Battleship Scharnhorst

The Scharnhorst was a German capital ship, launched in 1936 and completed in 1939. It armed with nine 28cm C/34 guns and took part in Operation Weserübung, the German invasion of Norway, and the Battle of the North Cape. Most of her crew was lost when HMS Duke of York and her escorts sank her in 1943. This is the most comprehensive examination of the ship ever published.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Kriegsmarine's formidable Scharnhorst, a German capital ship, was a versatile battleship or battlecruiser, serving as the flagship of its class, which comprised one other vessel, Gneisenau. Launched on October 3, 1936, and completed in January 1939, this remarkable vessel boasted an impressive armament of nine 28cm C/34 guns housed in three triple turrets. Throughout the early stages of World War II, Scharnhorst operated alongside Gneisenau, engaging in daring Atlantic raids on British merchant shipping. They played a significant role in Operation Weserübung (April-June 1940), the German invasion of Norway, where they sank the formidable aircraft carrier HMS Glorious and her escort destroyers, Acasta and Ardent. Notably, Scharnhorst also sank HMS Rawalpindi in November 1939. In early 1943, Scharnhorst joined forces with the Tirpitz in Norway, strategically positioned to intercept Allied convoys bound for the Soviet Union. During a sortie from Norway to launch an attack on a convoy, the German force encountered a British interception, resulting in the intense Battle of the North Cape on December 26, 1943. In this pivotal encounter, HMS Duke of York and her escorts successfully sank Scharnhorst, tragically claiming the lives of most of her crew. This comprehensive examination of Scharnhorst, the most in-depth ever published, delves into new research and cutting-edge technology to present the complete story of this legendary ship. It encompasses a comprehensive set of detailed line drawings, accompanied by fully descriptive keys and captivating full-color 3D artwork. Supported by extensive technical details, photographs, and insightful text on the ship's construction and service history, this publication offers a profound understanding of Scharnhorst's remarkable journey.

Weight: 1788g
Dimension: 248 x 257 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472840233