HELMUTH BRINKMANN - Kapitan Heavy Cruiser 'Prinz Eugen' - Knights Cross - Signed FDC ** SOLD **

HELMUTH BRINKMANN - KNIGHTS CROSS - Signed First Day Cover

Helmuth Brinkmann Commanded the German heavy cruiser 'Prinz Eugen' in two historic actions in WW2. He had himself been in the Navy for many years and before the start of the war had commanded Hitler's state Yacht.

On 19 May 1941 the 'Prinz Eugen' accompanied the great German Battleship 'Bismarck' in 'Operation Rheinubung' - an attempt to engage Allied shipping while avoiding a large ship action. As it turned out, this had already been spoiled by the fact that the British Admiralty had been informed that the two ships had sailed and immediately suspected the plan.

On 23rd May the German Force was intercepted by British cruisers 'Norfolf' and 'Suffolk' and a sharp exchange followed, resulting in the outgunned Royal Navy ships retiring out of range while 'Bismarck''s Radar was out of action due to heavy vibration. As a result, Brinkmann's 'Prinz Eugen' took the lead with 'Bismarck' following.

Two Royal Navy Battleships were now within range - 'HMS Prince of Wales' and the aging Battlecruiser 'HMS Hood'. When they opened fire they concentrated their shells on the leading ship - Brinkmann's 'Prinz Eugen', taking her for 'Bismarck'. The error was soon spotted and the British ships changed their target. The German ships finally opened fire and 'Prinz Eugen' scored a hit on HMS Hood that started a fire. 'Bismarck's' fifth salvo also hit the 'Hood' but one of it's shells smashed through the deck and caused a colossal explosion that completely destroyed the aft part of 'HMS Hood' and she sank in only three minutes. After forcing 'HMS Prince of Wales' to withdraw, Admiral Lutjens of 'Bismarck' ordered Brinkmann to separate and make his on way back to a safe Port. The ill-fated 'Bismarck' was later fatally damaged by a Swordfish torpedo that assisted the Royal Navy in catching and sinking her. Brinkmann aboard the 'Prinz Eugen' safely reached Brest on 1st June 1941

Brinkmann also commanded the heavy cruiser during the 'Channel dash' of February 1942, in company with the great Battleships 'Scharnhorst' and 'Gneisenau' - the 'Prinz Eugen' once again living a 'charmed' life.

Brinkmann left the 'Prinz Eugen' in August 1942 to take up other duties. The heavy cruiser fought until the end of WW2 and was finally sunk in the Atomic Bomb tests at Bikini Atoll - a sad end.

This is a VERY RARE First Day Cover - one of only 40 Examples Signed - that comes with four photos.

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