Blücher

Blücher
Blücher

Launched in June 1937, the heavy cruiser Blücher was one of five vessels in her class, the others being the Lützow, Seydlitz, Prinz Eugen and Admiral Hipper. On 9 April 1940, flying the flag of Admiral Oskar Kummetz, she took part in the German invasion of Norway, leading a group of warships carrying 2000 troops and bound for the Norwegian capital, Oslo.

This spearhead force was to be followed by 15 transport vessels, carrying a further 3761 troops. Although the invasion – the first major amphibious operation of World War II –- was meticulously well planned, Admiral Kummetz ordered his force to proceed through the Drobak Narrows, leading to Oslofjord, at only 12 knots. This would prove a costly decision for the German Navy. The waterway was only 457m (500yd) wide and was heavily defended by forts. Holding their fire until the Blücher was at point-blank range, the Norwegian gunners opened fire and quickly set her ablaze. Their torpedoes then reduced her to a helpless hulk, and at 06:30 hours she capsized and sank with the loss of over 1000 officers and men. In the 1990s, fuel oil leaking from her corroded tanks began to pose a serious pollution threat, requiring a major underwater engineering effort in order to avert a large-scale environmental disaster.

Specifications

Type
Heavy Cruiser
Length
205.83m (675.3ft)
Beam
21.25m (69.75ft)
Draught
5.79m (19ft)
Displacement (normal)
14,474tnes (14,247t)
Displacement (full load)
18,499tnes (18,208t)
Machinery
Boilers & Steam Turbines
Armour (belt)
76.2mm (3in)
Armour (deck)
50.8mm (2in)
Armour (turrets)
101.6mm (4in)
Guns
8x8in; 12x4.1in
AA guns
12x40mm; 8x37mm
Aircraft
Three
Crew
1600
Launched
June 1937
Speed
32.5 knots