Rare Bismarck Photos - Slipway to Sinking (Pic Heavy)

[Realjambo]

A lot of us here have many books about the Naval war of WW2, I'm no different (I deserve shares in Amazon!)

Some get read once, put back on the shelf, others become favourites, and one or two never get read - This is one of those, and today I fully appreciated the photo's in it - so I'll share them with you.

'Battleship Bismarck - A Survivor's Story' by Baron Burkard Von Mullenheim-Reichberg. My copy was printed in 1982. The author was assigned to her in May 1940 and was the most senior rated survivor, come 27th May 1941. I hope you like the pictures - apologies for the quality, but the photo's are old themselves - that said, I really must get a small tripod for macro photography!

1. Cover
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck.jpg

2. Looking aft, at the Blohm & Voss shipyard. Complete up to her armoured deck. The octagonal hole in the foreground is awaiting the installation of the 38cm gun 'Bruno'. All 15cm turrets are already in place.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck1.jpg

3. Almost complete - up to her upper deck level. Barbettes for her main and secondary batteries are installed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck2.jpg

4. Christened by Frau Dorothea von Lowenfeld, granddaughter of Prince otto von Bismarck, she makes her down the slip way to great fan fare.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck3.jpg

5. In dry dock. Her propellers, almost 5 metres in diameter. The person who took this photo would have no idea how significant those huge rudders would prove to be to her demise. Note the size of the worker on the prop hub to the right for scale.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck5.jpg

6. Same dry dock, impressive angle
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck4.jpg

7. The dark colour on the gun barrels are red lead. Applied after the heat generated from repeated firing blistered and peeled off the standard grey paint. The rings around the barrel hold firm a cable connected to a coil at the muzzle that helped measure each shells time of flight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck8.jpg

8. Left - Provisions bought up to the galley from the meat store below. Right - A tailor at work.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck10.jpg

9. Given the number of crew aboard, the Bismarck had it's own shoe cobbler's work shop.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck11.jpg

10. Steam press in Bismarck's Laundry.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck12.jpg

11. A cook ladles food into pots that were then carried to the mess tables.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck13.jpg

12. Made fast at the main outfitting wharf at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg. Bismarck was stuck here until 6th March 1941 due to a sunken ship blocking the Kiel Canal.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck14.jpg

13. On the move. Negotiating the Elbe on her maiden voyage. She struck a tug, 'Atlantik', but of course sustained no damage.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck16.jpg

14. I wish I had been the photographer here! Bismarck, surrounded by seagulls, returning up the Elbe, December 1940. Range finder cuppola and radar antenna now installed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck18.jpg

15. Camouflage paint work at Scheerhafen, March 1941.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck19.jpg

16. On board Dentist - Dr. Rolf Hinrichsen goes to work.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck20.jpg

17. Bismarck's Medical Dispensary/ Note the bars across the bottles to prevent them falling out of the racks.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck21.jpg

18. Aerial photo of Bismarck in Grimstadfjord, by Flying Officer Michael Sucking of RAF Coastal Command confirmed the Allies suspicions that Germany's heavy ships were preparing to break out into the Atlantic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck23.jpg

19. Guns trained abeam, Bismarck launches a salvo in the battle off Iceland.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck24.jpg

20. Note the bow wave, and consider the size of Bismarck. Running at top speed, having fired a salvo at Admiral Holland's encroaching allied force.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck25.jpg

21. Guns Dora and Caesar let rip at HMS Prince of Wales.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck26.jpg

22. The huge column of smoke marks the spot where Battle Cruiser HMS Hood blew up and sank. Smoke to the left are from HMS Prince of Wales' Guns.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck27.jpg

23. Bismarck has turned to starboard of her cruiser escort. Guns trained astern, having just fired a salvo. To the right is a column of water caused by a salvo from HMS Prince of Wales. Water splashes of 70 feet high were not uncommon.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck28.jpg

24. To the left, HMS Hood burns. To the right, HMS Prince of Wales is taking a pounding from Bismarck. Water splashed to the left og HMS Prince of Wales reveal how short her salvo's fell.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck29.jpg

25. After the battle off Iceland, Bismarck tucks in behind Prinz Eugen. Guns are now silent.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck30.jpg

26. Splinter damage aboard HMS Sheffield caused by Bismarck's 38cm shells. HMS Sheffield was a key player in the shadowing and tracking of the Bismarck. Bismarck spotted her coming out the mist that both hampered and helped the Allies.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck31.jpg

27. HMS Rodney Vs. Bismarck.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck32.jpg

... and, as they say, the rest is history. Hope you enjoyed the photo's.

[Realjambo]

A lot of us here have many books about the Naval war of WW2, I'm no different (I deserve shares in Amazon!)

Some get read once, put back on the shelf, others become favourites, and one or two never get read - This is one of those, and today I fully appreciated the photo's in it - so I'll share them with you.

'Battleship Bismarck - A Survivor's Story' by Baron Burkard Von Mullenheim-Reichberg. My copy was printed in 1982. The author was assigned to her in May 1940 and was the most senior rated survivor, come 27th May 1941. I hope you like the pictures - apologies for the quality, but the photo's are old themselves - that said, I really must get a small tripod for macro photography!

1. Cover
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck.jpg

2. Looking aft, at the Blohm & Voss shipyard. Complete up to her armoured deck. The octagonal hole in the foreground is awaiting the installation of the 38cm gun 'Bruno'. All 15cm turrets are already in place.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck1.jpg

3. Almost complete - up to her upper deck level. Barbettes for her main and secondary batteries are installed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck2.jpg

4. Christened by Frau Dorothea von Lowenfeld, granddaughter of Prince otto von Bismarck, she makes her down the slip way to great fan fare.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck3.jpg

5. In dry dock. Her propellers, almost 5 metres in diameter. The person who took this photo would have no idea how significant those huge rudders would prove to be to her demise. Note the size of the worker on the prop hub to the right for scale.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck5.jpg

6. Same dry dock, impressive angle
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck4.jpg

7. The dark colour on the gun barrels are red lead. Applied after the heat generated from repeated firing blistered and peeled off the standard grey paint. The rings around the barrel hold firm a cable connected to a coil at the muzzle that helped measure each shells time of flight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck8.jpg

8. Left - Provisions bought up to the galley from the meat store below. Right - A tailor at work.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck10.jpg

9. Given the number of crew aboard, the Bismarck had it's own shoe cobbler's work shop.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck11.jpg

10. Steam press in Bismarck's Laundry.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck12.jpg

11. A cook ladles food into pots that were then carried to the mess tables.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck13.jpg

12. Made fast at the main outfitting wharf at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg. Bismarck was stuck here until 6th March 1941 due to a sunken ship blocking the Kiel Canal.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck14.jpg

13. On the move. Negotiating the Elbe on her maiden voyage. She struck a tug, 'Atlantik', but of course sustained no damage.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck16.jpg

14. I wish I had been the photographer here! Bismarck, surrounded by seagulls, returning up the Elbe, December 1940. Range finder cuppola and radar antenna now installed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck18.jpg

15. Camouflage paint work at Scheerhafen, March 1941.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck19.jpg

16. On board Dentist - Dr. Rolf Hinrichsen goes to work.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck20.jpg

17. Bismarck's Medical Dispensary/ Note the bars across the bottles to prevent them falling out of the racks.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck21.jpg

18. Aerial photo of Bismarck in Grimstadfjord, by Flying Officer Michael Sucking of RAF Coastal Command confirmed the Allies suspicions that Germany's heavy ships were preparing to break out into the Atlantic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck23.jpg

19. Guns trained abeam, Bismarck launches a salvo in the battle off Iceland.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck24.jpg

20. Note the bow wave, and consider the size of Bismarck. Running at top speed, having fired a salvo at Admiral Holland's encroaching allied force.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck25.jpg

21. Guns Dora and Caesar let rip at HMS Prince of Wales.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck26.jpg

22. The huge column of smoke marks the spot where Battle Cruiser HMS Hood blew up and sank. Smoke to the left are from HMS Prince of Wales' Guns.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck27.jpg

23. Bismarck has turned to starboard of her cruiser escort. Guns trained astern, having just fired a salvo. To the right is a column of water caused by a salvo from HMS Prince of Wales. Water splashes of 70 feet high were not uncommon.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck28.jpg

24. To the left, HMS Hood burns. To the right, HMS Prince of Wales is taking a pounding from Bismarck. Water splashed to the left og HMS Prince of Wales reveal how short her salvo's fell.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck29.jpg

25. After the battle off Iceland, Bismarck tucks in behind Prinz Eugen. Guns are now silent.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck30.jpg

26. Splinter damage aboard HMS Sheffield caused by Bismarck's 38cm shells. HMS Sheffield was a key player in the shadowing and tracking of the Bismarck. Bismarck spotted her coming out the mist that both hampered and helped the Allies.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck31.jpg

27. HMS Rodney Vs. Bismarck.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/bismarck/Bismarck32.jpg

... and, as they say, the rest is history. Hope you enjoyed the photo's.

[Goose_Green]

Thanks for posting and sharing RJ http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

[NaKacu]

RJ

Let us know how the book was if you ever get to "dive into it" (pun intended!)

Thanks for sharing -- I think one of the photos I actually saw in Cajus Bekker's book -- good stuff!

As to the macro tripod -- yes, but word of advice, get one on which the legs can be parallel to the ground. A small ballhead would be a huge plus. Having this you'll enjoy many wonderful pictures! Tripod is considered THE most important part of photography!!

[Realjambo]

Thanks guys. @ NaKacu - you mean a tripod like this? They are cheaper than I thought - about £5 http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Then I have to consider how I press the 'shoot' button without jogging the camera?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/tripod.jpg

[Leandros1945]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Realjambo:
Thanks guys. @ NaKacu - you mean a tripod like this? They are cheaper than I thought - about £5 http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Then I have to consider how I press the 'shoot' button without jogging the camera?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/antsmith/tripod.jpg </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Isn't a scanner more practical....?..... http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/10.gif

[Leandros1945]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Leandros1945:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Realjambo:
Thanks guys. @ NaKacu - you mean a tripod like this? They are cheaper than I thought - about £5 http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Then I have to consider how I press the 'shoot' button without jogging the camera?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Isn't a scanner more practical....?..... http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/10.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Kielhauler1961]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Then I have to consider how I press the 'shoot' button without jogging the camera? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

RJ,
I assume your using your new Canon? Set it on a 5 second timer or maybe there is a flexi-cable for it?

[Celeon999]

Great book RJ http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

[Goose_Green]

@RJ

Check that your camera can take macro shots, try and find a setting that allows you to take close up shots. The blurring maybe down to the closeness of your camera to the subject!

[VikingGrandad]

Looks like a very interesting book. Thanks for posting RJ http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

A tripod is definitely worthwhile for indoor photos with no flash, especially on close up subjects. A tripod means you can do interesting things with night photography too (like those city shots with the streaking car lights), but because of the longer exposures, for that you would also need some kind of remote control for you camera, as pressing the shutter button is enough to blur the picture.

But for purposes such as this, you can't beat a scanner. I got one of these Canon scanners - small, slim, light, easy to use - and cheap!

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132450

The lid detaches so you can put thick books on it. The software is good too.

[Realjambo]

I'm glad you all liked the photo's!

I used to have a scanner, but it was a huge great thing - Thanks VG for the link - looks nice and compact, I'll consult with the keeper of the coffers at Jambo Towers.

I use a Canon Ixus 75. It was set on Macro, and has anti shake enabled. Think I'll get the manual out again!

[NaKacu]

some tripod suggestions (http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-cts-n03.html)

There is a "compromise" with tripods -- we often feel bad about spending serious $$$ on something that doesn't even have a battery! But learn from me - being stingy resulted in my household being equipped with 5 cheap and not so great tripods instead of 1 but a good one... (sigh) I learned my lesson though!

I actually like RJ's idea of skipping the scanner -- but there is a drawback of macro using cameras up close: the focal plane. With extreme close ups you will find that the depth of field (like a curved page) will make things blurry due to depth of field, not just camera shake, while scanners tend to minimize such effect. But I actually like RJ's idea - quick and easy!

Keep those pics comming!!

[Wolfehunter]

Very nice photos. Thanks for showing them. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-happy.gif

[Kaleun1961]

Thanks for the photos. Some of you "old salts" like me may appreciate the Johnny Horton classic, "Sink the Bismarck." Here's a link to an mp3 stream; hope it works:

Sink the Bismarck (http://www.imeem.com/people/Ceb-qq/music/ad9uWdbR/johnny_horton_sink_the_bismarck/)

Edit: Never mind the streaming link above. I found a YouTube link which plays the song along with still photos of Bismarck:

Bismarck on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KecIdlEAKhU)

[Celeon999]

Yesterday i saw a brand new german docu about the Bismarck.

Beside the two former crewman which accompanied James Cameron on his expedition, this docu interviewed several other Bismarck survivors with awesome stories to tell.


First of all, did you know that beside photos there is also film footage of the engagement with the HMS Hood ?

I didnt know that !

Some spectacular minutes of film shot by someone aboard the Prinz Eugen.

He filmed the Bismarck firing its guns on the HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales.

The material is propably copyrighted as ive never saw it before.



One of the interviewed survivors (forgot the name) was the commanding artillery officer of the Bismarck.

He told a amazing story of how he was about to adjust his firing calculations after a almost broadside hit on HMS King George V.


"The King George V. had manouvered herself into a unbelievably advantageous position and as i saw the spray of my last shell salvo rising ,i was absolutely confident that the next salvo would not miss her."

"Just as the spray reached its peak and the numbers for the next shot were going through my head, my position was struck by a shell and i flew through the room against the wall hearing bones break"

"All my gun controls were out after that and we were left unable to fire another shot at our attackers"


There is also another story of Captain Lindemann ordering to play music through the Bismarck's loudspeaker systems after announcing that the ship would be scuttled.

The song was "Komm Zurück" (Come back to me) The same song our heroes in Das Boot heard in french (J'attendrai) in das Boot. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

One of the survivors saw Captain Lindemann and one of his bridge officers being among the last ones aboard. (Better said among the last ones seen on deck)

From what he could see, Lindemann was gesticulating to the officer to put a lifevest on and to run for his life.

He did not make it and was killed on his way to the aft deck when he slipped and fell down to the lower deck.

Lindemann did not put a vest on, instead of trying to rescue himself like the others, he climbed up a railing next to the bridge and saluted when the Bismarck started to roll over.

He slipped and almost fell but managed to grab the railing in time , when the Bismarck's roll slowed down a bit he straightened himself up again and saluted a second time. Then he went down with his ship.

Admiral Lütjens was already dead at that point. He was killed when a shell of HMS King George V. hit the bridge.


Admiral Günther Lütjens

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9a/L%C3%9CTJENSG%C3%BCnther.jpg


Captain Ernst Lindemann next to Adolf Hitler

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/Marine_Hitler.jpg

[WilhelmSchulz.]

I remember seeing this pic a while back. Made by one of the members here.(I forgot who)
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/9382/bismarckmp8.jpg

[tuddley3]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WilhelmSchulz.:
I remember seeing this pic a while back. Made by one of the members here.(I forgot who) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe it was GoldenEagle, looks like one of his masterpieces.

[Celeon999]

Someone uploaded the docu ive posted about http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

The interviews with the german veterans have subtitles http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

The Bismarck 1 of 5 (http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d67_1200187997)

You can find the other five parts in the list to the right of the video window http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif


A must see http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

[Eoweth]

Wow Celeon999! That's a fantastic documentary! Thanks for sharing.

[Celeon999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Eoweth:
Wow Celeon999! That's a fantastic documentary! Thanks for sharing. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I like docus which let the veterans tell the story http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

[Realjambo]

Thanks for sharing that documentary link, Celeon! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif