Kriegsmarine or German Navy during WWII photo gallery

  
Bordfliegerkommando 1/196 Battleship Scharnhorst


Kriegsmarine KMS Battleship Scharnhorst

Kriegsmarine KMS Battleship Scharnhorst

Capacity: The ship can plan up to 4 aircraft of type: Ar. 196 on board. 2 aircraft on board in the hangar, 2 aircraft on the catapult.

Accommodation: 1 aircraft hangar behind the chimney, accommodation for 2 aircraft (with folded wings), one behind the other Arched 2-part hall roof, can be pushed open. At the end of June 1939, the hangar was lengthened by approx. 8 m, making it possible to hold 3 aircraft one behind the other in the hangar. Now 3-part sunroof.

Centrifugal device: 2 compressed air operated DWK catapult of type FL 22 with 14 m acceleration length. Locations: The front catapult was on a 6.85 m high tower, on which it could be swiveled through 360 ° (conversion June 1939, work platform and catapult placed on the hall roof, in front of the main mast). The rear catapult (expansion in March 1940) was built on tower C, but had no tower-independent slewing mechanism.

Takeover facility: 2 boat cranes on the upper deck, each star and port. 1 aircraft moving crane on the port side of the aft deckhouse (expansion March 1940). A Hein's landing sail on the port side, 4.5 m wide and 11.5m long, was on a spar that could be swiveled by 90 °, on which it rolled. (Expansion March 1940)

 

  Airborne Command 1/196 from August 26, 1939 - November 30, 1939
Training and testing in the Baltic Sea, company 'NORD STREIFE' / Northern Patrol (21.11. - 27.11.39)
Code: Aircraft type: WNr: Period: Departure: Remarks:
T3SH He 60   August 00, 1939 08/30/1939 Taken over in Wilhemlshaven To the Wilhelmshaven shipyard, damaged during deployment. Exchange for Ar. 196.
T3UH He 60   August 00, 1939 08/30/1939 Taken over in Wilhemlshaven To the Wilhelmshaven shipyard, partial overhaul. Exchange for Ar. 196.
T3ZH He 60   08/26/1939 08/30/1939 Taken over in Wilhemlshaven Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven. Exchange for Ar. 196.
T3DH Ar. 196 A1 1960013 27.08.1939 01.09.1939 15.10.1939 08/28/1939 09/27/1939 11/29/1939 Taken over in Wilhemlshaven Taken over to Brunsbüttel-Reede Taken over at berth A2, DW Kiel. To Wilhelmshaven to install a fog machine. Released to Kiel-Holtenau Submission / 23.11. - Damaged during battle by SA air pressure, unusable.
T3EH Ar. 196 A1 1960026 01.09.1939 18.10.1939 11.10.1939 09/21/1939 10/24/1939 11/29/1939 Taken over at Brunsbüttel roadstead Taken over at berth A2, DW Kiel. Taken over at Brunsbüttel roadstead After Kiel-Holtenau released start to Wilhelmshaven. Submission / 23.11. - Damaged during battle by SA air pressure, unusable.
T3FH Ar. 196 A1 1960020 01.09.1939 15.10.1939 09/21/1939 11/29/1939 Taken over at Brunsbüttel roadstead Taken over at berth A2, DW Kiel. Released to Kiel-Holtenau Submission / 27.11. - Failure due to marine damage, unusable
T3HH Ar. 196 A1 1960019 10/22/1939 October 24,1939 Taken over at berth A2, DW Kiel. Start to Wilhelmshaven.
T3LH Ar. 196 A1 19600 .. 10/30/1939 11/10/1939 Taken over at buoy A 10 in Kiel. To Wilhelmshaven for repairs.

 



Luftwaffe crews aboard Battleship Scharnhorst
Training trips, trials and company 'RHEINÜBUNG' from 03/15/1941 - 05/27/1941:
Position: Rank/Name: On board: From board: Remarks:
Relay Captain / Advisor BdP Major Hermann Lessing 10/22/1939 October 24, 1939 Start to Wilhelmshaven.
1. Air officer / observer Obltn. (M) Jürgen Quaet-Faslem August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
2. Pilot officer / observer Obltn. (M) Peter Schrewe August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Siegmann August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Ofw. Kroll August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Uffz. Hans Ritter August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Uffz. Schmidt August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Embarked technical maintenance personnel
I. Board attendant Uffz. Hans Eich August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Ground staff/technology Uffz. Gremmel August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. Hermann Rieger August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. woodpecker August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. Demel August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Ground staff/technology Frozen Gottwald August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
Ground staff/technology Frozen Blendermann August 00, 1939 11/30/1939 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
September 28,1939 to October 16,1939 - shipyard lay at DW Kiel, due to repairs. 11/30/1939 - flight section canceled from board.

 

  Airborne Command 1/196 from 02/13/1940 - 03/27/1940
Exercises on Schillig-Reede, company 'NORDMARK' (18. - 21.02.40)
Code: Aircraft type: WNr: Period: Departure: Remarks:
T3HH Ar. 196 A2 1960034 02/13/1940 03/27/1940 Taken at Wilhemlshaven-Fliegerdeich Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.
T3NH Ar. 196 A2 1960040 02/13/1940 03/06/1940 Taken at Wilhemlshaven-Fliegerdeich Schillig-Roadstead, crashed on a training flight.
T3KH Ar. 196 A2 1960039 03/12/1940 03/27/1940 Taken over at Wilhelmshaven roadstead Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.
T3AH Ar. 196 A2 19600 .. 03/23/1940 03/27/1940 Taken over at Wilhelmshaven roadstead Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.

 



Luftwaffe crews aboard Battleship Scharnhorst
Position: Rank/Name: On board: From board: Remarks:
Relay Captain / Advisor BdP Hptm. Gerrit Wiegmink 02/14/1940 02/21/1940 For the relay in Wilhelmshaven.
1. Air officer / observer Obltn. (M) Jürgen Quaet-Faslem 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.
2. Pilot officer / observer Obltn. (M) Peter Schrewe 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Heinz Steudel 02/14/1940 † March 6th, 1940 Schillig-Roadstead, crashed on a training flight.
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Ernst-Joachim v. Kuhlberg 03/23/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.
Pilot Ofw. Kroll 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.
Pilot Uffz. Hans Ritter 02/14/1940 † March 6th, 1940 Schillig-Roadstead, crashed on a training flight.
Pilot Uffz. Ludwig 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.
Pilot Obltn. Fright 03/23/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron. Ready to call.
Embarked technical maintenance personnel
Foreman Fw. Hans Eich 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron
I. Board attendant Uffz. Josef Luxemburger 02/14/1940 04/13/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Ground staff/technology Uffz. Demel 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. Hermann Rieger 02/14/1940 04/13/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Ground staff/technology Frozen Goosses 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Ground staff/technology Frozen Abel 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Ground staff/technology Frozen Botermann 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Maste r-at-Arms Frozen judges 02/14/1940 03/27/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Mechanic ^engine fitter Frozen Heinz Schicke 03/23/1940 06/20/1940 Changed from board to NUREMBERG
Ground staff/technology H.Gefr. Eating body 04/04/1940 04/13/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. Martin Liess 04/04/1940 04/13/1940 Back from board to the squadron
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. Dohmen 04/04/1940 04/13/1940 Back from board to the squadron
03/27/1940 to 04/04/1940 - Aircraft and flight personnel ready for call at the squadron in Wilhemshaven.

 

  Airborne Command 1/196 from 04/04/1940 -12/04/1940
Company 'WESERÜBUNG" (09. - 13.04.40)
Code: Aircraft type: WNr: Period: Departure: Remarks:
T3AH Ar. 196 A2 19600 .. 04/04/1940 04/10/1940 Taken over at Wilhelmshaven roadstead Start via Drontheim to Wilhelmshaven (April 12th)
T3HH Ar. 196 A2 1960034 04/04/1940 04/12/1940 Taken over at Wilhelmshaven roadstead Start of the reconnaissance flight, landing in Norderney.
T3KH Ar. 196 A2 1960039 04/04/1940 04/13/1940 Taken over at Wilhelmshaven roadstead Back to Horst Wilhelmshaven

 



Luftwaffe crews aboard Battleship Scharnhorst
Position: Rank/Name: On board: From board: Remarks:
Relay Captain / Advisor BdP Hptm. Gerrit Wiegmink 04/04/1940 04/13/1940 Back to Horst Wilhelmshaven
1. Air officer / observer Obltn. (M) Jürgen Quaet-Faslem 04/04/1940 04/12/1940 Start of the reconnaissance flight, landing in Norderney.
2. Pilot officer / observer Obltn. (M) Peter Schrewe 04/04/1940 04/10/1940 Start via Drontheim to Wilhelmshaven (April 12th)
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Ernst-Joachim v. Kuhlberg 04/04/1940 04/13/1940 Back to Horst Wilhelmshaven
Pilot Ofw. Kroll 04/04/1940 04/12/1940 Start of the reconnaissance flight, landing in Norderney.
Pilot Obltn. Fright 04/04/1940 04/10/1940 Start via Drontheim to Wilhelmshaven (April 12th)
Pilot Uffz. Ludwig 04/04/1940 04/13/1940 Back to Horst Wilhelmshaven
April 13th to 04.05.1940 - flight section with the squadron in Wilhemshaven.

 

  Airborne Command 1/196 from May 4th, 1940 - June 25th, 1940
Used aircraft:
Relocation to the Baltic Sea, fleet exercise, company 'NORD-NORWEGEN' / JUNO (04.06. - 22.06.40)
Code: Aircraft type: WNr: Period: Departure: Remarks:
T3DH Ar. 196 A2 1960068 05/04/1940 05/04/1940 Taken over in Wesermünde Start to Wilhelmshaven.
T3HH Ar. 196 A2 1960034 05/04/1940 05/11/1940 May 9, 1940 May 23, 1940 Taken over in Wesermünde Taken over in Kiel at buoy A12. Start to Wilhelmshaven. Start to Wilhelmshaven.
T3SH Ar. 196 A2 1960036 06/01/1940 06/08/1940 Taken over at buoy A12 in Kiel. Badly damaged by shooting by the SA. Flight unclear, is cannibalized.
T3AH Ar. 196 A2 19600 .. 05/06/1940 05/07/1940 Taken over in Wesermünde Back to Wilhelmshaven.
T3BH Ar. 196 A2 1960041 May 13, 1940 June 1, 1940 24.05.1940 06.22.1940 Taken over at buoy A12 in Kiel. Taken over at buoy A12 in Kiel. Back to Wilhelmshaven.
T3BK Ar. 196 A2 1960069 May 13, 1940 June 3, 1940 17.05.1940 06.14.1940 Taken over at buoy A12 in Kiel. Taken over at buoy A12 in Kiel. Start to Bug for the ZHB course delivery to cruiser NÜRNBERG
T3FH Ar. 196 A2 1960065 06/15/1940 06/22/1940 From Wilhelmshaven to Drontheim, takeover. Back to Wilhelmshaven.

 



Luftwaffe crews aboard Battleship Scharnhorst
Position: Rank/Name: On board: From board: Remarks:
1. Air officer / observer Obltn. (M) Peter Schrewe 05/06/1940 05/13/1940 06/01/1940 May 9, 1940 May 24,1940 June 22,1940 Start to Wilhelmshaven. Back to Wilhelmshaven.
2nd or 3rd flight officer / observer Ltn. (M) Heinz Reuter 04.05.1940 13.05.1940 06.01.1940 06.15.1940 05.07.1940 17.05.1940 10.06.1940 06.22.1940 Start to Wilhelmshaven. Start to bow to the target aid observer course in Drontheim ordered back to the relay Back to Wilhelmshaven.
2. Pilot officer / observer Obltn. (M) Siegfried Mühling 06/01/1940 06/14/1940 Assigned to the cruiser NÜRNBERG.
observer Uffz. Jost 05/11/1940 May 23, 1940 Start to Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Uffz. Ludwig 05.06.1940 13.05.1940 06.01.1940 06.15.1940 05.09.1940 24.05.1940 10.06.1940 06.22.1940 Start to Wilhelmshaven. Start to Wilhelmshaven. Ordered back to the squadron in Drontheim. Back to Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Uffz. Mohrmann 05/04/1940 05/13/1940 May 7, 1940 May 17, 1940 Start to Wilhelmshaven. Start to Bug for the ZHB course
Pilot Uffz. Walter Jakobsen 05/11/1940 May 23, 1940 Start to Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Uffz. Galliant 06/01/1940 06/22/1940 Start to Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Uffz. Josef Kempfle 06/01/1940 06/14/1940 Assigned to the cruiser NÜRNBERG.
Embarked technical maintenance personnel
I. Board attendant Uffz. Josef Luxemburger 05/04/1940 06/25/1940 Kiel, return to the squadron in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology H.Gefr. Eating body 05/04/1940 06/25/1940 Kiel, return to the squadron in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Hermann Rieger 05/04/1940 06/25/1940 Kiel, return to the squadron in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Martin Liess 05/04/1940 06/25/1940 Kiel, return to the squadron in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Goosses 05/04/1940 May 25, 1940 Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Dohmen 05/04/1940 06/25/1940 Kiel, return to the squadron in Wilhelmshaven
Master-at-Arms Ob.Fr. Judge 05/04/1940 May 25, 1940 Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Mechanic + engine fitter Frozen Heinz Schicke 03/23/1940 06/20/1940 Changed from board to NUREMBERG
Ground staff / technology Flg. brain 05/04/1940 06/25/1940 Kiel, return to the squadron in Wilhelmshaven
25.05. until 01.06.1940 - Aircraft and flight personnel released to Wilhelmshaven due to lay time in the shipyard. 06/25/1940 - Deregistration of the flight personnel and the flight technical personnel from board and return to the squadron.

 

  Airborne Command 1/196 from November 19, 1940 to March 24, 1941
Trials and exercises in the Bay of Danzig, combat training in the Baltic Sea, company 'BERLIN', 1st attempt (December 28th, 1940 - 02/01/41), company 'BERLIN', 2nd attempt (January 22nd - March 24th, 41)
Code: Aircraft type: WNr: Period: Departure: Remarks:
T3LH Ar. 196 A2 19600 .. 12.08.1940 12.27.1940 December 21,1940 January 20,1941 Coming from Pillau at sea on December 12th. taken over in Kiel at DW berth 16 take over. Parked in Kiel-Holtenau. Towed to Holtenau, to the Arado factory due to a compass error.
T3EK Ar. 196 A2 19600 .. December 8, 1940 December 21,1940 Coming from Pillau at sea on December 12th. accepted Parked in Kiel-Holtenau.
T3HH Ar. 196 A2 1960109 December 9, 1940 03/06/1941 03/14/1941 Coming from Pillau at sea on December 14th. accepted The aircraft overturned on the catapult as a result of the latch opening, 80% breakage. 10.15 am - the aircraft cell is sunk to make room in the hangar.
T3DH Ar. 196 A2 1960 .. December 27, 1940 01/29/1941 Takeover in Kiel at DW berth 16. Thrown in Qu. 1391, released to Drontheim.
T3HL Ar. 196 A2 1960060 01/21/1941 March 24, 1941 In Kiel from 3rd on-board fl. Eng. St. Aalborg taken over. Crashed on transfer flight to Schellingwoude near Ostend.
T3AK Ar. 196 A2 1960 110 05.03.1941 March 24, 1941 Taken over by GNEISENAU at sea. Transfer to Wilhelmshaven.

 



Luftwaffe crews aboard Battleship Scharnhorst
Position: Rank/Name: On board: From board: Remarks:
1. Air officer / observer Ltn. (M) Heinz Reuter 12/12/1940 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
2. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Karl-Adolf Schlitt December 12, 1940 March 19, 1941 12.03.1941 03.24.1941 Embarked on ERMLAND to advise the commander. Crashed and wounded on transfer flight near Ostend.
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Lothar Martin December 14, 1940 01/29/1941 Start, released to Drontheim.
Air officer / observer Ltn. (M) Ernst-Günther Mechel 05.03.1941 03/12/1941 From GNEISENAU to replace the aircraft on board.
Pilot Fw.Ludwig 12/12/1940 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Pilot Ofw. Johann Westphal 12/12/1940 † March 24th, 1941 Crashed on transfer flight near Ostend.
Pilot Fw. Hagendorf December 14, 1940 01/29/1941 Start, released to Drontheim.
Pilot Fw. Schmidt 05.03.1941 03/12/1941 From GNEISENAU to replace the aircraft on board.
Embarked technical maintenance personnel
I. Board attendant Uffz. Josef Luxemburger 11/19/1940 01/20/1941 Ordered back from Kiel to the squadron.
Ground staff / technology Uffz. Jörns 11/19/1940 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Hermann Rieger 11/19/1940 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Goosses 11/19/1940 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Flohr 11/19/1940 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Jöhnk 11/19/1940 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Ob.Fr. Rhams 11/19/1940 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
Ground staff / technology Frozen Langhans 11/19/1940 01/11/1941 Commanded back to the squadron from Gotenhafen
I. Board attendant Uffz. Kraft 01/20/1941 March 24, 1941 Brest, Assigned back to their staffel in Wilhelmshaven
March 24th, 1941 - In Brest on-board flight command disembarked due to the ship being in the yard.

 

  Airborne Command 1/196 from June 13, 1941 - July 3, 1941
Sea trials, port and sea training in Brest
Code: Aircraft type: WNr: Period: Departure: Remarks:
T3BH Ar. 196 A3 19600190 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 From Wilhelmshaven to Brest Has been since 16.06. in Brest south. Returned back to their Staffel.
T3GH Ar. 196 A3 19600180 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 From W'haven to Brest, takeover on June 17th. Suspended in Brest and released for the squadron, clearly for recall
T3IH Ar. 196 A3 19600 .. 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 From W'haven to Brest, takeover on June 17th. Suspended in Brest and released for the squadron, clearly for recall

 



Luftwaffe crews aboard Battleship Scharnhorst
Position: Rank/Name: On board: From board: Remarks:
1. Air officer / observer Obltn. (M) Heinz Reuter 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 Returned back to their Staffel.
2. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Lothar Martin 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 Returned back to their Staffel.
. Air officer / observer Ltn. (M) Olaf Lübcke 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 Returned back to their Staffel.
Pilot Fw.Ludwig 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 Returned back to their Staffel.
Pilot Fw. Hagendorf 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 Returned back to their Staffel.
Pilot Fw.Müller 06/16/1941 07/03/1941 Returned back to their Staffel.
07/03/1941 - Airborne squadron released in Brest, ready to be called up.

 

  Airborne Command 1/196 from August 13, 1942 - October 31, 1942
Used aircraft:
Lay times in Kiel / Gotenhafen, training courses and exercises in the Baltic Sea
Code: Aircraft type: WNr: Period: Departure: Remarks:
T3IH Ar. 196 A3 1960 ... 13.08.1942 08.21.1942 16.08.1942 31.10.1942 From Wilhelmshaven to Kiel, takeover. From Warnemünde to Gotenhafen, takeover. Start to Warnemünde, installation art. Horizontes at Arado. For the season, clearly for recall, dismissed
T3BK Ar. 196 A3 1960265 08/13/1942 08/24/1942 09/05/1942 . 15.08.1942 09.01.1942 09.15.1942 09.17.1942 From Wilhelmshaven to Kiel, takeover. From Warnemünde to Gotenhafen, takeover. From Warnemünde to Gotenhafen, takeover. Ausgesetz Holtenau. Installation of an artificial horizon at Arado Warnemünde. Start for repairs to Warnemünde. Leaked, overturned, 60% breakage, lifted and dismantled when loaded. Disembarked at the Gotenhafen train station.
T3IK Ar. 196 A3 1960267 08/09/1942 08/21/1942 09/04/1942 08/19/1942 01/09/1942 10/31/1942 From W'hv. to Kiel, takeover on August 13th. From Warnemünde to Gotenhafen, takeover. From Warnemünde to Gotenhafen, takeover. Start via Swinoujscie to Warnemünde. Start for repairs to Warnemünde. For the season, clearly for recall, dismissed
T3CK Ar. 196 A3 1960 ... 09/20/1942 10/31/1942 From Swinoujscie to G'hafen, takeover 21.09. Released for the season, clearly to be recalled

 



Luftwaffe crews aboard Battleship Scharnhorst
Position: Rank/Name: On board: From board: Remarks:
1. Air officer / observer Obltn. (M) Lothar Martin 13.08.1942 08.21.1942 19.08.1942 31.10.1942 Start via Swinoujscie to Warnemünde. Returned back to their Staffel.
2. Pilot officer / observer Obltn. (M) Olaf Liibcke 08/13/1942 08/24/1942 09/05/1942 08/15/1942 01/09/1942 10/31/1942 To Arado Warnemünde for installation. Start to Warnemünde released back to the Staffel.
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Zacharias 08/13/1942 08/21/1942 09/04/1942 08/16/1942 01/09/1942 10/31/1942 To Arado Warnemünde for installation. Start to Warnemünde released back to the Staffel.
Pilot Uffz. Röser 08/13/1942 08/21/1942 09/04/1942 08/16/1942 01/09/1942 10/31/1942 To Arado Warnemünde for installation. Start to Warnemünde released back to the Staffel.
Pilot Ofw. Scholz 08/13/1942 08/24/1942 09/05/1942 08/15/1942 01/09/1942 10/31/1942 To Arado Warnemünde for installation. Start to Warnemünde released back to the Staffel.
Pilot Fw. Hagendorf 13.08.1942 08.21.1942 19.08.1942 31.10.1942 Start via Swinoujscie to Warnemünde. Returned back to their Staffel.
October 31,1942 - In Gotenhafen airborne squadron released, ready to be called up. Ship out of readiness for war.

 

  Airborne Command 1/196 from December 11, 1942 - December 26, 1943
Code: Aircraft type: WNr: Period: Departure: Remarks:
T3CL Ar. 196 A3 1960198 From Kamp to Gotenhafen, takeover. From Tromso to Langfjord. From Aalborg to Langfjord April 12,1943 June 27, 1943 October 22,1943 December 11, 1942 April 16,1943 September 27, 1943 Start Langfjord to Tromso Start Rivar-Bukta to Aalborg Start to Aalborg
T3BL Ar. 196 A3 1960 ... December 16,1942 02/08/1943 From Swinoujscie to Gotenhafen, takeover. Start to Wilhelmshaven.
T3IK Ar. 196 A3 1960267 December 20, 1942 February 27, 1943 May 16, 1943 February 15, 1943 April 12,1943 September 27,1943 From Swinoujscie to Gotenhafen, takeover. From Whaven to Gotenhafen, takeover, taken over in Langfjord Start to Wilhelmshaven. Start Langfjord to Tromso start to Kiel
T3CK Ar. 196 A3 19603 .. 02/07/1943 02/18/1943 From Whaven to Gotenhafen, takeover. Start to Wilhelmshaven.
T3EK Ar. 196 A3 1960319 02/27/1943 May 10, 1943 From Whaven to Gotenhafen, takeover. 9.50 p.m. - Kvalöy-Sund, crashed, high-voltage line touched at a height of 60 m, rolled over onto the water, 100%, machine recovered.
T3AK Ar. 196 A3 1960323 April 16, 1943 08/13/1943 From Tromso to Langfjord. Start Kaaford to Aalborg.
T3LH Ar. 196 A3 1960 ... 06/01/1943 06/01/1943 From Kaafjord TIRPITZ Start to the Kaafjord to TIRPITZ
T3KH Ar. 196 A3 1960264 06/25/1943 09/08/1943 09/12/1943 From Aalborg to Rivar Bukta, takeover. Badly damaged when it landed on the sea near Spitsbergen. Delivery to Flusi BvTSCHIRSCHKY for transfer to Tromso shipyard.
T3EK Ar. 196 A5 100450 08/08/1943 11/27/1943 From Aalborg to Alta. Delivery to TIRPITZ in exchange
T3BK Ar. 196 A3 1960290 09/25/1943 December 26,1943 From Aalborg to Langfjord. Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
T3AL Ar. 196 A3 0230 1008 10/22/1943 December 26,1943 From Aalborg to Komagfjord, takeover.Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
T3IH Ar. 196 A5 1960352 11/27/1943 December 26,1943 Taken over by TIRPITZ in exchange Lost with the SCHARNHORST.

 



Luftwaffe crews aboard Battleship Scharnhorst
Position: Rank/Name: On board: From board: Remarks:
Squadron Captain Hptm. Hans-Jürgen Schmidt 06/01/1943 06/01/1943 Start to the Kaafjord to TIRPITZ
1. Air officer / observer Obltn. (M) Lothar Martin December 20, 1942 February 27, 1943 02/15/1943 04/12/1943 Start to Wilhelmshaven. Start Langfjord via Tromso to Kiel
2nd pilot officer / observer 1st pilot officer from April 12th. Obltn. (M) Olaf Lübcke December 11,1942 06/27/1943 Start to Aalborg
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Günther Lautenschläger December 16, 1942 02/18/1943 Start to Wilhelmshaven.
3rd pilot officer / observer 1st pilot officer from 27.06. Obltn. (M) Werner Krause 02/27/1943 06/25/1943 May 10th, 1943f December 26th , 1943 Wounded in plane crash. Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
2. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Hans Hallensleben 04/05/1943 10/22/1943 Start to Aalborg
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Helmut Abramowski May 16, 1943 08/13/1943 Start Kaaford to Aalborg.
3. Pilot officer / observer Ltn. (M) Gerhard Fiedler 08/08/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
2. Pilot officer / observer Obltn. (M) Harald Schottke 10/22/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Pilot Ofw. Hagendorf December 20, 1942 February 27, 1943 May 16, 1943 02/15/1943 04/12/1943 05/23/1943 Start to Wilhelmshaven. Start Langfjord detached to Kiel via Tromso
Pilot Ofw. Scholz December 11,1942 09/27/1943 Start to Aalborg
Pilot Uffz. Röser December 16, 1942 02/18/1943 Start to Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Uffz, Meissner 02/07/1943 02/08/1943 Start to Wilhelmshaven.
Pilot Uffz. Emil Rosenkranz 02/27/1943 † May 10th, 1943 His plane crashed at 9:50 p.m.
Pilot Fw. Heinrich Bruns April 16, 1943 10/22/1943 Start to Aalborg
Pilot Uffz. Ludwig Hammer May 23, 1943 September 25, 1943 December 12, 1943 August 13,1943 September 27, 1943 + December 26 , 1943 Start Kaaford to Aalborg. Start to Aalborg. Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Pilot Ofw. Wilhelm Elke 06/25/1943 06/27/1943 Start to Aalborg
Pilot Ofw. Sadowski 08/08/1943 December 12, 1943 Detached.
Pilot Uffz. Leaks 09/27/1943 09/28/1943 Start to the TIRPITZ, detached.
Pilot Ofw.Osterberg 09/28/1943 December 12, 1943 Detached.
Pilot Fw. Walter Vietheer 10/22/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Pilot Fw. Wittkamp December 12, 1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Embarked technical maintenance personnel, if verifiable.
Foreman Fw.Hermann Rieger 09/25/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
I. Board attendant Uffz. Leipner 01/29/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
I. Engine attendant Uffz. Klanthe 01/29/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Ground staff/technology H.Gefr. Harry Abel 01/29/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. Glätzner 01/29/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. Caster 09/27/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Radio operator Ob.Fr. Uhlaas October 23, 1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
Ground staff/technology Ob.Fr. Josef Neumayer 08/13/1943 † December 26th, 1943 Lost with the SCHARNHORST.
December 26th, 1943 - Airborne flight command sank when the ship sank at the North Cape.

Operation Donnerkeil

Kriegsmarine KMS Battleship Scharnhorst photo collection

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst in Brest, France 1941 01-02

Photo 01-02: Between 22 January and 22 March 1941, the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau operated in the Atlantic, sinking several ships and severely threatening British supply lines. Following this operation, the ships berthed at Brest where they immediately became the targets of repeated air attacks and on 1 April 1941, JG26 was transferred to airfields in Brittany in order to provide protection. Nevertheless, the ships suffered damage which kept them non-operational until late 1941.

Messerschmitt Bf-110C Zerstorer NJG1 during Operation Donnerkeil Feb 1942 01

A Schwarm of Bf 110 night fighters from NJG1 providing aerial cover during Operation Donnerkeil February 1942.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst 01

Photo 01: This photograph of the Scharnhorst may have been taken 20 April 1939, Hitlers birthday. At this time the bow had still not been modified.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst 02

Photo 02: A prewar photograph of the Scharnhorst.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in drydock Brest, France 1941 01

Photo 01: RAF Halifax bombers over Brest. Just visible in the dry docks on the left are the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in drydock Brest, France 1941 02

Photo 02: The naval harbour of Brest. Along the main quay protected on the seaward side by a bow-shaped barrier of anti-torpedo netting is the Scharnhorst, and in the first drydock ahead of her is the Gneisenau.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in drydock Brest, France 1941 03

Photo 03: The Scharnhorst was moved to La Pallice south of Brest on 22 July 1941. The ship can here be seen at her berth in La Pallice.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in drydock Brest, France 1941 04

Photo 04: The Scharnhorst after being repaired berthed at Brest. Here with the ships company paraded aft.

Tip for IL-2 game: You can use objects 281 to 310 to create similar harbors and use the Tirpitz ship.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst at Gotenhafen 01

Photo 01: Allied reconnaissance photograph of the Scharnhorst at the quayside at Gotenhafen. Notice the anti-torpedo nets.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst at Gotenhafen 02

Photo 02: The Scharnhorst alongside at Gotenhafen during machinery trials.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Sizilien 01

Photo 01: The Scharnhorst (left) together with the Tirpitz (right) shortly before the start of Operation 'Sizilien'.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her final year 01

Photo 01: A very wellknown portrait of the Scharnhorst. Together with all the other photographs on this page it is taken in Norway in 1943 and is among the last known photographs taken of the Scharnhorst before it was sunk 26 December 1943 in the battle of the North Cape.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her final year 02

Photo 02: Another photograph of the Scharnhorst with the same paint scheme/camouflage as seen above.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her final year 03

Photo 03: And yet a nother photograph of the Scharnhorst taken in Norway 1943.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her final year 04

Photo 04: The Scharnhorst with a similar, but apparently not exactly, same camouflage as seen in the portrait above. The photographs was taken in Norway in 1943.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her final year 05

Photo 05: Another photograph of the Scharnhorst taken in Norway in 1943. Again the camouflage is similar to that on the two other photographs above. But it seems that the camouflage varied a bit.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her final year 06

Photo 06: Scharnhorst with the Norwegian landscape as background. In the background, behind the Scharnhorst, also two destroyers can be seen.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her final year 07-08

Photos 07-08: Close-up photographs of the Scharnhorst taken from the Tirpitz in 1943 in Norway.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her Refit 01

Photo 01: In July-August 1939 the Scharnhorst was in the 40,000-tonne-floating drydock at the Westwerft for a refit, which included the replacement of the straight stem by an 'Atlantic' stem.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her Refit 02

Photo 02: A view of the port anchor cluse on the new bow of the Scharnhorst.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during her Refit 03

Photo 03: The new 'Atlantic stem' of the Scharnhorst.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Berlin 01

Photo 01: The Scharnhorst in Norway 30 December 1940 after abandoning the first attempt at a break-out into the Atlantic with her sister ship, the Gneisenau. Later that day the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau headed back to Germany. In the foreground a harbour defense ship can be seen.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Berlin 02

Photo 02: The Scharnhorst seen from the Gneisenau off New-foundland. In the foreground a look-out on the Gneisenau can be seen.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Berlin 03

Photo 03: The Scharnhorst in the Atlantic. This photograph was taken from sistership Gneisenau during Operation 'Berlin'.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Berlin 04

Photo 04: The Scharnhorst as seen from the Gneisenau during Operation 'Berlin'.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Berlin 05

Photo 05: The Scharnhorst, in March 1941, seen from the German submarine U-124 in the Atlantic during Operation 'Berlin'.

http://www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharnberlin.html

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Cerberus 01

Photo 01: The Scharnhorst seen during Operation 'Cerberus'. During this operation the Scharnhorst was the flagship.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Cerberus 02

Photo 02: During Operation 'Cerberus' the Scharnhorst hit a mine twice. This photograph (taken from the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen) shows the Scharnhorst laying still in the water after she hit the first mine.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Cerberus 03

Photo 03: After having hit the first mine the Scharnhorst could continue within half an hour and was soon able to re-join the squadron.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Cerberus 04

Photo 04: Allied reconnaissance photograph of the Deutsche Werke shipyard in Kiel, taken shortly after the Scharnhorst arrived here after the Operation 'Cerberus'. The Scharnhorst can be seen towards the top of the portrait. To the right the light cruiser Nürnberg as well as a number of smaller units can be seen.

http://www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharncerberus.html

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Juno 01

Photo 01: Photograph taken from the Scharnhorst before the engagement with the British aircraft carrier HMS Glorious and her escorting destroyers.. Ahead of the Scharnhorst the Gneisenau can be seen.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Juno 02

Photo 02: This photograph is taken from the Scharnhorst. Ahead of the Scharnhorst the Gneisenau can be seen firing her guns at the British aircraft carrier HMS Glorious.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Juno 03-04

Photos 03-04: Two photographs taken from the bridge of the Scharnhorst during the engagement with the British squadron.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Juno 05

Photo 05: A close-up view of the burning British aircraft carrier HMS Glorius.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Juno 06

Photo 06: This photograph taken from the Scharnhorst shows the smoke from the sinking British vessels.

http://www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharnjuno.html

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Nordmark 01

Photo 01: The Scharnhorst at the mole in Wilhelmshaven after having returned from Operation 'Nordmark'.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during operation Nordmark 02

Photo 02: A close up view of the Scharnhorst in the Tirpitz sluice. This photograph was taken 20 February 1940.

http://www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharnnordmark.html

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during Sea trials 01

Photo 01: The Scharnhorst on her way back to Kiel in the spring of 1939 after a training cruise.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during Sea trials 02

Photo 02: A port view of the Scharnhorst. Notice the vertical stem and the missing funnel cap.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during Sea trials 03

Photo 03: Two of the 105 mm anti-aircraft guns (starboard side) photographed during a firing drill.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during Sea trials 04

Photo 04: The Scharnhorst at the mouth of the Jade in February 1939.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during Sea trials 05

Photo 05: The Scharnhorst seen from the port during the time of her sea trials.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst during Sea trials 06

Photo 06: The Scharnhorst following her refit. The photograph shows the extend of the modifications: 'Atlantic stem', anchors now stowed in cluses, port and starboard, and one anchor mounted at the stem, mainmast stepped further aft, raked funnel cap and a remodelled aircraft hangar.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst in Brest, France 1941 01-02

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst northern patrol attack 01

Photo 01: The Scharnhorst on her way to attack the 'Northern Patrol'.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst northern patrol attack 02

Photo 02: The Scharnhorst is leading a destroyer. The aircraft is a He-115.

Kriegsmarine Battleship - Scharnhorst northern patrol attack 03

Photo 03: A view of the fore part of the Scharnhorst in the North Sea.

http://www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/scharnhorst_menu.html

Operational History Scharnhorst
Date Operational History Scharnhorst
25 Jan-34 The building contract was placed with the Marinewerft, Wilhelmshaven (from 1935 the Kriegsmarine Werft, Wilhelmshaven), as Panzerschiff 'D'.
14 Feb-34 The keel was laid and the construction took place on Slipway 2.
5 Jul-34 The construction was stopped and the material scrapped. The reason was that the originally plans were modified to accomodate new specifications.
15 Jun-35 The keel was laid afresh.
3 Oct-36 Scharnhorst was launched. Christened by the widow of Kapitän zur See (Captain) Felix Schultz, commander of the armoured cruiser Scharnhorst, lost with his ship at the Battle of the Falkland Islands on 8 December 1914.
7 Jan 1939 Scharnhorst was commissioned and placed under the command of Kapitän zur See (Captain) Otto Ciliax.
Trials
Until July 1939 Trials and training in the Baltic Sea.
July/Aug 1939 Final construction in Wilhelmshaven, bow is modified.
Until Nov 1939 Battle training in the Baltic Sea.
Commissioned
21 Nov 1939 Together with Gneisenau, the Scharnhorst was sent south of Iceland to attack the Northern Patrol.
23 Nov 1939 The Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau sinks the British auxiliary cruiser Rawalpindi.
27 Nov 1939 The Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau returns to Wilhelmshaven.
18/20 Feb 1940 The Scharnhorst, the Gneisenau, the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and the destroyers Wolfgang Zenker, Wilhelm Heidkamp and Karl Galster was sent to intercept British convoys between Bergen and England, but no ships was sighted.
Operation 'Nordmark'
7/12 Apr 1940 The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau cover the invasion of Narvik. Battle with British battlecruiser Renown and cruiser Birmingham west of the Lofoten in bad weather.
Operation 'Weserübung'
4/10 Jun 1940 The Scharnhorst was flagship in the Polar Sea operations together with Gneisenau, Admiral Hipper and the destroyers Karl Galster, Hans Lody, Erich Steinbrink and Hermann Schoemann.
Operation 'Juno'
8 Jun 1940 Battle with British aircraft carrier Glorious and the destroyers Ardent and Acasta. All British ships was sunk. The Scharnhorst was hit by a torpedo from the destroyer Acasta, damaging middle and starboard engine and Turret Cäsar.
10 Jun 1940 Returned to Trondheim.
Jun 1940 After emergency repairs in Trondheim, the Scharnhorst was sent back to Kiel for repairs. Unsuccessful air attacks by the RAF.
28 Dec 1940 First unsuccessful attempt to break out in the North Atlantic together with the Gneisenau. Operation is aborted after the Gneisenau is damaged by heavy seas.
22 Jan/22 Mar 1941 Second successful attempt to break out into the North Atlantic by the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau.
Operation 'Berlin'
3 Feb 1941 The Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau break through the Denmark Strait.
4 Feb 1941 The Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau reached southern Greenland.
8 Feb 1941 Convoy HX-108 was sighted but the attack was stopped after the British battleship Ramiles is detected covering this convoy. Scharnhorst unsuccessfully tried to pull the British battleship away of the convoy to enable the Gneisenau to attack the unprotected merchant ships.
22 Feb 1941 The Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau sinks four merchant ships east of Newfoundland.
7/9 Mar. 1941 Attack on convoy SL-67 is broken off as the British battleship Malaya is sighted. Two U-boats are ordered to attack the convoy and sink 5 merchant ships.
15/16 Mar 1941 The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau attack a convoy south-east of Newfoundland.
22 Mar 1941 The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst enter Brest. They sunk a total of 22 ships with a total of 115.600 tons during their North Atlantic Operations. The Scharnhorst sunk 8 ships with total of 49.300 tons.
Mar 1941/Feb 1942 Stationed in Brest, target of many British air attacks. The Scharnhorst was hit by 5 bombs while temporarily anchored in La Pallice (south of Brest) which caused severe damage.
11/13 Feb 1942 Flagship during the escape through the English Channel. The Scharnhorst, the Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, escorted by 6 destroyers (Paul Jakobi, Richard Beitzen, Friedrich Ihn, Hermann Schoemann, Z-25, Z-29). Nine torpedo-boats of the 2nd and 3rd Flotillas (T-2, T-4, T-5, T-11, T-12, T-13, T-15, T-16 and T-17) would be joined later by Kondor, Falke, Seeadler, Iltis and Jaguar of the 5th Flotilla plus ten E-boats of the 2nd, 4th and 6th Flotilla, returned to Germany. The Scharnhorst was hit by two mines.
Operation 'Cerberus'
13 Feb 1942 At 12:30 the Scharnhorst entered Wilhelmshaven and made fast alongside the Fliegerdeich (Seydlitz Bridge).
14 Feb 1942 The Scharnhorst entered the floating dock at Wilhelmshaven to have the hull examined for the damage caused by the two mines she hit during Operation 'Cerberus'.
15 Feb 1942 The Scharnhorst was transferred to the Deutsche Werke shipyard, Kiel, as the examination of the hull proved that the damages caused by the mines was more serious than first thought.
Until Jan1943 Damage repairs and maintenance service at Deutsche Werke shipyard, Kiel, and in Gotenhafen (Gdynia) as well as sea trials was carried out in the Baltic Sea.
10/11 Jan 1943 A squadron consisting of the Scharnhorst, the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen and the destroyers Friedrich Ihn, Paul Jacobi and Z-24 left Gotenhafen (Gdynia) and sailed for Norway.
Operation 'Fronttheater'
11 Jan 1943 Due to warnings of air attack the German squadron returned to Gotenhafen (Gdynia).
23/27 Jan 1943 A squadron consisting of the Scharnhorst, the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen and the destroyers Z-39 and Erich Steinbrinck left Gotenhafen (Gdynia) and sailed for Norway.
Operation 'Domino'
27 Jan 1943 Due to an unsuccessful refueling of the destroyers from the Scharnhorst the German squadron returned to Gotenhafen (Gdynia).
6/9 March 1943 In the third attempt a squadron consisting of the Scharnhorst and the destroyers Z-28, Erich Steinbrinck
Operation 'Paderborn'
9 Mar 1943 The German squadron arrived in Bogen Bay near Narvik. 11 March the heavy cruiser Lützow and the light cruiser Nürnberg arrived to Bogen Bay and joined the Scharnhorst and the destroyers. Later also the battleship Tirpitz arrived and at that time the Nürnberg was transferred back to Germany.
Until 22 Mar1943 The ships carried out exercised together.
22 Mar 1943 The Scharnhorst and Tirpitz was transferred to Altafjord. The Scharnhorst anchored in Langfjord (inlet to Altafjord). The Tirpitz in Kåfjord (inlet to Altafjord).
8 Apr 1943 A serious explosion happened in compartment III aboard the Scharnhorst. 17 crewmembers was killed and 20 injured. The cause of the explosion was never established but it was suspected that it could be sabotage from when the Scharnhorst was in dock in Gotenhaven earlier.
Until 6 Sep 1943 The repairs after the explosion of 8 April was completed in 14 days by the help of a repair ship. Afterwards exercises together with the Tirpitz and Lützow.
6/9 Sep 1943 A squadron consisting of the Scharnhorst, the Tirpitz and 9 destroyers (Erich Steinbrink, Karl Galster, Hans Lody, Theodor Riedel, Z-27, Z-29, Z-30, Z-31, Z-33) attack the enemy base on Spitzbergen.
Operation 'Sizilien'
Sep/Dec1943 Scharnhorst is first stationed in Kåfjord, then in Langfjord.
25/26 Dec 1943 Under the command of Rear-Admiral Erich Bey, the Scharnhorst and destroyers Z-29, Z-30, Z-33, Z-34 and Z-38 tries to find and attack the convoy JW-55B on its way to Murmansk. The Scharnhorst was detected by British cruisers after she left her escorts. After several attempts, the British battleship Duke of York located the Scharnhorst.
Operation 'Ostfront'
26 Dec 1943 After several hours of hunt and battle, the Scharnhorst was sunk at 19:45 in the battle of the North Cape at 72°16´ North and 28°41´ East. 1.932 crewmembers was lost. 36 crew members survived.
The Discovery of the Scharnhorst
10 Sep-00 The wreck of the Scharnhorst was discovered by the Norwegian navy in coorporation with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK-Norsk Riksringkasting) . The wreck was located by the survey vessel MS H. U. Sverdrup II.
28 Sep-00 The wreck of the Scharnhorst was identified by the naval vessel H.No.M.S. Tyr. The wreck is very heavily damaged, and entangled in fishing gear. She is resting keel up in 290 metres depth. Mainly all of the hull in front of the superstructure has been reduced to scrap on the seabed. The aft part and the upper part of the superstructure is ripped off, and located some distance from the main wreck. None of the main turrets were located, but certainly not visible near the main wreck parts.
Operational History Gneisenau
Construction
25 Jan-34 The building contract was placed with the Deutsche Werke, Kiel, as Panzerschiff 'E' (Ersatz Hessen).
14 Feb-34 The keel was laid.
5 Jul-34 The construction was stopped and the material scrapped. The reason was that the originally plans were modified to accomodate new specifications.
6 May-35 The keel was laid afresh.
8 Dec-36 Gneisenau was launched. Christened by the widow of Kapitän zur See (Captain) Julius Maerker, commander of the armoured cruiser Gneisenau, lost with his ship at the Battle of the Falkland Islands on 8 December 1914.
Sea Trials and Final Outfitting
21 May-38 Gneisenau was commissioned and placed under the command of Kapitän zur See (Captain) Erich Förste.
Afterwards, training and trials.
Aug/Nov 1938 Battle training in the North Atlantic.
Commission
Oct 1939 Raid to intercept Britain/Scandinavia trade together with the light cruiser Köln and the destroyers Wilhelm Heidkamp, Friedrich Ihn, Diether von Roeder, Karl Galster, Max Schulz, Paul Jakobi, Bernd von Arnim, Erich Steinbrink and Freidrich Eckoldt. No results.
21 Nov 1939 Together with the Scharnhorst, the Gneisenau was sent south of Iceland to attack the Northern Patrol.
23 Nov 1939 The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst sinks the British auxiliary cruiser Rawalpindi.
26 Nov 1939 The Gneisenau suffered severe sea damage during a heavy storm in the Shetland/Bergen Narrows.
27 Nov 1939 The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst returns to Kiel.
4 Dec 1939 Repairs completed. The Gneisenau transfers to Wilhelmshaven.
18/20 February 1940 The Gneisenau, the Scharnhorst, the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and the destroyers Wolfgang Zenker, Wilhelm Heidkamp and Karl Galster was sent to intercept British convoys between Bergen and England, but no ships was sighted.
Operation 'Nordmark'
7/12 April 1940 The Gneisenau was flagship of the fleet commander Vice-Admiral Lütjens. The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst cover the invasion of Narvik. Battle with British battlecruiser Renown and cruiser Birmingham west of the Lofoten in bad weather. The Gneisenau was hit once.
Operation 'Weserübung'
4/10 June 1940 The Gneisenau was flagship in the Polar Sea operations together with the Scharnhorst, Admiral Hipper and the destroyers Karl Galster, Hans Lody, Erich Steinbrink and Hermann Schoemann.
Operation 'Juno'
8 Jun 1940 Battle with British aircraft carrier Glorious and the destroyers Ardent and Acasta. All British ships are sunk.
10 Jun 1940 Returned to Trondheim.
10 12 June 1940 Sailed into the Polar Sea with Admiral Hipper. Operations canceled, ships return to Trondheim again.
20 Jun 1940 Leaves Trondheim with Admiral Hipper again for operations between Iceland, the Faroers and Orkney. 40 nautical miles north-west of the island of Halten, Gneisenau is hit by a torpedo of the British submarine Clyde. Emergency repairs at Trondheim.
25 Jul 1940 Escorted by the light cruiser Nürnberg, the Gneisenau leaves Trondheim to return to Kiel.
28 Jul 1940 The Gneisenau arrived at Kiel.
Jul/Dec 1940 The Gneisenau was in dock.
28 Dec 1940 First unsuccessful attempt to break out in the North Atlantic together with the Scharnhorst. Operation is aborted after the Gneisenau is damaged by heavy seas.
22 Jan 1941 Second successful attempt to break out into the North Atlantic by the Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst.
Operation 'Berlin'
3 Feb 1941 The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst break through the Denmark Strait.
4 Feb 1941 The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst reached southern Greenland.
8 Feb 1941 Convoy HX-108 was sighted but the attack was stopped after the British battleship Ramiles is detected covering this convoy. Scharnhorst unsuccessfully tried to pull the British battleship away of the convoy to enable the Gneisenau to attack the unprotected merchant ships.
22 Feb 1941 The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst sinks four merchant ships east of Newfoundland.
7/9 Mar 1941 Attack on convoy SL-67 is broken off as the British battleship Malaya is sighted. Two U-boats are ordered to attack the convoy and sink 5 merchant ships.
15/16 Ma 1941 The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst sink 16 merchant ships east of Newfoundland. Gneisenau is sighted by the British battleship Rodney which requests identification of the German ship. The Gneisenau replies 'H.M.S. Emerald' and escapes.
22 Mar 1941 The Gneisenau and the Scharnhorst enter Brest. They sunk a total of 22 ships with total of 115.600 tons during their North Atlantic Operations. The Gneisenau sunk 14 ships with total of 66.300 tons.
Apr 1941 The Gneisenau was hit by an aircraft torpedo and put into dock.
11/13 Feb 1942 Break through the English Channel: The Gneisenau, the Scharnhorst and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, escorted by 6 destroyers (Paul Jakobi, Richard Beitzen, Friedrich Ihn, Hermann Schoemann, Z-25, Z-29). Nine torpedo-boats of the 2nd and 3rd Flotillas (T-2, T-4, T-5, T-11, T-12, T-13, T-15, T-16 and T-17) would be joined later by Kondor, Falke, Seeadler, Iltis and Jaguar of the 5th Flotilla plus ten E-boats of the 2nd, 4th and 6th Flotilla, returned to Germany. The Gneisenau was hit by a mine on the Brunsbüttel Roads on its way to Kiel.
Operation 'Cerberus'
26/27 Feb 1942 The Gneisenau was hit by a large bomb during an air attack. The complete bow section burns out and takes the ship out of action.
4 Apr 1942 The Gneisenau was sent to Gotenhafen to be decommissioned and reconstructed.
1 Jul 1942 The Gneisenau was withdrawn from service. The 28 cm (11') triple turrets should be replaced with 38 cm (15') twin turrets.
1944 After the sinking of the Scharnhorst, conversion work was stopped on the Gneisenau.
Mar 1945 The Gneisenau was sunk as a blockade ship in Gotenhafen.
Broken Down
1947/1951 The Gneisenau was broken up and scrapped.

 

 Warnemünde Germany Map

 Mosjoen harbor Norway Map

 

    Citations: +

  1. Horst H. Geerken (9 June 2017). Hitler's Asian Adventure. BoD – Books on Demand. pp. 375–376. ISBN 978-3-7386-3013-8.
  2. Sivertsen 1999: 105, 115–122
  3. Sivertsen 1999: 122
  4. Kotelnikov, V. Stalin's Captives article in Fly Past magazine, February 2017 pp102-4
  5. Frank Joseph, The Axis Air Forces: Flying in Support of the German Luftwaffe, ABC-CLIO, 2011, p. 166
  6. Smithsonian: National Air and Space Museum: Arado Ar 196
  7. HCWinters (12 June 2013). 'USA leihen Arado an das MFG aus'. Cuxhavener Nachrichten.
  8. 'Kriegsflugzeug kehrt nach Deutschland zurück'. Die Welt.
  9. Bardanis, Manolis; Lino, von Garzten. 'Die Geschichte der Arado 196 von Herakleaia' (PDF). naxosdiving.com. Naxos Diving.
  10. Sharpe, Michael. Biplanes, Triplanes, and Seaplanes Airplanes, pg.41. London, England: Fruriedman/Fairfax Books, 2000. ISBN 1-58663-300-7.

    Bibliography: +

  • Dabrowski, Hans-Peter and Koos, Volker. Arado Ar 196, Germany's Multi-Purpose Seaplane. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1993. ISBN 0-88740-481-2.
  • Ledwoch, Janusz. Arado 196 (Militaria 53) (in Polish). Warszawa, Poland: Wydawnictwo Militaria, 1997. ISBN 83-86209-87-9.
  • Sivertsen, Svein Carl (ed.) (1999). Jageren Sleipner i Romsdalsfjord sjøforsvarsdistrikt April 1940 (in Norwegian). Hundvåg: Sjømilitære Samfund ved Norsk Tidsskrift for Sjøvesen.

    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

  • Wikipedia.org - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arado_Ar_196
  • Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Scharnhorst
  • Axel Kleckers and Christian Grams site - http://www.luftwaffe-zur-see.de/Seeluft/196%20Bordfliegergruppe/Bkdo_Scharnhorst.htm

 

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This webpage was updated 11th November 2020