Scharnhorst ueberlebenen

[lance shippey]

Lieber Daro,
Es tut mir leid fur den verlust von Georg. George ist gegraben in Block V11 grab 22 auf ser Nordfriedhof Kiel. Einer der von HMS Acasta abgefeurten 4 torpedos traf der Steuerbordseite von Scharnhorst,und das Loch uberflutete den Steuerbordmachinenraum. I hatte gedacht dass der torpedo moglicherweise von einen norwegischen U-Boot abgefeuert wurde . teilte der norwegische konigliche Informationsburo mit, das is nicht der fall.

Derar Daro,
I am sorry for the loss of Georg, Georg is buried in Block V11 grave 22 in the Northern cemetery of Kiel.One of the 4 torpedoes fired by HMS Acasta hit the starboard side of the Scharnhorst and flooded the starboard engine room, killing 48 crew including Corporal Georg Ertel. (Obgefr). I had thought that there was a possibility that a Norwegian submarine could have fired a torpedo, my communication with the Royal household information office deny this possibility .

Gruss
Lance

[AND1]

der Torpedo senkte die Geschwindigkeit für eine Weile auf 9 Kn traf an der Welle.

[lance shippey]

Esist wieder die jahreszeit in der meine Gedanken vei den 1932 Seeleuten des jahres 1943 sind, die auf den Schlachtschiff Scharnhorst dienten, und deren Leichen in dunkelen Tiefen der Barentssee versekt wurden.

It is again the time of year where my thoughts are with the 1932 sailors serving on Battleshhip Scharnhorst on 26TH December 1943 consigned their bodies to the dark depths of the Barents Sea.

Lance Shippey

[M-54842]

Den gefallen Seeleuten der  Scharnhorst zum Gedenken.
Beigefügte Stücke und das Flottenkriegsabzeichen erhielten die Hinterbliebenen von der Kriegsmarine.

[lance shippey]

I was profoundly moved by the letter sent to Elizabeth Honigmann.
The translation to English
"Following my letter of 26/02/1944, I am enclosing the commemoorative leaflet issued by marinegruppenkomando nord - on the heroic struggle and sinking of battleship Scharnhorst. The intended commmemorative leaflet is intended soley as a personal momento, and certificate for you. Publication in whole or part is not permitted. Publication in whole or part in newspapers and magazines is not permitted for reasons of military secrecy . For the same reasons the account of the 26th. December 1943 could not be shared with you.

At the same time the Commander in Chief has ordered the awarding of the Fleet War Badge to all members to all members of the German Navy during the sinking of the Scharnhorst on 26th December 1943. Therefore I am sending you the fleet war Badge for your family member in rememberance  that they were one of those brave men of the indelible Scharnhorst. With heartfealt condolences."                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

[lance shippey]

On 08th June 2025, with the kind assistance of the Royal Norwegian Navy, a wreath was given to sea at the co-ordinates of the sinking of HMS Acasta, HMS Ardent, and HMS Glorious by Battleship Scharnhorst with the loss of ca. 1500 allied seamen on the 08th June 1940.

Lance Shippey.

[Urs Heßling]

hi,

On 08th June 2025, with the kind assistance of the Royal Norwegian Navy, a wreath was given to sea at the co-ordinates of the sinking of HMS Acasta, HMS Ardent, and HMS Glorious by Battleship Scharnhorst with the loss of ca. 1500 allied seamen on the 08th June 1940.

Remembrance

greetings, Urs