SHIP RECOGNITION - GERMAN NAVY, PARTS 1-6 [Main Title]

Detailed ship recognition film produced by the Royal Air Force for RAF aircrew, focusing on identifying the ships of the German Navy, with a particular emphasis on identifying the ships from the air.

Reels one and two: "Ship Recognition – German Navy Part 1 Characteristics and Functions":

Reel one: Film outlining forms and functions of ships of the German Navy. Shots of German Navy at sea. Diagram of fleet formation. Functions of various elements of the fleet i.e. Battleships, Destroyers etc. Roles of ships in the battle group. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau models. Cruisers role and armaments explained. Scharnhorst and Konigsburg models side by side for visual comparison.

Reel two: Destroyer role explained. Models displayed of Scharnhorst, Konigsburg and a typical German destroyer for size comparisons. Aircraft Carrier role. Using models to simulate battle group at sea for purposes of identification.

Reel three: "Ship Recognition, German Navy, Part 2, Battle Cruisers": German Navy March 1940 – Battleships – four ships of Bismark Class, Bismark, Tirpitz and two as yet unnamed – brief details of ships. Battlecruisers – two ships, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Aircraft Carriers – Graf Zeppelin and one not yet named. Armoured Ships – two ships (pocket battleships) Deutschland and Admiral Scheer. Adm Graf Spee destroyed by Royal Navy off Montevideo 13/13/39. Cruisers – 5 Heavy Cruisers Adm. Hipper, Blucher, Prinz Eugen, Seydlitz, Lutzlow (last three not yet in service). Ten Light Cruisers – Konigsberg, Karlsruhe, Koln, Nurnberg, Leipzig, Emden and 4 more under construction. Destroyers – 42 ships, Roeder Class 14 including 8 under construction, Maas Class 16, Wolf Class 6, Falke Class 6 also number of Torpedo boats and patrol vessels. Models again used to help explain recognition principles by types and class at varying ranges, angles and elevations using superstructures etc. and comparing vessels by distinguishing features.

Reel four: "Ship Recognition, German Navy, Part 3, Armoured Ships (Pocket Battleships)": Before war Germany had three Armoured Ships (Pocket Battleships) of the Deutschland class Deutschland and Admiral Scheer. Adm Graf Spee destroyed by Royal Navy off Montevideo 13/13/39. Description of history of the class. Unique mast configuration helps identify class though should not be relied on solely. Models again used to help explain recognition principles by types and class at varying ranges, angles and elevations using superstructures, turrets etc. and comparing vessels by distinguishing features. Film of ship at sea from close up fly-by to show armoured control tower.

Reel five: "Ship Recognition, German Navy, Part 4, Heavy Cruisers": Admiral Hipper class model used as no film exists of the ships. The class comprised Admiral Hipper, the lead ship, Blücher, Prinz Eugen, Seydlitz, and Lützow. Brief resume of the description of the vessels and difference between light and heavy cruisers, speed, armaments. "Long range" views of Admiral Hipper cruiser with recognising features highlighted. Overhead view key identification points. Views from 3/4 port and key points highlighted. Comparison of British Leander Class with Hipper.

Reel six: "Ship Recognition, German Navy, Part 5, Light Cruisers": Germany had 6 light cruisers at the outbreak of war – description of the vessels. The Leipzig class comprised Leipzig, the lead ship, and Nürnberg and the Königsberg class, sometimes referred to as the K class, comprised three ships named after German cities: Königsberg, Karlsruhe, and Köln and the slower lighter armed Emden. Long range broadside recognition of Nürnberg and Leipzig and unique identifying points – funnel shape, searchlight platform, control towers, masts etc. Views from various angles and overhead. Comparison to British 6" cruisers, Leander and Effingham.

Reel seven: "Ship Recognition, German Navy, Part 6, Destroyers and Escort Vessels": Identifying Destroyers by class from air difficult – type identification usually the reporting means. Destroyer specifications, armaments to aid identification. Main armament is torpedo. Description of roles of destroyer. Models used to help identify vessels of "Roeder" class and "Maass"? Class destroyers. Escort "Fleet Torpedo Boats" (F-Boats) described.

35mm