I’ll note that I always try to look up pronunciations. And my go-to in Forvo gave me what I used here. In addition to the narrator in ‘Drain the Oceans’ which I took a quick glance at as well, since I remembered them covering her. All the same, I’ve also kind of accepted that I’ll probably butcher things even when I look it up. So there’s that.
I have accepted my fate as well. I try to look up pronunciations, and sometimes I can get them write. However, when it comes to German words it is like a shot in the dark.
Someone may be interested to know that the ancient torpedo that doomed Blücher was an "original" Whitehead torpedo, made iirc around 1900 by "Torpedo Fabrik von Robert Whitehead" in Fiume, back then in Austria-Hungary, where the torpedo was invented in 1866 and developed by Luppis and Whitehead themselves in the Stabilimento Tecnico Fiumano , originally a foundry and boiler manifacturer for the Austrian Imperial Navy . They kept supplying torpedoes , and later complete factories for torpedo construction and maintenance, to all the Navies of the world: Britain , France and Germany were the most important initial customers. The company is amazingly still somehow in existence after much ownership and name reshuffling, moving from Fiume (the city being annexed by Yugoslavija) in 1947 to Livorno, Italy, and there merging in Whitehead Motofides (Fiat Group) , today part of Alenia as Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei. They still make torpedoes (and many more).
Fun Fact: not only has the german navy lost a cruiser named Blücher in both world wars but unlike most other lost ships both sinkings are well documented on photo and even on film (for the WW1 Blücher). And every now and then you find some article about the sinking of one of the Blüchers decorated with images of the sinking of the other Blücher...
A lot of german mistakes (or the Admiral) led to the loss of the brandnew Blücher. 1. No reaction to the norwegian warning shots, they had not the moment of surprise. 2. Why was Blücher first and not one of their escorts (Torpedoboot a kind of small destroyers) 3. Why enterting this narrow fjord slow and not at full speed. 4. storing ammunition on deck There should have been an impeachment for Admiral Kummetz.
I’d say Shigure is more of a luck vampire than Yukikaze, as she would often not only survive, but she would also often be the sole survivor of whatever formation she was attached to.
According to Cajus Bekkers "Verdammte See", a book written in the fifties which information I would take with a grain of salt, the german navy was aware of the torpedo-battery and also assumed the mine barrier to be deployed and the fortress to be fully manned. But the best case scenario was that the norwegians would not offer much resistence to being occupied or the germans could at least bluff their way through. And despite having received reports and indications that Norway was not going to roll over german admiral Oskar Kummetz decided he had not sufficent reason to abandon the timetable of the best case plan. The fact that Kummetz later had command at the Battle of the Barents Sea shows that the german high command didn't exactly put all the blame on him. But to put this stupidity into context: imagine for a moment Eriksen hesitating to open fire. The task force gets through to Oslo and what we see now as an idiocy that cost Germany a cruiser and some 300 lives becomes a tale of derring do.
German sailors of the early war were very much encouraged to think and act like German soldiers, sharing a common martial tradition that placed a high value on high-risk/high-reward maneuver. Failure to act was viewed as worse than failure of an act in general. Even in defeat, Germans would laud the bold commanders for at least trying, while excoriating commanders who declined to act. It would only be later that Hitler would start to favor less aggressive leadership on the grounds that they were prone to giving up too much ground to carry out their maneuvers.
I am not one to nitpick pronunciations, as I am plenty aware that there is rarely a single "correct" pronunciation that is universal. However, I must admit that I never heard anyone say Bluecher as Bloosher before. I have heard Bloock-her, Blu-cher, and more, but not Bloosher. I kind of like it.
A Clipper BOW? Complete with Figurehead and Bowsprit? I`ve always heard this modification to this and other German Warships to be called the (Atlantic Bow). Love the channel COPIOUS Output!
Yes, a "clipper bow" is among the acceptable terms to call it. One could argue if it is in fact a clipper bow or a flared bow, and if the "Atlantic bow" is a variant of one or the other, or a combination of features of both.
The reason for the composition of the "Oslo force" was probably that Blücher was not fully worked up, Lützow was earmarked for a forthcoming Atlantic sortie, and Emden was the weakest German cruiser, small, slow and obsolete. If the damage crews on Blücher had been fully worked up, it is possible that she could have been saved. The reason for the composition of the ill-faited "Narvik force" was probably that the destroyers could go straight to the harbor and unload the troops and then quickly turn around for Germany. However, due to their short range they were dependent on fuel from two slow oilers, one of which were sunk. So, with only one oiler available for refueling was delayed - with fatal consequences.
@kjellg6532 thanks very much! I must say that it has always puzzled me why the Kriegsmarine used their cruisers on such a close target instead of their old pre-dreadnoughts. Blücher was such an unnecessary loss.
Whenever anyone pronounces this incorrectly I always notice. I salute you for correctly pronouncing BLUCHER sir. I don't think even Drachinfel ever has converted to this which is I believe the correct way to say it. Good job.
That coastal artillery piece is on a thumb for the coastal defense video Drach did with Visualized huh? You did the story very well. A year ago but it took me a while to get here. But you're getting good so keep it up. Congratulations on your successful channel. 👍😎🍀
83 years ago, an event took place that will forever tie Rijeka and Croatia to Norwegian history. 07. Apr 2020 In the early hours of 9 April 1940, Blücher - the flagship of the navy of Nazi Germany - reached the fjord just outside Oslo. It was transporting the forces that were tasked with invading Norway. The German plan was to surprise the Norwegian defence forces and quickly obtain control over Oslo, capture the royal family and install their own regime. One hurdle on the way into the heart of Oslo, was the Oscarsborg fortress. The Germans knew of it from before and that it had antiquated guns. But they had no knowledge of its hidden underwater torpedo battery. A natural cave had been enlarged and enhanced with three chambers loaded with torpedoes produced in Rijeka, Croatia. The Blücher unwittingly passed with 500 m of the torpedo battery. Two torpedoes were launched towards the target. What followed were some of the most dramatic hours in Norwegian history. The torpedoes sunk the ship and simultaneously severely damaging other ships in the German fleet. This delayed the Germans' arrival to Oslo. It allowed for the King, his family and the government to avoid captivity and continue to run the resistance from exile in London. All made possible because of torpedoes from Rijeka. This drama is captured in the movie “The King’s Choice” directed by Erik Poppe.
12:50 - Other sources maintain that all the torpedoes available were launched, most failed to start or malfunctioned and sank - but two worked as designed.
7:00 yes that shows the width of the fjord at the point. 1.5 km I think. I'm an Norwegian and been at location and seen the guns. Getting an friends kid to run up to the still active navy base at the island to ask the gate guard for powder for the guns. He replied: sorry no firing of guns on Sunday :) Did not know the King's choose had them firing the actual guns. But yes they might well have muzzle loaded some pyro.
@@magnemoe1 At Norwegian side the gun lying was as follows: Range measured with an Orograf. The range finder Orograf was invented by Colonel Stang and later refined by Oberst Eriksen. With a monocular you measured the angle down to the waterline of the target. Knowing your standing height and the current sea level, one could compute the range. Now, in the critical moment the Orograf in the Main battery failed, the filaments in the crosshair went out. The operator first lieutenant Høie estimated the distance to be 1800 meters. Oberst Eriksen had served as battery commander in his younger days and knew every little island in front of the battery. He ordered distance to 1400 meters! Distance was then set at the guns and they were elevated to correct distance. Sideways the guns where controlled using optical sight - but the sight was blurred due to darkness and fog so the gun commander sighted along the barrel! The first 28 cm hit was high in the fore mast, doing limited damage, but killing Kapitänleutnant Puchammer, commander of 10,5 cm batteries. Many sources say that this shot put the main batteries, 20,3 cm onboard Blücher out of service due to misalignment of main range finder. That is incorrect. Shortly after the first hit all guns onboard Blücher were given orders to fire at any suitable targets they could find using local optics or iron sights. The heavy batteries on Blücher did not find any such targets and remainder silent. Most probably the distance to Blücher was about 950 m and she was almost too close. Second 28 cm hit forward of the aft mast and probably too high. It knocked out a twin 10,5 cm turret and set fire to oiled and ammo stored near the hangar. It also cut the steam pipes from the boilers to the centre turbine and steam to generator #3. This shot was probably not fatal to Blücher, but caused much trouble.
There are some aspects to be mentioned. First of all it was Hitler´s order that put Blücher on top of the German line. He wanted a modern. good looking, big and modern ship to enter the harbor of Oslo first. The German Admiralty knew better but did not oppose. Secondly - This obedience led to the fact that the commanding officer of the force, Adm. Kummetz, led the German force with 8 knots through the narrows. 8 knots! The Norwegian battery was about 500 m away and of course every shot was a hit due to the low speed and distance. Thirdly - the fatal damage was very similar to the damage on the US cruisers at the Battle of Savo, it was the burning kerosine of Blücher´s seaplanes. Additionally there were a lot of rifles, cannons and other army equipment that was stored directly on upper deck and was ignited. This tragedy could have been avoided if a competent Admiral would have opposed Hitler´s orders, He should have ordered the torpedo boats to lead the line. They then should have disembarked their troops at the Norwegian fortifications - every boat had about 150 troops on board. Meanwhile the capital ships would have waited in the distance until the fortifications were in German hands and then the big ships would have passed the narrows.
You are absolutely right. The fact that the germans did not secure the forts and the big guns before entering the killing zone, with their capital ships, was tantamount to gross negligence by the german admiral.
@@kjellg6532 In fact the main deck was packed with troops and their equipment, incl. small guns. Furthermore you forgot the torpedos that hit her. Blücher was doomed as soon as she entered the narrows due to an idiotic leadership by Hitler and Kummetz.
The Yamato-class were almost as egregious at breaching the treaties. Depending on whether or not you consider the Escalator clauses invoked, the Yamato-class were 44.44% or 85.71% over the limits. The Admiral Hipper-class were actually between 60% and 70% over the displacement limits, since the 10,000 ton limit was on standard displacement, and Prinz Eugen (the heaviest of the bunch) was only a tad short of 17,000 tons at standard load.
If The Norwegians had not sunk it,The Royal Navy would have possibly sunk it for them anyway. The RN sank five of the invading destroyers of Commmodores Bonte's Force at Narvik. The Norwegian Shore Batteries were not that old,it was not uncommon in those days for main armament on capital ships to be taken from vessels of a previous generation. Britains last battleship Vanguard,is a good example, scrapped, The Gairloch ,Faslane, 1960/61.
I’ll note that I always try to look up pronunciations. And my go-to in Forvo gave me what I used here. In addition to the narrator in ‘Drain the Oceans’ which I took a quick glance at as well, since I remembered them covering her.
All the same, I’ve also kind of accepted that I’ll probably butcher things even when I look it up. So there’s that.
S'okay. Pronounce it that way and you don't have to have upset horses in the background.
great job, hats off
I have accepted my fate as well. I try to look up pronunciations, and sometimes I can get them write. However, when it comes to German words it is like a shot in the dark.
the pronunciation you used is the french way to say Gebhardt von Blucher's name.
germanically? it would be Blooker
Just goes to show, even if it's old...a weapon is a weapon is a weapon...primitive or obsolete, it can still kill you
Totally agree
Someone may be interested to know that the ancient torpedo that doomed Blücher was an "original" Whitehead torpedo, made iirc around 1900 by "Torpedo Fabrik von Robert Whitehead" in Fiume, back then in Austria-Hungary, where the torpedo was invented in 1866 and developed by Luppis and Whitehead themselves in the Stabilimento Tecnico Fiumano , originally a foundry and boiler manifacturer for the Austrian Imperial Navy . They kept supplying torpedoes , and later complete factories for torpedo construction and maintenance, to all the Navies of the world: Britain , France and Germany were the most important initial customers. The company is amazingly still somehow in existence after much ownership and name reshuffling, moving from Fiume (the city being annexed by Yugoslavija) in 1947 to Livorno, Italy, and there merging in Whitehead Motofides (Fiat Group) , today part of Alenia as Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei. They still make torpedoes (and many more).
And worked much better than the US MK14 at that time ! Well, early on, skipping a stone worked better !
The King's Choice did a good depiction of the Blücher sinking!
Fun Fact: not only has the german navy lost a cruiser named Blücher in both world wars but unlike most other lost ships both sinkings are well documented on photo and even on film (for the WW1 Blücher). And every now and then you find some article about the sinking of one of the Blüchers decorated with images of the sinking of the other Blücher...
Lost a Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in both wars too.
This ship didn't displace much less than the original HMS Dreadnought. Crazy to think about.
"Either i get hailed a hero or court-martialed!" FIRE!
A lot of german mistakes (or the Admiral) led to the loss of the brandnew Blücher.
1. No reaction to the norwegian warning shots, they had not the moment of surprise.
2. Why was Blücher first and not one of their escorts (Torpedoboot a kind of small destroyers)
3. Why enterting this narrow fjord slow and not at full speed.
4. storing ammunition on deck
There should have been an impeachment for Admiral Kummetz.
Brand new ship taken out by raw recruits with obsolete weapons.
Eugen being a luck vampire? Never heard of that meme. Then again, I heard spatterings of Yukikaze being a luck vampire.
I’d say Shigure is more of a luck vampire than Yukikaze, as she would often not only survive, but she would also often be the sole survivor of whatever formation she was attached to.
It is strange that almost every german ship thats famous in ww2 always seems to have the range finder always knocked out 1st. Good video
It would eventually come to "that fort's" recommendation, that Blücher would be transferred to the submarine arm of the Kriegsmarine
hi boys and girls.
can you spell "hubris"?
According to Cajus Bekkers "Verdammte See", a book written in the fifties which information I would take with a grain of salt, the german navy was aware of the torpedo-battery and also assumed the mine barrier to be deployed and the fortress to be fully manned. But the best case scenario was that the norwegians would not offer much resistence to being occupied or the germans could at least bluff their way through. And despite having received reports and indications that Norway was not going to roll over german admiral Oskar Kummetz decided he had not sufficent reason to abandon the timetable of the best case plan. The fact that Kummetz later had command at the Battle of the Barents Sea shows that the german high command didn't exactly put all the blame on him.
But to put this stupidity into context: imagine for a moment Eriksen hesitating to open fire. The task force gets through to Oslo and what we see now as an idiocy that cost Germany a cruiser and some 300 lives becomes a tale of derring do.
German sailors of the early war were very much encouraged to think and act like German soldiers, sharing a common martial tradition that placed a high value on high-risk/high-reward maneuver. Failure to act was viewed as worse than failure of an act in general. Even in defeat, Germans would laud the bold commanders for at least trying, while excoriating commanders who declined to act. It would only be later that Hitler would start to favor less aggressive leadership on the grounds that they were prone to giving up too much ground to carry out their maneuvers.
I am not one to nitpick pronunciations, as I am plenty aware that there is rarely a single "correct" pronunciation that is universal. However, I must admit that I never heard anyone say Bluecher as Bloosher before. I have heard Bloock-her, Blu-cher, and more, but not Bloosher. I kind of like it.
He pronounces Blücher very well; he doesn‘t say Bloosher.
German guns and German arrogance .. seems like there's a common factor
Why is it that every time you mention the ships name, we don’t hear horses neighing in the background???……………
I was going to suggest he watch Young Frankenstein for a pronunciation guide...
Ukraine: WRITE THAT DOWN!!! WRITE THAT DOWN!!!
See "The King's Choice."
A Clipper BOW? Complete with Figurehead and Bowsprit? I`ve always heard this modification to this and other German Warships to be called the (Atlantic Bow). Love the channel COPIOUS Output!
Yes, a "clipper bow" is among the acceptable terms to call it. One could argue if it is in fact a clipper bow or a flared bow, and if the "Atlantic bow" is a variant of one or the other, or a combination of features of both.
The Clipper Bow also helps the ship go faster. Think lightning bolts on the side of a car. Vrrrrrmmm.
The reason for the composition of the "Oslo force" was probably that Blücher was not fully worked up, Lützow was earmarked for a forthcoming Atlantic sortie, and Emden was the weakest German cruiser, small, slow and obsolete. If the damage crews on Blücher had been fully worked up, it is possible that she could have been saved.
The reason for the composition of the ill-faited "Narvik force" was probably that the destroyers could go straight to the harbor and unload the troops and then quickly turn around for Germany. However, due to their short range they were dependent on fuel from two slow oilers, one of which were sunk. So, with only one oiler available for refueling was delayed - with fatal consequences.
After those torpedo hits, I don't think there was any hope for her regardless of damage control. That's just too many hits.
@@kjellg6532which ship?
@kjellg6532 thanks very much! I must say that it has always puzzled me why the Kriegsmarine used their cruisers on such a close target instead of their old pre-dreadnoughts. Blücher was such an unnecessary loss.
Outside of our (American) Des Moines class of heavy cruisers. They were the most aesthetic looking ones
Overconfidence rules ... less than supreme.
Whenever anyone pronounces this incorrectly I always notice. I salute you for correctly pronouncing BLUCHER sir. I don't think even Drachinfel ever has converted to this which is I believe the correct way to say it. Good job.
That coastal artillery piece is on a thumb for the coastal defense video Drach did with Visualized huh? You did the story very well. A year ago but it took me a while to get here. But you're getting good so keep it up. Congratulations on your successful channel. 👍😎🍀
The Cruiser wasn't designed to take a hit from the 11" guns of the fort!
83 years ago, an event took place that will forever tie Rijeka and Croatia to Norwegian history. 07. Apr 2020
In the early hours of 9 April 1940, Blücher - the flagship of the navy of Nazi Germany - reached the fjord just outside Oslo. It was transporting the forces that were tasked with invading Norway. The German plan was to surprise the Norwegian defence forces and quickly obtain control over Oslo, capture the royal family and install their own regime. One hurdle on the way into the heart of Oslo, was the Oscarsborg fortress. The Germans knew of it from before and that it had antiquated guns. But they had no knowledge of its hidden underwater torpedo battery. A natural cave had been enlarged and enhanced with three chambers loaded with torpedoes produced in Rijeka, Croatia. The Blücher unwittingly passed with 500 m of the torpedo battery. Two torpedoes were launched towards the target. What followed were some of the most dramatic hours in Norwegian history. The torpedoes sunk the ship and simultaneously severely damaging other ships in the German fleet. This delayed the Germans' arrival to Oslo. It allowed for the King, his family and the government to avoid captivity and continue to run the resistance from exile in London. All made possible because of torpedoes from Rijeka. This drama is captured in the movie “The King’s Choice” directed by Erik Poppe.
12:50 - Other sources maintain that all the torpedoes available were launched, most failed to start or malfunctioned and sank - but two worked as designed.
How did they go to full speed and aim for center of fiord after losing power and rudder control ?
with two propeller shaft you can use the propeller to steer like you steer a tank.
To take a phrase from another WWII video series, "No tears were shed for Blucher."
Very good! Thank you.
Would you do Hood?
7:00 yes that shows the width of the fjord at the point. 1.5 km I think.
I'm an Norwegian and been at location and seen the guns.
Getting an friends kid to run up to the still active navy base at the island to ask the gate guard for powder for the guns. He replied: sorry no firing of guns on Sunday :)
Did not know the King's choose had them firing the actual guns. But yes they might well have muzzle loaded some pyro.
@@kjellg6532 Even closer than I expected, thought opening at 2-3 km, no need for an fire control computer here just use iron sights.
@@magnemoe1 At Norwegian side the gun lying was as follows: Range measured with an Orograf. The range finder Orograf was invented by Colonel Stang and later refined by Oberst Eriksen. With a monocular you measured the angle down to the waterline of the target. Knowing your standing height and the current sea level, one could compute the range. Now, in the critical moment the Orograf in the Main battery failed, the filaments in the crosshair went out. The operator first lieutenant Høie estimated the distance to be 1800 meters. Oberst Eriksen had served as battery commander in his younger days and knew every little island in front of the battery. He ordered distance to 1400 meters! Distance was then set at the guns and they were elevated to correct distance. Sideways the guns where controlled using optical sight - but the sight was blurred due to darkness and fog so the gun commander sighted along the barrel!
The first 28 cm hit was high in the fore mast, doing limited damage, but killing Kapitänleutnant Puchammer, commander of 10,5 cm batteries. Many sources say that this shot put the main batteries, 20,3 cm onboard Blücher out of service due to misalignment of main range finder. That is incorrect. Shortly after the first hit all guns onboard Blücher were given orders to fire at any suitable targets they could find using local optics or iron sights. The heavy batteries on Blücher did not find any such targets and remainder silent.
Most probably the distance to Blücher was about 950 m and she was almost too close.
Second 28 cm hit forward of the aft mast and probably too high. It knocked out a twin 10,5 cm turret and set fire to oiled and ammo stored near the hangar. It also cut the steam pipes from the boilers to the centre turbine and steam to generator #3. This shot was probably not fatal to Blücher, but caused much trouble.
Thanks from the future. Take care.
Mann ist das peinlich..
There are some aspects to be mentioned.
First of all it was Hitler´s order that put Blücher on top of the German line. He wanted a modern. good looking, big and modern ship to enter the harbor of Oslo first. The German Admiralty knew better but did not oppose.
Secondly - This obedience led to the fact that the commanding officer of the force, Adm. Kummetz, led the German force with 8 knots through the narrows. 8 knots! The Norwegian battery was about 500 m away and of course every shot was a hit due to the low speed and distance.
Thirdly - the fatal damage was very similar to the damage on the US cruisers at the Battle of Savo, it was the burning kerosine of Blücher´s seaplanes. Additionally there were a lot of rifles, cannons and other army equipment that was stored directly on upper deck and was ignited.
This tragedy could have been avoided if a competent Admiral would have opposed Hitler´s orders, He should have ordered the torpedo boats to lead the line. They then should have disembarked their troops at the Norwegian fortifications - every boat had about 150 troops on board. Meanwhile the capital ships would have waited in the distance until the fortifications were in German hands and then the big ships would have passed the narrows.
You are absolutely right. The fact that the germans did not secure the forts and the big guns before entering the killing zone, with their capital ships, was tantamount to gross negligence by the german admiral.
@@kjellg6532 In fact the main deck was packed with troops and their equipment, incl. small guns. Furthermore you forgot the torpedos that hit her. Blücher was doomed as soon as she entered the narrows due to an idiotic leadership by Hitler and Kummetz.
Blucher is supposed to turn up at the End of a battle, not the start. Timing is everything.
Can anyone think of a more brazen case of treaty dodging? +80% displacement, almost double the limit...
The Yamato-class were almost as egregious at breaching the treaties. Depending on whether or not you consider the Escalator clauses invoked, the Yamato-class were 44.44% or 85.71% over the limits.
The Admiral Hipper-class were actually between 60% and 70% over the displacement limits, since the 10,000 ton limit was on standard displacement, and Prinz Eugen (the heaviest of the bunch) was only a tad short of 17,000 tons at standard load.
even a mouse can bite a cat.
A lucky shot got the cruiser I hope they blasted that fort.
quite a bit more than a single lucky shot. why do you hope they blasted the fort?
If The Norwegians had not sunk it,The Royal Navy would have possibly sunk it for them anyway.
The RN sank five of the invading destroyers of Commmodores Bonte's Force at Narvik.
The Norwegian Shore Batteries were not that old,it was not uncommon in those days for main armament on capital ships to be taken from vessels of a previous generation. Britains last battleship Vanguard,is a good example,
scrapped, The Gairloch ,Faslane, 1960/61.