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Prehistory
Name history
Characteristics
From a technological point of view Wilhelm Gustloff was not an exceptional ship. The liner was designed for 1500 people, had ten decks. Its engines were medium power, and it was not built for fast travel, but rather for slow, comfortable cruises. And from the point of view of amenities, equipment and recreation devices This liner was indeed one of the best in the world. One of the newest technologies applied on it was the principle of an open deck with cabins that had direct exit and a clear overview of the landscapes on her. Its services were provided with a gorgeous decorated pool, a winter garden, large spacious halls, music salons, several bars. Unlike other vessels of this class, Wilhelm Gustloff, In confirmation of the "classless character" of the Nazi regime, had cabins of the same size and the same excellent amenities for all passengers.
Besides purely technical innovations And the best devices for an unforgettable trip, Wilhelm Gustloff, worth 25 million Reichsmarock, was a kind of symbol and means of propaganda of the authorities of the Third Reich. According to Robert Leia, who led the German Labor Front, the liners like this could " ... to provide an opportunity, by the will of the Fuhrer, locksmiths of Bavaria, Cologne postmen, Bremen housewives at least once a year to carry out the price cruise On Madeira, along the coast of the Mediterranean, to the shores of Norway and Africa.»
For German citizens, a liner trip Wilhelm Gustloff It should have been not only unforgettable, but also affordable by price, despite social status. For example, a five-day cruise over the coast of Italy cost only 150 Reichsmarocks, while the average monthly earnings of the ordinary German was equal to 150-250 Reichsmarks (for comparison - the cost of a ticket for this liner was only a third part of the cost in Europe of such cruises, where they could only afford Representatives of prosperous segments of the population and nobility). In this way, Wilhelm Gustloff With its amenities, the level of comfort and accessibility not only fixed the location of the German people to the Nazi regime, but also should also demonstrate the world's advantages of national socialism.
Flagship Cruise Fleet.
After the solemn descent of the ship on the water passed 10 months before Wilhelm Gustloff Passed the running tests in May 1938. During this time, finishing and arranging the liner interior was finished. As a gratitude to the builders of the vessel, they took on a two-day cruise in the North Sea, who qualified as a test. The first official cruise took place on May 24, 1938, and almost two thirds of his passengers were citizens of Austria, which Hitler intended to connect to Germany soon. Unforgettable journey It was intended to stun the level of service and amenities of Austrians - cruise participants - and convince others in the advantages of the Union with Germany. Cruise has become a real triumph, evidence of the achievements of the new government of Germany. The world press enthusiastically described the impressions of the participants in the cruise and the unprecedented luxury on board the liner. Even Hitler himself arrived at the liner, symbolizing all the best achievements of the country under his leadership. When the excitement around this symbol of the Hitler's regime, several verse, the liner began to perform the task for which it was built, - to provide affordable, comfortable cruises to workers in Germany.
Propaganda means
Although Wilhelm Gustloff It was suggested truly unforgettable and cheap travel and cruises, in history he also remained as a bright means of propaganda of the Nazi regime. The first successful, although not planned, the case took place during the rescue of Sealars of the English vessel "Peguway", who endured disaster on April 2, 1938 in the North Sea. The courage and the determination of the captain, who left the procession of three vessels to save the British, was noted not only by the world press, but also the English government - the captain was awarded, and on the vessel later installed a memorable board. Thanks to this case, when April 10 Wilhelm Gustloff Used as a floating polling station for the Germans and the Austrians of Great Britain, participating in the plebiscite about the accession of Austria, not only the British, but also world press wrote about it. To participate in the plebiscite, almost 2000 citizens of both countries and a large number of correspondents sailed to neutral waters near the coast of Great Britain. Only four of the participants of this event abstained. Western, and even the British communist press was delighted with the liner and the achievements of Germany. The involvement of such a perfect vessel in plebiscite symbolized the new thing that the Nazi regime was introduced in Germany.
Cruises and transportation of troops
As flagship cruise fleet Wilhelm Gustloff He spent in the sea of \u200b\u200bjust a year and a half and completed 50 cruises in the framework of the program through joy (CDF). At its board we visited about 65,000 vacationers. Usually in the warm season, the liner suggested traveling along the North Sea, the coast of Germany, the Norwegian fjords. In winter, the liner went to cruises by Mediterranean Sea., coast of Italy, Spain and Portugal. For many, despite such minor inconveniences, as a ban on entering the shore in countries that did not support the Nazi regime, these cruises remain unforgettable and most better time Of the entire period of Nazi domination in Germany. Many ordinary Germans used the services of the "power through joy" program and were sincerely grateful to the new regime for the provision of recreation opportunities, not comparable to other countries of Europe.
In addition to cruise activities, Wilhelm Gustloff He remained a vessel in state ownership and was involved in various events held by the German Government. So on May 20, 1939 Wilhelm Gustloff For the first time transported the troops - German volunteers of the Legion "Condor", who participated in the Civil War in Spain on the side of Franco. The arrival of the ship to Hamburg with the "Heroes of War" on board caused a great resonance throughout Germany, and a special meeting ceremony with the participation of state leaders was arranged in the port.
Military service
Last cruise The liner took place on August 25, 1939. Suddenly, during a planned flight in the middle of the North Sea, the captain received an encrypted order to return to the port urgently. Cruise time ended - less than a week Germany attacked Poland and the Second World War began.
Military hospital
With the spread of war on most of Europe Wilhelm Gustloff At first they took the wounded during the Norwegian campaign in the summer of 1940 ( on Ill.), and then prepared for the transportation of troops in the event of invasion of the UK. However, the invasion did not take place and the vessel was sent to Danzig, where the last 414 wounded were trimmed, and the ship expects referral to subsequent service. However, the service of the vessel as a military hospital ended - by decision of the leadership of the Navy, he was attributed to the school of submariners in Gotenhafen. Liner again repainted in gray camouflage color, and he lost the defense of the Hague Convention, which he had before.
Floating barracks
The ship served as a floating barrack for School of Crygsmarine submariners for almost four years, most This time, being far from the front line. With the approach of the end of the war, the situation began to change not in favor of Germany - many cities suffered from the nails of the Allied Aviation. On October 9, 1943, Gotenhafen was bombarded, as a result of which another vessel of the former KDF was surrounded, and Wilhelm Gustloff received damage [ ] .
Evacuation of the population
According to modern estimates, 10,582 people should be on board: 918 cadets of junior groups of the 2nd training division of submarines (2. U-boot-lehrdivision), 173 vessel crew members, 373 women from the auxiliary marine corps, 162 serious military personnel, and 8956 refugees, mostly old men, women and children. When at 12:30 Wilhelm Gustloff Accompanied by two ships finally departed, disputes between four senior officers arose on the captain's bridge. In addition to the commander of the Captain Friedrich Petersen (FRIEDRICH PETERSEN), designed from the resignation, there were commander of the 2nd training division of submariners and two captains of the Fleet, and there was no consent about how the fairway to keep the vessel and what kind of precautions Take on submarines and aviation allies. An external fairway was chosen (German zwangsweg 58 designation). Contrary to the recommendations to go Zigzag to complicate the attack of submarines, it was decided to go direct a course with a speed of 12 knots, since the corridor in mine-fields was not wide enough and the captains hoped in such a way to get into safe water faster; In addition, the ship lacked the fuel. The liner could not develop the full speed due to damage obtained during bombardment. In addition, TF-19 torpedoes returned to the port, having received damage to the body when a collision with reef, and only one destroyer remained in guard Löwe.. At 18:00 a message was received about the convoy of travelers, who allegedly seized towards, and when he was already dark, it was ordered to include running lights to prevent collision. In fact, no trassels were, and the circumstances of the appearance of this radiogram were still unexplained so far. According to other data, a group of trawls led the trawling towards convoy, and appeared later than this in the alert of time.
Sweating
At 21:16, the first Torpeda fell into the nasal part of the ship, later the second blew up an empty pool, where there were women of the naval auxiliary battalion, and the latter hit the engine compartment, the engines were stalled, but the lighting continued to work at the expense of the emergency diesel generator. The first thought of passengers was that they appeared for mine, but Captain Peterson realized that it was a submarine, and his first words were: Das War's. (That's all). Those passengers who did not died from three explosions and did not drown in the cabins of the lower decks, rushed to life boats in a panic. At that moment, it turned out that ordered to close, according to the instructions, waterproof bulkheads in the lower decks, the captain blocked the part of the team, which was supposed to do the shower boats and the evacuation of passengers. Not only many children and women died in a panic and a pressure, but many of those who got on top deck. They could not pull the rescue boats, because they did not know how to do this, besides, many sluts were icy, and the ship was already a strong roll. Common efforts of the team and passengers, some boats managed to pull into water, and yet there were many people in icy water. From a strong roll of a vessel from the deck, an anti-aircraft installation was broken and crushed one of the boats, already full of people. About an hour after the attack "Wilhelm Gustloff" completely sank.
As a result, it was possible to survive, according to various estimates, from 1200 to 2500 people from a little less than 11 thousand were on board. For maximum estimates, losses are estimated at 9985 lives.
Effects
Legal evaluation of sumps
Heinz Schyan's disaster researcher concludes that the liner was a military goal and his saccination was not a war crime, since the courts intended for the transport of refugees, hospital vessels were to be marked with the corresponding signs - the Red Cross, could not wear camouflage painting, could not go In one convoy, along with military courts. Also, on board, there could not be any military loads, stationary and temporarily placed air defense guns, artillery implements or other similar means.
Wilhelm Gustloff He was a military ship, which was allowed to rise to six thousand refugees. All responsibility for their lives from the moment they rose to the combat ship lay on the relevant officials of the German military fleet. Thus, we can assume that Wilhelm Gustloff He was the legal military goal of Soviet submariners in view of the following facts:
- Wilhelm Gustloff Performed operations in the combat zone and was not a civilian vessel: on board there were armament, which could be struggling with the vehicles and aviation of the enemy;
- Wilhelm Gustloff carried out the transfer of the servicemen of the army;
- Wilhelm Gustloff was an educational floating base for the underwater fleet of Germany;
- Wilhelm Gustloff She went accompanied by a warship of the fleet of Germany (Mission Löwe.);
Soviet transports with refugees and wounded during the war years have become objectives for the German submarines and aviation (in particular, the ship "Armenia", dried in 1941 in the Black Sea, in its board more than 5 thousand refugees and wounded. Survived only 8 people . However, and "Armenia", like Wilhelm Gustloff, violated the status of a sanitary vessel and was a legitimate military target).
Reaction to tragedy
In Germany, the reaction to the sump Wilhelm Gustloff At the time of the tragedy was quite restrained. The Germans did not disclose the scale of the losses in order not to worsen the moral state of the population even more. In addition, at that moment the Germans carried heavy losses in other places. However, at the end of the war in the consciousness of many Germans, the simultaneous death of so many peaceful people and especially thousands of children aboard Wilhelm Gustloff It remained the wound, which even time did not lish. Together with the bombardment of Dresden, this tragedy remains one of the most terrible events of the Second World War for the German people. [ ] Of the four captains, which were saved after the death of the ship, the youngest - Koleher soon after the war committed suicide.
According to the results of the campaign, Marinesko Alexander Ivanovich was presented to the assignment of the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union, but the higher command refused this, replacing him with awarding the Order of the Red Banner. The motive of refusal was the number of disciplinary disorders admitted to them. At the end of 1945, on the same reasons, he was first reduced in office to the traveler commander, and then fired from the Navy rows. Worked in civil positions. He died in 1963.
In late Soviet historiography, this event was called the "Attack of the Century". On May 5, 1990, by the Decree of the President of the USSR Gorbachev M. S. Marnesco, Alexander Ivanovich posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He was put in monuments in Kaliningrad, in Kronstadt, in St. Petersburg and in Odessa. In Soviet military historiography, he was considered submariner No. 1 on the total tonfunction of across the enemy ships.
Study of the wreckage of the ship
Unlike long-term searches "Titanic" find Wilhelm Gustloff It was easy. Its coordinates at the time of the sump (
On January 30, 1945, a tragedy occurred in the Danking Bay of the Baltic Sea, which was predicted by the chief astrologer of the Third Reich, Dr. Kraft, is the largest naval catastrophe of the 20th century, the gigantic liner "Wilhelm Gustloff", amazed by three torpedoes, disappeared.
Of almost 7,000 passengers alive there are only a few hundred. And each of them said that his salvation is a miracle. In the stories of these people, everything was repeated in the 37th year Dr. Kraft: Baltic Winter, a yellow cloud and three strikes.
Three torpedoes fell into the ship, and his fate was predetermined. Such a huge Mahina with completely fantastic displacement, she at the end of the war, in the view of professionals, was doomed to be swamped.
The symbol of prosperity of the Third Reich
Huge a cruise shipBuilt in the 37th year in Hamburg, became the most mysterious ship of the 20th century. The aura of mystery around this vessel arose long before its construction. The ship's project was not yet completed, and his fate had already concerned the highest leaders of the Third Reich - Adolf Hitler, Dr. Goebbels and the head of the German Labor Front Robert Lei. All because it was built not just a cruise liner, but a ship symbol.
It was announced by the Nazi propaganda one of the characters of the Third Reich in another peacetime. It was such a parade picture of the Third Reich.
Going on the ship - the sun, trip around the world- Simple Germans felt a special concern for them and believed: their country led by Hitler is waiting for prosperity and universal social equality.
In 1933, the new Reichancler Germany Adolf Hitler twice came to Hamburg to personally make sure the cruise liners are being built for new Nazi Germany.
It was these snow-white beauties who had to become the basis of the unique socio-propaganda project "Power through joy".
Konstantin Zalessky
Writer, historian
The fact is that the German worker never could afford a cruise or rest at some resort. It was expensive, it was a middle class a lot at best. And here, in the framework of "Force through the joy", a regular worker could postpone a small amount during the year and then in the summer together with his family to go for a week in the sea cruise. It was worth it very cheap, because the ships were built precisely on the order of "Forces through the joy", and "Wilhelm Gustloff" - it was a built-in liner for mass tourism.
For talented propaganda, he enjoyed unlimited confidence of Hitler. Moreover, it was he who came up with the main Nazi greeting "Heil Hitler!" - "Long live Hitler!". His main goal was to ensure the love of the people to the Nationalist-Socialist Party.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
Propaganda was very skillfully, it was a PR comprehensive level, which was difficult to not believe. The ship was built for workers, all cabins were the same, cost everything equally. It was available for each working person. The main thing was the other - the service was stunning, the food is excellent, entertainment is beautiful ...
With such a PR, the Fuhrer rapidly conquered a nationwide love, but did not lose sight of any little things. Looking at the drawings of the future liner, Hitler noticed - such a ship should be absolutely safe, the third Reihi British Titanics are not needed.
Fatal prediction of the personal astrologer Hitler
A few months after his visit, a huge ship-sun was laid on Hamburg shipyard, which, despite all the design triggers, still repeated the fate of Titanic.
True, on the prediction of Dr. Kraft, in order to destroy it, three circumstances were to coincide. Figure 30, winter and man who was born in the 13th year. The astrologer warned that that day and an hour, when all three of these circumstances would connect, the snow-white liner will take water.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
The predictions of the craft, which is called the personal astrologer of Hitler, often really come true, and this is true.
Karl Ernst Kraft (him. Karl Ernst Krafft, May 10, 1900 - January 8, 1945) - a famous astrologer, worked for RSH.
When a giant cruise liner solemnly descended to the water under the crushes of the crowds, a person who was destined to destroy him, first took on board the submarine, so that the navigator began to start his military service.
Alexander Marnesco, the future legendary submariner, never wanted to be a military sailor. He since childhood he dreamed of a service in a shopping fleet, but fate ordered otherwise. According to the Komsomol journal, he was sent to Komsostava courses. After them, he became a combat officer.
Konstantin Kulagin
He managed to serve on the ships of the civil fleet, make several foreign swimming pools, but the civilian sailor is completely different - he is on the shore of a free person. When he was called on the Navy, the discipline issues were very difficult for him.
Paradoxically, but it was precisely this Volnoduom and the Deboshire that was destined to become the most famous Soviet submariner and enter the story of the Great Patriotic War As a hero, sinking the symbol of the Third Reich.
But then, in 37th, before the fateful day, predicted by Dr. Kraft, remained 8 years.
Secret passengers on the pre-war "Gustloff"
All Germany knew - the construction of a miracle ship cost 30 million Reichsmarocks. This figure was called Dr. Goebbels in the radio. Huge pool, bars, winter garden, cinema, walking deck with a length of 160 m.
Mikhail Mikhav
He embodied in himself the power of Germany, which Hitler wanted to introduce the world. It was another proof that the social system, which makes Germany, makes Hitler, he is the most fair.
From now on, luxury has become available to everyone. True, there was a special zone on the ship, where they did not let's ridiculous mortals - Gitler's sea apartments were located there.
Konstantin Kulagin
Senior Researcher of the Military History of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Historical Sciences
In fact, the Führer of the German nation did not really love the sea and, according to rumors, suffered from seaside disease. But in any case, fan sea cruises He was not for sure.
Hitler's apartments have used only once. Girlfriend Fuhrer Eva Brown made a small maritime walk on the "Gustloff". But they were on the liner and other passengers, no less mysterious.
For 17 pre-war months, Wilhelm Gustloff performed 44 flights and officially translated 60 thousand people. In fact, passengers were more. The ship has become a floating base for naval intelligence officers. They conducted visual observations, made measurements. On the eve of the war, it was in every cruise flight.
Mikhail Mikhav
Scientific Director of Russian Military Historical Society, Doctor of Historical Sciences
May 39th year. In Spain ended the civil war. Wilhelm Gustloff arrived in Vigo harbor, an ordinary cruise flight. But on the ship, except for simple passengers, there was a group of officers of naval intelligence officers. Their task is to secretly take into the homeland of pilots, which Hitler sent to Spain to support General Franco. They bombed Madrid and Barcelona, \u200b\u200bnow they returned to their homeland. For them, they prepared places and cabins in advance - ordinary cruise participants did not have to know anything about this.
Mikhail Mikhav
Scientific Director of Russian Military Historical Society, Doctor of Historical Sciences
But the second began world War. The liner returned to the port directly in a few days before the start of the German attack on Poland. It was retrained, redesigned to a sanitary ship.
But even in this military reality, the propaganda car regularly continued to work. The Nazis wanted to show the world that they care not only about their soldiers, but also about the wounded opponents.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
Survected by the Poles as a sign of recognition of their heroic acts brought to this ship and treated. Such a clean propaganda, I do not see a special humane role here, thousands of people were exterminated in Poland, well, and some 200-400 was lucky, they took them, cured and let go ...
Cruise liner as a Reach Underwater Fork Center
By the beginning of the 40th year, the time of cruises and propaganda actions was held forever - the flags and symbols of the Red Cross were removed from the liner, the white color was repainted into the camouflage, protective. Now other secrets are connected with Wilhelm Gustloff - the military. There were many of these secrets, and not all of them are revealed so far.
From the secret note of Admiral Charles Denitz, the commander of the Navy forces of Germany Gross Admiral Rerere:
I propose to place a new study center of the Underwater forces of the Reich on one of the former cruise ships. For this purpose, "Wilhelm Gustloff" is suitable.
Konstantin Kulagin
Senior Researcher of the Military History of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Historical Sciences
Since it is adapted to the placement of a large number of people, it was used as a Platulkazarma and as a training center, from where the cadets of the school of scuba diving took. They lived on it: the cinema hall is a ready-made lecture, they have where to wash it, there is where it is organized to feed, there is where it is massively placed. Here, in fact, this task "Wilhelm Gustloff" was performed throughout the war - he was a subsidiary training vessel.
The first training team arrived at the "Gustloff" at the beginning of the 41st year. Denitz or "Papa Karl", as German seamen called him, he met the arrivals.
Admiral used their combat shots to know in the face. It was his command style. He was preparing a real elite of the sea underwater fleet.
Already in the New Year's appeal to the people, Hitler highly appreciated the action of submariners and called the brainchild of Denitz "a powerful detachment of the Third Reich".
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
School is located in this ship, it is called the secret school of future submariners. And a huge number of German submariners has become well-trained specialists through learning on this ship.
In the 40th year, Germany made a serious bet on an underwater war. After the cadets appear, the protection of the ship was significantly strengthened. Now "Gustloff" was among the most important objects of the Third Reich. Another mystery is connected with this - military-technical.
According to intelligence, Russian naval forces will not be able to oppose the German army and the fleet. The water area of \u200b\u200bthe Baltic Sea shallow water and is little suitable for the action of a submarine, so you should not expect a large-scale war in the Baltic war. This circumstance will allow the submarine forces of Reich to deploy the project "21".
It was in the report Denitian that a mysterious project was mentioned. During the war, the secret project "21" was the idea of \u200b\u200bFix Admiral. In secret laboratories, submarines of the future were created - compact, reliable and rapid. Work on them began in the 41st year and lasted until the 44th.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
I would say that this idea was akin to the fact that now will be ready atomic bombAnd she will help win the war. The same was with the idea of \u200b\u200bthis submarine.
It was on the "Gustloff" elite frames for new submarines were preparing. This secret project Admiral Charles Denitz supervised personally.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
Such an important role was the underwater fleet in Germany played as some weapons of war? I have to recall that German submariners did not form a weapon even when the act of surrender was signed. And who is thousands of thousands and thousands of people in Argentina and who was on these submarines? SS officers, people with large capital, which were transferred to countries in advance Latin America. To get to it with some other ways, except underwater, it was very difficult.
Alexander Marnesco: Sophisticated Sailing Path
In the Soviet Union, also attached great importance to the upbringing of submariners. Especially in the north. Already at the very beginning of the war, Hitler said that in the Baltic with soviet fleet Potted. Here, the Nazis created a powerful system of minefields and barriers.
Konstantin Kulagin
Senior Researcher of the Military History of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Historical Sciences
In the Baltic, as you know, from the 42nd year every way out of the open part of the Baltic Sea through The Gulf of Finland For our submariners - it was the heroic feat itself to break through those mine fields and anti-submarine barriers, which the Germans with the Finns were systematically set.
By August, 42nd, most of the submarines of the Baltic Fleet were seriously damaged and was repaired. Therefore, every experienced officer who can lead the fighting in such conditions, was valued by the weight of gold.
Chronicle
New replenishment came to the sea parts. Young patriots took their battle places. They successfully master the naval business.
Konstantin Kulagin
Senior Researcher of the Military History of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Historical Sciences
We have a navy underwater grew much faster than the number of officers. Because in order to become a submarine commander, it takes 5-6 years, and to get a good, competent, prepared submarine commander. If a person was really prepared, he became very valuable, because the second one was not possible to find this quickly.
By August, 42nd, Alexander Marnesco was already a served submariner and a small boat commander M-96 class "Baby". Although the German mine fields were practically impassable, his "baby" managed to break out about the operational space and torpes the enemy's multiple transport. For this attack, Marnesco received the Order of Lenin, his name became aware of the entire Baltic Fleet.
Konstantin Kulagin
Senior Researcher of the Military History of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Historical Sciences
We must pay tribute to our leadership, which was noted by his good maritime qualities, noted that he would like the sea, saw in him, in which his homeland had invested the big funds and from whom she is waiting for this effort to justify this effort.
And for it, he said a lot. The Baltic Hero Alexander Marnesco was known not only to his successful attack, but another complex character and reluctance to clearly follow all the rules of discipline. For these violations, he was repeatedly subjected to recovers, but in all the laws of logic, he should not hold out until he was destined to sink "Wilhelm Gustloff".
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
The entire underwater fleet knew that Alexander Marnesco from those people who could have a healthy drink and violate certain rules of the Charter. At the same time, few people have doubted his submarine skill. There was an eternal struggle of two began to do with such a person. And who will go to the sea? Who will go to beat the fascists? Who can do it? Sasha can, he will do, it is necessary to give him a chance ...
Nepical Liner Hunting
United Kingdom, Military Intelligence Technical Center. The royal secret service captured and deciphered the text of the Telegrams of Admiral Denitian. The telegram said the project "21". Soon in London found out that he was hiding behind this code. Behind Wilhelm Gustloff, air hunt began.
On October 30, 43, the aircraft of the British Air Force appeared in the sky above Danzig. Fortune defense Germans could not stop them. In the city - explosions, fires, panic. The main goal of the wave is the ship "Wilhelm Gustloff". But a huge liner, standing on the dead anchor, remained a whole and unharmed, not a single direct hit.
The next day, the main propagandist of the Third Reich Joseph Goebbels delivered a speech:
"Wilhelm Gustloff" is not sinking! This ship is a symbol, like our Reich.
There were several of such massive towers. In the third Reich believed in the unprofitability of the ship. And this faith will later play a fatal role in the history of liner.
The end of the 43rd year. Gross Admiral Denitz arrived in Danzig. This is the last visit of the German commander on "Gustloff". He gave an order to minimize all the works on the project "21".
In the evening, the German submarine entered the Dankig bay. Several boxes were secretly postponed on it - everything that remained from the secret project. Floating University of Admiral Denitian closed. It seemed about the famous liner forgot. But not for long.
Konstantin Zalessky
Writer, historian
And then he was transferred to Eastern Prussia, because there was a situation to start evacuation. The Nazi leadership and the command of the fleet seemed to be "Gustloff" - this is a way out.
On January 12, the 45th year, the offensive of the Soviet troops broke through the German East Front. The fighting has passed into the territory Eastern Prussia. The non-optimal third Reich was rapidly for the bottom. Preparation for large-scale evacuation began.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
A successful agitator was broken, which will come red and kill your children, maybe old people will leave, and women rape. This is a political operation of 44-45, which is named after Gunnibal in honor of the great commander. And millions ran. Officially - 2.5 million.
Chronicle
Our troops firmly pulled the steel ring around the East Prussian group of Germans. The fate of the German troops, surrounded in Konigsberg, was predicted.
The offensive of the Soviet troops was rapid. And when Eastern Prussia has already been cut off from the main part of Germany, the only salvation remained the way through the ports of Danzig and Gotenhaven - today's Gdansk and Gdynia.
Konstantin Zalessky
Writer, historian
It was believed that Gustloff could play a huge role in evacuation. As a result, it was imposed on 7 thousand people. It was, of course, overload, but the Germans decided to take a chance. In principle, the whole campaign of "Gustloff" by the German military command was an adventure, and this adventure ended in the tragedy.
Alexander Marnesco during the war years and blockade could die several times. His boats M-96 and C-13 were undermined in German mines, they received serious damage, repaired and again went into battles. He realized that the underwater war is a chain chance, anticipate that no one can.
And the death of Wilhelm Gustloff January 30, 45, also became the result of the fatal coincidence. As the German astrologer predicted.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
Marinesko did not want to release into this swimming. Why? Because literally a month before, he committed a violation of discipline - left his team, celebrated the new 1945, 2 or 3 days spent out of his ship along with several close friends subordinate officers.
For the unauthorized ability from military unit under the laws of military time, he threatened the highest measure of punishment, i.e. Shot or as a last resort, a fined company, in which he might be bleeding his guilt.
Konstantin Kulagin
Senior Researcher of the Military History of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Historical Sciences
In this case, he was sent precisely due to the fact that he was given the last opportunity to justify the homeland. Show that it's not for nothing that all this time did certain relaxation and believed that he could correct.
Last flight "Gustlofa"
"Wilhelm Gustloff" was under double command: as a ship - Liner was headed by the captain of the Fleet Friedrich Petersen; And as the Platevazarma 2 of the training division of the submarine - the liner was headed by an officer of the Navy Wilhelm Zanom, approx. ed.
On January 30, the 45th year, Wilhelm Gustloff liner was departed from the pier. For the first time in 5 years of war, the Symbol of the Third Reich went to the flight.
From the explanatory note of the military captain liner Wilhelm Tsana:
"The ship walked normally with a maximum speed of 12 knots. As expected, there were no signs of the presence of Russian submarine, these intelligence were confirmed. We had to go through the whole way without complications, I was absolutely sure of that, "says Tsan.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
About 8 thousand refugees stuffed on this ship, according to different information. Basically, these were children, women, there was a lot of very SSS. As stated, among them there were people in high ranks, officers. First, they were allowed only by passing, and then this dulled disciplined german car I just broke out, I could not stand the head, and the people looked at the decks, filled all the free compartments, lay, just if these red leave. And here the panic began. It turned out that the accompaniment ships - one was damaged, instead of two or three left one ...
January 30, Baltic, Storm, Frost under 20 degrees, Low visibility. Soviet boat C-13 entered the sea late. If this did not happen, the Wilhelm Gustloff liner was likely to avoid a torpedo attack. Such is the price of one chance.
Konstantin Kulagin
Senior Researcher of the Military History of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Historical Sciences
Actually, at that moment, when "Gustloff" was attacked, literally after half an hour through the same area, the next German convoy was walking with a heavy cruiser "Admiral Hipper". Even after half an hour, the next convoy went. It is actually how to stand on the subway platform - every 3 minutes by the train passes you.
When the submarine C-13 arrived in the area of \u200b\u200bthe combat mission to it, passengers on Wilhelm Leaves listened to the speech of their leader - there was another anniversary of the arrival of the Nazis to power. Hitler 12 years old spoke to the people alone and the same words, and frightened, the tired passengers of the overcrowded liner, he was no longer worried. In addition, the reproductors worked badly. The voice of Führera sounded extremely deaf, as if he was coming from the other world.
The commander of the Soviet submarine S-13 saw in the periscope the silhouette of the enemy German ship and gave an order to prepare for the attack.
Mikhail Mikhav
Scientific Director of Russian Military Historical Society, Doctor of Historical Sciences
It is necessary to clearly immediately note the fact that it was a military ship, which was repainted in a camouflage color, which had an anti-aircraft gun, an instrument for shooting through other ships, it was a military crew. According to any laws, marine war, in the Hague Convention, it is a legitimate goal, of course, for submarines. To mention there today, the German authorities themselves are responsible for the civilian population. And they did not take care to anything to somehow designate that this vessel is hospital or evacuated by the wounded, patients, and not a peaceful population.
The liner was in full swing in the open sea, rapidly approaching neutral waters. And the passengers sighed with relief, it seemed to them that the worst behind.
The captain of the ship Peterson was also confident that the danger passed. Intelligence reported: no indict's submarines are not nearby.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
And here on Main Peterson, Marnesco caught him. These, let's say, the strength of the opposition ... And as soon as Marinesko saw that the ship was going straight, he decided to attack instantly, not wait, not even approach. Three torpedoes released - no ship. There is such a thing as a coincidence. Here here is just that the most military luck that happens. Marinesko made a very complex maneuver, in my opinion: he attacked this ship from the side of the coast, which the Germans did not expect anyone.
The liner dropped a yellow-red cloud from the explosion. As the astrologer Kraft predicted, death really came from the water. The ship, the symbol of the Third Reich, silent. At the time of complete dive, something incredible happened: the light was suddenly lit up on the liner, so he went under water.
Mikhail Mikhav
Scientific Director of Russian Military Historical Society, Doctor of Historical Sciences
When the liner was amazed, at first the Germans really did not understand what happened, but soon it became clear that this is the end. The ship was tilted, the team was given to save people who were literally poured overboard in cold water, it was -18 air temperature.
But almost all the boats surpassed to the ship, and people were helplessly floundered in ice water, doomed to death from supercooling.
Crash Career and Personal Tragedy Marinesco
The boat Alexander Marnesco finished his campaign in February of the 45th year. It was the most brilliant and most successful combat move in the history of the Baltic Fleet and in the entire history of the war. At the same time, the boat received minimal damage and returned safely to the base.
But it was this brilliant attack at the end of the war forever broke Alexander Marnesco military career.
Sergey Lipatov
Researcher of the military history of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
In general, he should be given under the court of the Military Tribunal, and the fact that he sank for one flight 2 of the ship is "Wilhelm Gustloff" and "Shtyben" - in principle, it was saved from punishment. On the other hand, he had to get a higher reward, the reward was reduced to the Order of the Martial Red Banner ...
The fact is that the initial division commander wrote a submission to Alexander Marnesco to the title of Hero Soviet UnionBut, apparently, considering his past, after all, the authorities decided to restrict himself to the Order of the combat red banner.
Konstantin Kulagin
Senior Researcher of the Military History of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Historical Sciences
In the conditions of ordinary peaceful life it turned out that the disadvantages of Alexander Ivanovich largely overlap his dignity. Because already in official documents, it is noted that he absolutely stopped engaged in official affairs that he is constantly satisfied with some boys, and that in general there is an opinion that it must be directed to treatment. It's not easy that a person cannot cope with him, because, apparently, he is unhealthy ...
But Alexander Marnesco did not want to listen to the comments of higher comrades. In the end, the authorities stated directly: the submarine commander who cannot cope with him, this is not the commander who needs our country.
Then there was a dismissal of the reserve on your own accord and work already in civil organizations, in which, as it turned out, too, Alexander Ivanovich was not too well evolved. It ended in a sad completely conflict history with the management of the enterprise, which led to the fact that he received three years of conclusion ...
Condemned the famous hero Baltic for theft of six peat briquettes from the research institute, where he settled after dismissal from the army. As it turned out later, this charge was unfair: his boss was guilty of the steal.
But back to the fleet, no one no one else to take. It did not comply with the requirements that were now presented to maritime officers. As a result - heavy illness and premature leaving.
Nikolay Dolgopolov
Writer, historian special services
He lay in some kind of hospital, such, let's say, not the best. Friends and favorite woman came to him. He had cancer, in my opinion, stomach. He was given an anesthetic, which no longer helped, he suffered, creaked his teeth, and here came the moment, as they say, the last desire. And the last desire - he wanted to drink a cognac. When he brought cognac, he could not drink it. And then Marnesco took and showed his hands on the thigh. The woman who was with him and the doctor understood: they took and poured this cognac to him in the esophagus. And he, indeed, maybe, for the last time in his life, he received pleasure from what this fighting hop took him. The last in his life.
A list of the largest across German courts during the Second World War was published, and "Wilhelm Gustloff" was unexpectedly discovered on this list. This became the basis for considering the results of this hike deserving a special award.
To the 45th anniversary of the victory, Alexander Marnesco was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Posthumously.
He began to write books, to shoot movies. The name of Marnesco began to call streets, colleges and even museums.
But on this story "Wilhelm Gustlofa" did not end. In 2002, the sunken liner was examined. It seemed that all the secrets of the wonderful ship were already disclosed. But new ones were added to the old secrets.
Experts found that the liner exploded twice. And and for the last time - on the seabed.
Who did this? What for? There is no answer to these questions yet. And the Wilhelm Gustloff liner still remains the most mysterious Court of the 20th century ...
Wilhelm Gustloff, surcedished by Marnesco on January 30, 1945, it was a German passenger ten-headed cruise liner, one of the world's first vehicles in the world. Hitler was not only a good organizer, he was also an outstanding social manipulator and demagogue .. Built on the means of "force through joy" (it. Kraft Durch Freude - KDF It was such a Hitler's analogue of the Soviet WCSPS, a huge trade union collective farm). There was a ship in honor of the Killed Nazi party leader Wilhelm Gustloff. At the time of construction, it was one of the largest passenger ships.
Successful on May 5, 1937 at the Hamburg shipyard Blohm + Voss. The Adolf Hitler and the main leaders of the Nazi Party of Germany also attended the descent ceremony. The traditional bottle of champagne broke the liner of the Vowa Gustloff. Before the beginning of World War II, the ship was used as a floating holiday home. Made 50 cruises off the coast of Europe.
In September 1939, the ship was transferred to the naval forces and was converted into a floating hospital for 500 beds. Used as Lazaret during the hostilities of the German army in Poland.
Since 1940, it was once again converted, now in a floating barracks. Used as a training vessel of the 2nd training division of scuba diving in the port of Gotenhafen (Gdynia).
On January 30, 1945, this liner sank off the coast of Poland after the torpedo attack of the Soviet submarine C-13 under the command of A. I. Marnesco. C-13 was typing three torpedoes into the ship. He had no chance. After 42 years, the USSR submarkers stopped saving torpedoes and began to let them fan, three or four pieces. You can't believe it here! The death of the vessel is considered one of the largest catastrophes in marine history mankind. The exact composition and number of passengers on board the vessel is unknown so far. According to official data, 5,348 people died in it, according to a number of historians, real losses could exceed 9,000, including 5,000 children. Most likely, up to 10 thousand people died. Population small cityOnce!
Back in 1933, after the arrival of the National Socialist German (notice of the Working !!!) of the working party, headed by Adolf Hitler, one of its activities was the creation of a social security system and services, which would increase the social support of the Nazis policies among the population Germany. Already in the mid-1930s, the ordinary German worker at the level of services and benefits that he relied was beneficially different from workers in other European countries. To disseminate and strengthen the influence of the ideas of national socialism and the organization of wide access of the working class to social benefits, organizations as "strength through joy" were created, which was included in the German Labor Front (Hitler adored different fronts ... Although the front is a terrible word .. .). The main goal of this organization was to create a recreation and travel system for German workers. To embody this goal, among other things, a whole flotilla of passenger ships was built to provide cheap and affordable travel and cruises. The flagship of this fleet was to be a new comfortable liner, which the authors of the project first planned to be called the name of the German Fuhrera. But then on February 4, 1936 in Davos, the Jewish Student-Medica David Frankfurter killed a little-known Swiss activist NSDAP Wilhelm Gustloff. The history of his death acquired a scandalous publicity, especially in Germany, given the nationality of the killer. In the light of the propaganda of the ideas of National Socialism, the case of the murder of German, besides, the leader of the National Socialists of Switzerland, became an excellent confirmation of the Nazi theory of the conspiracy of the world Jewry against the German people. From one of the ordinary leaders of foreign Nazis Wilhelm Gustloff, the efforts of Goebbels propaganda quickly turned into a "symbol of suffering" (since. Blutzeuge). He was buried with state honors, in his honor throughout Germany were named a wide variety of objects, the darkness of streets and squares. Everything later had to rename back when the "millennial" Reich was covered with a copper pelvis for 12 years.
In this regard, when in 1937, the cruise liner ordered at the shipyard Blohm + Voss was already ready for descent to water, the Nazi leadership decided to perpetuate the name "Hero of National Socialist Business and Suffering for the German People". At the initiative of Hitler, a new liner was decided to name Wilhelm Gustloff.
From a technological point of view, Wilhelm Gustloff was not an exceptional vessel. The liner was designed for 1500 people, had ten decks. Its engines were medium power, and it was not built at all for fast travel, but rather for slow, comfortable cruises. And from the point of view of amenities, equipment and recreation devices This liner was indeed one of the best in the world. One of the latest technologies applied on it was the principle of open, but covered particularly durable glass, decks with cabins that had direct exit and a clear review of landscapes on her. This is the glass when torpedoing the ship increased the number of victims for hundreds of people. People could not leave the deck. Elegantly decorated pool, winter garden, large spacious rooms, musical salons, several bars and cafes were provided to their services. Unlike other vessels of this class, Wilhelm Gustloff, in confirmation of the "classless nature" of the Nazi regime, had cabins of the same size and the same level of convenience for all passengers.
In addition to the purely technical innovations and best devices for an unforgettable journey, Wilhelm Gustloff, worth 25 million Reichsmark, was a kind of symbol and an effective means of propaganda of the authorities of the Third Reich. According to Robert Leia, who led the German Labor Front (another front ...), the liners like this could "... provide an opportunity, by the will of the Fuhrer, Locks of Bavaria, Cologne postmen, Bremen's housewives at least once a year to carry out available Price sea journey on warm Madeira, along the Mediterranean coast, to the shores of Norway and Africa. "
For German citizens, the Wilhelm Gustloff liner journey should have been not only unforgettable, but also affordable by price, despite social status. For example, a five-day cruise along the coast of Italy on the ship cost only 150 Reichsmarocks, while the average monthly earnings of the ordinary German was equal to 150-250 Reichsmarks (the cost of a ticket for this liner was only a third part of the price in Europe of such cruises, where only representatives could afford them prosperous layers of the population or nobility). Thus, Wilhelm Gustloff with its amenities, comfort level and accessibility strengthened the location of the German people to the Nazi regime. It was supposed to also demonstrate the world to achieve and the advantages of national socialism.
After the solemn descent of the ship on the water passed 10 months before Gustloff passed the running tests in May 1938. During this time, finishing and arranging the liner interior was finished. As a gratitude to the builders of the vessel, they took on a two-day cruise in the North Sea, who qualified as a test. The first official cruise took place on May 24, 1938, and almost two thirds of his passengers were the citizens of Austria, which Hitler dreamed of join in Germany with complete delight of Austrians. An unforgettable journey was intended to stun the level of service and amenities of Austrian - cruise participants - and convince everyone in the advantages of the Union with Mighty Germany. Cruise has become a real triumph, evidence of the achievements of the new government of Germany. The press of the whole world enthusiastically described the impressions of the participants of the cruise and the unprecedented luxury aboard the liner. Hitler and himself arrived at the liner, symbolizing all the best achievements of the country under his leadership.
Although Wilhelm Gustloff offered truly unforgettable and cheap travel and cruises, in history, he also remained as a bright means of skillful propaganda and popularization of the Nazi regime. The first successful, although not planned, the case occurred while saving sailors from the English vessel "Peguway", tolerating disaster on April 2, 1938 in the North Sea. The courage and the determination of the captain, who left the procession of three vessels to save the British, was noted not only by the world press, but also the English government - the captain was awarded, and on the vessel later installed a memorable board. Thanks to this case, when on April 10, Wilhelm Gustloff is used as a floating polling station for the Germans and the UK Austrians, participating in the plebiscite about the accession of Austria, it has already supported all publications about it. To participate in the plebiscite, almost 2000 citizens of both countries and a large number of correspondents sailed to neutral waters near the coast of Great Britain. Only four of the participants of this event abstained from the vote for "for". Western, and even the British Communist Press was delighted with the liner and the achievements of New Germany.
As the flagship of the Wilhelm Gustloff Cruise Fleet spent in the sea of \u200b\u200bjust a year and a half and completed 50 cruises during this time as part of the program through joy. At its board we visited about 65,000 vacationers. Usually, in the warm season of the year, the liner suggested traveling around the North Sea, along the coast of Germany, norwegian fjordam. In winter, the liner went into cruises on the Mediterranean Sea, the coast of Italy, Spain and Portugal. For many, despite such minor inconveniences, as a ban on entering the coast in countries that did not support the Nazi regime, these cruises remain unforgettable and the best time from the entire period of Nazi domination in Germany. Many ordinary Germans used the services of the "power through joy" program and were sincerely grateful to the new regime for the provision of recreation opportunities, not comparable, with the possibilities of the population in other European countries.
In addition to the cruise activity, Wilhelm Gustloff, remaining a vessel in state ownership, was brought to various events held by the Government of Germany. For this 20 May 1939, Wilhelm Gustloff for the first time transported the troops - German volunteers of the Legion "Condor", who participated in civil War Vispania on the side of Franco. The arrival of the vessel in Hamburg with the "Heroes of War" on board caused a large resonance throughout Germany, and in the port staged an exceptional in the midst and pomp
The last cruise of the liner took place on August 25, 1939. Suddenly, during this planned flight in the middle of the North Sea, the captain received an encrypted order urgently return to the port. Cruise time ended - less than a week Germany attacked Poland and the Second World War began.
Later, a small messenger ship, which arrived at the site of the liner tragedy on January 30, 1945, unexpectedly found, seven hours after the passion of the liner, among the hundreds of dead bodies unnoticed by the boat and in her a lively baby climbed into the blanket, - the last saved passenger from the vessel. The baby adopted one of the sailors who saved people. The forehead survived and grew up.
The beautiful Tale of Gustloff ended in three torpedoes in the left side. In the result, it was possible to survive, according to different estimates, from 1200 to 2500 people from a little less than 11 thousand who were aboard. For maximum estimates, losses are estimated in 9985 lives.
Anyone can easily find a description of the terrible scenes of liner's death and thousands of floating up deadlings of dead kids. Adult vests are not easy to wear on a small, so that it does not turn over in water. So in any case, the children would have died from supercooling in 5-7 minutes, and so they immediately choked. The most interesting thing is that none of those who saved is not accused Marnesco. They surprisingly calmly say that the ship with anti-aircraft guns and the thousand soldiers on board were quite legal military prey. Beee of those who walked say that Hitler is to blame for everything ... And Marinsko is nothing to do with it, he only let the torpedoes, as in dash. Idiot Captain did not turn off the light on the ship and the darkness of the winter night liner shine like the Christmas tree! It was difficult to miss. It is clear that any accusations of Marinesko are meaningless.
War went! And at such a time the death of peaceful people is completely natural! This once again simply reminds of the inhumanity of wars. Hitler received a "gift" for the anniversary of his coming to power on January 30, 1933. "The gift" he received January 30, 1945, it was 10 thousand corpses in the icy water of the Baltic Sea. The beginning of Hitler's activities received a worthy completion at its sunset! It is not even excluded that Marinesco had an order to make an attack, precisely, given the value of the date for Hitler! In the USSR, they loved the "dates"!
Soviet system, who has not recognized his merit for many years for Marinesko, which only poured oil into the fire of doubts, in terms of the justification of the hustleoff rush. Although, of course, the scale of the tragedy is shook. Almost 50 years after the attack of the century, Marnesco, he finally had proper reaches. On the theological cemetery of St. Petersburg Marinesko's grave very visited !!!
In the screensaver, the two flagship of the cruise fleet of Germany: Robert Lei and Wilhelm Gustloff. Marnesco Monument I failed to embal. I hope the story will forgive me.
"Wilhelm Gustloff", so called the legendary German liner, sank on January 30, 1945 and carried out with him according to official data 5,348 lives. But according to modern estimates, the number of victims exceeds 9,000 people, the bulk of which are old men, women and children, as well as the wounded officers and soldiers of the German-fascist army. The wreck of the liner was and remains the most tragic in the history of navigation. For comparison, 1517 people died at the famous Titanic.
The ship was built in 1938 as a passenger ship, and was a decade ocean liner, whose displacement is 25,484 tons, length 208 meters. Before the beginning of the Second World War, the Wilhelm Gustloff ship was used as a holiday home and could shove the floor of the world without refueling. On board the vessel was the most luxurious infrastructure, right up to the personal apartments of Hitler. The liner was a symbol of the grandeur of the Third Reich, was considered not flooded and answered all the latest technical requirements.
At the suggestion of Hitler, the ship was named after the martyr of the Nazi movement, Hitler's assistant and a little-known leader of the Swiss Nazis, Wilhelm Gustlofa, who was purposefully killed in his personal Cabinet Jewish student David Frankfurter, disguised in the courier. History acquired a scandalous form, which was facilitated by the nationality of the killer, and Wilhelm Gustloff became a "symbol of suffering" for the German people. Perhaps, it also played a keen joke in the future with the fate of the ship, especially since the death of Wilhelm Gustloff liner fell on the anniversary of the death of man whose name was named! In addition, it was January 30, 1933, for 12 years before the tragedy, Adolf Hitler became Reichskanzler of Germany.
For what reasons, it happened so unprecedented by the number of victims of the catastrophe, even if the bloody hostilities? After all, since 1940, Wilhelm Gustloff was retracted to a hospital ship by 500 people, nominated for the Navy of Germany. However, the liner was still in pre-war time used by the military intelligence officers of Germany, and since the fall of 1939, the vessel becomes also an educational base for German submariners. The ship had weapons on board, and identifying signs of the hospital vessel who could protect against the attack, as a result, were not applied.
How was the development of events?
In 1945, most of the people were forced to escape from the territory of Eastern Prussia from the onset of the Red Army. This was done by any paths, including the sea. On January 27, the commander of Wilhegelm Gustloff, Peterson, was given an order from Hitler to take into Western bases of trained submariner specialists, which was the elite of the fascist underwater fleet, in the amount of 3,700 people whose crews could completely block England. In addition, the top officer, generals and auxiliary female battalion - almost 400 people were part of the board. According to Soviet intelligence, for removal of the eye from the planned operation on the ambulance aircraft, bandaged dolls were immersed.
Already at night, the liner accepted eminent civilians and a military to know, as well as injured and refugees. The vessel was overflowing more than four times, 6470 passengers counted on it on it. Already in the sea, at the exit from Gdynia, Wilhelm Gustloff according to the operation "Hannibal" on the evacuation of the population by the sea, took part of the refugees from small vessels surrounded by him, after which the wounded and medical staff were further submersible in Danzig. On January 30, 1945, the crew of the vessel simply could not count all the passengers, the number of which exceeded 10,000. The peaceful population in a panic tried to get to the liner, who was considered the safest in the third Reich. All ship compartments were filled, right up to an empty pool.
To protect against submarine attack, the vessel was proposed to lead a zigzag, but contrary to the recommendations another part of the officer composition was decided to go straight, in full swing, how the warships walk to be more likely to make danger from aircraft from the air. According to other sources, "Wilhelm Gustloff" could not develop maximum speed Due to the previously obtained damage and significant overcrowding passengers. In addition, it was ordered to include all the coverage in order to avoid a collision with the horse trawls, which for the available information was to meet. This contradicted military practice standards and additionally attracted no attention to Lainera.
At 21:16 by the Soviet submarine C-13, commanded Alexander Marnesco, the first torpedo to the ship "Wilhelm Gustloff" was released. Das War's ("That's all") Captain Peterson said. He did not have doubt - this is a submarine.
Providence was again not on the side of passengers - it turned out that rescue boats could not be descended, since the part of the team responsible for rescue operationsBlocked in the lower decks with closed waterproof compartments. Panic began, as a result of which many children and women died. Soldiers opened fire on the crowd, laying the way to boats. As a result of a strong roll of vessel, many people turned out to be in ice water. Wilhelm Gustloff slowly sulled more than an hour, horror and fear were the last witnesses of this tragedy.
The Missionary "Lev", the German warship of Germany, according to the reports of which was "Wilhelm Gustloff", was the first to be on the site of the tragedy. From boats and from the water, the team pulled out 472 passengers. The cruiser "Admiral Hipper" is a second ship who has witnessed the tragedy. Filled with refugees, he did not stop and went on, fearing the attack. The crew of the Third Ship, destroyer T-38, saved another 179 people.
It did not cost this shipwreck and without a miracle. Seven hours after the liner is flooded, the sailor of a small messenger ship among thousands of dead bodies found in the boat of the last saved passenger - a small child wrapped in a blanket, which still remained alive! Annoyed boy saved from supercooling, and a childless sailor eventually adopted the baby, becoming a happy father.
According to various data, as a result of the death of the Wilhelm Gustloff liner survived from 998 to 2,500 people. In Germany, we declared mourning, which lasted three days. The fascist Reich suffered strong losses, and Marnesco hit the list of "German's personal enemies".
Right or guilty?
Disputes about the legality of the flooding liner "Wilhelm Gustloff" by the Soviet submarine led by Marinesko for a long time did not subside, and still do not lose their relevance. As usual, there are different versions of what happened, depending on whose side is trying to present them. But in any case, the following items are practically irrefutable:
- the vessel was listed as part of the German naval forces,
- on board were military personnel and anti-aircraft, which is not permissible for civilian courts,
- wilhelm Gustloff liner did not have the identification signs of the Red Cross, and therefore could be accepted for the military vessel and to become the goal of the attack,
- the vessel went under the convoy of the German wagon ship (the Mission "Lion"), how military vessels go.
Subsequently, Soviet submariners visited the remains of the ship, which were at a depth of 45 meters. In the future, the Government of Poland was proclaimed a fraternal grave and prohibited for visits by individuals. But some researchers were made exceptions, thanks to which we have a number of documentary and artistic films about the death of Wilhelm Gustloff liner.
Sea catastrophe liner Wilhelm Gustlov. Titanic Third Reich. Secrets of century
(TORped)
Prehistory
Killing Wilhelm Gustloff
Characteristics
From the technological point of view, Wilhelm Gustloff was not an exceptional ship. Its engines were medium power, and it was not built for fast travel, but rather for slow, comfortable cruises. But from the point of view of amenities, equipment and accessories for recreation, this liner was indeed one of the best in the world. Unlike other vessels of this class, "Gustloff", in confirmation of the "classless character" of the Nazi regime, had cabins of the same size and the same excellent convenience for all passengers. The liner had ten decks. One of the newest technologies applied on it was the principle of an open deck with cabins that had direct exit and a clear overview of the landscapes on her. The liner was calculated for 1,500 people. Its services were provided with a gorgeous decorated pool, a winter garden, large spacious halls, music salons, several bars.
In addition to the purely technical innovations and best devices for an unforgettable trip, Wilhelm Gustloff, worth 25 million marks, was a kind of symbol and means of propaganda of the authorities of the Third Reich. According to Robert Leia, who led the German labor front, the liners like this could:
| Provide the opportunity, by the will of the Fuhrer, Locks of Bavaria, Cologne postmen, Bremen's housewives at least once a year to carry out the price of a naval journey on Madeira, along the Mediterranean coast, to the shores of Norway and Africa |
For German citizens, the journey to "Gustloff" should have been not only unforgettable, but also affordable by price, despite social status. For example, a five-day cruise along the coast of Italy cost only 150 Reichsmarocks, while the average monthly earnings of the ordinary German was equal to 150-250 Reichsmarks. For comparison, the cost of a ticket on this liner was only a third part of the cost of such cruises in Europe, where only representatives of the prosperous segments and nobility could afford them. Thus, "Wilhelm Gustloff" with its amenities, level of comfort and availability not only fixed the location of the German people to the Nazi regime, but also had to demonstrate the world's advantages of national socialism to the whole world.
Passenger liner "Wilhelm Gustloff"
Flagship Cruise Fleet.
After the solemn descent of the ship on the water passed 10 months before Wilhelm Gustloff passed the running tests in May of the year. During this time, finishing and arranging the liner interior was finished. As a gratitude, the builders of the vessel took on a two-day cruise through the North Sea, which qualified as a test. The first official cruise took place on May 24, and almost two thirds of his passengers were citizens of Austria, which Hitler intended to join Germany soon. An unforgettable journey was intended to stun the level of service and amenities of Austrian, participants in the cruise - and convince others in the advantages of the Union with Germany. Cruise has become a real triumph, evidence of the achievements of the new government of Germany. The world press enthusiastically described the impressions of the participants in the cruise and the unprecedented luxury on board the liner. Even Hitler himself arrived at the liner, symbolizing all the best achievements of the country under his leadership. When the excitement around this symbol of the Hitler's regime, several verse, the liner began to perform the task for which it was built, - to provide affordable, comfortable cruises to workers in Germany.
Water descent. "Wilhelm Gustlof".
Propaganda means
Although "Wilhelm Gustloff" offered truly unforgettable and cheap travel and cruises, in history, he also remained as a bright means of propaganda of the Nazi regime. The first successful, although not planned, the case occurred during the rescue of Sealars of the English vessel "Peguway", tolerating disaster on April 2 in the North Sea. The courage and the determination of the captain, who left the procession of three vessels to save the British, was noted not only by the world press, but also the English government - the captain was awarded, and on the vessel later installed a memorable board. Thanks to this case, when on April 10, "Gustloff" is used as a floating polling station for the Germans and Austrians of the UK, participating in the plebiscite about the accession of Austria, not only the British, but also the world press has been favorably wrote about it. For participation in the plebiscite, almost 2,000 citizens of both countries and a large number of correspondents sailed to neutral waters near the coast of Great Britain. Only four of the participants of this event abstained. Western, and even the British communist press was delighted with the liner and the achievements of Germany. The involvement of such a perfect vessel in plebiscite symbolized the new thing that the Nazi regime was introduced in Germany.
Cruises and transportation of troops
As the flagship of the Wilhelm Gustloff Cruise Fleet spent in the sea of \u200b\u200bjust a year and a half and carried out 50 cruises in the framework of the program through joy. At its board we visited about 65,000 vacationers. Usually in the warm season, the liner suggested traveling along the North Sea, the coast of Germany, the Norwegian fjords. In winter, the liner went to cruises on the Mediterranean Sea, the coast of Italy, Spain and Portugal. For many, despite such minor inconveniences, as a ban on entering the coast in countries that did not support the Nazi regime, these cruises remain unforgettable and the best time from the entire period of Nazi domination in Germany. Many ordinary Germans used the services of the "power through joy" program and were sincerely grateful to the new regime for the provision of recreation opportunities, not comparable to other countries of Europe.
In addition to the cruise activities, Wilhelm Gustloff remained a vessel in state ownership and was involved in various events held by the German government. So on May 20, Wilhelm Gustloff for the first time transported the troops - German volunteers of Legion "Condor", who participated in the civil war in Spain on the side of Franco. The arrival of the ship to Hamburg with the "Heroes of War" on board caused a great resonance throughout Germany, and a special meeting ceremony with the participation of state leaders was arranged in the port.
Military service
The last liner cruise took place on August 25th. Suddenly, during a planned flight in the middle of the North Sea, the captain received an encrypted order to return to the port urgently. Cruise time ended - less than a week Germany attacked Poland and the Second World War began.
Military hospital
Wilhelm Gustloff as a hospital ship
With the distribution of war on most of Europe, Wilhelm Gustloff first took the wounded during the seizure of Norway in the summer of the year, and then prepared for the transportation of troops in case of invasion of the UK. However, due to the failure of German attempts to conquer her plans, these plans were not implemented, and, together with the reorientation of German attention to the east, the vessel was sent to Danzig, where the last 414 wounded were found, and Wilhelm Gustloff was expected to refer to subsequent service. However, the service of the vessel as a military hospital ended - by decision of the Navy leadership, he was attributed to the school of submariners in Gotenhafen. Liner again repainted in gray camouflage color, and he lost the defense of the Hague Convention, which he had before.
Floating barracks Navy
Turning out a liner in a floating barracks for the school of submariners, Wilhelm Gustloff spent in such a majority of his short life - almost four years. The school of submariners was preparing footage for the German underwater war with an accelerated pace, and, the longer the war lasted, the more personnel passed through the school and the shorter the term of studies and younger than the age of cadets became. The chance to survive in the underwater war, which Germany began to lose, for cadets was 1 to 10. This, however, did not concern the "Wilhelm Gustloff", since he was far from the front line for a long time. With the approach of the end of the war, the situation began to change not in favor of Germany - many cities suffered from flaws of allied aviation. On October 9, Gotenhafen was subjected to bombardment, as a result of which another vessel was surrounded by KDF, and Wilhelm Gustloff was damaged.
Panic and evacuation of the population
According to some German estimates on board, about 10,400 passengers were to be located, of which about 8,800 civilians, including children, and about 1,500 servicemen). When at 12:30 pm "Wilhelm Gustloff", accompanied by two ships, finally departed, disputes between four senior officers arose on the captain's bridge. In addition to the commander of the Captain Friedrich Petersen (Him. Friedrich Petersen.), designed from resignation, on board were the commander of the 2nd Training Division of Submariners and the two captains of the Fleet, and there was no consent about how the fairway to lead the vessel and what precautions were taken regarding submarines and aviation of allies. An external fairway was chosen (German zwangsweg 58 designation). Contrary to the recommendations to go Zigzag to complicate the attack of submarines, it was decided to go direct a course with a speed of 12 knots, since the corridor in mine-fields was not wide enough and the captains hoped in such a way to get into safe water faster. In addition, one of the ships of the efforts due to technical problems was forced to return to the port, and only one Lion destroyer remained in security ( Löwe.). At 18:00 a message was received about the convoy of travelers, who allegedly seized towards, and when he was already dark, it was ordered to include running lights to prevent collision. In fact, no trassels were, and the circumstances of the appearance of this radiogram were still unexplained so far. According to other data, the trawl sections led to meet convoy, and appeared later than this in the alert time.
Sweating
Place of the death of the ship "Wilhelm Gustloff" on the map of the Baltic Sea
It is noteworthy that in just two weeks, February 10, the S-13 submarine under the team of Alexander Marnesco Skilled another large German transport "General Stomyben", as a result of which about 3,700 people died.
Salvation of surviving
Missionary "Lev" (former ship of the Dutch Navy) first arrived at the place of the tragedy and began to save the surviving passengers. Since in January the temperature was already -18 ° C, it remained only a few minutes before the irreversible supercooling of the body came. Despite this, the ship managed to save 472 passengers from boats and from water. The help of another convoy - Cruiser "Admiral Hipper", also approached the aid, who, too, except the team, also had about 1,500 refugees aboard about 1,500 refugees on board. Because of the fear of attacking the submarine, he did not stop and continued to be removed into safe water. Other ships (under the "other ships" are understood as the only destroyer T-38, "Has," Hipper "did not work), I managed to save another 179 people. A little more than an hour later, new ships, who came to the rescue, were able to catch only dead bodies from ice water. Later, a small messenger ship, which arrived at the place of the tragedy, unexpectedly found, seven hours after the passion of the liner, among the hundreds of dead bodies unnoticed by the boat and in it a living baby wrapped in the blanket, - the last saved passenger "Wilhelm Gustloff".
As a result, it was possible to survive, according to different estimates, from 1,200 to 2,500 from more than 10 thousand who were on board. For maximum estimates, losses are estimated at 9,343 lives.
The death of "Gustloff" in a number of the largest marine catastrophes
| Vessel | Year | Country | The number of victims | Cause of death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goyy. | 7000 ~ 7000 | Attack pl l-3 | ||
| Cap Arcona | 5594 5594 | Aviation attack | ||
| 5300 ~ 5300 | Attack pl C-13 | |||
| Armenia | the USSR | 5000 ~ 5000 | Aviation attack | |
| General Stustiben | 3608 3608 | Attack pl C-13 | ||
| Tilbec | 2800 ~ 2800 | Aviation attack | ||
| Don Paz | 3000 ~ 3000 | Collision with tanker and fire | ||
| Vusung. | China | 2750 ~ 2750 | ||
| Titanic | 1503 1503 | Collision with iceberg | ||
| Lusitania | 1198 1198 | Attack pl U-20 |
Effects
Legal evaluation of sumps
In some German publications during the Cold War, the Swinging "Gustloff" is called a crime against the civilian population, the same as the bombing of Dresden allies. However, the heinz Shenz catastrophe researcher concludes that the liner was a military goal and his saccination was not a war crime, since: Courts intended for the transport of refugees, hospital vessels were to be marked with the corresponding signs - a red cross, could not wear camouflage color, not Could go in one convoy along with military courts. On board, there could not be any military loads, stationary and temporarily placed air defense guns, artillery implements or other similar means.
Wilhelm Gustloff was a combat ship, which was allowed to rise to six thousand refugees. All responsibility for their lives, from the moment they rose to the combat ship, lay on the relevant officials of the German military fleet. Thus, "Gustloff" was the legal military goal of Soviet submariners, in view of the following facts:
Reaction to tragedy
In Germany, the reaction to the Saccination "Wilhelm Gustlofa" at the time of the tragedy was quite restrained. The Germans did not disclose the scale of the losses in order not to worsen the moral state of the population even more. In addition, at that moment the Germans carried heavy losses in other places. However, at the end of the war in the consciousness of many Germans, the simultaneous death of so many peaceful people and especially thousands of children on board "Wilhelm Gustlofa" remained the wound, which even time did not lish. Together with the bombardment of Dresden, this tragedy remains one of the most terrible events of the Second World War for the German people. Of the four captains, which were saved after the death of the ship, the youngest, koler, without preparing the feelings of guilt for the tragedy "Wilhelm Gustlofa", soon after the war committed suicide.
In Soviet historiography, this event was called "Attacks of the Century". Alexander Marnesco posthumously received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. He was put in monuments in Kaliningrad, in Kronstadt, in St. Petersburg and in Odessa. In Soviet military historiography, it is considered submariner No. 1.
Study of the wreckage of the ship
The porthole "Gustlofa" raised in 1988
Unlike the long searching of the "Titanic", finding "Wilhelm Gustloff" was easy. Its coordinates at the time of the sump ( 55.07 , 17.41 55 ° 04'12 "p. sh. 17 ° 24'36 "in. d. / 55.07 ° C. sh. 17.41 ° C. d. (G)) turned out to be accurate, moreover, the ship was at a relatively small depth - only 45 meters. After the war, Soviet experts visited the remnants of the ship. There is a version that they were looking for among the fragments of the famous amber room. During these visits, the middle part of the drowned ship was undermined, and only food and nose remained. For post-war years, some items from the ship were in private collections like souvenirs. The Poland's government legally proclaimed this place to the fraternal grave and banned the rest of the rest by individuals. The exception was made for researchers most famous among which is Mike Boring, who in the year visited the wreckage of the ship and took off a documentary about his expedition. On Polish navigation maps The place is indicated as "obstacle number 73".
Wilhelm Gustloff in Literature and Cinema
On March 2-3, 2008, the new television film of the German channel Wilhelm Gustloff was attacked and surfed by the Soviet submarine C-13 under the command of Marinesko on January 30; Day a day exactly fifty years after birth () of a person, in whose honor was named secondary (Gustloff) and exactly 12 years after the arrival of a person (), in honor of which was originally named (
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