Doomed Destroyer by Ron Cope

Author:Ron Cope [Ron Cope]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781912262076
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
Published: 2017-04-21T04:00:00+00:00

Gun Crews to ‘Set Fuses’

Petty Officer Daniel Reardon was the gunner’s mate of ‘A’ turret on the battleship Warspite. Here he describes the build up to the second Battle of Narvik. “It is one of those dark nights when men have to be very careful changing watch, for the deck is frozen and one false move and it’s over the side and nobody knows. So the guns’ crews prefer to remain at their action stations and sneak a few minutes’ sleep there […] The news soon spreads – an Admiral has come on aboard. Next a messenger calls to tell all us gunner’s mates to report to the gunnery officer. His orders are short and sweet – we are going up to Narvik tomorrow and everything must be on a split yarn. Back to our stations, and plenty to do now. Fuses to be set to non-delay (means only light enemy ships believed there), first-aid gear checked, fresh water provided and all the thousand and one other little things that can make or mar good shooting.

“There is very little sleep left in us now; everyone is wondering what tomorrow will bring. At last it is daylight, and the watch is being called to ‘day defence stations’. One young seaman puts his head out of the top of a manhole and soon bobs down again. ‘Looks as though we are in the money – you ought to see the destroyers we have with us.’ So out we troop and have a look. Nine destroyers. Someone must be making a fuss of us.”

The ship’s company, having heard the Captain’s address the night before, arranged a ‘Special Holy Communion’ service for 0800, perhaps not surprising the congregation turnout exceeded all expectations. [The diary of Commander P.D. Hoare, suggests that “on a regular Sunday mass, about twenty would normally turn up.”]

Around this time Havock was patrolling Skjelfjord when she met up with Warspite and her fleet. As a respectful jester, the Vice Admiral allowed Havock to lead the warships into the approaches towards Narvik. The fleet eventually passed Havock on their way, whilst she took up position off Narvik harbour for her task of listening out for submarines with her newly installed ASDIC set. It is to the crew members of Havock’s credit that they continued to withstand the traumatic pace after all they had achieved only three days before. There was little of this brave act acknowledged in future historical records. Hence why I made sure it is documented here.

Petty Officer ‘Gunners’ Mate’ Daniel Reardon continues describing the preparations before going into action. “We have our breakfast and carry on with the usual routine, cleaning and preparing. We are passing some land now, and it looks very snow-covered and forbidding. An early dinner today, before going to action stations [At 1130 consisting of hard boiled eggs and thick corn beef sandwiches]. My own crew are on the fo’c’s’le for a smoke, some wag rolls a snow ball and one of ‘B’ turret’s crew gets it in the neck.

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