scharnhorst-gneisenau-german-ships Throughout April and May, 1940, either as a pair or with others, the Scharnhorst (in foreground) and the Gneisenau had trolled the ocean, harassing British ships and, on at least one occasion, getting chased by Royal Navy battleships. (AKPOOL GMBH/ARKIVI/AKG-Images) AKPOOL GMBH/ARKIVI/AKG-Images