Brawl in the fjords

Warlord · 06-11-2007, 01:48 AM

As far as my knowledge goes, there was an encounter during the battle for Norway (Narvik if I´m not mistaken) in which a british battleship took on an entire nazi destroyer squadron, and eventually wiped it out. Is that what really happened, taking into consideration that in such secluded waters, a couple of torpedoes would have done the trick for Jerry, even under so uneven odds?

4th wilts · 06-11-2007, 04:40 PM

was it not h.m.s.warspite.plus some r.n.destroyers.yours very sincerely.lee

MikB · 30-12-2007, 10:50 AM

Yes, it was Warspite, accompanied by destroyers. IIRC there was a U-boat on hand, and Warspite may even have been hit by a torpedo that failed to explode.

I think there's also a story that Warspite's catapult aircraft found and sank a U-boat on the same mission - the first to be destroyed by aircraft, and another of this ship's particular achievements.

Second Narvik was an operation fraught with considerable risk, but the RN had a tradition not to shrink from that. And the actual upshot was that Germany lost about half its total fleet of destroyers, a fact which hampered Kriegsmarine surface operations for the whole of the rest of the War. While Warspite went on to distinguish itself in many other famous actions.

Regards,
MikB

06-11-2007, 01:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Warlord Veteran wannabe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Land of Eternal Spring Posts: 216	Brawl in the fjords As far as my knowledge goes, there was an encounter during the battle for Norway (Narvik if I´m not mistaken) in which a british battleship took on an entire nazi destroyer squadron, and eventually wiped it out. Is that what really happened, taking into consideration that in such secluded waters, a couple of torpedoes would have done the trick for Jerry, even under so uneven odds? __________________ If I go forward, follow me; if I stop, hurry me; if I retreat, kill me. Guatemalan special forces motto Picture shows an Israeli Avia downing an Egyptian Spitfire in ´48. Guatemala gave the deciding vote at the UN that year for Israel to become a nation.

30-12-2007, 10:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
MikB Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 168	Yes, it was Warspite, accompanied by destroyers. IIRC there was a U-boat on hand, and Warspite may even have been hit by a torpedo that failed to explode. I think there's also a story that Warspite's catapult aircraft found and sank a U-boat on the same mission - the first to be destroyed by aircraft, and another of this ship's particular achievements. Second Narvik was an operation fraught with considerable risk, but the RN had a tradition not to shrink from that. And the actual upshot was that Germany lost about half its total fleet of destroyers, a fact which hampered Kriegsmarine surface operations for the whole of the rest of the War. While Warspite went on to distinguish itself in many other famous actions. Regards, MikB Last edited by MikB; 30-12-2007 at 05:46 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-11-2007, 04:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
4th wilts Discharged Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wessex Posts: 1,043	was it not h.m.s.warspite.plus some r.n.destroyers.yours very sincerely.lee

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)