View source for Scharnhorst-class battleship

{{Short description|Kriegsmarine battleship class}}
{{distinguish|Scharnhorst-class cruiser}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2018}}
{| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image   = Scharnhorst-1-A503-FM30-50.jpg
| Ship caption = Illustration of the ''Scharnhorst'' class
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = ''Scharnhorst''
| Builders =* [[Deutsche Werke]]
* [[Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven]]

| Operators = ''{{navy|Nazi Germany}}''
| Class before = * {{sclass2|L 20e α|battleship|4}} (planned)
* {{sclass|Bayern|battleship|4}} (actual)
| Class after = {{sclass|Bismarck|battleship|4}}
| Subclasses =
| Cost =
| Built range = 1935–1939
| In service range = 1938–1943
| In commission range =
| Total ships building =
| Total ships planned =
| Total ships completed =* {{ship|German battleship|Scharnhorst||2}}
* {{ship|German battleship|Gneisenau||2}}

| Total ships cancelled =
| Total ships active =
| Total ships laid up =
| Total ships lost=2
| Total ships retired =
| Total ships preserved =
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header =
| Header caption =
| Ship type = [[Fast battleship]]/[[Battlecruiser]]
| Ship displacement =
* [[Standard displacement|Standard]]: {{convert|32100|LT|MT|lk=on}}
* [[Full load]]: {{convert|38100|LT|MT|abbr=on}}
| Ship length =
* {{convert|235|m|ft|sp=us}} overall
* {{convert|226|m|ft|sp=us}} waterline
| Ship beam = {{convert|30|m|ft|sp=us}}
| Ship draft= {{convert|9.69|m|ft|sp=us}} at 37,303&nbsp;tons
| Ship power =
* 12 × [[water-tube boiler]]s
* {{convert|151,893|PS|ihp kW|lk=on|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion =
* 3 × [[steam turbine]]s
* 3 × [[screw propeller]]s
| Ship speed = {{convert|31|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range =
* ''Scharnhorst'': {{convert|7,100|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|19|kn}}
* ''Gneisenau'': {{convert|6,200|nmi|abbr=on}} at 19&nbsp;knots
| Ship complement = 1,669 (56 officers, 1613 enlisted)
| Ship armament =
*  9 × [[28 cm SK C/34 naval gun|28 cm/54.5 (11 inch) SK C/34]]
* 12 × [[15 cm SK C/28|15 cm/55 (5.9") SK C/28]]
* 14 × [[10.5 cm FlaK 38|10.5&nbsp;cm/65 (4.1 inch) SK C/33]]
* 16 × [[3.7 cm SK C/30|3.7&nbsp;cm/L83 (1.5") SK C/30]]
* 10 (later 16) × [[2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling|2 cm/65 (0.79") C/30 or C/38]]
| Ship armor =
* [[Belt armor|Belt]]: {{cvt|320|mm|1}}
* [[Deck (ship)|Deck]]: {{cvt|50|to|95|mm|1}}
* [[gun turret|Turret]]s:{{cvt|200|to|360|mm|1}}
* [[Conning tower]]: 350&nbsp;mm
| Ship aircraft = 3 × [[Arado Flugzeugwerke|Arado]] [[Arado Ar 196|Ar 196A]]-3
| Ship aircraft facilities = 1 × [[Aircraft catapult#Interwar and World War II|catapult]]
| Ship notes =
}}
|}

The '''''Scharnhorst'' class''' was a [[ship class|class]] of German [[battleship]]s (or [[battlecruiser]]s) built immediately prior to [[World War II]]. The first capital ships of [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'',  it comprised two vessels: {{ship|German battleship|Scharnhorst||2}} and {{ship|German battleship|Gneisenau||2}}. ''Scharnhorst'' was launched first,{{sfn|Gröner|p=32}} and is considered to be the [[lead ship]] by some sources; they are also referred to as the '''''Gneisenau'' class''' in some other sources,{{sfn|Collier|p=99}} as ''Gneisenau'' was the first to be laid down and commissioned.{{sfn|Gröner|p=32}} They marked the beginning of German naval rearmament after the [[Treaty of Versailles]]. The ships were armed with nine [[28 cm SK C/34 naval gun|28&nbsp;cm (11&nbsp;in) SK C/34]] guns in three triple turrets; plans to replace these with six [[38 cm SK C/34 naval gun|38&nbsp;cm (15&nbsp;in) SK C/34]] guns in twin turrets were never realized.

The two ships were laid down in 1935, launched in late 1936, and commissioned into the German fleet by early 1939. ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' operated together for the early years of World War II, including sorties into the Atlantic to raid British merchant shipping. The two ships participated in [[Operation Weserübung]], the German invasion of Denmark and Norway. During operations off Norway, the two ships engaged the battlecruiser {{HMS|Renown|1916|6}} and sank the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Glorious}} on 8 June 1940. In the engagement with ''Glorious'', ''Scharnhorst'' achieved one of the longest-range naval gunfire hits in history. In early 1942, the two ships [[Channel Dash|made a daylight dash]] up the [[English Channel]] from occupied France to Germany.

In late 1942, ''Gneisenau'' was heavily damaged in an Allied air raid against [[Kiel]]. In early 1943, ''Scharnhorst'' joined the {{sclass|Bismarck|battleship|0}} {{ship|German battleship|Tirpitz||2}} in Norway to interdict Allied convoys to the Soviet Union. ''Scharnhorst'' and several [[destroyer]]s sortied from Norway to attack a convoy; the Germans were instead intercepted by British naval patrols. During the [[battle of North Cape]], a force led by the [[Royal Navy]] battleship {{HMS|Duke of York|17|6}} sank ''Scharnhorst''. In the meantime, repair work on ''Gneisenau'' had begun, and the ship was in the process of being rearmed. When ''Scharnhorst'' was sunk, work on her sister was abandoned. Instead, she was sunk as a [[blockship]] in [[Gotenhafen]] in 1945; the wreck was broken up for scrap in the 1950s.

== Classification ==

They were the first class of German ships to be officially classified by the Kriegsmarine as ''Schlachtschiff'' (battleship).{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}} Previous German battleships were classified as ''Linienschiffe'' (ships of the line),{{efn|{{Harvard citation no brackets|Gröner|pp=16–28}}. <br /> This book states the classification of each class of capital ship, and states that the {{sclass|Wittelsbach|battleship|5}}, {{sclass|Braunschweig|battleship|5}}, {{sclass|Deutschland|battleship|5}}, {{sclass|Nassau|battleship|5}}, {{sclass|Helgoland|battleship|5}}, {{sclass|Kaiser|battleship|5}}, {{sclass|König|battleship|5}}, and {{sclass|Bayern|battleship|4}} ships were classified as ''Linienschiffe'' (ship of the line).}} and ''Panzerschiffe'' (armored ship).{{efn|{{Harvard citation no brackets|Gröner|pp=5–14}}. <br /> This book states that the {{sclass|Preussen|ironclad|4}}, {{sclass|Sachsen|ironclad|4}}, {{SMS|Oldenburg|1884|2}}, {{sclass|Brandenburg|battleship|4}} and {{sclass|Kaiser Friedrich III|battleship|4}}es were classified as ''Panzerschiffe'', and the {{sclass|Siegfried|coastal defense ship|5}} and {{sclass|Odin|coastal defense ship|4}}es were classified as 4th rate ''Panzerschiffe''. Contemporary British sources classified these ''Panzerschiffe'' as battleships and the 4th rate ''Panzerschiffe'' as coast defense ships. For example: the [[Brassey's Naval Annual|''Naval Annual, 1888–89'' p. 76]] lists the {{SMS|Kronprinz|1867|2}}, ''Friedrich Carl'', {{SMS|König Wilhelm|1868|2}}, ''Hansa'', ''Preussen'', {{sclass|Kaiser|ironclad|4}}, ''Sachsen'', and ''Oldenburg'' classes as battleships. The ''Naval Annual, 1899'' pp. 81–84 lists ''Brandenburg'' and ''Kaiser Friedrich III'' classes as 1st class battleships, the ''Sachsen'', ''Oldenburg'', and ''Kaiser'' classes as 3rd class battleships, and the ''Siegfried'' and ''Odin'' classes as coast defense ships.}} Their adversary, the [[Royal Navy]], rated them as battlecruisers{{sfn|Churchill|p=245}}{{sfn|Vandervat|p=82}} but after the war reclassified them as battleships.{{sfn|Page|2010|pp=14–15}} ''Jane's Fighting Ships 1940'' lists both the ''Scharnhorst'' and {{sclass|Bismarck|battleship|4}}es as "Battleships (''Schlachtschiffe'')"<ref>''Jane's Fighting Ships 1940'' pp. 212–213.</ref> Another adversary, the [[United States Navy]], rated them as battleships.{{sfn|USN Historical Center}} In English language reference works they are sometimes referred to as battleships and sometimes as battlecruisers.{{efn|For example, {{Harvard citation no brackets|Garzke & Dulin|p=127}}, refers to the ships as battlecruisers, while {{Harvard citation no brackets|Sturton|p=43}}, calls them battleships.}}

== Design ==

=== Development ===

The [[Treaty of Versailles]], which established the terms concluding World War I, restricted German naval shipbuilding to warships displacing no more than {{convert|10000|LT|ST}}. Debates in Germany over the role and size of its navy continued through the 1920s, when increased naval shipbuilding in France and the Soviet Union prompted the Germans to begin drawing up designs for large capital ships.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=127}} The first design, completed in 1928, called for a {{convert|17500|LT|ST}} battlecruiser armed with eight 30.5&nbsp;cm (12&nbsp;in) guns in four twin [[gun turret]]s,{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=127–128}} based on the design for the {{sclass|Ersatz Yorck|battlecruiser|1}}s that had not been completed during the war.{{sfn|Gröner|p=59}} In 1933, [[Adolf Hitler]] came to power in Germany; he made clear to the naval command that he had no intention of building a large fleet to challenge British supremacy at sea. He was primarily concerned with the possibility of a limited war with France, which would require the protection of German sea lanes. To this end, he authorized two more ships—the {{sclass2|D|cruiser (Germany)|4}}—to augment the three {{sclass|Deutschland|cruiser|0}} ''Panzerschiffe'' (armored ships).{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=128}} These ships would displace 19,000&nbsp;tons and have the same armament and speed as the ''Panzerschiffe''; the extra tonnage would be taken up by increased protection. Hitler wanted to follow this course so he would not be seen as overtly flouting the Treaty of Versailles. He did not realize that such "unsinkable" commerce raiders would provoke Great Britain more severely than 26,000-ton battlecruisers armed with 28.3&nbsp;cm (11.1&nbsp;inch) guns, which would be regarded as inferior to all the Royal Navy battleships and battlecruisers then in commission.{{sfn|Sieche|p=225}}

[[File:Gneisenau1942.png|thumb|left|''Gneisenau'', depicted in her 1942 configuration]]

To combat the German ''Panzerschiffe'', the French built two small {{sclass|Dunkerque|battleship|2}}s in the early 1930s. This in turn prompted the German navy to begin plans for a more powerful battlecruiser design.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=128}} Since 1933, [[Erich Raeder]], the head of the German Navy, had argued to increase the defensive qualities of the ''Panzerschiffe'', and to increase the offensive power of the main battery with the addition of a third triple turret.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=130}} This was also the view of the ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'', which saw the 19,000-ton design as being unbalanced.{{sfn|Sieche|p=225}} Hitler agreed to increased armor protection and internal subdivision, but refused to permit an increase in armament. Finally, by February 1934, Hitler acquiesced over the addition of the third turret.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=130}} The new ship would displace {{convert|26000|LT|ST}} and be armed with nine 28.3&nbsp;cm guns in three triple turrets. To secure political freedom to build the new ships, Hitler concluded the 1935&nbsp;[[Anglo-German Naval Agreement]], which guaranteed Great Britain a 3&nbsp;to 1&nbsp;superiority in capital ships, and, more importantly, removed the limitations of the Treaty of Versailles for the German navy.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=128}}

The construction of D-class cruisers were canceled to make way for ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau''.{{sfn|Gröner|p=63}} The provisional names of the planned D-class cruisers, ''[[Ersatz]] Elsass'' and ''Ersatz Hessen'', were reallocated to the new ships, the contracts for which were awarded to the [[Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven]] and the [[Deutsche Werke]] in [[Kiel]].{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}} Construction was held up by 14&nbsp;months, partly because Hitler wanted to secure the treaty with Britain before work began,{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=130}} and partly due to numerous design changes after the ships had been ordered.{{sfn|Breyer|p=294}}

Because the maximum caliber of naval gun allowed under the Anglo-German Naval Agreement was 40.6&nbsp;cm (16&nbsp;inch), Hitler soon had second thoughts about the guns to be used for the new ships and ordered that they be armed with 38&nbsp;cm (15&nbsp;inch) weapons. The 28.3&nbsp;cm turrets were readily available; 38&nbsp;cm turrets would take years to develop, and Hitler wanted capital ships as soon as possible to fulfill his political ideals.{{sfn|Sieche|p=225}} He was also reminded that, despite the allowances of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, the British had historically been sensitive about increases in main gun calibers aboard German capital ships.{{sfn|Breyer|p=294}} He therefore acquiesced to the ships' being armed with 28.3&nbsp;cm guns, with the provision that they be upgunned to 38&nbsp;cm at the earliest opportunity. The 38&nbsp;cm turret was eventually used in the ''Bismarck''-class battleships.{{sfn|Sieche|p=225}} A plan to upgrade ''Gneisenau'' with 38&nbsp;cm guns was proposed in 1942 while she was under repair, which also required lengthening the hull, strengthening the barbettes, and overhauling the electrical system, but this was abandoned in 1943.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=150–151}}

=== General characteristics ===
[[File:Scharnhorst1.jpg|thumb|''Scharnhorst'', before the fitting of the "Atlantic bow"]]

''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' were {{convert|226|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}} [[length at the waterline|long at the waterline]]; ''Scharnhorst'' was {{convert|234.9|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}} [[length overall|long overall]], while ''Gneisenau'' had a slightly shorter overall length, at {{convert|229.8|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}}. The ships both had a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|30|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}}. They were designed to displace {{convert|35540|t|LT|abbr=on}}, which would have given the ships a [[draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|9.1|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}}. At standard displacement of {{convert|32100|LT}}, which reduced draft to {{convert|8.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, while at a full combat load of {{convert|38100|LT}}, draft increased to {{convert|9.9|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}}. The ships' hulls were constructed from longitudinal steel frames, over which the outer hull plates were welded. Their hulls contained 21 [[watertight compartment]]s and had a [[double bottom]] for 79% of their length.{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}}

The German navy considered the ships to be poor sea boats; they were bow-heavy when fully equipped and very "wet" as high as the bridge. This problem was mitigated to some extent by replacement of the straight stem with an "Atlantic bow" to both ''Gneisenau'' and ''Scharnhorst'' in January and August 1939 respectively; use of the "A" turret remained restricted in heavy seas. The ships' stern was also frequently "wet", they were very slow entering a turn, and always required assistance from [[tugboat]]s in shallow waters. With the [[rudder]] hard over, the ships lost over 50% speed and heeled over more than 10°. During trials, the ships heeled as much as 13° at hard rudder.{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}}

''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' had a crew of between 56 and 60 officers and 1,613 to 1,780 enlisted men. The crew was augmented by another 10 officers and 61 men when serving as a squadron [[flagship]]. They carried a number of smaller watercraft, including two picket boats, two [[Launch (boat)|launches]], two barges, two [[pinnace (ship's boat)|pinnaces]], two [[Cutter (boat)|cutters]], two [[yawl]]s, and two [[dinghy|dinghies]].{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}}

=== Propulsion ===
[[File:Scharnhorst1943.png|thumb|left|''Scharnhorst'', depicted in her 1943 configuration]]

Initially, diesel propulsion was planned for these ships, as had been used for the three ''Panzerschiffe''. It was decided to use [[Superheater|superheated steam]] propulsion, as the required total output for the desired speed was three times that of the ''Panzerschiffe''. In the case of triple-screw ships, this would have meant more than twice the horsepower per shaft of the ''Panzerschiffe'', and in the case of a quadruple-screw ship, this would have amounted to more than 40,000 horsepower per shaft. This requirement was beyond the diesel technology then available, and devising engines that could meet this demand would take an unforeseeable amount of time. Since high-pressure superheated steam had already proved successful, it was considered the most suitable choice for high power machinery.{{sfn|Breyer|p=295}}

''Scharnhorst'' was powered by three [[Brown, Boveri & Cie|Brown, Boveri, & Co]] geared [[steam turbine]]s, while ''Gneisenau'' was equipped with three [[Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft|Germania]] geared turbines. The turbines drove three-bladed screws that were {{convert|4.8|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}} in diameter. Steam was provided to the turbines by 12 Wagner ultra-high-pressure oil-fired [[water-tube boiler]]s, which produced pressures up to {{convert|58|atm}} and temperatures up to {{convert|450|C|F}}. The engines were rated at {{convert|160000|PS|shp kW|lk=on|0}} at 265&nbsp;[[revolutions per minute]] (rpm), and on trials produced up to {{convert|165930|PS|ihp kW|abbr=on|0}} at 280&nbsp;rpm. When steaming in reverse, the engines were rated for {{convert|57000|PS|ihp kW|abbr=on|0}}. The ships had a designed speed of {{convert|31|kn|lk=in}}; on trials both vessels beat their designed speeds—''Scharnhorst'' hit {{convert|31.5|kn|abbr=on}} and ''Gneisenau'' made {{convert|31.3|kn}}. The ships carried {{convert|5080|MT}} of fuel oil as designed; additional storage areas, including hull spaces between the belt and [[torpedo bulkhead]], increased capacity to {{convert|6100|MT}}. At maximum fuel load, the ships were expected to steam for {{convert|8100|nmi|lk=in}} at a cruising speed of {{convert|19|kn}}; ''Scharnhorst'' reached only {{convert|7100|nmi|abbr=on}} at 19 knots, while ''Gneisenau'' managed only {{convert|6200|nmi|abbr=on}} at that speed.{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}}

Electrical power was supplied to the ships by five electricity plants. Each plant consisted of four diesel generators and eight turbo-generators. The four diesel generators were divided into pairs: two provided 150&nbsp;kilowatts each and two supplied 300&nbsp;kW each. The eight turbo-generators were also of mixed capacity; six ran supplied 460&nbsp;kW each and the remaining two provided 230&nbsp;kW each. Total power output was 4,120&nbsp;kW at 220&nbsp;[[volt]]s.{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}}

=== Armament ===

[[File:Scharnhorst guns.jpg|thumb|''Scharnhorst''{{'}}s forward guns]]

The ''Scharnhorst''-class ships were built with a [[main battery]] of nine [[28 cm SK C/34 naval gun|28.3&nbsp;cm (11.1 inch) SK C/34]] 54.5&nbsp;caliber quick-firing guns in three triple turrets, two forward and one aft.{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}} These guns were an improvement over the earlier 28.3&nbsp;cm SK C/28 guns mounted on the ''Deutschland''-class cruisers. While the 28.3&nbsp;cm guns were of a smaller caliber than main guns of other navies, they were still preferred by a number of gunnery officers in the ''Kriegsmarine'' due to their higher rate of fire.{{sfn|Breyer|p=294}} The guns were equipped with three different types of shells, an [[armor-piercing shot and shell|armor-piercing]] (AP) L/4,4 shell that weighed 330&nbsp;kg (727.5&nbsp;lb) and two [[high explosive]] (HE) shells that both weighed 315&nbsp;kg (694.4&nbsp;lb)—an L/4,4 type with a base fuse and an L/4,5 version with a nose fuse. All three types of shells used the same [[propellant]] charges: an RPC/38 42.5&nbsp;kg (93.7&nbsp;lb) fore charge and an RPC/38 76.5&nbsp;kg (168.6&nbsp;lb) main charge. They fired these shells at a [[rate of fire]] of 3.5&nbsp;rounds per minute.{{sfn|NavWeaps (28 cm/54.5)}}

[[Muzzle velocity]] for the AP shells was 890&nbsp;meters per second (2,920&nbsp;feet per second); the guns were expected to fire 300 rounds before enough wear had been incurred to warrant replacement. ''Scharnhorst''{{'}}s and ''Gneisenau''{{'}}s guns were mounted in three C/34 turrets. The turrets were named, in alphabetical order from the bow of the ship: "Anton", "Bruno" and "Cäsar". Similarly to most other German installations, those turrets had an electric system of rotation, but all other operations were hydraulic systems. The rotating mass of the turret was 750 tons (internal barbette diameter 10.2 m), and traversing speed was 7.2 deg/sec. The turrets allowed depression of the guns to −8° and elevation to 40° for "A" and "C" turrets; "B" turret was capable of depressing to −9°. At maximum elevation, the guns could hit targets out to 40,930&nbsp;m (44,760&nbsp;yards).{{sfn|NavWeaps (28 cm/54.5)}}

The ships carried a [[secondary armament|secondary battery]] of twelve [[15 cm SK C/28|15&nbsp;cm SK C/28]] L/55 quick-firing guns. The guns were mounted in four C/34 twin turrets and four C/35 pedestal mounts. Both the turrets and pedestal mounts enabled barrel depression to −10°; the turrets allowed elevation to 40° while the pedestals limited it to 35°. These guns fired 45.3&nbsp;kg (99.87&nbsp;lb) shells at a rate of 6–8 per minute. They were expected to fire 1,100&nbsp;rounds before barrel wear made repair or replacement necessary. The guns in pedestals had a range of 22,000&nbsp;m (24,060&nbsp;yd), while those in the turrets, capable of 5&nbsp;more degrees of elevation, had a slightly longer range, at 23,000&nbsp;m (25,153&nbsp;yd). They were supplied with between 1,600 and 1,800&nbsp;shells, or 133–150 shells per gun.{{sfn|NavWeaps (15 cm/55)}}

Their anti-aircraft battery consisted of fourteen [[10.5 cm FlaK 38|10.5&nbsp;cm C/33]] L/65 guns, sixteen 3.7&nbsp;cm L/83 guns, and between ten and twenty 2&nbsp;cm guns. The 10.5&nbsp;cm guns fired at a rate of 15–18 rounds per minute, and had an effective ceiling of 12,500&nbsp;m (41,010&nbsp;feet). They were mounted in six C/31 twin mounts amidships, and one such mount superfiring over "C" turret, which allowed depression to −8° and elevation to 80°. When used to engage surface targets, the guns had a maximum range of 17,700&nbsp;m (19,357&nbsp;yd) at an elevation of 45°.{{sfn|NavWeaps (10.5 cm/65)}} The 10.5&nbsp;cm guns were directed by four SL-6 [[Stabilisierter Leitstand|stabilized anti-aircraft director posts]].{{Sfn|Stehr & Breyer||p=27}} The 3.7&nbsp;cm guns were placed in eight manually operated C/30 twin mounts. At 85°, they had an effective ceiling of 6,800&nbsp;m (22,310&nbsp;ft), though [[tracer ammunition|tracers]] were limited to 4,800&nbsp;m (15,750&nbsp;ft). They had a rate of fire of 30&nbsp;rounds per minute.{{sfn|NavWeaps (3.7 cm/L83)}}

In October 1939 both ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' were equipped with a [[Seetakt radar|''Seetakt'' radar]] mounted on the foretop rangefinder. A second radar set was emplaced on the rear rangefinder in 1942 whilst the ships were in Brest.{{Sfn|Whitley|2000|p=42}} The ''Seetakt'' sets operated at 368&nbsp;[[megacycle]]s (MHz.), initially at 14&nbsp;kW. The sets were later upgraded to operate at 100&nbsp;kW, on the 80&nbsp;cm [[wavelength]] (375&nbsp;MHz.).{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=188–189}} In March 1941, two triple 53.3&nbsp;cm deck-mounted torpedo tubes were taken from the [[light cruiser]]s {{ship|German cruiser|Nürnberg||2}} and {{ship|German cruiser|Leipzig||2}} each and installed on the ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' respectively,{{Sfn|Breyer 1994||p=29}} with storage for 18 [[G7a torpedo|G7a]] torpedoes.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=188–189}}

=== Armor ===

[[File:Bundesarchiv DVM 10 Bild-23-63-46, Schlachtschiff "Scharnhorst".jpg|thumb|''Scharnhorst'' in harbor; the thickness of the armor belt is easily seen]]
[[File:Scharnhorstarmor.svg|thumb|''Scharnhorst''; schematic of armor distribution amidships.]]
The ''Scharnhorst''-class ships were equipped with [[Krupp]] armor. Their upper armored deck was {{convert|50|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick, and backed by the main armor deck. This deck was {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick aft, increased to 50&nbsp;mm in the central portion of the ship that contained the ammunition magazines and machinery spaces, and decreased down to 20&nbsp;mm in the bow. It was supported by {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick slopes on either longitudinal side.{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}} The slopes connected to the lower edge of the main belt, an arrangement referred to as the "turtle deck."{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=182}} The slopes significantly increased armor protection in the critical areas of the ship. The ships' vitals were well armored against any caliber shell fired by battleships at the time at ranges where the shell would have to penetrate both the main belt and the sloping deck. At very long ranges, the deck armor could be easily penetrated by heavy-caliber shells.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=183}} All of these sections were composed of ''Wotan Hart'' (Wotan Hard) steel.{{efn|''Wotan Hart'' armor had a breaking strength of 85–96&nbsp;kg/sq mm, and would expand up to 20%. ''Wotan Weich'' armor had a breaking strength of 65–75&nbsp;kg/sq mm, and expanded up to 25%. See: {{Harvard citation no brackets|Gröner|p=x}}.}} The [[armored belt]] was {{convert|320|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick in the central portion of the ship,{{sfn|Whitley|2000|p=38}} where the critical areas of the ship were located. Forward of the "A" turret the belt was reduced to {{convert|150|mm|in|abbr=on}}, which tapered down to zero at the bow of the ship. Aft of the rear gun turret the belt decreased to {{convert|200|mm|in|abbr=on}}, and eventually tapered down to nothing at the stern. The central portion of the belt was backed by {{convert|170|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick shields. The belt armor was composed of [[Krupp Cemented steel]] (KC).{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}} The side protection system could not be penetrated by a {{convert|2240|lb|abbr=on}} 16&nbsp;in (406&nbsp;mm) shell at any range over {{convert|11000|m|yd|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=182}}

The forward [[conning tower]] had 350&nbsp;mm-thick sides and a roof that was 200&nbsp;mm-thick. The rear conning tower was less well armored, with sides and a roof that were only {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on}} and 50&nbsp;mm thick, respectively. The gun turrets for the main battery had {{convert|360|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick faces, 200&nbsp;mm thick sides, and 150&nbsp;mm thick roofs.{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}} The [[barbette]]s that held the 28&nbsp;cm gun turrets were also heavily armored; the sides were 350&nbsp;mm thick and tapered down to 200&nbsp;mm on the centerline, where they were shielded by the gun turrets above.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=185}} The faces of the 15&nbsp;cm turrets were {{convert|140|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick, with {{convert|60|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick sides and 50&nbsp;mm thick roofs. The 10.5&nbsp;cm gun mounts were equipped with {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}} gun shields. All of this armor was KC steel.{{sfn|Gröner|p=31}}

The underwater protection system was designed to withstand a direct hit from a {{convert|250|kg|lb|abbr=on}} explosive warhead; British [[aerial torpedo]]es had smaller warheads than this, but their ship-launched weapons were more powerful. The navy conducted several full-scale underwater explosion tests with sections of armor cut from the old [[pre-dreadnought]] {{SMS|Preussen|1903|2}}. The tests revealed that welded steel construction better withstood the impact of the 250&nbsp;kg warhead than did [[rivet]]ed steel plates. The torpedo bulkhead, composed of ''Wotan Weich'' (Wotan, soft) steel, placed behind the armored belt was riveted; this was done because plate joints that had been incorrectly welded would not sufficiently withstand explosive shocks.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=185}} The underwater protection system was constructed out of several layers: the outer layer that was between 12 and 66&nbsp;mm (.47–2.6&nbsp;in) thick, directly underneath the main armored belt, was designed to detonate the torpedo warhead. Behind the outer plate was a large void which would allow gases from the explosion to expand and dissipate. Beyond this was a fuel bunker with an {{convert|8|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick outer wall; this would absorb any remaining explosive force. The bunker was supported by longitudinal stiffeners and transverse bulkheads.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=185–186}}

The underwater side protection had numerous faults. It was extremely strong amidships, but weakened on either end of the citadel. The underwater protection could stop only a {{convert|200|kg|lb|abbr=on}} warhead in these areas. Another significant weakness in the design was the arrangement of the torpedo bulkhead. It was connected to the lower portion of the sloped deck, at an angle of 10°; two riveted angled bars held it in place. The bars were constantly under a great deal of stress, due to normal bending forces in the hull. When combined with the explosive force of a torpedo warhead, the bars could not sustain the increased pressure and could fail. Also, the beam of 30&nbsp;m meant that the protection system had to be weaker around the main battery turrets, as a significant amount of the hull space was taken up by the magazines and barbettes.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=186}}

== Service history ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Construction data
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Namesake
! scope="col" | Builder
! scope="col" | [[Laid down]]
! scope="col" | [[Ceremonial ship launching|Launched]]
! scope="col" | [[Ship commissioning|Commissioned]]
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German battleship|Scharnhorst|4=2}}
|[[Gerhard von Scharnhorst]]
|[[Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven|Kriegsmarinewerft]], [[Wilhelmshaven]]
|15 June 1935
|3 October 1936
|7 January 1939
|Sunk following [[Battle of the North Cape|surface action]], 26 December 1943
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German battleship|Gneisenau|4=2}}
|[[August Neidhardt von Gneisenau]]
|[[Deutsche Werke]], [[Kiel]]
|6 May 1935
|8 December 1936
|21 May 1938
|Sunk as [[blockship]] at [[Gotenhafen]], 23 March 1945; hull raised for breaking up, 1951
|}

=== Construction and early actions ===

[[File:Bundesarchiv DVM 10 Bild-23-63-11, Schlachtschiff "Gneisenau".jpg|thumb|''Gneisenau'' in harbor]]

''Gneisenau'' was laid down on 3&nbsp;May 1935 at the ''Deutsche Werke'' in Kiel. She was launched on 8&nbsp;December 1936, and completed on 21&nbsp;May 1938.{{sfn|Sturton|p=43}} During her launch, the ship sustained minor damage to her stern; the chains slowing her slide down the slipway broke, and the ship drifted too far and became beached on the opposite shore. After her commissioning, ''Gneisenau'' spent the first year of her career conducting trials and training cruises in the [[Baltic Sea]]. The cruises revealed the wetness of the bow and bridge; in January 1939 her "Atlantic bow" was installed.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=132}} ''Scharnhorst'' was laid down at the ''Kriegsmarinewerft'' in [[Wilhelmshaven]], on 16&nbsp;May 1935. She was launched on 30&nbsp;June 1936 and completed on 7&nbsp;January 1939.{{sfn|Sturton|p=43}} In mid 1939, the ship conducted trials in the Baltic Sea; as with ''Gneisenau'', the ship's low [[freeboard (nautical)|freeboard]] necessitated the installation of the "Atlantic bow", which was completed in August 1939. During that refit, a large hangar for the ship's aircraft was added amidships. The ship emerged from the dockyard in October.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=154}}

On 21&nbsp;November, ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' conducted a sweep between Iceland and the [[Faroe Islands]]; during the operation, the German ships encountered the British [[armed merchant cruiser]] {{HMS|Rawalpindi}}; ''Scharnhorst'' sank the ship, but in the process sustained a hit from one of ''Rawalpindi''{{'}}s 152&nbsp;mm guns.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=154}} ''Scharnhorst'' stopped to pick up survivors, but the arrival of the cruiser {{HMS|Newcastle|C76|6}} prompted the German ships to withdraw.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=134}}

=== Operation Weserübung ===

On 7&nbsp;April 1940, ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' formed the primary covering force for the invasions of [[Narvik]] and [[Trondheim]] in Norway during Operation Weserübung. At 04:30 on 9&nbsp;April, the ''Seetakt'' radar on ''Gneisenau'' picked up a contact, beginning the [[action off Lofoten]]; both ships went to battle stations. Half an hour later, muzzle flashes were observed, from what turned out to be the old battlecruiser {{HMS|Renown|1916|6}} which had been part of the cover for a British [[Operation Wilfred|minelaying]] operation. The British battlecruiser initially targeted ''Gneisenau'', at a range of {{convert|11800|m|yd|abbr=on|sp=us}}. In the span of five minutes, ''Gneisenau'' hit ''Renown'' twice, but sustained one 15" and two 4.5" hits in return.{{sfn|Koop & Schmolke|pp=40 and 43}}{{sfn|Haarr|pp=310–311}} One of the two 4.5" hits disabled ''Gneisenau''{{'}}s A turret,{{efn|{{Harvard citation no brackets|Koop & Schmolke|pp=40 and 43}}. The A turret flooded due to heavy seas, with "Heavy quantities seawater coming through left optic of rangefinder cupola after hit knocked away cover." (p. 40) "All electrical equipment in the turret was unusable for 36 hours The rangefinder itself remained undamaged." (p. 43)}}{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=135|loc=claims that it was the C turret that was disabled}} the 15" hit destroyed the main armament [[Fire-control system|fire-control station]], and knocked out her ''Seetakt'' radar.{{sfn|Koop & Schmolke|pp=40 and 43}}{{sfn|Jackson|p=23}} ''Scharnhorst''{{'}}s gunnery radar suffered technical problems, which prevented her from effectively engaging ''Renown''. The British ship engaged ''Scharnhorst'' for a brief period starting at 05:18, but effective maneuvering by ''Scharnhorst'' allowed her to escape unscathed. Fears that the destroyers escorting ''Renown'' might make a torpedo attack prompted the German commander to break off the engagement.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=135}} By 07:15, the German ships had escaped from the slower ''Renown''.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=154}} In the course of their escape ''Scharnhorst'' suffered from damage to her A turret caused by the heavy seas coming over her bows.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=154}} ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' rendezvoused with the [[heavy cruiser]] {{ship|German cruiser|Admiral Hipper||2}} before proceeding to Wilhelmshaven.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=157}}

=== Operation Juno ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv DVM 10 Bild-23-63-12, Schlachtschiff "Scharnhorst".jpg|thumb|''Scharnhorst'' after her "Atlantic bow" had been added]]

''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'', with ''Admiral Hipper'' and four destroyers, departed again on 4&nbsp;June for [[Operation Juno]]. After operations in the Arctic Sea that resulted in the sinking of several British ships, ''Admiral Hipper'' and the destroyers were detached to refuel in occupied Norway. At 16:45 on 8&nbsp;June, ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' spotted the British [[aircraft carrier]] {{HMS|Glorious}}, which was escorted by the destroyers {{HMS|Acasta|H09|2}} and {{HMS|Ardent|H41|2}}, at a range of around {{convert|50000|m|yd|abbr=on|sp=us}}. The destroyers laid a smoke screen in an attempt to hide the carrier, but the Germans quickly closed the distance.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=137}} At 17:26, the range had decreased by half, to around {{convert|25000|m|yd|abbr=on|sp=us}}, and both German ships opened fire. ''Scharnhorst'' struck ''Glorious'' at a range of approximately {{convert|24200|m|yd|abbr=on|sp=us}}, one of the longest recorded hits in the history of naval gunfire.{{sfn|NavWeaps (28 cm/54.5)}}{{efn|The British battleship {{HMS|Warspite|03|6}} scored a hit on the Italian battleship {{ship|Italian battleship|Giulio Cesare||2}} at the [[Battle of Calabria]] in 1940 at approximately the same range.}} ''Glorious'' was hit by at least three shells and reduced to a burning hulk, and at 19:00 the carrier capsized and sank. ''Scharnhorst'' shifted fire to ''Ardent'' while ''Gneisenau'' engaged ''Acasta''; both ships sank their targets. Before she sank, ''Acasta'' launched four torpedoes at ''Scharnhorst''; the ship evaded three, but the fourth struck the starboard side near the rear gun turret. During the engagement, ''Scharnhorst'' fired 212&nbsp;main battery shells.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=157}} The torpedo hit caused significant damage to ''Scharnhorst''; several watertight compartments, including parts of the starboard engine room, were flooded, she took on a list of 3°, and she was {{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}} down by the stern.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=157}}

The two ships withdrew to Trondheim, though ''Scharnhorst'' was limited to a speed of {{convert|20|kn}}—they arrived in the afternoon of 9&nbsp;June. On 11&nbsp;June, 12&nbsp;[[Lockheed Hudson|Hudson]] bombers from the [[RAF]] attempted to bomb ''Scharnhorst''; they all missed their target. Another air raid, this time 15&nbsp;[[Blackburn Skua]]s launched by the Royal Navy's {{HMS|Ark Royal|91|6}}, followed on 13&nbsp;June. The ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' intercepted the raid and shot down eight of the aircraft; seven made it through to the ship. Only one bomb found its mark, but it failed to explode. On 20&nbsp;June, enough repair work had been done to permit the ship to sail down to Kiel. Two air attacks followed, but anti-aircraft fire from ''Scharnhorst'' and her escorts drove them both back. Reports of British ships in the area forced the ship to seek refuge in [[Stavanger]] for two days, before she resumed the journey to Kiel. Repairs were effected over the following six months.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=158}}

=== Operation Berlin ===

Under the command of Admiral [[Günther Lütjens]], ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' [[Operation Berlin (Atlantic)|broke into the Atlantic]] in late January 1941 to raid convoys between North America and Great Britain.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=140}} On 8&nbsp;February, they spotted a convoy, [[Convoy HX 106|HX 106]], but it was escorted by the battleship {{HMS|Ramillies|07|6}}, armed with eight 38&nbsp;cm (15&nbsp;in) guns. The German ships therefore broke off the attack.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=140}} On 22 February, {{lang|de|Gneisenau}} ran into three independent sailing merchant ships from a recently dispersed convoy. The battleships abandonned their search for convoys and started to hunt independent sailing ships, {{lang|de|Gneisenau}} sank four vessels totalling {{GRT|19634}} and {{lang|de|Scharnhorst}} sank the {{GRT|6150|link=off}} tanker ''Lustrous''.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=140}}{{Sfn|Bredemeier||pp=115-119}} Lütjens then decided to move away from the North-Atlantic convoy lanes and move the [[West Africa|West African]] convoy lanes.{{Sfn|Bredemeier||pp=120-125}} On 8&nbsp;March, ''Scharnhorst'' spotted [[SL convoys|convoy SL 67]], but again the attack had to be abandoned as the convoy was escorted by a battleship: {{HMS|Malaya}}. Lütjens returned to the North-Atlantic convoy lanes, on their way {{lang|de|Scharnhorst}} sank the {{GRT|7921|link=off}} Greek cargo ship ''Marathon''. On 15 and 16 March they encountered ships from a dispersed convoy. {{lang|de|Scharnhorst}} sank six ships totaling {{GRT|35080|link=off}}, whilst {{lang|de|Gneisenau}} sank seven ships totaling {{GRT|26693|link=off}} and captured another three ships totaling {{GRT|20139|link=off}} as [[Prize (law)|prizes]].{{Sfn|Rohwer||p=63}}{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=158}} Following this success, ''Scharnhorst'' and ''Gneisenau'' headed for [[Brest, France|Brest]] in occupied France; they arrived on 22&nbsp;March. ''Scharnhorst'' had suffered repeated problems with defective superheater tubes in her boilers and this needed the repair facilities that existed in the French naval dockyard.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=158}}{{sfn|Koop & Schmolke|pp=110}}{{sfn|Hellwinkel|p=Kindle locations 605 and 629 of 4855}}

=== Air raid damage ===

Brest was comfortably within range for air attack from Britain. A series of raids started on 30 March.{{efn|Over the course of the war, 300 air raids made Brest one of the most bombed cities in France.{{sfn|Hellwinkel|p=Kindle location 1584 of 4855}}
}}  On 6&nbsp;April, four [[Bristol Beaufort|Beaufort]] torpedo-bombers attacked ''Gneisenau'' after she had been moved to a buoy from dry dock. One of the attacking aircraft was successful;{{efn|''Gneisenau'' was protected by many anti-aircraft guns but no torpedo netting. The aircraft making the successful attack was shot down; the pilot, [[Kenneth Campbell (VC)|F/O Campbell]], was awarded a posthumous [[Victoria Cross]], as he would have been well aware of the minimal chances of surviving the intense anti-aircraft fire.{{sfn|4Group|p=Kindle location 407 of 8211}}}} the hit did significant damage to the ship. ''Gneisenau'' shipped some {{convert|3050|MT}} of water, which caused her to list 2° and settle lower in the water. The shock force of the explosion also did a great deal of internal damage; fuel tanks were ruptured and electrical systems were damaged. A salvage tugboat was brought alongside to assist in flood control. ''Gneisenau'' was put into dry dock for repairs, which were prolonged by further British air raids. On the night of 9–10 April, British high-level bombers attacked both ''Gneisenau'' and ''Scharnhorst''. The latter escaped unscathed, but the former was struck four times; 72&nbsp;men were killed and another 90&nbsp;were wounded.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=143–144}}

''Scharnhorst'' completed engine repairs and the retubing of the defective superheaters in July, and after engine trials, was dispersed to [[La Pallice]] on 23 July to avoid a concentration of heavy units in Brest.{{efn|''[[German cruiser Prinz Eugen|Prinz Eugen]]'' had arrived in Brest on 1 June.}} While moored there on 24&nbsp;July, ''Scharnhorst'' was attacked by 15 [[Handley Page Halifax|Halifax]] bombers from 2 squadrons;{{sfn|4Group|p=Kindle location 548 of 8211}} five bombs—two high explosive {{convert|227|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and three semi-AP {{convert|454|kg|lb|abbr=on}}—found their mark.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=159}} The two 454&nbsp;kg bombs penetrated both armored decks, all the way down through the double bottom, before coming to rest on the sea floor; they failed to explode. The third also failed to detonate. One of the 227&nbsp;kg bombs penetrated the upper deck just forward of the rear gun turret, and exploded on the main armored deck.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=160}} The last bomb fell on the starboard side and also detonated on the main armor deck.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=159}} The ship listed at 8°, after having taken in between {{convert|1520|LT|ST}} and {{convert|3050|LT|ST}} of water; the list was reduced to 2° by counter-flooding. Casualties amounted to two men killed and 15 wounded. The following day ''Scharnhorst'' arrived in Brest for repairs, which lasted for four months.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=160}}{{sfn|Koop & Schmolke|pp=110–111}}

=== Operation Cerberus ===

[[File:Scharnhorst-21.jpg|thumb|Aerial reconnaissance photograph of ''Scharnhorst'' in Kiel, after the "Channel Dash"]]

In early 1942, the crews of ''Scharnhorst'', ''Gneisenau'', and the heavy cruiser {{ship|German cruiser|Prinz Eugen||2}} made preparations for [[Operation Cerberus]], a daylight dash up the [[English Channel]]. The ships were to be redeployed to Norway, to assist in the disruption of convoys to the Soviet Union, as well as the defense of occupied Norway. The risk of further damage from air raids, and the loss of the ''Bismarck'' and most of the supply ships had forced a change of thinking by the naval staff on the use of these ships for Atlantic sorties. If they could not be evacuated, Hitler ordered that they were to be decommissioned in Brest.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=154–146}}{{sfn|Koop & Schmolke|p=111}}{{sfn|Hellwinkel|p=Kindle location 746 of 4855}}

The ships left Brest late on 11&nbsp;February, and remained undetected for the majority of the operation. East of [[Dover]], a flight of six [[Fairey Swordfish|Swordfish]] torpedo bombers attacked the ships without result. At 15:31, ''Scharnhorst'' detonated a magnetic mine, which damaged the ship's circuit breakers enough to shut down the entire electrical system. The ship was immobilized briefly—between 15:49 and 16:01, all three turbines were restarted and the ship resumed a speed of {{convert|27|kn}}. A series of air attacks ensued; through evasive maneuvers, anti-aircraft fire, and ''Luftwaffe'' fighters, they were all repulsed.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=160–162}} By noon on 13&nbsp;February, ''Scharnhorst'' had reached Wilhelmshaven. After two days she was transferred to Kiel for repairs, which lasted until July 1942.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=163}}

''Gneisenau'' and ''Prinz Eugen'' had continued their journey to Germany while ''Scharnhorst'' was immobilized. At 14:45, the ships were attacked by five [[Westland Whirlwind (fighter)|Whirlwind]] fighter-bombers—German fighters beat them back. Several more air attacks followed over the next two hours, without success for the British. At 16:17, five British destroyers attempted to torpedo the German ships, but heavy fire from ''Gneisenau'' and ''Prinz Eugen'' mauled one and forced the others to turn away. Near [[Terschelling]], ''Gneisenau'' struck a mine that did minor damage to the hull, and the explosive shock damaged one of her three turbines. Her captain ordered the ship to stop while temporary repairs were conducted, which lasted for about 30&nbsp;minutes. By 03:50 on 13&nbsp;February, the ship had reached [[Heligoland]].{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=147–149}}

=== ''Scharnhorst''{{'}}s deployment to Norway ===

In January 1943, it was decided to deploy ''Scharnhorst'' to Norway, along with ''Prinz Eugen'' and several destroyers. Attempts to sail on 7 and 23 January were aborted after the navy received reports of heavy activity at British air bases in Britain. A third try on 10 February terminated when ''Scharnhorst'' ran aground while trying to avoid collision with a [[U-boat]]. Repairs lasted until 26 February.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=163–164}} On 8 March, ''Scharnhorst'' and four destroyers departed Gotenhafen; she arrived off Narvik on 14 March. For 6 months, fuel shortages curtailed any major operations by ''Scharnhorst'' or the other ships in Norway,{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=164}} which included the battleship {{ship|German battleship|Tirpitz||2}} and the heavy cruiser {{ship|German cruiser|Lützow|1940|2}}.{{sfn|Stephen & Grove|p=198}} On 25 November 1943 ''Scharnhorst'' carried out a two-hour full-power trial, achieving {{convert|29.6|kn}}, and it was noted that her draught had increased by over {{convert|.5|m|ft|sp=us}} from her 1940 trials, where she had attained {{convert|31.14|kn}}.{{sfn|Jacobsen|p=88}}

==== Battle of North Cape ====
{{Main|Battle of North Cape}}
On 20 December 1943, ''Scharnhorst'' was ordered to intercept the next convoy to the Soviet Union, Convoy JW 55B.{{sfn|Sandler|p=144}} The ship was to operate only with five destroyers; ''Tirpitz'' had been damaged in a British raid in September, and ''Lützow'' was away for periodic repairs.{{sfn|Stephen & Grove|p=198}} On 25 December, the location of the convoy was ascertained, and at 19:00 the ship left port, under the command of Rear-Admiral [[Erich Bey]]. The British fleet had a significant advantage: they were able to decrypt German naval codes, and were aware of Bey's intentions.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=165}} The cruisers {{HMS|Sheffield|C24|6}}, {{HMS|Belfast|C35|2}}, and {{HMS|Norfolk|78|2}} were positioned to block ''Scharnhorst''. Admiral [[Bruce Fraser, 1st Baron Fraser of North Cape|Bruce Fraser]], aboard the battleship {{HMS|Duke of York|17|6}}, was some 270&nbsp;miles away, and steaming to cut off ''Scharnhorst'' after she was engaged by the three cruisers. ''Belfast'' picked up ''Scharnhorst'' on radar at 08:40; forty minutes later lookouts on ''Sheffield'' spotted the ship, at a distance of {{convert|11000|m|yd|abbr=on|sp=us}}. Shortly thereafter, ''Belfast'' fired [[star shell]]s to illuminate the target, and ''Norfolk'' opened fire with her 20.3&nbsp;cm (8&nbsp;in) guns; in the span of 20&nbsp;minutes, she hit ''Scharnhorst'' twice.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=165–166}} The second hit destroyed ''Scharnhorst'''s forward Seetakt radar.{{sfn|Stephen & Grove|p=206}}

[[File:Scharnhorst survivors A 021202.jpg|thumb|left|Survivors from ''Scharnhorst'' disembarking in [[Scapa Flow]]]]
By 10:00, ''Scharnhorst'', using her 4–6&nbsp;knot speed advantage, broke off the engagement and resumed searching for the convoy. At 12:00, ''Belfast'' again picked up ''Scharnhorst'', and in 20&nbsp;minutes were again in range.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=169}} This time, ''Scharnhorst'' had better luck with her gunnery; at 12:23, ''Norfolk'' was hit twice by 28.3&nbsp;cm shells. One hit disabled a gun turret, and the second tore a hole in the hull and disabled her radar. Near-misses rained shell splinters down on ''Sheffield''. At 12:41, ''Scharnhorst'' again increased speed and broke off the engagement. The British shadowed her, and relayed position reports to Admiral Fraser in ''Duke of York''. At 13:15, Admiral Bey decided to call off the search and return to port.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=170}} Shortly before 17:00, the British ships closed in: ''Belfast'' again illuminated the ship with star shells, while ''Duke of York'' fired salvos from her main battery. A hit from ''Duke of York'' disabled "A" turret, and at 18:00, another hit penetrated the upper portion of the belt and caused significant damage to the engine room. This hit temporarily reduced her speed to {{convert|8|kn}}, but repairs quickly allowed her to steam at {{convert|22|kn}}.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=172}}

Shells from ''Scharnhorst's'' main guns struck ''Duke of York''{{'}}s mast and disabled her surface radars. The lack of radar forced ''Duke of York'' to cease fire at 18:24, after having hit ''Scharnhorst'' at least 13&nbsp;times.{{sfn|Stephen & Grove|p=213}} The hits from ''Duke of York'' disabled most of ''Scharnhorst''{{'}}s armament in the process. Admiral Fraser ordered his destroyers to approach the ship and torpedo her. ''Scharnhorst'' was hit at least four times by torpedoes fired by {{HMS|Scorpion|G72|6}} and {{HNoMS|Stord|G26|6}}. The hits caused extensive flooding and slowed the ship to {{convert|12|kn}}. ''Duke of York'' then closed to {{convert|9100|m|yd|abbr=on|sp=us}} to hammer away at the ship. At the time, only "C" turret on ''Scharnhorst'' remained operational; surviving gun crews transferred ammunition from the disabled "A" and "B" turrets to "C" turret. As more water entered ''Scharnhorst'', her speed continued to fall to {{convert|5|kn}}.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=173–174}} At 19:25, the light cruiser {{HMS|Jamaica|44|2}} fired three torpedoes, followed by six from ''Belfast''. Several destroyers closed in and fired torpedoes as well, though in the smoke and haze, it was unknown how many hit the crippled ship. ''Scharnhorst'' was listing severely and very low in the water. At 19:45, the ship capsized to starboard and sank, with her propellers still spinning.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=175}} She sank at the position {{Coord|72|16|0|N|28|41|0|E|}}. Of the crew of 1,968&nbsp;officers and men, only 36 survived.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=176}} Rear-Admiral Erich Bey was lost with his ship.{{sfn|Grove|p=30}}

=== ''Gneisenau''{{'}}s reconstruction ===

[[File:Gneisenau-1.jpg|thumb|''Gneisenau''{{'}}s "C" turret in Norway]]

''Gneisenau'' was also scheduled to deploy to Norway, but she suffered heavy damage during a bombing raid on the night of 26–27 February 1942. A 1000&nbsp;lb bomb penetrated the armored deck just ahead of the forward turret; shell splinters detonated the ammunition magazine, which did tremendous damage to the bow of the ship and burnt out "A" turret; 112 men were killed and another 21 were injured. It was estimated that it would take two years to make the ship ready for service.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=149–150}} Since this was such a long period, it was determined that it would be more efficient if during the repair work, the ship was reconstructed to mount six 38&nbsp;cm (15&nbsp;in) guns in place of her 28.3&nbsp;cm weapons. To accomplish this, the hull would need to be lengthened by {{convert|10|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us}} to provide additional buoyancy and the electrical system would have to be overhauled. Turrets "B" and "C" were to be removed and transferred to Norway to serve as coastal defense guns.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=150–151}}

On 4&nbsp;April, ''Gneisenau'', along with the [[icebreaker]] ''Castor'' and the old pre-dreadnought {{SMS|Schlesien||2}} departed Kiel for Gotenhafen. Once there, conversion work began: the wrecked bow was removed and her "B" and "C" turrets were removed and disassembled for transport. Krupp would build the new 38&nbsp;cm turrets, which required strengthening of the barbette structures to support their weight. By early 1943, repair work was largely completed and the ship was ready to receive the improved bow and 38&nbsp;cm turrets, but this was not to be. The failure of surface units to destroy a convoy in the Arctic during [[Operation Regenbogen (Arctic)|Operation Regenbogen]] on 31&nbsp;December 1942&nbsp;prompted Hitler to order all major surface units to be scrapped. Work on ''Gneisenau'' ceased, and materials that had been allocated for her repair were diverted to other projects.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=151–153}}

The ship was then disarmed and all but abandoned in the harbor.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=153}} Her 15&nbsp;cm guns were placed as coastal batteries in Denmark.{{sfn|NavWeaps (15 cm/55)}} When the Soviet army approached in early 1945, the ship was towed out into the outer harbor and sunk as a [[block ship]], on 23&nbsp;March 1945.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=153}} A Polish salvage firm raised the wreck on 12&nbsp;September 1951&nbsp;and subsequently broke the ship up for scrap metal. "C" Turret remains in Trondheim, Norway at [[Austrått Fort]]; the Norwegian government offered without success to return the turret to Germany for display in a museum.{{sfn|Gröner|p=32}} The 15&nbsp;cm guns in Denmark were taken over by the Danish military; two of the turrets were moved to Stevnsfort in 1952. The guns were put into reserve in 1984, but continued to be fired during annual training. They fired their last shot in 2000, after which the fortress was turned into a museum.{{sfn|NavWeaps (15 cm/55)}}

== See also ==
* [[Design 1047 battlecruiser]]&nbsp;– a Dutch battlecruiser design that was heavily influenced by the ''Scharnhorst''-class design.
{{clear}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== Footnotes ==

{{reflist|20em}}

== References ==
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* {{cite book
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* {{Cite book |last=Breyer |first=Siegfried |title=Kreuzer "Nürnberg" und "Leipzig" |publisher=Podzun-Pallas-Verlag |year=1994 |isbn=978-3-7909-0507-6 |language=de |trans-title=Cruisers "Nürnberg" and "Leipzig" |ref={{sfnref|Breyer 1994}}}}
* {{cite book
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* {{cite web
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  }}
* {{cite web
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  }}
* {{cite web
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  }}
* {{cite web
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* {{cite book
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* {{cite book
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* {{cite book |last=Page |first=C. L. W. |series=Naval Staff History Second World War |title=Home Waters and the Atlantic: 9th April 1940&nbsp;– 6th December 1941 |volume=II |year=2010 |orig-year=1961 |location=London |publisher=Historical Section Admiralty |id=BR 1736(48)(2) |edition=Facs. repr. Routledge, London |isbn=978-0-7146-5214-6}}
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* {{cite web
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* {{cite book
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* {{cite book
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* {{Cite book |last=Whitley |first=M. J. |title=German capital ships of World War Two |date=2000 |publisher=Cassell & Co |isbn=978-0-304-35707-9 |location=London}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{cite web
  | last = DiGiulian
  | first = Tony
  | date = 5 May 2007
  | title = German 2 cm/65 (0.79") C/30 2&nbsp;cm/65 (0.79") C/38 AA MG
  | publisher = NavWeaps.com
  | url = http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_20mm-65_c30.htm
  | access-date = 12 September 2009
  | ref = {{sfnRef|NavWeaps (2 cm/65)}}
  }}
* {{cite web
  | last = DiGiulian
  | first = Tony
  | title = German Torpedoes of World War II
  | url = http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTGER_WWII.htm
  | publisher = NavWeaps.com
  | date = 30 May 2008
  | access-date = 9 September 2009
  | ref = {{sfnRef|NavWeaps (Torpedoes)}}
  }}

{{Scharnhorst class warship}}
{{WWII German ships}}
{{Kriegsmarine}}
{{Late battleships}}
{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scharnhorst Class Battleship}}
[[Category:Battleship classes]]
[[Category:Battlecruiser classes]]
[[Category:Scharnhorst-class battleships| ]]
[[Category:World War II battleships of Germany|Scharnhorst class battlecruiser]]