The Prinz Eugen was launched in 1938 as part of an ambitious peacetime building program intended to bring the Kriegsmarine to equal terms with the Royal Navy. But in 1941 she commissioned into a fleet unprepared for war, facing a vastly superior enemy.
Her career epitomized the difficulties faced by the German surface fleet in WW2.
Victories in the spirit of her namesake, Prinz Eugen of Savoy,
would elude her. Her North Atlantic sortee with Bismarck and the sinking of the Hood
in April 1941 earned her a place in history, but the destruction of the Bismark
left no real cause for celebration. The daring dash through the English Channel
may have been a moral victory but it was no great contribution to the war effort.
Prinz Eugen's finest hour came when her shells held back advancing Red Armies, allowing a mass German exodus
from the Baltic. But it came only during the Reich's final hours.
She never sunk a single enemy vessel, but her crew fondly remember her as "the lucky ship."
Although heavily damaged on several occasions, Prinz Eugen was the only heavy surface
unit of the Kriegsmarine to survive WW2 intact. Under the circumstances, it was more
than could be expected.
This online reference shows the history and technical details of this proud ship. Click on the pictures below to view the topics! Bookmark this website and check for updates and additions.
History
General Details
Weapons
Radar, Radio, Signals & Fire Control
in progress
The Men in progress
Colors Camouflage and Markings Coming
Plans & Sources
Model Gallery NEW!
Dive on Prinz Eugen
(external link to John Liddard's website)
