Kiel 1945: The Graveyard of the Kriegsmarine
In April 1945, as World War II neared its end, the Kriegsmarine's primary Baltic base, Kiel, harbored three significant German cruisers: the heavy cruisers Admiral Scheer and Admiral Hipper, and the light cruiser Emden. These ships, in varying states of readiness, faced relentless RAF bombings, which led to their eventual destruction.
The Admiral Hipper, heavily damaged during the Battle of the Barents Sea in 1942, had been decommissioned and was stationed in Pilau by early 1943. Recommissioned in March 1944 for cadet training, it remained partially inoperable. By January 1945, due to further damage and the deteriorating war situation, the Hipper was used to transport refugees to Kiel for repairs. However, RAF bombings on April 3 and 9 left the ship severely damaged, rendering it irreparable. The ship was scuttled in drydock in May, later raised, and scrapped under British supervision.
The Emden, the first German cruiser built after WWI, was an older and less effective vessel by WWII. After significant action during the assault on Oslofjord in 1940, it served as a training ship and in various roles in the Baltic and Norway. By late 1944, the Emden required extensive repairs and was confined to port due to damage and mechanical issues. It transported refugees to Kiel in early 1945, where it suffered extensive bomb damage in April. The ship was scuttled on May 3 and later scrapped in Heikendorf Bay.
The Admiral Scheer, actively involved in supporting German forces against the advancing Soviets, also transported refugees. In early 1945, it faced heavy combat and required urgent repairs in Kiel. Stripped of its anti-aircraft defenses for the city’s protection, the Scheer was virtually defenseless during the RAF's devastating April 9 raid. The ship capsized due to extensive bomb damage, trapping many crew members. Salvage and scrapping efforts began under British control in July 1945.
This video delves into the fates of these three notable Kriegsmarine ships, exploring their final days and the impact of relentless RAF bombings. Despite the lack of extensive primary sources, the narrative is built on secondary sources to present a factual account of these historic events. Discover the stories of Admiral Scheer, Admiral Hipper, and Emden as they faced their final challenges in the closing days of World War II.
Intro 0:00
Disclaimer (Skip if you don't want to be bored) 1:05
Admiral Hipper 1:48
Emden 6:00
Admiral Scheer 9:35
Conclusion 18:39
Sources/Other Reading:
Admiral Scheer Report: macau.uni-kiel.de/servlets/MC...
www.amazon.com/Pocket-Battles...
www.amazon.com/Big-Guns-Atlan...
hmsjervisbay.com/Story.Illust...
www.amazon.com/Northern-Theat...
hmsjervisbay.com/Story.HX84.php
www.amazon.com/German-Light-C...
www.amazon.com/Heavy-Cruisers...
Video Information:
Copyright fair use notice. All media used in this video is used for the purpose of education under the terms of fair use. All footage and images used belong to their copyright holders, when applicable.
Пікірлер: 50
Thanks for watching everyone! I hope you enjoyed this little look into the fate of some of the Kriegsmarine's remaining warships! Do let me know if you'd like me to cover some more! Edit: I just remember that it's the channel's second anniversary!!!!!
Great images. TY for putting the collection together for us!
Great job. Your videos continue to improve and I really like the film footage that you show. Keep up the good work!
Very informative video! I love finding new (to me) channels such as yours. Subbed!
@ImportantHistory
15 күн бұрын
Thank you! Always love to see new subscribers! As of this moment, there will be a video on Wednesday and Saturday with a short on Sunday!
I enjoyed the video very interesting and you did a great job. The pictures are really well put together. So is the film work. Keep up the good work.
Well done. Very well researched. 👍🏻🏴🇬🇧
Great video 📹
Great video, thanks for the info
Good production with an impressive collection of historical correct still photos and film footages. Not like a lot of channels on KZread nowadays which put random WW2 footages together and call it a day. Refreshing to see someone who is able to take the time and effort to do it right. Keep up the good work! 👍👍
Excellent video. Good information.
I must admit I was very impressed with this video You have obviously researched the subject well and I have always wondered what happen to Admiral Scheer thanks for info
@ImportantHistory
17 күн бұрын
Thank you, a little effort goes a long way when it comes to selecting sources.
Given that you do not require a degree to be an historian, you do good job. You’ve collated and analysed available sources and outlined their limitations. You have provided a credible narrative with appropriate illustrations. You have provided background context along with indications of sources used. You have drawn conclusions based solely on the evidence available to you. The photographs are primary sources. All this makes you a far more credible historian than many who claim to be. I comment as someone with an (admittedly long-held) Masters in History and having achieved several publications. You held my interest throughout. I recently visited Kiel and wish I’d seen this before I went. Seriously, very well done.
@Shadooe
17 күн бұрын
100% Your videos don't need to take a back seat to anyone.
THANKS!
The Kreigsmarine was just not ready for war in 1939.
@Th.G.M.
17 күн бұрын
As were all German forces…
@alanh1406
17 күн бұрын
@@Th.G.M. very good point.
@jaybird1229
10 күн бұрын
Agreed. Most German generals said their forces wouldn't be ready until another three years. The army had no main battle tanks. The air force had no heavy bombers. And the navy could have used another few years to build the U-boat navy that Admiral Doenitz envisioned. The only one wanting conflict when it started was the esteemed corporal. SMH
Great video, well done 👍 yes, pure carnage, sad end for such 'hansom' ships, not to mention crew and civilian workers. Thank you.
Looking at the Harbour / Dock area the Devestation is like nothing got Missed , the Scheer must have gotten the Same to be near Un - Salvagable in whatever was Buried in the Carpark later on , but a Great Vid an Ta for being Honest ..you Did a Great job.
Don’t explain yourself to anyone, make your videos and that it, you have a cool channel and I’m a sub
Lol, first time i ever see a documentary about my Hometown Kiel, quite interesting :DD
very interesting
Imagine 1946 with XXI submarines, hortens 229 etc...
"In April 1945, the Second World War had not necessarily developed in favour of Germany". What a quaint and unique way of saying that Germany was comprehensively defeated and suffered the ignominy of unconditional surrender
it is so strange to see a city you know in a documentary XD
THE HIPER...??!
I can do a little research for you, here in Germany. If you want more infos
@ImportantHistory
16 күн бұрын
If you could possibly find some German sources that would be amazing!
🤙
The fact you don't have a degree , gies you credibility as a serious historian who has not been indoctrinated with biased lies !
Completely unnecessary destruction of those ships in port for no reason at all. Similar to refugee ships being sunk by the „allies“ and other acts of destruction
@J.B.29
16 күн бұрын
How is destruction of enemy ships in wartime unnecessary?
@lizlawrence4553
16 күн бұрын
Totally necessary. So do one thing shut your worthless gob. Got it . Understand.
@benrobotics7582
16 күн бұрын
Completely necessary actually. In a war such as this, you must deprive the enemy of any such assets that may be used against you. A weapon being obsolete, devoid of ammunition or damaged and in need of repair is no reason to spare it, and the allies would have had no way of knowing either.
@aquila3958
15 күн бұрын
@@benrobotics7582 what purpose did those ships serve other than evacuating civilians from eastern prussia, Hipper was stuck in drydock, Emden had been relegated to a training ship and Scheer was stuck in port having her guns refitted. Did the allies believe they were going to sail them out in one last brave battle? Certainly not. They were bombed mere weeks from capitulation for no other reason than keeping them out of the hands of the soviets, incase they might take the port first. You might want to take a lock at other allied missions of sinking refuge ships or ships loaded with concentration camp victims or sinking U-Boats clearly rescuing survivors. Morally rightous am I right?
@kirkstinson7316
15 күн бұрын
@@aquila3958 True, at least one U boat was attacked while rescuing people. BUT it still was an enemy vessel. Ships transporting concentration camp victims? How would allied military know the cargo? Like Japanese hell ships being torpedoed. If not marked with red cross it's an enemy ship! And bombing these ships (which is what this video is about) was during an active war. They were enemy ships and even if not useable their guns could still be removed and used
Imp.Hist.: "...a disclaimer: I'm not a historian, or do I claim to be..." That kind of transparency makes this channel head and shoulders more credible than "RN can do no wrong!" Drachinifel.
This is one of those videos which is greatly improved with the sound off. The voice of the narrator gets on my tits
@ImportantHistory
17 күн бұрын
Elite hate comment. Now the question is, would you rather have my annoying voice or an Ai?
@barrierjohn6528
15 күн бұрын
@@ImportantHistory…..yes, our betters must get their two cents in, and that’s about all that comment is worth. Forget it IH, your sentence structure, vocabulary, and pronunciation are first rate and are very effective in relating the information regarding your video subject. And I agree with the previous positive comments about your channel. You hold my attention and I learn a lot. Thx.
@kirkstinson7316
15 күн бұрын
Gets on your tits? What are you, 12?
@matthewschinazzi6594
9 күн бұрын
Your voice is nice.@@ImportantHistory