r/BattlePaintings • u/Connect_Wind_2036 • 5d ago
Lieutenant Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope VC orders HMS Glowworm to ram DKM Admiral Hipper. North Sea 8th April 1940.
Citation On the 8th April, 1940, H.M.S. Glowworm was proceeding alone in heavy weather towards a rendezvous in West Fjord, when she met and engaged two enemy destroyers, scoring at least one hit on them. The enemy broke off the action and headed North, to lead the Glowworm on to his supporting forces. The Commanding Officer, whilst correctly appreciating the intentions of the enemy, at once gave chase. The German heavy cruiser, Admiral Hipper, was sighted closing the Glowworm at high speed and an enemy report was sent which was received by H.M.S. Renown. Because of the heavy sea, the Glowworm could not shadow the enemy and the Commanding Officer therefore decided to attack with torpedoes and then to close in order to inflict as much damage as possible. Five torpedoes were fired and later the remaining five, but without success. The Glowworm was badly hit; one gun was out of action and her speed was much reduced, but with the other three guns still firing she closed and rammed the Admiral Hipper. As the Glowworm drew away, she opened fire again and scored one hit at a range of 400 yards. The Glowworm, badly stove in forward and riddled with enemy fire, heeled over to starboard, and the Commanding Officer gave the order to abandon her. Shortly afterwards she capsized and sank. The Admiral Hipper hove to for at least an hour picking up survivors but the loss of life was heavy, only 31 out of the Glowworm’s complement of 149 being saved. Full information concerning this action has only recently been received and the VICTORIA CROSS is bestowed in recognition of the great valour of the Commanding Officer who, after fighting off a superior force of destroyers, sought out and reported a powerful enemy unit, and then fought his ship to the end against overwhelming odds, finally ramming the enemy with supreme coolness and skill.
Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 6 July 1945. 10 July 1945, Numb. 37170, p. 3557
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u/coldfarm 5d ago
Not mentioned here is that although Roope survived the combat, he drowned attempting to save surviving crewmen.
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u/Baalphire81 5d ago
I have said it once, and I’ll say it again and again; you could make many movies or mini series about Destroyers, their Captains, and crew. The endings are almost always sad, but intensely honorable and full of self sacrifice! This goes for British and American stories!
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u/Connect_Wind_2036 5d ago
The Cruel Sea is one of my favourites.
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u/pickintime 4d ago
I haven’t thought about that book in awhile.. that and Iron Coffins are two amazing works on opposite sides of the war
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u/Connect_Wind_2036 4d ago
I can recall how suspenseful reading the book was at the part when the ship was dead in the water with a blocked fuel line.
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u/Freightshaker000 5d ago
The entire Norway campaign is fascinating: An invasion of Norway planned by both sides for the same day, the German invasion fleet passing within miles of British destroyers returning from the mining mission, and the German fiasco at Narvik made it a close run thing, although once German troops were on land, it was a forgone conclusion.
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u/Unfinishe_Masterpiec 5d ago
Is there a better photograph or painting of this scene? All I see is one ship and some flames.
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u/Shipkiller-in-theory 5d ago
Iron balls