The Battle of the North Cape 1943

Music used:
World of Warships OST

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[pakoutac]

The germans just love sending lone battleships on adventures

[marshal_m]

What is it whith german capital ships always losing their escorts.

[mrcaboosevg]

The British really had no chill when it came to naval warfare, they always went in as hard as they possibly could

[scabbycatcat]

This programme gives scant mention of the fact that Duke Of York fired her 14" shells with phenomenal accuracy. Her very first broadside landed a shell squarely on Scharnhorsts focsle and knocked out her two forward turrets. Of 52 broadsides fired 32 of them were straddles . This is just about the best you could get from large calibre naval guns. Added to the fact that weather conditions were appalling and she was firing blind thanks to her radar. This truly was a spectacular victory for DOY.

[nn-dbfw]

Her codename was "bestemor" or "grandma" in English.
When she (Scharnhorst) left Langfjorden, the Partisan's of Alta sent the following message to the Allies: "Grandma has left for christmas vacation".

[HaydenLau.]

After the battle Admiral Fraser was quoted to have said:
"Gentlemen, the battle against Scharnhorst has ended in victory for us. I hope that if any of you are ever called upon to lead a ship into action against an opponent many times superior, you will command your ship as gallantly as Scharnhorst was commanded today"

[nigelbrown]

My Grandad was a anti aircraft gunner on Duke of York. I often think of him, he must have been freezing cold on those Atlantic convoys and in fear of being hit by a torpedo at anytime!?He was a great bloke .
Dennis boulter 1923-1991.

[royalhero]

HMS Belfast is a museum ship docked on the Thames in central London these days I believe. I'm sure I went on it as a kid

[houckola]

I was in London this past July and got to tour the Belfast. I'm a US Navy veteran and it was very cool to explore my first non-American naval vessel. They have a simulation of this battle in one of the turrets. Check it out if you're in London.

[juancarlospinzonmedina]

Hitler: I want the biggest battleships of the world
also Hitler: I dont want the biggest battleship of the world, I want Uboats

[quintiax]

I hope that if any of you were ever called upon to lead a ship into action, against an opponent many times superior than you, you will command your ship as gallantly as Scharnhorst has been commanded today.
-Admiral Fraser

[solbergsindre]

Just a small note of criticism. One of the destroyers that torpedoed Scharnhorst was Norwegian, named Stord (and there were eight destroyers total; four were detached from the convoy to cover the Belfast group, and torpedoed Scharnhorst after the first destroyer group)

The captain of the Norwegian destroyer, Skule Storheill, gave quite a memorable order during this battle, that has become my favourite ever quote. As they were ordered to close in and attack the Scharnhorst with torpedoes, he ordered his gunnery officer, Nils Owren, to:

"Find the largest Norwegian flag on the ship, and hoist it on the mainmast so the fuckers can see who they are dealing with!"

...and thus she went in

[pyroromancer]

Kriegsmarine: we need 9 years for plan Zed.

Hitler: *invades France*

Kriegsmarine:

Hitler: why are you so bad!!

[bcnghhwk]

8:00
"Light 'em up!"
_fires flares_
"Not quite what I meant, sailor! But good job!"

[jamesdreads]

The accuracy of the gunnery crews aboard HMS Duke of York was pretty bloody impressive, two main guns in one salvo in the dark isn't bad.

[JJ-kleq]

Makes sense you’d want to police the sea lanes with a commander named Donitz. Cops and donitz go together.

[Hoferman]

I feel pretty bad for the Germans onboard. They must've been scared shitless during the whole pursuit, knowing they were most likely going to die.

[theGreenChangeling]

You didn't mention that one of the destroyers in the British task force was actually Norwegian, the HNoMS Stord, and after the battle Admiral Frasier sendt this message to the Admiralty: "... Please convey to the C-in-C Norwegian Navy. Stord played a very daring role in the fight and I am very proud of her..." She came as close as 400 yards/360m to the Scharnhorst in order to launch torpedoes.

[debenham]

You do these naval battles incredibly well. Very tense!

[Bob-Horse]

I am proud to say my late uncle was on board HMS Duke of York during this battle. May he and all his crew mates rest in peace. 🙏🏻