THE SHIP WAS LAUNCHED ON APRIL 1, 1933 AND CHRISTENED BY FRAU MARIANNE BESSERER, DAUGHTER OF ADMIRAL REINHARD SCHEER.DURING WORLD WAR II, ADMIRAL SCHEER, UNDER CAPTAIN THEODOR KRANCKE, WAS BY FAR THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CAPITAL SHIPCOMMERCE RAIDER OF THE WAR, WITH A RAID AS FAR AS THE INDIAN OCEAN.