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Sighting the Bismarck by Robert Taylor. - Cranston Military Prints

Sighting the Bismarck by Robert Taylor.


Sighting the Bismarck by Robert Taylor.

In the early hours of May 24, 1941, as the mighty German battleships Bismarck and Prinz Eugen slipped through the Denmark Strait, they were dramatically intercepted by the Royal Navy battleships Hood and Prince of Wales. Within six minutes of the first salvo being fired, the Hood, pride of the Royal Navy, was blown out of the water in one of the most gigantic explosions ever witnessed at sea. Bismarcks fourth salvo landed a shell forward of the Hoods after turrets, piercing her deck, exploding the 4-inch magazine. Simultaneously this detonated the adjacent 15-inch magazine, and in one mighty eruption the battleship broke in two. Within seconds she was gone. Of the ships company of 1400 officers and sailors only three survived. Outraged at the grievous loss Winston Churchill signaled the Admiralty just three words: Sink the Bismarck! Thus began one of the epic sea chases in the history of naval warfare. Damaged by shells from the Prince of Wales 14-inch guns and losing fuel oil, Admiral Lutjens broke off the engagement and steamed Bismarck towards the anonymity of the North Atlantic. Evading the British warships for 32 hours he had hopes of reaching the safety of Brest, but when spotted by a Catalina of RAF Coastal Command, Lutjens knew it was the beginning of the end for the mighty German warship. When an attack by Ark Royals Swordfish torpedo planes jammed her rudder Bismarcks fate was sealed. As she limped haphazardly through the waves trailing oil, the Home Fleet closed in for the final encounter. Overwhelmed by British guns and torpedoes, Bismarcks crew fought a gallant last battle, but the odds were too great. Watching Bismarcks final moments from King George Vs bridge, Admiral Tovey said: She put up a noble fight against impossible odds, worthy of the old days of the Imperial German Navy.
Item Code : DHM2169APSighting the Bismarck by Robert Taylor. - Editions Available
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm)
Hellwig, Hans
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2005
Obergefreiter Hans Hellwig (deceased)
Hans Hellwig joined the Kriegsmarine at the age of eighteen in January 1940, and served on the Bismarck from May of that year, through to 27 May, 1941. He was part of the gun-crew in one of Bismarcks main 15-inch turrets. In the final deadly duel with the Royal Navy his gun was eventually destroyed but he continued in action serving one of the starboard 6-inch guns until the end. Hans Hellwig passed away on 4th May 2005.
Signature Value : £70
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Schuldt, Karl-August
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2007
Maschinenobergefreiter Karl-August Schuldt (deceased)
After his enlistment into the Kriegsmarine in 1941, Karl-August was soon posted to join the crew of the Bismarck. He served as a leading machinist in one of Bismarcks many engineering rooms. As the Bismarck sank, Karl-August was still at his battle-station below deck but fought his way out of that hell to be rescued, along with the other survivors, by HMS Dorsetshire. Sadly Karl-August Schuldt passed away on 20th May 2007.
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Statz, Josef
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 1999
Matrose II Josef Statz (deceased)
Josef Statz was a dockyard shipbuilder before joining the Kriegsmarine in October 1940. Posted to the Bismarck in April 1941, he was a member of the central damage control team. Stationed just forward of Bismarcks main bridge Josef took part in the desperate efforts to save the Bismarck from the deep. Born on 13th April 1921, Joseph Statz died aged 78 on 24th June 1999.
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Zimmermann, Johannes
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 1998
Maschinenobergefreiter Johannes Zimmermann (deceased)
A former blacksmith, Johannes Zimmermann was conscripted into the Kriegsmarine in 1940 and was one of the first to join Bismarcks crew at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Hamburg on 3rd June 1940. As a leading stoker, Johannes was at his post deep in Bismarcks boiler room during the final action but successfully managed to escape when ordered to abandon ship. Born on 3rd October 1920, Johannes Zimmermann died aged 77 on 30th April 1998.
Signature Value : £70
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Robert Taylor

Signature(s) value alone : £270		SOLD
OUT		NOT
AVAILABLE
Limited edition 85 artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm)
Hellwig, Hans
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2005
Obergefreiter Hans Hellwig (deceased)
Hans Hellwig joined the Kriegsmarine at the age of eighteen in January 1940, and served on the Bismarck from May of that year, through to 27 May, 1941. He was part of the gun-crew in one of Bismarcks main 15-inch turrets. In the final deadly duel with the Royal Navy his gun was eventually destroyed but he continued in action serving one of the starboard 6-inch guns until the end. Hans Hellwig passed away on 4th May 2005.
Signature Value : £70
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Schuldt, Karl-August
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 2007
Maschinenobergefreiter Karl-August Schuldt (deceased)
After his enlistment into the Kriegsmarine in 1941, Karl-August was soon posted to join the crew of the Bismarck. He served as a leading machinist in one of Bismarcks many engineering rooms. As the Bismarck sank, Karl-August was still at his battle-station below deck but fought his way out of that hell to be rescued, along with the other survivors, by HMS Dorsetshire. Sadly Karl-August Schuldt passed away on 20th May 2007.
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Statz, Josef
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 1999
Matrose II Josef Statz (deceased)
Josef Statz was a dockyard shipbuilder before joining the Kriegsmarine in October 1940. Posted to the Bismarck in April 1941, he was a member of the central damage control team. Stationed just forward of Bismarcks main bridge Josef took part in the desperate efforts to save the Bismarck from the deep. Born on 13th April 1921, Joseph Statz died aged 78 on 24th June 1999.
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Zimmermann, Johannes
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Died : 1998
Maschinenobergefreiter Johannes Zimmermann (deceased)
A former blacksmith, Johannes Zimmermann was conscripted into the Kriegsmarine in 1940 and was one of the first to join Bismarcks crew at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Hamburg on 3rd June 1940. As a leading stoker, Johannes was at his post deep in Bismarcks boiler room during the final action but successfully managed to escape when ordered to abandon ship. Born on 3rd October 1920, Johannes Zimmermann died aged 77 on 30th April 1998.
Signature Value : £70
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Robert Taylor

Signature(s) value alone : £270		£100 Off!Now : £330.00

Quantity:
In 8 Pairs
and 1 Pack
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Commissioned on August 24, 1940, the German battleship Bismarck was the epitome of naval power. The great ship was 823 feet in length, had a beam of 118 feet, and a displacement of 50,000 tons. After nine months of sea trials the Bismarck embarked on its first mission accompanied by the cruiser Prinz Eugen on May 19, 1941. The Bismarcks mission was to destroy and disrupt convoys carrying war relief supplies to Britain from North America. On May 20th the Bismarck was spotted and reported to British intelligence as it passed through the narrow straits between Denmark and Sweden. The British presumed correctly that the Bismarck was headed for the North Atlantic, but by which route? Dividing its naval forces in an attempt to intercept the mighty German battleship, four ships were sent to patrol the Denmark strait, including the newly commissioned battleship Prince of Wales, and the H.M.S. Hood, a heavily armed battle cruiser, pride of the British fleet. On may 23rd the Bismarck was spotted by the H.M.S. Norfolk and the H.M.S. Suffolk. The Bismarck opened fire on the Norfolk, which was out gunned by the German ship, but fortunately was able to elude the Bismarck because of heavy fog and mist. With its position identified British Naval authorities ordered several other ships to the area including the H.M.S. Ark Royal, one of two aircraft carriers dispatched. On May 24th the Bismarck was engaged again. The H.M.S. Hood took a direct hit and exploded with the loss of all but three of its large crew. The Bismarck took two hits from the Prince of Wales during this battle, one of which had the effect of reducing the huge ships effective fuel capacity, and hence range. Later that evening a torpedo plane attack was launched at the German battleship, which sustained one hit with little damage. On May 25th the Bismarck separated from the Prinz Eugen, and set a course for the French coast in hopes of making repairs. On May 26th the Bismarck was located again by a British reconnaissance aircraft. In an attempt to prevent the ship from reaching the safety of Luftwaffe air cover, a second torpedo plane attack was launched from the Ark Royal. Utilizing Fairy Swordfish bi-plane torpedo bombers, two hits were achieved. The first was amidships and caused virtually no damage. The second hit was astern, and resulted in the jamming of the Bismarcks rudder. Unable to maneuver, the great German battleship had little choice that to continue steaming for the French coast. Four more British warships lay in its path including the H.M.S. Rodney, the H.M.S. King George V, the H.M.S. Dorsetshire, and the H.M.S. Norfolk. On the morning of May 27th an enormous sea battle took place, with the unmaneuverable Bismarck taking more than 1,000 direct hits. After losing its fire control system, the Bismarck became a defenseless target. At approximately 10:00 AM Bismarcks Captain gave the orders to scuttle the enormous ship, and about 40 minutes later the great vessel slipped quietly beneath the surface of the Atlantic.

Sink the Bismarck by Stan Stokes. 		Bismarck, now complete and newly painted in full Baltic camouflage, returns to Hamburg for the last time as the harsh winter of 1940/41 relents and the pride of the German Kriegsmarine prepares for real action. In the distance, the pre-Dreadnought Schleswig-Holstein awaits her next commission, the old ship alternating between vital ice-breaker and air defence duties at this time.

Bismarck at Hamburg by Ivan Berryman. 		One of the finest battleships of all time, Bismarck was built by the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Hamburg and launched in February 1939. Her first duty was for commerce raiding in the north Atlantic. Together with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, the destroyers Z10, Z16 and Z23 and a minesweeper. The Bismarck, commanded by Vice Admiral Gunther Lutjens, left her last anchorage at Grimstadt Fjord in Norway. Once Bismarcks departure was confirmed all available British forces were deployed to meet the threat. On the 24th of May 1941 the Bismarck sailed into naval history - sinking the battlescruiser and pride of the British fleet - HMS Hood. But Bismarck would have little time to celebrate, she was sunk by a scorned British fleet three days later. Here Bismarck is depicted on the evening of the 21st May 1941 entering the open sea on her fateful final voyage.

Bismarck - The Final Voyage by Anthony Saunders.		One of the finest battleships of all time, Bismarck was built by the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Hamburg and launched in February 1939. Her first duty was for commerce raiding in the north Atlantic. Together with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, the destroyers Z10, Z16 and Z23 and a minesweeper. The Bismarck, commanded by Vice Admiral Gunther Lutjens, left her last anchorage at Grimstadt Fjord in Norway. Once Bismarcks departure was confirmed all available British forces were deployed to meet the threat. On the 24th of May 1941 the Bismarck sailed into naval history - sinking the battlescruiser and pride of the British fleet - HMS Hood. But Bismarck would have little time to celebrate, she was sunk by a scorned British fleet three days later. Here Bismarck is depicted on the evening of the 21st May 1941 entering the open sea on her fateful final voyage.

Bismarck - The Final Voyage by Anthony Saunders
Signatures on these products
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature and is for the unmatted version where available. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare.
NameInfo


Obergefreiter Hans Hellwig (deceased)
Died : 2005
*Signature Value : £70

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 850 prints.
Limited edition 85 artist proofs.


Hellwig, Hans
(Obergefreiter Hans Hellwig (deceased))

Hans Hellwig joined the Kriegsmarine at the age of eighteen in January 1940, and served on the Bismarck from May of that year, through to 27 May, 1941. He was part of the gun-crew in one of Bismarcks main 15-inch turrets. In the final deadly duel with the Royal Navy his gun was eventually destroyed but he continued in action serving one of the starboard 6-inch guns until the end. Hans Hellwig passed away on 4th May 2005.


Maschinenobergefreiter Karl-August Schuldt (deceased)
Died : 2007
*Signature Value : £65

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 850 prints.
Limited edition 85 artist proofs.


Schuldt, Karl-August
(Maschinenobergefreiter Karl-August Schuldt (deceased))

After his enlistment into the Kriegsmarine in 1941, Karl-August was soon posted to join the crew of the Bismarck. He served as a leading machinist in one of Bismarcks many engineering rooms. As the Bismarck sank, Karl-August was still at his battle-station below deck but fought his way out of that hell to be rescued, along with the other survivors, by HMS Dorsetshire. Sadly Karl-August Schuldt passed away on 20th May 2007.


Matrose II Josef Statz (deceased)
Died : 1999
*Signature Value : £65

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 850 prints.
Limited edition 85 artist proofs.


Statz, Josef
(Matrose II Josef Statz (deceased))

Josef Statz was a dockyard shipbuilder before joining the Kriegsmarine in October 1940. Posted to the Bismarck in April 1941, he was a member of the central damage control team. Stationed just forward of Bismarcks main bridge Josef took part in the desperate efforts to save the Bismarck from the deep. Born on 13th April 1921, Joseph Statz died aged 78 on 24th June 1999.


Maschinenobergefreiter Johannes Zimmermann (deceased)
Died : 1998
*Signature Value : £70

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 850 prints.
Limited edition 85 artist proofs.


Zimmermann, Johannes
(Maschinenobergefreiter Johannes Zimmermann (deceased))

A former blacksmith, Johannes Zimmermann was conscripted into the Kriegsmarine in 1940 and was one of the first to join Bismarcks crew at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Hamburg on 3rd June 1940. As a leading stoker, Johannes was at his post deep in Bismarcks boiler room during the final action but successfully managed to escape when ordered to abandon ship. Born on 3rd October 1920, Johannes Zimmermann died aged 77 on 30th April 1998.
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Bismarck

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