German Aircraft Carrier Elbe

Elbe was one of two planned Jade class auxiliary aircraft carriers for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine during World War II. Launched as a passenger ship in 1935, Potsdam was operated by Norddeutscher Lloyd. After the outbreak of war, she was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine as a transport, and in May 1942, plans were drawn up to convert her into an aircraft carrier. Although not identical the second ship, Gneisenau (to be renamed Jade) was similar enough in size to allow identical outfitting.

Once converted, the ships were intended to operate twelve Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers and twelve Bf 109 fighters. Conversion on Elbe began in December 1942, but only her passenger fittings were removed by the time work was halted in February 1943. She was converted into a barracks ship in Gotenhafen and seized by the United Kingdom after the end of the war. She remained in use until 1976, when she was broken up for scrap.