Harbours at Gdynia, Poland hardly open for shipping in August 1945

Gneisenau. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the wreck of the German battleship Gneisena (1) still blocked the entrance to the merchant port at Gdynia, Poland. The naval harbour was open via a small entrance. All cranes and warehouses were either destroyed or heavily damaged. The main breakwater was almost completely destroyed by the German forces and what remained of the rubble above water was mined just like all the wharves. A minesweeping operation was yet to start.(2)

Notes

1. Scharnhorst-class preceded by planned L20e α-class and realized Bayern-class preceded by Bismarck-class, laid down by Deutsche Werke, Kiel, Germany on 6 May 1935, launched on 8 December 1936, commissioned on 21 May 1938, decommissioned on 1 July 1942, scuttled as block ship on 23 March 1945 and broken up in 1951.

2. Germany invaded Poland in September 1939 and occupied it until 1945 transferring Gdynia into a naval base.

Source

The National Archives, Kew Gardens, England CAB-129-1-20. Weekly Résumé (No. 311) of the naval, military and air situation from 0700 9th August to 0700 16th August 1945.