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: https://macau.uni-kiel.de/servlets/MC...

https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Battles...

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Guns-Atlan...

https://hmsjervisbay.com/Story.Illust...

https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Theat...

https://hmsjervisbay.com/Story.HX84.php

https://www.amazon.com/German-Light-C...

https://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.