German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau attacked by aircraft at Brest,France according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 21 December 1941

Scharnhorst. Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Dupetit-Thouars of the Gueydon-class. Warshipsresearch.blogstpot.com

An item reported that the German battleships Scharnhorst (1) and Gneisenau (2) were attacked at Brest, France by 47 heavy bombers on 18 December. Burst causing explosions were seen on the sterns of both ships. Two bursts just southwest of the docks were followed by flashes from each ship amidships and thick black smoke was observed rising from the Gneisenau. The J.I.C. referred to a report of the British Admiralty of 20 December using photos shot by aircraft confirming both ships lying at Brest just like the docked Prinz Eugen.(3) The Gueydon (4) referred to the day before was however not seen.

Notes

1. Of 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. Of 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.

3. Of the Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruisers, preceded by Deutschland-class. Laid down by Germaniawerft, Kiel on 23 April 1936, launched on 22 August 1938, commissioned on 1 August 1940, decommissioned on 7 May 1945, surrendered on 8 May 1945, handed over to the USA and sunk on 22 December 1946 during nuclear tests.

4. Part of the Gueydon-class armoured cruisers consisting of the Gueydon, Dupetit-Thouars and Montcalm, preceded by Jeanne d'Arc succeeded by Dupleix-class, designed by naval architect Emile Bertin (23 March 1840 Nancy, France-22 October 1924 La Glacerie, Manche, France), launched by Arsenal de Toulon, France on 20 September 1899, commissioned on 1 September 1903 and sunk in an air attack by the British RAF on 13 and 14 August 1944 to prevent her being used as a blockship.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 11 dated 21 December 1941