Wilhelm Gustloff Historic images

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From a contemporary painting of the Wilhelm Gustloff being attacked by the Russian Submarine S-13. This painting hung in the Moscow state Museum without mention to the incident for many years. It was only on request that the painting was talked off by the curators. It wasn't till the 1960's that Alexander Marinesko was finally credited for his involvement in the disaster.

The Wilhelm Gustloff, the first new vessel for the KdF fleet, became a hospital ship in 1939.

Left; Under the eye of Hitler and his henchmen (bottom right) the Gustloff was launched as a tribute to the late Martyr Wilhelm Gustloff assassinated by a jew.
Above; The promenade decks with her dozens of deck chairs.

Two images to describe the interior of the ship detailing that the Germans went to great lengths to rival the great passenger liners of the west.

Russian Submarine ace Alexander Marinesko

The great ship served only briefly as a hospital ship.

Documentary teams have shown interest in the story of the sinking over past years and will continue to do so.

Gdansk remained basically untouched by the war until April 1945 when she was conquered by the Soviets. The she was methodically burnt with flamethrowers and other means without little if any military purpose. Reports suggest the Russians had been informed the town was that of a suburb of Germany!.

Boarding the Wilhelm Gustloff at Kiel Germany.

The promenade decks aboard the Gustloff with her lifeboat gantry davits high above.

Russian Submarine ace Alexander Marinesko during his upcoming years

A small pilot boat guides the ship out of port during her 'Strength through Joy' years.

A painting made during her cruise through the
Med to Italy during the late 1930's.

An artists impression of refugees awaiting to board the Gustloff at Gdansk in 1945.

Electrical switchboards within the ships engine rooms.

The once proud bridge of the Wilhelm Gustloff

A rare ariel photograph taken during her cruise to the Med.

The single funnel clearly shows the German Nazi Swastika. Here the ship sails up the Thames in London were she would act as a polling station for 2000 voting Germans residing in England.

Left; The stern letters of the great ship cast in Gothic writing; Above; The same letters that can still be clearly seen today on the ships stern. Photo by Mike Boring.

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