My Kriegsmarine postcards

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Ahhh, the Bismarck, a great looking ship. 53,000 tons of German prowess, all brought undone by a plane that in all likelihood could have been shot down by the Red Baron. I've always wondered if they launched their Ar 196, it may have all been averted. Surely the Arado could have made short work of the Fairy Swordfish? I still think it should have pursued and sunk the Prince of Wales, then returned home for repairs - propaganda coup and it could have sailed again. Imagine if it teamed up with the Tirpitz?

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Now, check this one out! Die Deutsche Kriegsmarine, 1939

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Next up is the Schwerer Kreuzer Admiral Hipper. German heavy cruisers were nice looking ships IMHO

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Troy: You're right. The Germans did design some great looking ships. Dwight

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Leichter Kreuzer Köln 1940 - German cruiser Köln - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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My R-Boat postcard, Räumboot No.19 1940 R boat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[drmessimer]

Troy: I looked this one up in Erich Gröner, Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe, 1815-1945 because I was surprised at the specs on the postcard, 90 T, 18 Kn, and Crew 17. According to Gröner, her tonnage was "about 120" combat loaded, speed was 21 kn, and the crew was 34 to 38. R19 was bombed and sunk on 16 September 1943 at Nantes, but the abbreviated entry doesn't say if the boat was in the harbor during an air raid or attacked at sea by an airplane. I would guess that she was in port during an air raid since hitting a boat that size and as maneuverable as she was, would be virtually impossible if she was at sea and underway. The photo you posted and the line drawing in Gröner appear to be the same boat, but I wonder if maybe they are different boats. Dwight

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Speaking of German ships of the 1800s Dwight, check this one out! Das Preußische Panzerschiff Prinz Adlabert 1866

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Feuerbereit!

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Fliegerabwehr an Bord