Launched on 8 December 1936 and commissioned on 21 May 1938, Gneisenau was the second of the Scharnhorst-class battleships. During the Norwegian campaign, Gneisenau engaged the Royal Navy battlecruiser HMS Renown and sank the aircraft Carrier HMS Glorious. She was damaged in the engagement with Renown and later torpedoed by the submarine HMS Clyde.
After raiding in the Atlantic, Gneisenau docked in Brest, where she was subject to air raids by the Royal Air Force. Following a daylight dash through the English Channel, Gneisenau went into drydock at Kiel. During an air raid a bomb penetrated the forward magazine causing extensive damage. The ship then underwent conversion to install 380mm guns to replace the 280mm main armament, which were removed and used as shore batteries. This work was halted in 1943. Gneisenau was eventually sunk as a blockship in Gotenhafen in 1945 and scrapped in 1950.
December 8, 1936 Launch ceremony for the GneisenauApril 1938 Gneisenau seen during builders trials.April 1939 Gneisenau seen with her final funnel cap at Kiel, Germany.
In Kiel
May 1939 Gneisenau anchored at Kiel, GermanyJune 1939 Gneisenau seen at Kiel, GermanyJune 1939 Gneisenau seen at Kiel, GermanyGneisenau seen in July 1938 at Kiel, GermanyApril 1939 Gneisenau seen with her final funnel cap at Kiel, Germany.April 1939 Gneisenau moored to a buoy in Kiel Germany.September 1939 Gneisenau anchored at Kiel, Germany for repair work.
Norwegian Campaign
June 11, 1940 Gneisenau foreground Admiral Hipper center and Scharnhorst background at TrondheimView take on 8 June 1940, while engaging the British aircraft carrier HMS Glorious
Torpedo Damage
Torpedo DamageDamage to Gneisenau’s BowGneisenau in drydock after being hit by a torpedo in 1940
At Brest
Gneisenau in drydock Brest France 1941Gneisenau in drydock Brest France 1941Gneisenau in drydock Brest France 1941Gneisenau in drydock Brest France May 1941Gneisenau in drydock Brest France Jan 1941Handley Page Halifaxes of no 35 Squadron RAF bombing Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in dry-dock at Brest 18 December 1941
As a Blockship in Gotenhafen
Gneisenau sunk as a block shipWreck of the Gneisenau at Gotenhafen (Gdynia) Poland.
Gneisenau’s Aircraft
View of port side from astern, 1938. Note seaplanes on catapults a Heinkel HE 114 on the forward catapult and an Arado AR 95 on the catapult atop #3 turretView of the catapult amidships section, in about 1940.View taken 22 August 1938, during a fleet review, showing crewmen manning the rails. Note Heinkel HE. 114 seaplane on catapult.View taken circa 1940, showing a catapult launch of an Arado 196 seaplane
Misc. Photographs
July 1939 Gneisenau about to refuel from the tanker Westerwald off the coast of Madeira Island PortugalGraf Spee and battleship Gneisenau in Kiel, 1938.Gneisenau seen during Operation Berlin sometime between Jan. 22 and Mar. 22, 1941Gneisenau Gneisenau Gneisenau View taken circa 1940. The ship appears to be laying a smoke-screenView of her 11 forward guns circa 1941Gneisenau Gneisenau GneisenauDamaged by a severe storm during her breakthrough attempt into the North Sea German battleship Gneisenau gets her 283 mm guns cleanedGneisenauGneisenau in drydock at Kiel, March 1942
