German cruiser Admiral Hipper

The German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper fought as part of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was named after Admiral Ritter von Hipper, commander of the German battlecruiser squadron during the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and later commander-in-chief of the German High Seas Fleet.

Related Topics:
German - Heavy cruiser - Kriegsmarine - World War II - Admiral - Ritter von Hipper - Battle of Jutland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hipper was the first ship of her class: like her sister ships, Prinz Eugen and Blücher, she was built in the mid-1930s. She was laid down at Blohm & Voß in Hamburg on 6 July 1935, launched on 6 February 1937 and commissioned on 29 April 1939

Related Topics:
Prinz Eugen - Blücher - 1930s - Blohm & Voß - Hamburg - 6 July - 1935 - 6 February - 1937 - 29 April - 1939

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Admiral Hipper took part in the German invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung). On 8 April 1940 she encountered the old British destroyer Glowworm north-west of Trondheim (Norway's third largest city, roughly half way up Norway's west coast). After exchanges of fire and despite fatal damage, Glowworm turned to ram Admiral Hipper, causing serious damage before sinking.

Related Topics:
Invasion of Norway (''Operation Weserübung'') - 8 April - 1940 - ''Glowworm'' - Trondheim - Norway

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On 9 April 1940, she successfully entered Trondheim's harbour. Troops landed from Admiral Hipper occupied the city in the early hours, flying the Nazi flag on the city's old Kristiansten fortress and other municipal buildings before most of the inhabitants had even awoken.

Related Topics:
9 April - 1940 - Nazi flag - Kristiansten fortress

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After damage repairs, Admiral Hipper operated with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau off Norway to disrupt British supply routes. By October, 1940, the Admiral Hipper needed serious overhauls to her machinery and returned to Kiel. Despite this work, two attempts to break out to the Atlantic were abandoned due to machinery breakdown and fires. Repairs were made at Kiel and Hamburg, delaying active service until December.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At last, the Admiral Hipper broke out unseen to the Atlantic and operated as a merchant raider, based at Brest, France.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first attack on a convoy, WS-5A, was largely frustrated by the escorting British cruiser, HMS Berwick. Although 2 ships and the Berwick were damaged, Admiral Hipper needed fuel and machinery repairs and so headed for Brest.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After repairs, on her second Atlantic cruise, Admiral Hipper intercepted convoy SLS-64. Seven ships out of 19 were sunk, but the convoy scattered and poor weather aided their escape. Short of ammunition, she returned to Brest on 14th February, 1941.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The cruiser returned to Kiel via the Denmark Strait, arriving on 28th February.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From March, 1942, Admiral Hipper was based in Norway for operations against Arctic convoys and in preparation against an anticipated British action against Norway. On New Years Eve, 1942, she took part in the failed German naval attack on convoy JW-51B. Despite its strength, the German attack was beaten off (Battle of the Barents Sea) and the Admiral Hipper was damaged. She returned to Wilhelmshaven, were she was decommisioned and moved to Gotenhafen.

Related Topics:
Arctic convoys - Battle of the Barents Sea - Wilhelmshaven - Gotenhafen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Due to Hitler's disillusionment with the Kriegsmarine surface fleet, she was not ready for service until January 1945, when she was used, partly repaired, for evacuations from the Eastern Front.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Admiral Hipper was scuttled at Kiel on 2 May 1945.

Related Topics:
Kiel - 2 May - 1945

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~