World War II: The German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer is sunk by the Royal Air Force

The Admiral Scheer, a formidable vessel of the Deutschland-class, holds a unique place in naval history. Often referred to colloquially as a "pocket battleship," she served with the Kriegsmarine (War Navy) of Nazi Germany throughout World War II. Her name honored Admiral Reinhard Scheer, a celebrated German commander renowned for his leadership during the pivotal Battle of Jutland in 1916, one of the largest naval engagements of World War I. This connection imbued the ship with a sense of historical gravitas and national pride from her very inception.

Conceived during a period of strict naval limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles following World War I, the Deutschland-class represented a clever, albeit controversial, circumvention of these restrictions. While nominally designed to stay within the treaty's 10,000 long tons (approximately 10,000 metric tons) displacement limit for warships, Admiral Scheer, like her sister ships, significantly exceeded this figure, displacing a full load of 15,180 long tons (15,420 metric tons). This deliberate design choice allowed Germany to construct vessels that could "outgun any cruiser and outrun any battleship," a strategic doctrine that gave rise to the "pocket battleship" moniker. Armed with six powerful 28 cm (11 inch) guns housed in two triple gun turrets, these ships possessed firepower typically associated with larger battleships, yet their respectable top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h or 32 mph) meant that only a select few ships in the Anglo-French navies were fast enough to catch them and powerful enough to pose a significant threat. This combination of speed and heavy armament made them ideal for commerce raiding, a role they would later fulfill with devastating effectiveness.

Initially classified by the Reichsmarine (the German Navy during the Weimar Republic) as an armored ship (Panzerschiff), this designation reflected their unique capabilities. However, as the political and military landscape shifted, and perhaps to better align with international naval classifications, the German High Command reclassified the remaining two ships of this class (after the loss of Admiral Graf Spee) as heavy cruisers in February 1940. This reclassification, while perhaps a more accurate description of their role and size relative to true battleships, did not diminish their formidable reputation.

Operational History

From the Spanish Civil War to Arctic Convoys

Admiral Scheer was no stranger to action, seeing extensive service even before the outbreak of World War II. Her first significant deployment was to the tumultuous waters of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. As part of Germany's covert support for General Francisco Franco's Nationalist forces, the ship patrolled Spanish coasts and provided a show of force. Her involvement notably included the bombardment of the port of Almería on May 31, 1937. This retaliatory strike followed an attack by Republican aircraft on her sister ship, Deutschland, off Ibiza, demonstrating Germany's willingness to use its naval power to protect its interests and personnel.

With the commencement of World War II, Admiral Scheer embarked on her most renowned missions. Her inaugural wartime operation was a prolonged and highly successful commerce raiding campaign into the vast expanse of the southern Atlantic Ocean, which even included a brief, audacious foray into the Indian Ocean. From October 1940 to April 1941, she became a phantom menace, preying on Allied merchant shipping. During this remarkable voyage, she managed to sink an astonishing 113,223 gross register tons (GRT) of shipping. This exceptional achievement earned her the distinction of being the most successful capital ship surface raider of the entire war, a testament to her design and the skill of her crew.

Following her triumphant return to Germany, Admiral Scheer was subsequently redeployed to the icy, treacherous waters of northern Norway. Here, her mission was to interdict the vital Allied convoys, particularly the PQ and JW series, which transported essential Lend-Lease aid from Britain and America to the Soviet Union through the Arctic Ocean. These convoys were a lifeline for the Soviet war effort and a constant target for German forces. Admiral Scheer played a role in the abortive attack on Convoy PQ 17 in July 1942, an operation that, despite her limited direct engagement, resulted in heavy Allied losses due to German U-boat and Luftwaffe attacks, coupled with a controversial Admiralty order to scatter the convoy. Later that year, she conducted Operation Wunderland, a daring sortie into the remote Kara Sea, further into the Arctic, aiming to disrupt Soviet shipping and supply lines in that region, though it yielded limited success.

Final Years and Fate

By the end of 1942, with the strategic situation in the Arctic shifting and the need for experienced crews, Admiral Scheer returned to Germany. For a period, she served a crucial role as a training ship, helping to instruct the next generation of German naval personnel. However, as the war dragged into its final, desperate stages in late 1944, she was once again called to the front lines. Her powerful armament was utilized to support ground operations along the Baltic coast, providing heavy naval gunfire support to beleaguered German forces attempting to stem the relentless advance of the Soviet Army.

As the conflict drew to a close, Admiral Scheer moved to the port of Kiel for much-needed repairs in March 1945. Yet, in the spring of 1945, Germany was under an unceasing aerial onslaught by Allied bombers. On April 9, 1945, during a massive raid by British bombers on Kiel, the venerable warship was struck multiple times, leading to her capsizing in the harbor. Partially salvaged and scrapped in the immediate aftermath of the war, the remaining sections of her wreck found their final resting place when the inner part of the Kiel dockyard was systematically filled in, burying the remnants of a ship that had once represented a potent symbol of German naval power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was a "pocket battleship"?
The term "pocket battleship" was an unofficial British designation for the German Deutschland-class armored ships, including Admiral Scheer. It reflected their unique design: heavily armed with battleship-caliber guns (28 cm/11-inch) but with a cruiser's speed, making them capable of outgunning any cruiser and outrunning any battleship. This design was a clever circumvention of the naval limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.
Why was Admiral Scheer reclassified as a heavy cruiser?
Initially designated as an "armored ship" (Panzerschiff), Admiral Scheer and her sister ship (after Graf Spee's loss) were officially reclassified as heavy cruisers by the German Kriegsmarine in February 1940. This reclassification likely aimed to align their designation more closely with international naval conventions, as their capabilities and size, while unique, were closer to large heavy cruisers than true battleships.
Who was Admiral Reinhard Scheer?
Admiral Reinhard Scheer was a distinguished German naval officer who commanded the German High Seas Fleet during World War I. He is most famous for leading the German forces at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916, the largest naval battle of the war, where his tactical decisions against the British Grand Fleet earned him recognition as a formidable naval strategist.
What was Admiral Scheer's most significant operation?
Her most significant operation was undoubtedly her commerce raiding cruise into the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean from October 1940 to April 1941. During this audacious and extended mission, Admiral Scheer successfully sank 113,223 gross register tons of Allied shipping, making her the most successful capital ship surface raider of World War II.
How did Admiral Scheer meet her end?
Admiral Scheer was sunk in the harbor of Kiel, Germany, on April 9, 1945, during a major air raid by British bombers. She was struck by multiple bombs, causing her to capsize. After the war, her wreck was partially salvaged and scrapped, with the remaining portions buried when the inner part of the Kiel dockyard was filled in.