Bismarck drawing by German POW

The drawing below is owned by a friend of mine and was done by Hans Krakhofer who was a german sailor on a converted merchant ship during WW2.




After being taken prisoner in 1941 (after his ship was sunk by HMS Cornwall) Hans spent nine months in a POW in England before being shipped off to Canada for the remainder of the war.

My friends grandfather was a guard at the camp in England where Hans was interned and it was here that Hans gave him the drawing of the Bismarck.

You can read more about Hans Krakhofer, and see more of this very talented mans drawings, at the link below.
Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society

 

Very cool! Thanks for posting! I'm currently working on a painting of the Bismarck on it's commissioning day, so I have Bismarck on my mind!

Interesting Artwork. I really like the eagle sitting on the Bismarck family Coat of Arms. It does not look like your typical German eagle.

 

Nice artwork indeed.
Which English camp was he in, John?

 

Very nice indeed. Nice drawing of an impressive ship.

Similar idea to the 165 Days on Luzon book I found recently- all hand-drawn art. As valuable as photos are, seems the hand-drawn bits have a bit more of a "feel" to them, if that makes any sense.

:cheers:

 

I'm not sure, Gordon.

I can find no information on the internet relating to where Hans was held during his time in England.

I also think the photograph of the drawing doesn't do it justice.

I'll ask my friend if he can scan the drawing for me to post here.

 

as one british pilot said on seeing the bismark from the air, "that's a bloody beautiful ship. it can't be one of ours."