Channel Dash; Scharnhorst and Gneisenau Run the British Blockade - Animated

Operation Cerberus - the Battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau attempt to make a surprise dash up the English Channel to return to Germany.

All uncredited images are public domain

Special thanks to my Patreons: John Smaha, Casual Observer, Escipio Sumski, Zac W, Chris Roybal, imfromthe808, Riley Matthews, Simon Herrmann, Robby Gottesman, Gil Ho

[Yora]

I think once the enemy has started shooting at you, it's okay to break radio silence.

[SabaDhutt]

It’s hard to imagine all of this happened while I’m eating chips lying on the couch, doing the same “wake up, go to work, sleep “ routine. It’s easy to romanticize it until you’re on the receiving end of the 12 inch guns.

[oeiras]

This simple animation helps to clear away the fog of war. Well done.

[carlheinz]

My dad was on the Scharnhorst when this took place. He was 23 years old and told the story several times, about how all the torpedoes missed. But he never forgot the feeling, when you saw those "eels" slithering towards the ship and praying that they miss, while the hair stands up in your neck and your almost shitting your

[jenseckert]

My great-uncle was a sailor on the Prinz Eugen when this operation happened. Sadly I only found out after his death, would have been very interesting to get some first hand information.
His brother, my other great-uncle, was sunk in the U 656 in spring of 1942, age 22.

[TheNerdForAllSeasons]

"The final decision on whether to commit to the attack has been left to Esmund. He chooses to go."

I've rewatched this video half a dozen times usually weeks apart, and I tear up at this moment every time.

He knew, his crew knew, the entire flight knew. The other 5 crews all could have turned away and risked discipline. But they didn't.

Bravery is insufficient to describe that level of commitment and ignorance of danger.

[osalcido]

Excellent video, I just always assumed the Germans slipped thru the Channel while the English were sleeping. Had no clue there was so much action and close calls.

[internetstrangerstrangerofweb]

Goes to show that even despite an insanely foolish plan, proper coordination, training and discipline can get you just about anywhere.

[pilgrimpaulo]

The weather played a huge part in the successful dash. I cant imagine what it was like flying about in those conditions with so many aircraft in the clouds and mist

[contrapasta]

9:05 One thing I love about these videos is there's always a 'that one guy'

[GearGuardianGaming]

Scharnhorst had a 20-minute power outage caused by the first mine, the shock from its detonation locked up the rotating parts of turret 2, and it tore a hole in her side bigger than my living room floor (i think the dimensions were 6m x 13m, correct me ifi am wrong) and caused her to ship 2500 tons of water. 2nd mine hit caused a much shorter power outage and a much much smaller hole. Gneisenau did sail again, but disarmed and only able to float, with only enough fuel to get where she was going: to be sunk as a blockship. Scrapped after the war. Sad ending to my favorite ship...r.i.p. Gneisenau

[Ibrahim-wkoy]

This entire operation could be such a great movie

[MTG]

So happy to have stumbled upon this excellent channel. That's my isolation sorted...

[JamieBainbridge]

This was some gripping infographics, I was on the edge of my seat for the whole channel run. Seriously well done!

[Pandacat]

it was the first major operational debut of fw190。it proved far superior to spit5s。there were stories of german pilots lowering their landing gears to slow down in order to attack slow swordfishes

[McRocket]

Great job, imo.
All elments help the overall effect.
Your steady, calm voice, the music (not too loud or dominating...but very ominous) and the graphics are great.
And - of course - all the details are just fascinating. These are my favourite part.
Thanks you for all your efforts on your videos.

[edenbreckhouse]

Expecting bombers to hit a ship on the move was wildly optimistic on the part of the British given how inaccurate their bombing was at this point in the war.

[KeithGordon]

Extremely interesting, well presented, thank you

[dellawrence]

Cerberus was a great name for this op, the three headed bull mastiff that guarded the gates of the Underworld.

[jasonhuiting]

Kenneth Campbell (VC) had balls of steel. my hats is off for this chap.