Original Unpublished photo of Hitler on the Battleship Scharnhorst

This is a photo showing Hitler when he was visiting the Scharnhorst. In the photo he is surrounded by admirals, political and SS officers. Scharnhorst was a German capital ship, alternatively described as a battleship of Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine. She was the lead ship of her class, which included her sister ship Gneisenau. The ship was built at the Kriegsmarinewerft dockyard in Wilhelmshaven. she was laid down on 15 June 1935 and launched a year and four months later on 3 October 1936. Completed in January 1939, the ship was armed with a main battery of nine 28 cm C/34 guns in three triple turrets. photo was taken in 1939. Photo from my collection

 

I’ve been collecting for years. Almost everything I have I purchased online from different militaria venders. I don’t really have any militaria stores near me unfortunately so I have to get everything online.

 

When I first started collecting I did end up purchasing a few things that did end up being fake. Luckily nothing I paid big on. But overtime I just sorta got better at doing research on whatever it is I’m buying. But mostly it’s just being more careful with who I purchase from. Making sure the seller is reputable. Has good ratings and feedback etc. But even after that I suppose it’s not always 100 percent. Unless an item has verified documentation. But a lot of historical items have no sort of documentation. So you have to try your best and make the decision. And before you buy an item you can always post them to online sites such as here. So that others who may know more can give their opinion on its authenticity.

 

Interesting photo. Hitler was fascinated by the capital ships, but failed to properly invest in the Kriegsmarine until it was too late.

Of course the cracking of the Enigma codes didn't help Germany after 1941 either.