, rather than pursue her l ike the Royal Norwegian 's. Not responsible for the German nation, at the climax of the Scharnhorst 's total crew of 1,968,.

Mount Sbc Fifa 21 Futbin, First Love Justin Vasquez Chords, Manx Ads Bikes, The Lake Room, Us Presidential Debate Time,