Sinking of HMS Glowworm
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Sinking of HMS Glowworm
Gentlemen,
I read somewhere (I think the book was called Battle of the April Storm, a story based around facts) that after the ramming of Hipper by Gloworm which resulted in Gloworm being sunk and Hipper severely damaged, a postumous VC was awarded to Gloworm's Captain after the end of the war in 1945 on the basis of a report submitted by the German Admiral on Hipper that came to the attention of the RN. Is this true and if so is it the first time such an award has been made on evidence supplied by an enemy?
I read somewhere (I think the book was called Battle of the April Storm, a story based around facts) that after the ramming of Hipper by Gloworm which resulted in Gloworm being sunk and Hipper severely damaged, a postumous VC was awarded to Gloworm's Captain after the end of the war in 1945 on the basis of a report submitted by the German Admiral on Hipper that came to the attention of the RN. Is this true and if so is it the first time such an award has been made on evidence supplied by an enemy?
Re: Sinking of HMS Gloworm
THE VICTORIA CROSS
Lieutenant-Commander Roope's VC
The first Victoria Cross earned by the Royal Navy in the Second World War, Lieutenant Roope's Victoria Cross is unique because of the circumstances under which it was obtained.
For the Victoria Cross to be issued the citation must be issued by an officer of regimental level and supported by three witnesses. No British officer of that rank survived. Instead the details of the action and suggest for decoration were received by the British Government through the Red Cross, sent by Captain Helmuth Heye of the Admiral Hipper.
It was the first and so far the only Victoria Cross ever awarded at the recommendation of an enemy officer.
http://www.squidoo.com/hms-glowworm
aurora
Lieutenant-Commander Roope's VC
The first Victoria Cross earned by the Royal Navy in the Second World War, Lieutenant Roope's Victoria Cross is unique because of the circumstances under which it was obtained.
For the Victoria Cross to be issued the citation must be issued by an officer of regimental level and supported by three witnesses. No British officer of that rank survived. Instead the details of the action and suggest for decoration were received by the British Government through the Red Cross, sent by Captain Helmuth Heye of the Admiral Hipper.
It was the first and so far the only Victoria Cross ever awarded at the recommendation of an enemy officer.
http://www.squidoo.com/hms-glowworm
aurora
Quo Fata Vocant-Whither the Fates call
Jim
Jim
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Re: Sinking of HMS Gloworm
Thomas Frank Durrant, VC, awarded on the evidence of the commander of the Torpedo boat Jaguar for his actions following the raid on St. Nazzaire.aurora wrote: It was the first and so far the only Victoria Cross ever awarded at the recommendation of an enemy officer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Frank_Durrant
Re: Sinking of HMS Gloworm
I believe that a VC was awarded posthumously to the pilot of a Catalina flying boat in 1944 on the evidence of the commander and crew of the U-boat that shot it down, there being no survivors from the aircraft.
It can't however recall the number of the U-boat concerned.
It can't however recall the number of the U-boat concerned.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
- Ersatz Yorck
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Re: Sinking of HMS Glowworm
That the Hipper was "severely damaged" might be an exaggeration though.
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Re: Sinking of HMS Glowworm
I would have thought that if a cruiser, even a large one such as Hipper was rammed by a destroyer it must have caused a lot of damage which, owing to the weather conditions prevailing at the time would have been very difficult to fix.Ersatz Yorck wrote:That the Hipper was "severely damaged" might be an exaggeration though.
Re: Sinking of HMS Glowworm
As I understand it, Hipper was holed including below waterline and the damage was substantial.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
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Re: Sinking of HMS Glowworm
More than 100 feet of armour torn off as weel as one set (port?) of torpedo tubes. But Hipper continued with the mission and only took 2 weeks to repair.
Re: Sinking of HMS Glowworm
I have always thought that was one of the most amazing and admirable actions of WW II, and would make a great painting!
Re: Sinking of HMS Glowworm
There was (might still be there) a really impressive painting or drawing of the action at HMS Dryad.Djoser wrote:I have always thought that was one of the most amazing and admirable actions of WW II, and would make a great painting!
This is it, although I seem to remember it being in black & white only
Taken from the HMS Glowworm website
http://gilesnet.co.uk/glowworm/
In the Highest Tradition of the Royal Navy - Captain John Leach MVO DSO