Bismarck was the first of two Bismarck-class battleships built for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine. Named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, the ship was laid down at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg in July 1936 and launched in February 1939. Work was completed in August 1940, when she was commissioned into the German fleet. Bismarck and her sister ship Tirpitz were the largest battleships ever built by Germany, and two of the largest built by any European power.
In the course of the warship’s eight-month career under its sole commanding officer, Captain Ernst Lindemann, Bismarck conducted only one offensive operation, lasting 8 days in May 1941, codenamed Rheinübung. The ship, along with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, was to break into the Atlantic Ocean and raid Allied shipping from North America to Great Britain. The two ships were detected several times off Scandinavia, and British naval units were deployed to block their route. At the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the battlecruiser HMS Hood initially engaged Prinz Eugen, probably by mistake, while HMS Prince of Wales engaged Bismarck. In the ensuing battle Hood was destroyed by the combined fire of Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, which then damaged Prince of Wales and forced her retreat. Bismarck suffered sufficient damage from three hits to force an end to the raiding mission.
The destruction of Hood spurred a relentless pursuit by the Royal Navy involving dozens of warships. Two days later, heading for occupied France to effect repairs, Bismarck was attacked by 16 obsolescent Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal; one scored a hit that rendered the battleship’s steering gear inoperable. In her final battle the following morning, the already-crippled Bismarck was severely damaged during a sustained engagement with two British battleships and two heavy cruisers and sank with heavy loss of life.
Construction
Bismarck under construction at Blohm & Voss Hamburg, GermanyBismarck Fitting OutBismarck LaunchingBismarck Fitting OutBismarck Stern ViewBismarck BowBismarck in floating dry dock, Hamburg, July 1940Bismarck Propeller ShaftBismarck PropellersBismarck LaunchingBismarck LaunchingBismarck Fitting OutBismarck Fitting OutBismarck Fitting OutBismarck Being PaintedBismarck fitting out at the Blohm & Voss, Dec 1939. Shows details of her forward twin 380mm Guns
At Sea
BismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarck Underway From Prinz EugenBismarck UnderwayBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarck at SeaBismarck at SeaBismarck BowBismarck at SeaBismarckBismarck at anchorage in Bergen just before it set out for the AtlanticBismarck from the Rensburger Bridge, March 8, 1941
Detailed Photos
Bismarck Port Bow BismarckBismarck Starboard BowBismarck in KielBismarck Starboard SternBismarck Bismarck Main ArmamentBismarck Main ArmamentBismarck Aft Main ArmamentBismarck Main ArmamentDetail of the Aft Main ArmamentBismarckBismarck Aft Main ArmamentBismarck BoatsBismarck BoatsBismarck Bismarck Bismarck Main MastBismarckBismarck BoatsBismarck Secondary ArmamentBismarckBismarckArmored tube and trunking – FWD conning tower.BismarckBismarckBismarckBismarck Port Side Secondary ArmamentBismarck Fitting OutBismarck CommissioningBismarck CommissioningBismarck CraneBismarck Looking ForwardBismarck BridgeBismarckBismarck fire control computer C38 K
In Battle
Bismarck During the BAttle of the Denmark StraitBismarck FiringBismarck Under FireBismarck Firing in the Denmark StraitBismarck Firing in the Denmark StraitBismarck FiringBismarck Firing on HMS Prince of WalesBismarck, a few hours after the Battle of the Denmark Strait, 24 May 1941The sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck as seen from HMS Dorsetshire.HMS Dorsetshire Rescuing Bismarck Survivors
Designed as both a bomber for the Luftwaffe and transport for Luft Hansa, the Junkers Ju 86 first flew on 4 November 1934. Four Ju 86D bombers were sent to Spain during the Civil War, where it was found that the diesel engines could not withstand rough treatment during combat. Although production switched to the E version with radial engines, it was inferior to the Heinkel He 111 and production was cut back.
By the start of the Second World War, the Ju 86 had been relegated to training units, apart from III./KG 1 “Hindenburg” which used them in Poland. During the attempt to supply surrounded German troops at Stalingrad in 1942, many Ju 86 were reallocated to transport units.
In 1940, the Luftwaffe had 40 early model Ju 86s converted to Ju 86P-1 high-altitude bombers and Ju 86P-2 photo-reconnaissance aircraft. During early 1941 the reconnaissance version flew sorties over Britain, but these stopped when Hitler invaded Russia (Operation Barbarossa). By mid-1942 the pressurized bomber version was available, and flew about a dozen nuisance raids over southern England. After the RAF mounted a special interception squadron using modified Spitfire Mk IXs, and one bomber attempting a raid on Portsmouth was intercepted on 12 September 1942, no further flights over England were attempted.
In August 1942, a modified Supermarine Spitfire Mark V shot one down over Egypt at an altitude of some 14,500 m (49,000 ft); when two more were lost, Ju 86Ps were withdrawn from service in 1943.
Junkers Ju 86V-1Junkers Ju 86V-1Junkers Ju 86V-3Junkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREV BrockenJunkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREV BrockenJunkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREV BrockenJunkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREV Brocken with Hitler’s personal Ju 52 D-2600 and a Polish De-2 SP-ASKJunkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREV DresdenJunkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREV DresdenJunkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREVJunkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREVJunkers Ju 86V-4 D-AREVJunkers Ju 86V-5 Prototype of Junkers Ju 86A-1 series
Junkers Ju 86A
The Junkers Ju 86A was the initial bomber version. It was replaced in production by the improved Ju 86D.
Junkers Ju 86A-1Junkers Ju 86A-1 33+D24 4th staffel of KG253Junkers Ju 86A-1Junkers Ju 86A-1Junkers Ju 86A-1Junkers Ju 86A-1Junkers Ju 86A-1 21+A40Junkers Ju 86A bombers in flight 1937Junkers Ju 86 closest is a D, other two are AsJunkers Ju 86A-1 forward gun positionJumo 205 C-4 of a Junkers Ju 86A-1
Junkers Ju 86B
Junkers Ju 86B consisted of seven pre-production transport aircraft.
Junkers Ju 86B-0 D-AKOP Kizmet part of the Oasis Flight in EgyptJunkers Ju 86B-0 D-AKOP Kizmet part of the Oasis Flight in EgyptJunkers Ju 86B-0 D-AKOP Kizmet part of the Oasis Flight in EgyptJunkers Ju 86B-0 D-AKOP Kizmet part of the Oasis Flight in Egypt
Junkers Ju 86C
Six Junkers Ju 86C transport aircraft were built for Deutsche Luft Hansa, powered by two Junkers Jumo 205C diesel engines. These were taken over by the Luftwaffe during the war.
Junkers Ju 86C-1 line drawingJunkers Ju 86C-1 being used by a Luftwaffe transport unitJunkers Ju 86C-1 being used by the Luftwaffe as a transport WL-AJUULuftwaffe Junkers Ju 86C
Junkers Ju 86D
The Junkers Ju 86D replaced the A model in production, incorporating a modified tail cone to improve stability.
Junkers Ju 86D-1Junkers Ju 86D-1Junkers Ju 86 closest is a D, other two are AsJunkers Ju 86D-1Junkers Ju 86D-1Junkers Ju 86D-1Junkers Ju 86D-1 cockpit and bombardier’s positionBomber sight on Junkers Ju 86D-1
Junkers Ju 86E
The Ju 86E replaced the D in production by switching to the BMW 132 engine, production continued until 1938.
Junkers Ju 86E-1Junkers Ju 86E-2 S7+C136Junkers Ju 86E-2Junkers Ju 86E-0Junkers Ju 86EJunkers Ju 86E Luftnachtrichtenschule Junkers Ju 86E from one of the training schools being used to supply StalingradJunkers Ju 86 E serving in the aviation school FFS(C) 6, summer 1940Junkers 86E-1Junkers 86E Being used for night fighter trainingJunkers 86E-1/E-2 NG + WY of the blind flight training school BFS 34 , stationed in Schwerin-Görries in 1944Junkers Ju 86E-1Junkers 86E-1Junkers Ju 86E-1Junkers 86E-2 landing at BrandisJunkers Ju 86E-0 D-ALOHJunkers Ju 86E-0 (D-ALOH)Junkers Ju 86E-1 cockpitVentral mount with MG 15 machine gun on Junkers Ju 86E-1Junkers Ju 86 E-1/E-2Junkers Ju 86E-2 of FFS (C) 1940Junkers 86E-2 crash landed during instrument flying trainingJunkers Ju 86E-1 of FFS (B)Junkers Ju 86E crash landing at Prague-Prusin airbaseJunkers Ju 86E-1 TS+NC of Luftflotten Nachtrichtenschule 1 Finsterwalde Jan 1941Junkers Ju86E-1 DA+AU of FFS Crashed Junkers Ju 86E-1 DB+RH spring 1942Junkers Ju 86E-2 line drawing
Junkers Ju 86G
The Junkers Ju 86G was a development of the Ju 86E fitted with a round glass nose.
Junkers Ju 86G-1 line drawingJunkers Ju 86G-1Junkers Ju 86G-1 S13+C76Junkers Ju 86G-1Junkers Ju 86G-1Junkers Ju 86G-1Junkers Ju 86G-1Junkers Ju 86G-1Junkers Ju 86G-1Junkers Ju 86G-1Junkers Ju 86G-1 of the LNS SchuleJunkers Ju 86G, Flugzeugführerschule (FFS) C 16, Burg b. Magdeburg, Sommer 1940Junkers Ju 86G-1 RB+NEJunkers Ju 86G noseJunkers Ju 86G-1 cockpitJunkers Ju 86G-1 written off after a collision during landing
Junkers Ju 86P
The Ju 86P-1 was a high-altitude bomber version, fitted with two Jumo 207 diesel engines and with turbochargers. The P-2 was fitted for high-altitude photo reconnaissance, but was still equipped for bombing.
Junkers Ju 86P-1 line drawingJunkers Ju 86P-2Junkers Ju 86P-2Junkers Ju 86P-2Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-1Junkers Ju 86P-2The pilot climbing into the Junkers Ju 86P-1 pressurized cabinThe pilot entering the Junkers Ju 86P-1 pressurized cabinJunkers Ju 86P undercarriage bomb bay doors and crew hatchTests with the Jumo 207 A-1 engine on the Junkers Ju 86P-1Pressurized cockpit being fitted onto a Junkers Ju 86G fuselageJunkers Ju 86P cockpit
Junkers Ju 86R
The Junkers Ju 86R was a high-altitude bomber/photo reconnaissance development of the P version. Initially it retained the Jumo 207 engines, but these were later replace by the Jumo 208. Only prototypes of this variant were built.
Junkers Ju 86R-1 line drawingJunkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-2 T5+PMJunkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1Junkers Ju 86R-1
Junkers Ju 86Z
The Junkers Ju 86Z was the designation for civil export models. Several were impressed into Luftwaffe service.
Junkers Ju 86Z-7 operated by a Luftwaffe transport unit
Old Hickory was a 380th Bomb Group 530th Bomb Squadron s/n 42-40827. It was written off on 1 March 1944 after a crash landing at Fenton, Australia.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Old Hockory
Our Gal III
Our Gal III a Consolidated B-24J-90-CO s/n 42-100313 of the 5th AF, 22nd BG, 33rd BS
Consolidated B-24J-90-CO Our Gal III s/n 42-100313 of the 5th AF, 22BG, 33BS
Peace Offering
Consolidated B-24M-10-FO, s/n 44-50811, Peace Offering of the 529th BS 380th BG, Okinawa, 1945.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Peace Offering
Pistol Packin’ Mama
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pistol Packin’ Mama
Pleasure Bent
Consolidated B-24J-75-CO Liberator s/n 42-100157 Pleasure Bent. Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG) “Red Raiders”, 2nd Bombardment Squadron (2nd BS). On April 18, 1945 during on a bombing mission against Toyohara, this aircraft was hit by flak. After a forced landing with two engines out, she was condemned and later scrapped.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pleasure Bent
Pug
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Pug
Queen Mae
Queen Mae was a Consolidated B-24J 155-CO s/n 44-40314 319th Bomb Squadron, 90th Bomb Group. The aircraft survived the war and was scrapped in the Philippines
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Queen Mae
Rangy Lil
Consolidated B-24M-5-CO Liberator Rangy Lil s/n 44-41867 of the 529BS, 380BG, 5th AF
Consolidated B-24M-5-CO Liberator Rangy Lil s/n 44-41867 of the 529BS, 380BG, 5th AFConsolidated B-24M-5-CO Liberator Rangy Lil
Road to Tokyo
Road to Tokyo a Consolidated B-24J s/n 44-40400 of the 90BG, 319BS, 5th Air Force
Road to Tokyo Crew of Consolidated B-24J s/n 44-40400 – 90BG, 319BS, 5th Air Force – Pacific Theater circa 1944
Sandra Kay
Consolidated B-24D-155-CO Sandra Kay s/n 42-72790 of the 380 BG 530 BS. Delivered to the USAAF on 31 July 1943. Flew 89 missions from Australia and New Guinea with another 34 from the Philippines for a total of 123. Written off on 19 May 1945 after a crash landing at Mindoro in the Philippines.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sandra Kay
She ‘Asta
Consolidated B-24D-65-CO of the 380BG 530BS. Transferred to the RAAF as A72-5 on 3 March 1944. She’ Asta flew 28 missions before her transfer.
Consolidated B-24J-25-CO Shootin’ Star s/n 42-73249 of the 308 BG 374 BS 14th Air Force. Shootin’ Star was lost on 12 January 1945 to friendly fire when shot down by three Vought Corsairs.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Shootin Star
Six Bitts
Consolidated B-24J-80-CO Liberator s/n 42-100214 Six Bitts of the 380BG / 529BS. She flew 100 missions, 56 from Australia with another 44 from The Philippines.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Six Bitts
Sleepy Time Gal
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sleepy Time Gal
Snow Job II
Consolidated B-24J Liberator Snow Job II s/n 44-40572 of the 5BG 31BS. The plane was lost on January 10, 1945 while returning from a bombing mission in the Philippines.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Snow Job II
Squeeze
Consolidated B-24M Liberator Squeeze s/n 44-42020 of the 308BG, 374BS. The camel mission tally indicates a mission over the “Hump” or Himalayas supplying the Chinese.
Consolidated B-24M Liberator Squeeze s/n 44-42020 of the 308BG, 374BS
Sweet Revenge
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sweet Revenge s/n 42-52648 of the 484BG, 15th Air Force
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Sweet Revenge s/n 42-52648 of the 484BG, 15th Air Force
The Bitch’s Sister
Consolidated B-24J Liberator The Bitch’s Sister 308BG 375BS, 14th Air Force
Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Bitch’s Sister 308BG, 14th Air Force
The Carrier Pigeon
Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Carrier Pigeon s/n 42-51451 of the 389BG 564BS coded YO-M
Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Carrier Pigeon s/n 42-51451 of the 389BG 564BS coded YO-M
The Horrible Monster
Consolidated B-24J-175-CO Liberator The Horrible Monster of the 864th BS, 494th BG, 7th AF
Consolidated B-24J-175-CO Liberator The Horrible Monster of the 864th BS, 494th BG, 7th AF
The Red Ass
Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Red Ass
The Thunder Mug
Consolidated B-24H Liberator s/n 41-28750 The Thunder Mug 467BG 789BS
Consolidated B-24H Liberator s/n 41-28750 The Thunder Mug 467BG 789BS
Toonerville Trolley
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Toonerville Trolley of the 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron, s/n 42-50731 coded HP-Y
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Toonerville Trolley of the 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron, s/n 42-50731 coded HP-Y
