SMS GNEISENAU AND SMS SCHARNHORST BATTLE BRITISH FLEET 1941 “OPERATION BERLIN“ NEWSREEL 32540f

WATCH UPDATED VERSION HERE ! Made in WWII for the German civilian or home market and sold as silent 16mm prints, this newsreel was one of a series. Entitled “Gneisenau and Scharnhorst Engage the Enemy“ the film shows Operation Berlin. This was a successful commerce raid performed by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau between January and March 1941. The commander-in-chief of the operation was Admiral Günther Lütjens, who subsequently commanded the famous cruise of Bismarck and Prinz Eugen. The film shows some of the battle including the attack on HMS Glorious (1:54), the sinking of an oil tanker at (3:00) and a large British troop transport at (4:00). The film also includes a separate segment at (4:34) showing E-boats -- the “Stukas of the Sea“ in action. The two ships sailed from Kiel on 22 January 1941. They were spotted en route through the Great Belt and the British Admiralty was informed. Admiral Sir John Tovey sailed with a strong force (thr