|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maschinenobergefreiter Johannes Zimmermann Signed Naval Art
Naval Art  Signatures S to Z  Zimmermann, Johannes |
Maschinenobergefreiter Johannes Zimmermann
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.
| Maschinenobergefreiter Johannes Zimmermann - Signed Naval Art Naval Crew Signatures |
|
|
| Text for the above items : |
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. |
Clipped Signature - Johannes Zimmermann. Joined Bismarck in June 1940 as one of the first crew. On the day of her sinking, he managed to escape despite being at his post deep in the boiler room when the order to abandon ship came. He died in 1998. |
|
Contact Details |
|
Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com
|
 |
