Launching of German battleship [Tirpitz] planned according to the Dutch newspaper Leeuwarder courant dated 9 March 1939

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, MH 71390, anchored in the Alta Fjord, Norway between 1943-1944

An item dated Berlin, Germany 9th reported that the second German 35,000 tons battleship was to be launched on 1 April at Wilhelmshaven, Germany.(1)

Note

1. The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were both in 1939 in actual service so this left the Bismarck and Tirpitz which should have a maximum displacement of 35,000 tons under the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1935 but had in reality a standard displacement of respectively 41,700 and 42,900 and a full load displacement of respectively 50,300 and 52,600 tons. The Tirpitz was launched at the Kregsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven, Germany on 1 April 1939.