Anchor Cruiser Blücher

This anchor was once part of the German cruiser Blücher, which was sunk in 1940.

Blucher was the second of 5 Admiral Hipper class heavy cruisers. Laid down in 1936, launched 1937, completed in September 1939 and declared operational on 5 April 1940. Three days later, having embarked troops she sailed as the head of a task group in the invasion of Norway. Their task was to seize Oslo and Blucher lead the task group into Oslofjord where they were engaged by Norwegian defences on the fortress Oscarborg. The 11 inch guns in the fortress scored several hits, as did smaller calibre guns in other batteries. She was then hit by two torpedoes from a hidden site on Oscarborg which caused a major fire and the resulting explosions in magazines and fuel bunkers caused her to capsize with major loss of life. The sinking of Blucher caused the Germans to withdraw temporarily and this allowed the Norwegian Royal Family, National Government and the country's Gold Reserves to escape Oslo.

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Source

• Text: Kaj Metz
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward