"The Second Naval Battle of Narvik" Topic

"Even though the first battle of Narvik didn't result in a complete victory for the 2nd Destroyer Squadron of the Royal Navy, the victory itself was significant. At that time, the Kriegsmarine had to decide what to do next.

The British faced the challenge of wiping out the remaining German ships. Late on April 10, 1940, vice-admiral William Jock Whitworth received an order from London to attack Narvik immediately with any forces-in-being, comprised of light cruiser HMS Penelope and several accompanying destroyers. It was also reported that the enemy had two light cruisers and at least six destroyers, which is why Whitworth decided to postpone the attack until reinforcements arrived.

The German ships remaining in Narvik had a more complex task to deal with—they had to return to Germany. Late in the afternoon of April 10, Captain Erich Bey, who had replaced the perished Friedrich Bonte, gathered all commanders of the destroyers on his flagship Z9 to discuss their plan of action. During the discussion they decided that they needed to perform a breakthrough with all combat-ready ships. This is what the group commanded, and this is what the naval high command insisted on. Bey gave the sailing order…"
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