THE FIRST SHOT fired in WORLD WAR TWO.

[The Sailor]

The first shot of World War II in Europe was fired 20 years, 9 months, 19 days and 18 hours after the last shot of World War 1 was fired. It was fired from the 13,000 ton German gunnery training battleship Schleswig Holstein (Captain Gustav Kleikamp) which was on a visit to Poland to honour the sailors lost on the German cruiser Magdeburg sunk in 1914, some of whom were buried in Danzig. It was anchored in Danzig (now Gdansk) harbour at the mouth of the River Vistula. At 4.30 am on September 1, 1939, the ship moved slowly down the Port Canal and took up position opposite the Westerplatte (an area containing Polish troop barracks, munition storage and workshops) and at 4.47 am, at point blank range, the order to 'Fire' was given. World War 11 had begun. Seven days later, on September 7, after a heroic defence by Major Henryk Sucharski and his troops, and a devastating attack by Stuka dive bombers, the 200 man Westerplatte Garrison surrendered.

The Schleswig Holstein berthed at Gdynia (Gotenhafen) till the end of the war. Attacked by the RAF on December 18, 1944, twenty eight crew members were killed. Attacked again in March, 1945, the burning ship was scuttled near the port on March 21.

[astraltrader]

Without doubt one of the most underhanded and cowardly ways of starting a war possible...

[herakles]

It's one thing for Jack Aubrey pretending to be Dutch or whatever but he always insisted on raising his flag before attacking. To do otherwise would have spelt his end.

This action against Poland was horrific. And led a trend for the rest of the war. Someone once told me that scoop a pile of soil anywhere in that country and you will squeeze blood from it.

[Marek T]

Here is a dramatic shot of S-C battling her way through the ice, prabably later during the war. Second shot shows her scuttled in Gdynia harbour, while on the third one she is towed out in 1947 by the Soviets. Somewhere else on this site there already is a photo of S-H wreck in Tallin.

[chris westwood]

Without doubt one of the most underhanded and cowardly ways of starting a war possible...
it isn't a game. There are no rules.
War is an obscenity.
The object of the exercise is to win whether you are the bad guys or the good guys.

[astraltrader]

Here is a dramatic shot of S-C battling her way through the ice, prabably later during the war. Second shot shows her scuttled in Gdynia harbour, while on the third one she is towed out in 1947 by the Soviets. Somewhere else on this site there already is a photo of S-H wreck in Tallin.


Thanks Marek.

Here is a fine photograph of Schleswig-Holstein taken before the outbreak of hostilities - probably 1936 or 1937.

[Alex Shenec]

Hi Terry.

Thanks Marek.
Here is a fine photograph of Schleswig-Holstein taken before the outbreak of hostilities - probably 1936 or 1937.

On a mast an imperial flag.
So the photo is made not later than 1918.

I think, what even earlier. By 1918 the first smoke tube has been changed.

Best regards
Alex

[astraltrader]

Of course it is - well spotted Alec. I was trying to do too many things at once last night.

A good shot of her though!

[Alex Shenec]

Hi.

Some photos.

Best regards

Alex

[Marek T]

Thanks Alex.
On the first photo the gun is level - shooting against close target, ie. the Westerplatte. On the second photo the S-H is shelling Gdynia, some 30 km away.

[Alex Shenec]

Hi.

Some more photo.

Best regards
Alex

[red devil]

Without doubt one of the most underhanded and cowardly ways of starting a war possible...

Exactly what I was going to say, typical NAZI con trick in order to gain the upper hand. As well as the pretnce for entering Poland in the first place, germans dressed as Poles, killing germans on the border.

[steve roberts]

With regards to Red Devils post.I believe the "German" casualties of the border "incident wre actually Concentration Camp prisoners dressed as Poles and Germans.The actual shooting being carried out by SS Troops.Can anyone shed any light on this Subject.Regards Steve

[dorupantos]

SCHLIESSEN and SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN (they are sister ships).