The German aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin was the lead ship in a class of two carriers of the same name ordered by the Kriegsmarine. She was the only aircraft carrier launched by Germany and represented part of the Kriegsmarine’s attempt to create a well-balanced oceangoing fleet, capable of projecting German naval power far beyond the narrow confines of the Baltic and North Seas. The carrier would have had a complement of 42 fighters and dive bombers.
Construction on Graf Zeppelin began on 28 December 1936, when her keel was laid down at the Deutsche Werke shipyard in Kiel. Named in honor of Graf (Count) Ferdinand von Zeppelin, the ship was launched on 8 December 1938, and was 85% complete by the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. Graf Zeppelin was not completed and was never operational due to shifting construction priorities necessitated by the war. She remained in the Baltic for the duration of the war; with Germany’s defeat imminent, the ship’s custodian crew scuttled her just outside Stettin in March 1945. The Soviet Union raised the ship in March 1946, and she was ultimately sunk in weapons tests north of Poland 17 months later. The wreck was discovered by a Polish survey ship in July 2006.
Photographs of models of the Graf Zeppelin can be found here.
Keel laying 28 December 1936.Photo of the forward part of the ship from 22 March 1937. Bulkheads are being installed.22 March 1937, construction of the transverse and longitudinal sections for the double bottom.Installation of bulkheads in the rear part of the hull 23 June 1937.Installation of bulkheads from 23 June 1937.Photo showing the construction of the armoured deck 14 September 1937.21 June 1938, the two aircraft hangar decks, build on top of each other, can be seen.21 September 1938 the construction of the flight deck21 September 1938, forward view of the construction of the flight deck.21 September 1938, construction of the hull.View over the fore part of the ship 28 November 1938. The forward aircraft elevator is also visible.25 November 1938 the twin rudders and the four shafts for the propellers.25 November 1938, starboard view of the ship25 November 1938, starboard view of the aft of the carrier with the overhanging flight deck.26 November 1938, the carrier is almost ready to be launched. The ship’s crest has yet to be mounted.28 November 1938, the big rectangular opening on the flight deck is for the funnel.December 1938 final preparations before the launching ceremony a few days later
The Launch of Graf Zeppelin
Graf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf Zeppelin 25 Nov 1938Launch of the Graf Zeppelin at Deutsche Werk, Kiel, GermanyDecember 8, 1938 Launch of the Graf Zeppelin at Deutsche Werk, Kiel, Germany.December 8 1938 Launch of the Graf Zeppelin at Deutsche Werk Kiel GermanyGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinDecember 8 1938 Graf Zeppelin seen just after launchGraf Zeppelin seen just after launchGraf ZeppelinGraf Zeppelin 1938
Fitting Out
Graf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf Zeppelin 1938Graf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf Zeppelin in drydock in March 1943Graf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf ZeppelinGraf Zeppelin in Stettin, 1941Graf Zeppelin outside Stettin September 1945
Aerial Photos
Graf ZeppelinFebruary 6, 1942 Graf Zeppelin (moored at left) seen at Gotenhafen (Gdynia), PolandGraf Zeppelin May 1943 at Stettin
Under Soviet Control
April 5 1947 Graf Zeppelin seen in Soviet hands at Swinoujscie Poland Formally Swinemünde GermanySeptember 1945 Graf Zeppelin seen in Soviet hands at Szczecin Poland Formally Stettin Germany (2)September 1945 Graf Zeppelin seen in Soviet hands at Szczecin Poland Formally Stettin GermanyGraf Zeppelin sunk as a target by the Soviets on August 16, 1947Graf Zeppelin sunk as a target by the Soviets on August 16, 1947
Catapult Trials
Messerschmitt BF 109 B testing the Graf Zeppelin’s launch systemMesserschmitt BF 109 B testing the Graf Zeppelin’s launch system
Internal Detail
15 cm gun casemate mount on 15 cm guns casemate mount in the WW2 German unfinished aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin
