Battleship Scharnhorst (DVD) Battleship Documentary. All Regions

Battleship Scharnhorst  (DVD) Battleship Documentary. All Regions.

The origins of the Scharnhorst can be traced

as far back as 1928. However, as a result of

the strict conditions imposed on Germany by

the Treaty of Versailles, the early ships were

overdeveloped in terms of speed and poor in

terms of stability. Additionally, there was a

discrepancy betweenthe number of guns and

thier callibre.

When the national Socialists came to power in

1933, German foreign policy was focused on

amendments to the Treaty. With the Anglo German Treaty of 1935, Hitler finally succeeded

in getting rid of many of the restrictions. This meant that the construction of ships of the

Scharnhorst class, originally planned in secret, had been legalized.

The Battleship "Scharnhorst" and her sister ship "Gneisenau" heralded the first large German

warships since 1918. These newly developed craft represented a successful merging of the

former liners and battle cruisers from the time of the first World War. The construction of

so-called "Speed Battleships" began in the mid-thirties with these two models.

The "Scharnhorst" took part in a variety of operations during the second World War. Her

most legendary exploit was, together with her sister ship the "Gneisenau", and the heavy

cruiser "Prinz Eugen", the breakthrough of the Channel in 1942 (Operation Cerberus).

Part One : The Early Years: Traces the early history of the ship, from the launch and sea

trials to the dramatic dash through the English Channel back to Germany in 1942.

(75 minutes)

Part Two : After the loss of her sister ship

"Gneisenau",

, the good fortunes of the

Scharnhorst ran out; while intercepting a Murmansk bound Allied convoy in December

1943, the Scharnhorst was attacked by two British warship groups. Putting up a valiant

fight against hopeless odds, the Scharnhorst was finally sunk after sustaining 15 torpedo

hits. Out of 1968 crewmen, only 36 survived.

(56 Minutes)

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