How Do You Spell SCHARNHORST?

1. Scharnhorst refers to a German capital ship of the 20th century. Specifically, it denotes two battleships, the first of which was built during World War I and the second during World War II. The first Scharnhorst was commissioned in 1907 and weighed approximately 26,000 tons. It was a fast battleship with a top speed of 23 knots and carried a main battery of eight 11-inch guns. During World War I, the Scharnhorst saw action in the Battle of Jutland in 1916 as part of Germany's High Seas Fleet.

   The second Scharnhorst, built in the 1930s, was even more formidable. It was part of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine and weighed around 30,000 tons. This battleship was recognized for its innovative armament, consisting of nine 11-inch guns and an array of secondary and anti-aircraft weaponry. The Scharnhorst played a significant role in numerous naval operations, such as the Battle of North Cape in 1943, where it engaged British forces. Ultimately, the ship met its fate during the Battle of the Barents Sea when it was heavily damaged and sunk by British naval forces in 1943.

   The name "Scharnhorst" is often associated with the resilience, power, and technological advancements displayed by these battleships. It has become a symbol of German naval prowess during both World Wars and holds a place of importance in military history.

The word Scharnhorst is derived from a German surname, which in turn comes from the combination of two elements: scharn, meaning iron arm or armor in Middle High German, and horst, meaning hill or mound.

The name Scharnhorst gained prominence due to its association with the renowned German military officer Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst (1755-1813). Scharnhorst played a significant role in reforming the Prussian army during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Furthermore, in the naval context, Scharnhorst is often used to refer to warships named after him, such as the famous World War II German battleship Scharnhorst.