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Tag: Navy

German Heavy Cruiser KMS Prinz Eugen

Prinz Eugen

German Heavy Cruiser KMS Prinz Eugen

Prinz Eugen was an Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruiser that served with Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine during World War II. The ship was laid down in April 1936, launched in August 1938, and entered service after the outbreak of war, in August 1940.

Prinz Eugen saw action during Operation Rheinübung, an attempted breakout into the Atlantic Ocean with the battleship Bismarck in May 1941. The two ships destroyed the British battlecruiser HMS Hood and moderately damaged the battleship HMS Prince of Wales in the Battle of the Denmark Strait. Prinz Eugen was detached from Bismarck during the operation to raid Allied merchant shipping, but this was cut short due to engine troubles. After putting into occupied France and undergoing repairs, the ship participated in Operation Cerberus, a daring daylight dash through the English Channel back to Germany. In February 1942, Prinz Eugen was deployed to Norway, although her time stationed there was curtailed when she was torpedoed by the British submarine Trident days after arriving in Norwegian waters. The torpedo severely damaged the ship’s stern, which necessitated repairs in Germany. Upon returning to active service, the ship spent several months training officer cadets in the Baltic before serving as artillery support for the retreating German Army on the Eastern Front.

After the war, Prinz Eugen was given over to the U.S. Navy and briefly became USS Prinz Eugen (IX-300). She survived both two atomic bomb blasts at Bikini Atoll in 1946, with only a broken main mast to show for it. Prinz Eugen survived the blasts, but she became frightfully radioactive.

After the tests, Prinz Eugen was towed to Kwajalein Atoll where she ultimately capsized and sank in December 1946. The wreck remains partially visible above the water approximately two miles northwest of Bucholz Army Airfield, on the edge of Enubuj.

Photographs of Prinz Eugen

Under Construction

Prinz Eugen Under construction
Prinz Eugen Under construction
Prinz Eugen being launched
Prinz Eugen being launched
Prinz Eugen being launched
Prinz Eugen being launched
Prinz Eugen Under construction next to Steiermark which was converted to the raider Kormoran
Prinz Eugen Under construction next to Steiermark which was converted to the raider Kormoran
Prinz Eugen during fitting out 1939
Prinz Eugen during fitting out 1939

Battle of the Denmark Strait

Shells from HMS Hood fall near Prinz Eugen, 24 May 1941
Shells from HMS Hood fall near Prinz Eugen, 24 May 1941

Channel Dash

Passing through the English Channel Prinz Eugen at 30 knots on February 1942 during Operation Cerberus, The Channel Dash
Passing through the English Channel Prinz Eugen at 30 knots on February 1942 during Operation Cerberus, The Channel Dash
Gneisenau and Scharnhorst trailing Prinz Eugen during Operation Cerberus, The Channel Dash Feb 1942
Gneisenau and Scharnhorst trailing Prinz Eugen during Operation Cerberus, The Channel Dash Feb 1942

Damage

Prinz Eugen under repairs at Trondheim, Norway, after being torpedoed by the British submarine Trident on 23 February 1942
Prinz Eugen under repairs at Trondheim, Norway, after being torpedoed by the British submarine Trident on 23 February 1942
Prinz Eugen's Stern as it looked after emergency repairs in Norway in May 1942
Prinz Eugen’s Stern as it looked after emergency repairs in Norway in May 1942
Prinz Eugen at sea 17 May 1942 with damaged stern
Prinz Eugen at sea 17 May 1942 with damaged stern
Improvised stearing after Prinz Eugen's emergency repairs in Norway in May 1942
Improvised stearing after Prinz Eugen’s emergency repairs in Norway in May 1942
Prinz Eugen's collision with Leipzig. At 2004 hours on 15 October 1944
Prinz Eugen’s collision with Leipzig. At 2004 hours on 15 October 1944
Prinz Eugen's Bow as it looked after the ship accidentally rammed the light cruiser Leipzig
Prinz Eugen’s Bow as it looked after the ship accidentally rammed the light cruiser Leipzig

RAF Aerial Photography

Halifaxes of No. 35 Squadron RAF over the naval dockyard, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau are berthed Prinz Eugen middle
Halifaxes of No. 35 Squadron RAF over the naval dockyard, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau are berthed Prinz Eugen middle
Prinz Eugen Berthed
Prinz Eugen Berthed
RAF photo recon image of KMS Prinz Eugen underway in the Baltic sea off Gotenhafen (today Gdynia), 24 March 1945
RAF photo recon image of KMS Prinz Eugen underway in the Baltic sea off Gotenhafen (today Gdynia), 24 March 1945

General Photographs

Prinz Eugen anchored in the Baltic in the spring of 1941.
Prinz Eugen anchored in the Baltic in the spring of 1941.
Prinz Eugen superstructure, looking forward from alongside
Prinz Eugen superstructure, looking forward from alongside
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen Kiel 1941
Prinz Eugen Kiel 1941
Prinz Eugen refuelling the Bismarck
Prinz Eugen refuelling the Bismarck
Prinz Eugen Mid-ships, with Arado Ar 196 floatplane
Prinz Eugen Mid-ships, with Arado Ar 196 floatplane
Prinz Eugen Looking aft from the forecastle
Prinz Eugen Looking aft from the forecastle
Prinz Eugen 1945
Prinz Eugen 1945
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Admiral Scheer and Prinz Eugen at Lofjord Feb 1942
Admiral Scheer and Prinz Eugen at Lofjord Feb 1942
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen
Prinz Eugen in the Lofjord near Trondheim in 1942. In the far background is the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper.
Prinz Eugen in the Lofjord near Trondheim in 1942. In the far background is the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper.
Arrangement aft, showing Ar-196 floatplane stowage, radar, A. A. directors and torpedo tubes
Arrangement aft, showing Arado Ar 196 floatplane stowage, radar, A. A. directors and torpedo tubes

Armament

Prinz Eugen firing forward guns during tests in 1946
Prinz Eugen firing forward guns during tests in 1946
10.5 cm mount
10.5 cm mount
20mm Quad Oerlikon gun mounting
20mm Quad Oerlikon gun mounting
20mm Quad Oerlikon gun mounting
20mm Quad Oerlikon gun mounting
Torpedo Launcher
Torpedo Launcher
Rear of torpedo tubes
Rear of torpedo tubes
Prinz Eugen's torpedo workshop. The overhead rail was used to move torpedoes in and out of the workshop
Prinz Eugen’s torpedo workshop. The overhead rail was used to move torpedoes in and out of the workshop
Inside of gun turret of Prinz Eugen in 1946
Inside of gun turret of Prinz Eugen in 1946

Radar Antennas

Forward superstructure, showing antennas mounted on the main gun director and foremast
Forward superstructure, showing antennas mounted on the main gun director and foremast
FuMO 27 radar antenna
FuMO 27 radar antenna
FuMO 81 Berlin radar antenna atop the foremast of Prinz Eugen in 1945
FuMO 81 Berlin radar antenna atop the foremast of Prinz Eugen in 1945
Looking forward from amidship after V-E Day, with FuMO 26 and FuMO 81 radar antennas
Looking forward from amidship after V-E Day, with FuMO 26 and FuMO 81 radar antennas

Post Surrender

Prinz Eugen with a smaller vessel alongside 9 May 1945 in Copenhagen
Prinz Eugen with a smaller vessel alongside 9 May 1945 in Copenhagen
Prinz Eugen with a smaller vessel alongside 9 May 1945 in Copenhagen
Prinz Eugen with a smaller vessel alongside 9 May 1945 in Copenhagen
Prinz Eugen under Danish guard in Copenhagen 1945
Prinz Eugen under Danish guard in Copenhagen 1945
Removing ammunition from Prinz Eugen after her surrender. 18 May 1945 Copenhagen
Removing ammunition from Prinz Eugen after her surrender. 18 May 1945 Copenhagen
Kriegsmarine sailors disposing ammunition from Prinz Eugen, surrendered at Copenhagen, Denmark 1945
Kriegsmarine sailors disposing ammunition from Prinz Eugen, surrendered at Copenhagen, Denmark 1945
Prinz Eugen in Copenhagen Denmark 1945
Prinz Eugen in Copenhagen Denmark 1945
After port superstructure, looking aft from alongside, soon after V-E Day
After port superstructure, looking aft from alongside, soon after V-E Day
Prinz Eugen in drydock at Wilhelmshaven, soon after V-E Day
Prinz Eugen in drydock at Wilhelmshaven, soon after V-E Day
Prinz Eugen in a floating drydock at Wilhelmshaven, soon after V-E Day.
Prinz Eugen in a floating drydock at Wilhelmshaven, soon after V-E Day.
Prinz Eugen stern, showing triple screws, rudder, a stern anchor and propeller guard boom
Prinz Eugen stern, showing triple screws, rudder, a stern anchor and propeller guard boom
Posted on

ANZAC Day Sydney

World War 1 Flags ANZAC Day March Sydney

ANZAC Day Sydney

We usually attend ANZAC Dawn Service in our home town of Singleton. However since our daughter joined the RAN and was marching in Sydney we travelled down to see her.

By far the biggest parade in the state if  not Australia (we haven’t seen Melbourne’s parade so cant compare). It was impressive for its sheer size.

Getting There

Travelling down by train we arrived at Central Station in plenty if time to walk into the city a grab a coffee along the way. We could have caught a train to Hyde Park but wanted to stretch our legs after a 2 hour train journey.

We picked a spot near Bathurst Street and staked our place at the barriers so that we could get the best view. This turned out to be a good plan as the crowd was soon several people deep.

The ANZAC Day Parade

The parade started with the cavalry horse being led with no rider but with boots placed  backwards in the stirrups to represent its deceased rider and extending this to all of those killed in battle.

For Fallen Comrades ANZAC Day March Sydney
For Fallen Comrades

Veterans who were no longer able to walk or march followed in cars. These all received huge cheers as they went past. Veterans then passed marching behind their unit flags, some interacting with the crowd, all receiving huge cheers.

  • Ford Falcon Taxi For Veterans ANZAC Day March Sydney
    Ford Falcon Taxi For Veterans
  • Plymouth Taxi For Veterans on the March Anzac Day
    Plymouth Taxi For Veterans on the March

Once the veterans had passed currently serving personnel marched passed.

  • World War 1 Flags ANZAC Day March Sydney
    World War 1 Flags
  • Royal Australian Navy ANZAC Day March Sydney
    Royal Australian Navy

Interspersed with the marchers were bands from around the state with the Scottish bands with pipes and drums providing some great sounds.  The parade goes on for 4 hours, and provides a lot of history to today’s society.  Once the parade is over, there is the opportunity to play two up, or eat and socialise throughout a huge area.

Scots Band on Anzac Day
Scots Band on Anzac Day

The march ends at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, where the ceremony is held.

  • ANZAC Memorial Hyde Park Sydney
    ANZAC Memorial Hyde Park Sydney

If you are in Sydney on April 25, it is highly recommended that you go and visit the parade.  If you live in Sydney, this is something worth doing, to remember those how have and do serve Australia.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Posted on

HMAS Newcastle Arriving in Newcastle Harbour

HMAS Newcastle FFG 06 Entering Newcastle Harbour Royal Australian Navy Warships Warship Ship Ships

HMAS Newcastle FFG 06 arrived in Newcastle Harbour today for what will probably be its final visit before decommissioning.  

We arrived early and spent a relaxing afternoon walking on the foreshore.  We had a very nice steak pie at Harry’s Cafe De-Wheels and an ice cream from across the road.  The foreshore was a very pleasant backdrop to sit and eat lunch next to.

While eating we watched the coal ships coming and going and had a great view of Nobby’s Headland.  Then we walked up to Nobby’s Surfhouse and had a nice coffee until the ship was due.

HMAS Newcastle arrived around 3:30PM, to a large crowd all along the break water and foreshore.

An in all a very relaxing afternoon.

Nobby's Headland
Nobby’s Headland
Tug Boat Newcastle Harbour
Tug Boat Newcastle Harbour
Coal Ship Newcastle Harbour
Coal Ship Newcastle Harbour
HMAS Newcastle FFG 06
HMAS Newcastle FFG 06

To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.