False Ship Badges
False Ship Badges
I just picked up a WW II German post card showing the aft 5.9" triple turrets on a light cruiser. What I found confusing was the emblem displayed on the Caesar turret. It is clearly the Graf Spee's ship's badge (with the roosters and diamonds), even though this is a light cruiser. I wonder if a wartime censor covered up the actual badge or if this was done on board to confuse observers?
Re: False Ship Badges
The German ships didn't show their own emblem at the turrets, but the turrets were named to reflect the history of former ships of the name.
Might be it's a picture of "Nürnberg" or "Lepzig" - both WW I-cruisers were lost as part of Graf Spee's squadron.
Might be it's a picture of "Nürnberg" or "Lepzig" - both WW I-cruisers were lost as part of Graf Spee's squadron.
Re: False Ship Badges
Ah, that makes perfect sense. The Graf Spee badge was a tribute. It may even have been a tribute to the WW II pocket battleship scuttled in 1939, since the post card is later. Thanks so much!
Re: False Ship Badges
" It may even have been a tribute to the WW II pocket battleship scuttled in 1939, since the post card is later. "
Probably the badges on the outside were suppressed when war broke out!
Probably the badges on the outside were suppressed when war broke out!