Launching of the Graf Zeppelin in Kiel, 1938

The picture shows the launching of the Graf Zeppelin, the only aircraft carrier launched by Germany. This was one of the largest ships of the Navy and was built by the Deutsche Werke in Kiel. The further expansion, especially the takeoff and landing systems (planned) of airplanes, was delayed since the beginning of World War II and in the middle of 1940 it has been completely stopped. The second phase from 1942 was stopped again on 2.2.1943, the ship was towed to Stettin and gradually cannibalized. To make it unusable for the approaching Red Army, she was sunk on 25.04.1945. They salvaged her in 1947 and used her for testing purposes, until she sank in the Gulf of Gdansk in June 1947

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Approaching Baptism Cannibalized Cheering Christening Completely Delayed Deutsche Especially Expansion Festivity Further Gdansk Gradually Grandstand Gulf Holstein Kiel Launched Launching Onlookers Planned Purposes Residents Salvaged Sank Schleswig Schleswig Holstein Schleswig-holstein Solemn Stettin Stopped Sunk Takeoff Towed Unusable Werke

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