SMS Von Der Tann: The First German Battlecruiser
Dive into the history of SMS Von der Tann, Germany's pioneering battlecruiser, in this detailed exploration of naval innovation and warfare. Commissioned into the High Seas Fleet in September 1910, Von der Tann marked a significant evolution in naval design, boasting superior armor and armament compared to her British contemporaries. Equipped with eight 28-centimeter guns, she was more heavily armored than any British battlecruiser of her time.
Von der Tann embarked on several goodwill visits and exercises in South America before the outbreak of World War I. She played a critical role in numerous operations with the First Scouting Group, including the bombardments of the English coastline and the pivotal Battle of Jutland, where she contributed to the destruction of HMS Indefatigable. Despite sustaining serious damage during the battle, Von der Tann's resilience was a testament to her robust design.
The origins of Von der Tann trace back to Germany's response to rumors of British naval advancements. Initially, the large armored cruiser SMS Blücher was conceived to counter British developments, but it soon became evident that the British had different plans with their Invincible-class battlecruisers. As a result, Germany went back to the drawing board, leading to the creation of a new class of large cruisers.
The concept of a "fast battleship" took shape in May 1906 when the Kaiser launched a competition among German shipyards. This new type of ship aimed to combine the speed advantage with formidable armament, setting the foundation for what would become the Von der Tann. Despite opposition from Admiral von Tirpitz, the design process advanced rapidly, culminating in the laying of her keel in March 1908.
Von der Tann's design featured a displacement of 19,370 tons (standard) and 21,300 tons (full load), powered by 18 coal-fired boilers and four turbines, producing a top speed of 27.4 knots. Her main armament consisted of eight 283 mm guns in twin turrets, supplemented by 10 150 mm guns, 16 88 mm guns, and four underwater torpedo tubes. Her armor was notably robust, with a belt thickness ranging from 80 to 250 mm.
After commissioning, Von der Tann underwent extensive trials and a cruise to South America to test her capabilities in diverse conditions. Her career from 1911 to the onset of World War I involved various exercises and international visits, including a fleet review at Spithead for the coronation of George V.
At the start of World War I, Von der Tann participated in several significant operations. Notably, during the Battle of Heligoland Bight in August 1914, she was ready for action, although she arrived too late to engage. In November 1914, she took part in the bombardment of Great Yarmouth, marking the first major engagement involving German battlecruisers.
Von der Tann's illustrious career came to an end in June 1919 when she was scuttled by her crew at Scapa Flow, alongside other German ships, as a final act of defiance. Her hulk was eventually raised and scrapped in the 1930s, closing the chapter on one of Germany's most innovative naval vessels.
Intro 0:00
Background 1:11
Before WW1 8:19
Before Jutland 9:54
Jutland 22:18
After Jutland 36:12
Conclusion 38:05
Sources/Other Reading:
www.amazon.com...
www.amazon.com...
www.amazon.com...
www.amazon.com...
www.amazon.com...
www.iwm.org.uk...
www.jutland191...
www.amazon.com...
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: 29
I hope you all enjoyed this extended look at Germany's first real attempt at a battlecruiser! I might have to start cutting the length of these down because they are getting way too long for me to handle!
@michaelgrenz932
Ай бұрын
SMS Von Der Tann ist mein Lieblings Schiff von den Großen Schiffen danach kommt die Möwe ,Wolf Brummer und die U Boote.
@robbielee2148
Ай бұрын
irony is, I am watching cause 40 minutes might tell me something I don't know & I just can't get enough on Battlecruisers no matter what nation. Thx for your work. Signed, a newer subscriber & long long time Navy nut.
@robbielee2148
Ай бұрын
Do another long 1 maybe on how Japan grew up so fast, IOW, how in heck did they go from buying from the British to building their own decent ships so quickly! I'd be watching TBS.
@robbielee2148
Ай бұрын
How long is long? Since Airfix's model of Bismarck was considered an accurate & detailed representation. lol
@ImportantNavalHistory
Ай бұрын
Appreciate you subscribing! As for the length, it’s very hard to manage a video of that length, especially in the future as I get back to my studies, and I don’t feel like the quality of the video is as good as some of the shorter ones, in terms of production.
Splendid in every way. The idea of a fifty foot boot flying through the air was particularly moving. Great doco. Thank you Admiral 😁👍🏽
great selection of historical pictures combined with quality artwork, amazing thx.
Oh my, colorized pic at 20:00 amazingly well done. Pretty sure no one had color till WW2, love to know where this pic came from.
Excellent History of the differences between UK and German battle cruisers! 🍻
Interesting story for the old girl!
You do a good job. I have looked and read many accounts of Jutland. Leaving blast doors open, poor gunnery from some ships, shells failing to explode, dreadful signalling and other factors means we were lucky in bottling up the Germans for the rest of the war. It's so easy to judge after the event, but the battle of Jutland was as primitive in technology as Trafalgar, just bigger bullets.
brilliant, educational and entertaining! But the theme (even at the end) makes it beyond great and a bargain at twice the price!
The photo from min 3:48 shows the Turkish battle cruiser "Yavuz", the ex. "S.M.S. Goeben", flagship of Admiral Souchon in WW1, a ship of the "Moltke class", successor of the "S.M.S. Von der Tann". BTW.😉
@ImportantNavalHistory
Ай бұрын
Thanks, I am aware. Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of photos of Von Der Tann (at least that I have access to), so there are some photos that I chose to throw in. I would find it annoying if I put it up explaining each picture. Appreciate the comment!
@harrylor66
Ай бұрын
@@ImportantNavalHistory Thank you for your reply!😊 The ships are very similar in appearance, except that the successors are more powerful. But very nice video, thank you very much!👍
Another excellent piece on a ship I knew little about, going in to this. Any chance of a Royal Australian Navy ship from the past, somewhere in the future? We've had some belters in both World Wars. The Scrap Iron Flotilla would be my all time favourite RAN story. Thanks for being who you are and doing what you do. From a proud Aussie enthusiast.
@ImportantNavalHistory
Ай бұрын
I’ve done HMAS Australia (the battlecruiser), I think an interesting video would be discussing Australia’s rather large post war navy!
Tough Old Boot. 👍🏻🏴
Poor Blucher which was replacing the repaired VDT at the battle of Dogger Bank and paid it with her life. I always wondering why they don't replace her 8 twin 8 inch with 6 twin 11 inch turrets? I think blucher hull was similar to VDT, albeit the engine little less power.
@WojciechWachniewski-st1zm
Ай бұрын
Bluecher her namesake was a historic figure, which had his connection to my home town of Słupsk in Pomerania. One of the victors at Waterloo, he and his cavalry. ♍
Can you verify your source there are two cities with close names that are close to each other Gdańsk and Gdynia. The reason I am asking is at the time of the event Gdynia was a small fishing village with pretty much no harbour while Gdańsk known as Danzig was a big port City.
@ImportantNavalHistory
29 күн бұрын
If you’re talking about the time she was conducting operations in the Baltic in 1915 and went for coal replenishment, she did go closer to Gdynia in the bay, as that’s where the coal ship was. Sorry, for any confusion. If I do another video on German battlecruisers I’ll be sure to clarify they replenished in the bay!
@janwojtyna3392
28 күн бұрын
@@ImportantNavalHistory thanks for the response. I apologize if I came across strong English is not my first language and due to similarities of the names it is plausible to mix the Polish names for the cities especially that Gdynia built up so much not long after WWI. Thanks again, I really enjoyed your video. Sorry if I came across as an a-hole.
@ImportantNavalHistory
28 күн бұрын
@@janwojtyna3392 Oh you're perfectly fine! I have been guilty of the error of mixing up Gdynia and Gdansk in the past. So, it's really one that I try to get correct. Always happy to respond to comments and you guys always are always double checking me, which I do appreciate! Thanks for watching!
Her food ran out on board during trials! ♍
Pronounced - Kroy - TZ - er
Pronounced Phone Der Tawn
@ImportantNavalHistory
Ай бұрын
Like almost all German and foreign words, I try my best. Appreciate the comment, just know I really am trying my best.