The last radio transmission from Scharnhorst 26 December 1943 Frode Weierud's CryptoCellar | Scharnhorst's Last Message?
I'm sure that this has been posted before but here is a site devoted to the Scharnhorst/Gneisenau ships: Scharnhorst & Gneisenau
GH, funny you should have posted this - look who is on my list: The National Archives | Research, education & online exhibitions | Exhibitions | The Art of War | Valour & Gallantry | Valour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Esmonde "Lieutenant Commander Eugene Kingsmill Esmonde VC DSO, F/Lt, RAF, Lt-Cdr (A) RN (1 March 1909 – 12 February 1942) was an Irish VC recipient and distinguished pilot for the British Fleet Air Arm in World War II. He won his VC when he led his squadron against elements of the German Fleet which made the "Channel Dash" (Operation Cerberus) from Brest to their home bases at Wilhelmshaven and Kiel through the English Channel. He was by then 32 years old. On 12 February 1942 off the coast of England, Lieutenant Commander Esmonde led a detachment of six Fairey Swordfish in an attack on the two German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, which had already managed to get from Brest without hindrance..." dbf
My late father was on one of the MTBs sent out to "Sink the Scharnhorst" , he mentioned this in a very casual manner as he tackled the crossword one morning. He spoke only occasionally about his experiences and for him it was really a closed book unless he wanted to say something. His view was that "the whole German Navy was out" and their few boats could not get close to them. They fired their torpedos and turned away having given it their best , reaching the screen around them was a success in itself.
