The Battle of North Cape: The Death Ride of the Scharnhorst, 1943

by Konstam, Angus

• ISBN13: 9781844158560
• ISBN10: 184415856X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-06-25
• Publisher: Pen & Sword

Summary

On 25 December 1943 the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst slipped out Altenfjord in Norway to attack Artic convoy JW55B which was carrying vital war supplies to the Soviet Union. But British naval intelligence knew of the Scharnhorst's mission before she sailed and the vulnerable convoy was protected by a large Royal Naval force including the battleship Duke of York. In effect the Scharnhorst was sailing into a trap. One of the most compelling naval dramas of the Second World War had begun. Angus Konstam's gripping account tells the story of this crucial and under-studied naval battle, and explains why the hopes of the German Kriegsmarine went down with their last great ship.

Table of Contents

Maps and Illustrations	p. vi
Background	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
The Rivals	p. 6
Order of Battle	p. 11
Ship Specifications	p. 14
Campaign Chronicle	p. 22
Monday, 20 December 1943	p. 22
Tuesday, 21 December 1943	p. 28
Wednesday, 22 December 1943	p. 33
Thursday, 23 December 1943	p. 39
Christmas Eve - Friday, 24 December 1943	p. 45
Christmas Day - Saturday 25 December 1943	p. 54
Sunday 26 December 1643	p. 64
The Middle and Morning Watches (00:00-07:59 hours)	p. 64
The Forenoon Watch (08:00-11:59 hours)	p. 73
The Afternoon Watch (12:00-15:59 hours)	p. 92
The Dog Watches (16:00-19:59 hours)	p. 112
Aftermath	p. 149
The Survivors	p. 149
Conclusion	p. 159
Index	p. 162
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