Launch of the Graf Zeppelin in Kiel, 1938

The picture shows the launch of the Graf Zeppelin, the only German aircraft carrier built to this date. It was one of the largest ships of the Kriegsmarine and was built by the Deutsche Werke in Kiel. However, the further expansion, especially the launching and landing systems of the (planned) aircraft, has been delayed since the beginning of the Second World War and was halted in the middle of 1940. The second construction phase started in 1942 was stopped again on 2.2.1943, the ship was towed to Stettin and gradually cannibalized. To make it useless for the approaching Red Army, it was sunk on April 25, 1945. It was lifted in 1947 and used for test purposes until it sank in June 1947 in the Gdansk Bay

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Approaching Baptism Cannibalized Carriers Christening Delayed Deutsche Especially Expansion Festive Further Gdansk Gradually Grandstand Halted However Kiel Kriegsmarine Launching Lifted Onlookers Planned Purposes Residents Sank Schleswig-holstein Solemn Stettin Stopped Sunk Towed Useless Werke

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