Step back in time to the summer of 1940, a pivotal moment in World War II, where Germany's dominance in Europe set the stage for a daring naval campaign in the North Atlantic. In the aftermath of their conquests, the Kriegsmarine, led by Admiral Erich Raeder, sought to disrupt Allied supply lines and commerce.
The Kriegsmarine had suffered losses in their previous engagements, including heavy cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, leaving them with limited surface vessels for commerce raiding operations. However, the conquest of France provided access to strategic ports like Brest and Saint Nazaire, opening up new possibilities in the North Atlantic. Despite these losses, the German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer was nearly ready for action after completing post-refit exercises in the Baltic.
On October 23, 1940, Admiral Scheer set sail from Gotenhafen (now Gdynia) and headed west for Kiel, picking up supplies and orders along the way. Despite British submarine patrols in the Skagerrak, Captain Theodor Krancke maneuvered the vessel into the North Sea on October 27, briefly entering Norwegian waters before continuing on their journey. They passed through the Denmark Strait undetected, entering the North Atlantic with the intention of preying on Allied convoys.
On November 5, 1940, Admiral Scheer encountered the freighter SS Mopan, assuming it was a straggler from a nearby convoy. After stopping and sinking the Mopan, Admiral Scheer set off in pursuit of Convoy HX-84, which had departed from Halifax on October 28, 1940. The convoy consisted of 37 merchant vessels escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay.
HMS Jervis Bay, originally a passenger liner converted into an armed merchant cruiser, was tasked with protecting Convoy HX-84. On November 5, smoke was spotted on the horizon, prompting Captain Edward Fegen of HMS Jervis Bay to investigate. As the two vessels closed in on each other, it became clear that HMS Jervis Bay was facing a formidable opponent in Admiral Scheer.
A fierce duel ensued between the two ships, with HMS Jervis Bay valiantly defending the convoy despite being outgunned and outmatched. Captain Fegen ordered the convoy to scatter, buying precious time for the merchant vessels to escape. However, HMS Jervis Bay sustained heavy damage and eventually sank, with Captain Fegen going down with his ship.
Despite the loss of HMS Jervis Bay, the convoy's scattering alerted the British Admiralty to the presence of Admiral Scheer, prompting them to take defensive measures. Admiral Scheer continued its raiding operations, sinking several merchant vessels before returning to Germany in April 1941.
The actions of Convoy HX-84 and HMS Jervis Bay underscored the courage and sacrifice of Allied sailors during the Battle of the Atlantic. Their valiant efforts, though ultimately unsuccessful in preventing losses, served as a testament to the resolve of those who fought against overwhelming odds.
Join us as we delve into the untold stories of heroism and resilience amidst the chaos of war, exploring the strategies, tactics, and harrowing moments that shaped the outcome of this historic naval encounter.
Intro 0:00
Background 0:26
Convoy HX-84 3:16
Battle 5:09
Aftermath 10:37
Sources/Further Reading:
www.amazon.com/Big-Guns-Atlan...
www.amazon.com/Convoy-Will-Sc...
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Article Mentioned: www.forposterityssake.ca/Navy/...
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