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Men stand on forepart of part-submerged German Battlecruiser
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Men stand on forepart of part-submerged German Battlecruiser
WW1 - Men stand on the forepart of part-submerged German Battlecruiser SMS Bremse - Orkney - possibly part of the Scapa Flow salvage operations which commenced in 1919. Date: 1919
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Media ID 18952960
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015
Battlecruiser Isles Operations Orkney Salvage Scuttled Stand Sunk Fleet
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment during the historic salvage operations of the part-submerged German Battlecruiser SMS Bremse, which took place in the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland in 1919. Following Germany's surrender in the First World War, over 70 German warships were scuttled in Scapa Flow to prevent their capture by the Allies. However, in the aftermath of the Armistice, the British government decided to raise the ships for scrap or for use as targets in training exercises. In this image, a group of men stand on the forepart of the partially submerged SMS Bremse, their expressions a mix of determination and trepidation as they face the daunting task of salvaging the massive vessel. The battlecruiser, which had seen action in several major naval battles during the war, now lies defeated and broken, its once proud figurehead a reminder of the devastating conflict that had raged across Europe just two years prior. The Orkney Islands, with their rugged coastline and treacherous waters, provided a challenging backdrop for the salvage operations. The men in the photograph, dressed in heavy workwear and wading through the cold, murky waters, are a testament to their resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. The salvage operations, which continued throughout the year, were a significant feat of engineering and logistical planning, and marked the end of an era in the history of the Royal Navy and the German Imperial Navy. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the remarkable feats of engineering and determination that can be achieved in its aftermath.
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