German flotilla heads for Narvik.
Ten destroyers slipped from the small German harbor
of Wesermunde, near the border with Denmark.
Their mission was to capture Narvik, preventing
British disruption of iron ore meant for Germany.
Troops target all main Norwegian ports.
Each destroyer was transporting 200 fully equipped
German infantry. Norwegian ports targeted for attack
included Oslo, the capital, Bergen and Trondheim -
besides the small town of Narvik, nearly 1,200
miles away.
Attacks everywhere begin 9 April, 0500hrs.
Everyone needs to be in place, ready to launch
the attack at the appointed hour. Surprise here
is the key to success. German forces are small.
They need to catch the Norwegian militia off guard.
German battleships provide destroyer protection.
Two German battleships provide the necessary firepower
to ward off most anything other than a mano y mano tussle
with their British counterparts.
The cruiser Admiral Hipper is an unpleasant welcome.
Three of the destroyers are dropped off for their attack
on Trondheim. The group is stumbled upon by the
British destroyer Glowworm. It's 5 inch guns are
no match for the radar directed broadsides coming
from the cruiser Admiral Hipper, here to protect
the Trondheim landing force.
HMS Glowworm is ablaze bow to stern.
An apparent defenseless wreck, the Glowworm
veers full force into the hull of the Hipper. The
cruiser must return to Germany for repairs but
Glowworm's damage is catastrophic. It quickly
turns belly-up, then sinks, taking most of the crew
to the bottom with it.
But the alarm has now been sounded.
* * * * *
OVER EASY
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