The Admiral Scheer was launched on November 12th, 1934 and was among the first German naval forces sent to Spanish waters where the Civil War had broken out on June 17th, 1936. During the first attack at the beginning of the War the Admiral Scheer had to suffer only slight damages. From 1940 to 1941 she took part in the Economic War against Great Britain and could prove her efficiency at the Eastern Front and in Norwegian waters. In October 1944 the Admiral Scheer entered service against Soviet forces. Afterwards she was ordered to Kiel port facilities. In the night of April 10th, 1945 British bomber formations attacked Kiel and its harbour. Five heavy bombs exploded around the ship and the Admiral Scheer made her capsize.