This Day in the War in Europe: The Beginning

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3 April 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
Motor Anti-Submarine Boat MA/SB 7

Despite being on a larger 70 foot hull (as compared to the 60' preceding design for MA/SB 1-6) and with two powered aircraft turrets (each with 4 x 0.303 MGs) , this design too was flawed in concept, and so they were converted to some of the first MGB's, with a new armament.

Known Losses
Trawler GORSPEN (UK 208 grt ): The trawler was bombed and severely damaged in the North Sea 20 miles `SE of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands by a Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe and was abandoned by her crew. The Luftwaffe claimed she was sunk.

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Fishing Vessel LONE EAGLED (US 57 grt): The fishing vessel was sunk off Point Arguello, California in a collision with USS CROSBY ( USN). Her 7 crewmen are rescued.

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Trawler SANSONNET (UK 212 grt): The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 18 nautical miles east by south of Muckle Flugga by a Luftwaffe aircraft. Approximately 7 crew were lost.

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DKM War diary
Selected Extracts
Items of Political Importance

1. Change in the British Cabinet (according to Reuter, to coordinate more closely the work of the different Ministries). Lord Chatfield, the Minister for Coordination and Defense has resigned. Churchill becomes Senior Minister for the three Armed Services. Air Minister Kingsley Wood has been replaced by Sir Samuel Hoare. These slight alterations in the British Cabinet are on the
whole unimportant* The resignation of Lord Chatfield, acknowledged to be a particularly sound man, indicates differences of opinion within the Government.

2. For Chamberlain's speech about the intensification of economic warfare and increased pressure on neutrals, see Foreign Press. Great attention and anxiety among the neutrals. It is assumed that very soon Great Britain will ration severely or stop altogether all imports of raw materials from overseas

to neutrals, unless they pledge themselves to cease trading with Germany. Special mention is made in this connection of the cutting-off of ore and oil imports and the suppression of Russian transit traffic. Shortly before the speech "Havas" reports that Great Britain and France will probably give the neutral countries a final warning before taking draconic steps towards protecting
Norwegian territorial waters. Great Britain would allegedly first exhaust all diplomatic means of pressure before she undertook naval action to cripple Norwegian iron ore shipments to Germany. Appropriate British notes to Norway and Sweden are said to be in course of preparation.

3. Report from the German Embassy in Oslo regarding the Norwegian Government's diplomatic step on 2 April against the Western Powers. Protest against continuance of the threat to Norwegian territorial waters by France and Great Britain. For extract from the interview between Norwegian Foreign Minister, Koht, and Reuter' s representative see War Diary, Part B, V, 129.

4. An agent in Denmark reports being informed by a Danish officer that in case of a German attack resistance will be offered under all circumstances; military measures have been taken for this purpose on the southern frontier. Contrary to their views of some months ago, military circles are now of the opinion that Germany is in a more favorable military position than Great Britain.

5. The German Embassy reports that Roosevelt, by-passing the War Minister, has accomplished deliveries of planes for the Western Powers. In spite of the exasperation of public opinion over Great Britain's blockade measures, Roosevelt is determined to extend the U.S.A. 's war economy efforts on behalf of the Western Powers in such a way that an Interest for Allied victory arises in the U.S.A. for economic reasons.

Conference on the Situation with Chief, Naval Staff

1. Report by Chief, Operations Branch on the state of "Weseruebung" :
a) For readiness of forces see reference file "Weseruebung".

b) The first three steamers of the camouflaged "export" unit and the tanker KATTEGAT for Narvik sailed during the night of 2 April.
Chief, Operations Division again points out the fact that the use of steamers of the "export" and 1st Sea Transport Units represents
an extremely undesirable risk (for the execution of the whole operation), since the enemy and the Norwegians will be given previous warning in case of the slightest incidents. Naval Staff's great objections to the use of these steamers, which will make their appearance several days before "Weserday", have already been pointed out several times to Armed Forces High Command, Group 21. In spite of this, Armed Forces High Command, Group 21 Insists on its demand for these steamers.

c) Boehm's Staff (Commanding Admiral, Norway) has set out its proposals for subsequent defense of the coastal route, (see "Weseruebung" file). Chief, Naval Staff agrees in principle to the requests made for provision of defense forces (4 patrol
boat flotillas, 2 PT boat flotillas, 2 torpedo boat flotillas, 8 small submarines). The date when they will be provided however, cannot be promised,

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Put out to take up position: U 7, 10, 19, 25, 30, 34, 47, 49. Otherwise no events.

Departures
Kiel: U-48
Wilhelmshaven: U-7, U-10, U-19, U-25, U-30, U-34, U-47, U-49

At Sea 3 April 1940
U-7, U-10, U-13, U-19, U-25, U-30, U-34, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-49, U-51, U-52, U-58, U-59.
18 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
DDs JAVELIN, JUNO and ECLIPSE departed convoy HN.23B after dark to proceed directly to Rosyth for duty escorting ON.25. DD DIANA departed Rosyth to take part in a Bomber Cmd Interception exercise. After the exercise, DD DIANA proceeded to the Humber to repair ASDIC direction gear, arriving .early on the 5th. FN.136 departed Southend, escort DD VIMIERA and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 5th. MT.43 departed Methil, escort DD VIVIEN, sloop PELICAN, and ASW trawlers of ASW Gp 23. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day. FS.137 departed the Tyne, escort DD VIVIEN and sloop PELICAN. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 5th.

NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN

FIRST GERMAN SHIPPING MOVEMENTS

DKM supply ships for the Norwegian invasion began to leave Hamburg. At 0200/3rd, steamers RAUENFELS (Ger 8460 grt), ALSTER (Ger 8514 grt) and BARENFELS (Ger 7569 grt) departed for Narvik. At 2100/4th, steamer SAO PAULO (Ger 4977 grt) departed for Trondheim. At 0200/5th, steamers LEVANTE (Ger 4769 grt) and MAIN (Ger 7624 grt) departed for Trondheim. At 0200/7th, steamer RODA (Ger 6780 grt) departed for Stavanger.

DKM tkr KATTEGAT (Ger 6031 grt) departed Wilhelmshaven for Narvik to refuel the invasion Group I. DKM tkr SKAGERRAK (Ger 6044 grt) departed Wilhelmshaven on the 4th for Trondheim to refuel German invasion Group II. In addition, DKM tkr JAN WELLEM (Ger 11,776 grt) departed Murmansk during the evening of 6 April for Narvik.

Northern Waters
CAs DEVONSHIRE and BERWICK and DDs ZULU and KELVIN arrived at Rosyth in preparation for Norway operations. DDs ESK, ICARUS, IMPULSIVE and IVANHOE arrived at Scapa with ML TEVIOTBANK. The DDs refuelled, departed Scapa, and arrived at Sullom Voe in the evening of the 3rd.

Channel
DDs FORTUNE and FORESTER en route from Plymouth to the Clyde conducted an ASW Sweep after a DC attack by DDs WAKEFUL and VENETIA brought up oil. DDs FORTUNE and FORESTER arrived in the Clyde.

UK - France
DD BEAGLE brought the British CIGS back from Boulogne, arriving at Dover.

Central Atlantic
CA DORSETSHIRE was at Simonstown with defects. On 18 April, she was able to proceed to Devonport for refitting completed on 7 June

Med- Biscay
OA.120G and OB.120G combined and were re-designated OG.24 with 54 ships. On the 3rd, DD WAKEFUL detached to escort convoy HG.24, and DD MONTROSE detached on the 4th. Fr DD LYNX and auxiliary PV MINERVA escorted the convoy from the 3rd to 8th. The convoy was joined near Gibraltar by DD VELOX from the 6th to 8th, when the convoy arrived at Gibraltar.

 

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4 April 1940
DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Great Britain's strikingly worded statements and assurances that no military action in Scandinavian territorial waters and no landing of troops in Norway are planned, strengthen Naval Staff's conviction that in reality just such a British action against Scandinavia is directly imminent. The previous handing of notes to Norway , and perhaps also to Sweden, can be expected. "Weseruebung Nord" is beginning to develop into a "race" between Great Britain and Germany for Scandinavia.

The following order is issued in addition to those previously given to the supercargoes of transports which have not yet sailed:

"Neither enemy nor neutral may gain an insight into the camouflaged cargo.

If the Norwegians should take a special interest in the steamer and insist on examining the holds, the Captain of the ship is first to protest strongly and demand that the German representative (the nearest consulate ( German citizen ) and the Embassy in Oslo) be acquainted. Also communicate with them independently. Presume upon the fact that papers are in order.

Do everything possible to gain time . If, however, the deck cargo should have to be unloaded, any offer of help is to be declined and not until the last minute, when investigation of the holds is directly imminent, is the German representative to inform the Norwegians that the cargo is bound for Russia within German agreed deliveries. Since Leningrad is ice-bound at present the cargo must, however, go to Murmansk. It was camouflaged so as not to violate Norwegian neutrality. Clearance to Norwegian ports was
effected since the development of British attacks in Norwegian waters might have had to be awaited here."

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary
Put out to take up position: U 9, 14, 48, 56, 57, 60, 62.

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-52

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-1, U-2, U-4, U-5, U-6, U-9, U-14, U-56, U-57, U-60, U-62

At Sea 4 April 1940
U-1, U-2, U-4, U-5, U-6, U-7, U-9, U-10, U-13, U-14, U-19, U-25, U-30, U-34, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-49 , U-51, U-56, U-57, U-58, U-59, U-60, U-62.
28 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
Sub NARWHAL, which departed Rosyth on the 2nd,laid mines at 0413 in the Heligoland Bight area. This minefield, designated FD.1, had no confirmed victims, but may have been responsible for U.1's loss. German trawler DEUTSCHLAND (432grt) was damaged on this field on the 13th. HN.24 with 40 cargo ships from 7 nations (principally Scandinavian) departed Bergen escort DDs SOMALI, MATABELE, MASHONA and TARTAR. CLs PENELOPE, SHEFFIELD and CLA CAIRO provided close support. DDs CODRINGTON and JANUS departed Scapa on the 5th and were ordered to search for a German submarine reported in 59‑00N, 0‑52W. At daylight on the 6th, CODRINGTON joined DD KIMBERLEY, which had departed Scapa on the 5th with ASW trawlers MAN O' WAR and LADY ELSA to escort six ships of the west coast portion of the convoy. HN.24 arrived safely at Methil on the 7th. KIMBERLEY and CODRINGTON reached Scapa esarly on the 7th after the convoy dispersed off Cape Wrath. FN.137 departed Southend, escort DD WOLSEY and sloop AUCKLAND. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 6th. FS.138 departed the Tyne, escort sloop FLEETWOOD and HASTINGS. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 6th. MT.44 departed Methil, escort DD WESTMINSTER and ASW Gp 19. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day. Blockship REDSTONE (3110grt) departed Rosyth at 1030 under the tow of tug IRISHMAN for Scapa Flow escorted by DDs BRAZEN and ELECTRA. The ship was joined in heavy weather on the 6th by tug BRIGAND from Kirkwall. REDSTONE arrived at Scapa at 1900/6th and was sunk as a blockship at Scapa Flow on 2 May.

NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN
Fr DD BISON departed Oran providing escort for AMCs EL D'JEZAIR, EL MANSOUR, EL KANTARA and VILLE D'ORAN to Brest, arriving on the 8th for Norwegian operations.

BRITISH TRANSPORTS FOR ALLIED LANDINGS
Adml Sir Edward Evans (British commander of the Narvik operation) hoisted his flag on CL AURORA which arrived in the Clyde on the 4th. AURORA and another CL cruiser at Scapa were to escort a large transport to Narvik. Another large transport with troops and supplies for Trondheim was also in the Clyde.

ALLIED SUBMARINE MOVEMENTS IN ANTICIPATION OF NORWEGIAN OPERATIONS
Composition of the Submarine Flotillas in Home waters just prior to the start of the Norwegian campaign. Vice Admiral Submarines - Vice Admiral Sir Max K Horton.
SubFlot 2
Depot ship FORTH
Subs THISTLE, TRIAD, TRIBUNE, TRIDENT, TRITON, TRUANT, TRIUMPH, SEAL, PORPOISE, ORP ORZEL and WILK refitting

SubFlot 3
Depot ship CYCLOPS
Subs SALMON refitting, SEALION, SEAWOLF, SHARK, SNAPPER, STERLET, SUNFISH

SubFlot 6
Depot ship TITANIA
Subs STURGEON, UNITY, URSULA, SPEARFISH, SWORDFISH, CLYDE, SEVERN, NARWHAL

Fr SubFlot 10
Depot ship JULES VERNE
Subms SYBILLE, AMAZONE, ANTIOPE

19 allied submarines ordered to patrol in the Kattegat, Skagerrak and sthn North Sea in anticipation of German military reaction to the British Norwegian operations. On 8 April the submarines were located as follows. French AMAZONE and ANTIOPE, which departed Harwich on the 4th, were on patrol off the Frisian Islands and Heligoland, respectively. SHARK and SEAWOLF, which departed Harwich on the 7th, were en route to patrol in the southwest North Sea, off Terschelling west of Jutland. UNITY, which departed Blyth on the 2nd, was in the Heligoland Bight off Horn's Reef. In the Kattegat or en route. TRITON, which departed Rosyth on 29 March, was north of Laeso. SUNFISH, which departed Harwich on the 2nd, was in the Kattegat north of Anholt. SEALION, which departed Harwich on the 1st, was in the Kattegat. SNAPPER, which departed Harwich on the 4th, was north of the German declared area in the Skagerrak. On patrol in the Skagerrak or en route. URSULA, which departed Blyth on the 8th, was west of the German declared mine area in the Skagerrak.

CLYDE, which departed Scapa Flow on the 7th, was en route to Egersund; she was being hindered by German aircraft and did not arrive until 0300/9th. SEVERN, which departed Portsmouth with new submarine TARPON on the 5th and joined convoy FN.39 for the passage to Rosyth. SEVERN was in the area of Hartlepool on passage to vicinity of 57-00N, 6-00E. TRUANT, which departed Rosyth on the 6th to relieve submarine TRIDENT, was off Egersund. TRIAD, which departed Rosyth on the 8th to relieve submarine TRITON, was on passage east of the Skaw. THISTLE, which departed Scapa Flow on the 7th, was west of the Skagerrak. SPEARFISH, which departed Blyth on the 5th to relieve SWORDFISH, was north of the German declared area in the Skagerrak off the northwest coast of Denmark. STERLET, which departed Harwich on the 8th, was on passage to the Skagerrak. TRIDENT, which departed Rosyth on 25 March, was in Bohus Bay off Larvik. Polish ORZEL, which departed Rosyth on the 3rd, was off Kristiansand. SEAL departed Rosyth on the 6th to patrol off the Norwegian coast between Egersund and Lindesnes. She was north of the German declared mine area in 56-00N, 5-20E on the 8th. After the loss of THISTLE on the 10th, she entered Stavangersfjord.

NARWHAL returned to Blyth from minelaying mission FD.1 on the 6th, briefly docked to correct leaks, proceeded to Immingham to embark mines for another minelay and set off on the 10th. PORPOISE arrived back from convoy duty at Rosyth on the 4th and after refuelling and repairs left on patrol on the 13th. SWORDFISH arrived back at Blyth on the 8th from patrol and again departed after refuelling and repairs on the 16th. French SYBILLE arrived at Harwich on the 5th after a six-day patrol in the North Sea. She departed on the 9th to patrol off Horn Reef. TARPON (Lt Cdr H J Caldwell) departed Portsmouth on the 5th in company of SEVERN for working up at Rosyth, but was ordered to patrol in the Heligoland Bight. TARPON was west of the Skagerrak on the 8th. TAKU (Lt Cdr V J Van Der Byl) departed Portsmouth on the 2nd for the Clyde escorted by destroyer MALCOLM. At 0730 next morning off Start Point, MALCOLM was relieved by destroyer FOXHOUND. TAKU and FOXHOUND arrived in the Clyde at 0600/5th. TAKU departed Greenock for patrol on the 11th to relieve submarine CLYDE off Egersund, but was diverted en route to Molde. TETRARCH (Lt Cdr R.G Mills) departed Portsmouth escorted by sloop FOXGLOVE on the 13th for working up at Rosyth, but en route was diverted off Flamborough Head on the 14th to patrol off Lister.

Northern Waters
BB WARSPITE in company with DDs GRIFFIN, MOHAWK, HERO and JUPITER cleared Scapa at 0130 for the Clyde. JUPITER was relieved later on the 4th by DD DELIGHT . DD ASHANTI slipped her moorings at the Clyde at 0400/4th to relieve HERO which returned to Scapa arriving at dawn on the 5th. The force arrived at the Clyde without incident on the 5th. Upon arrival, GRIFFIN and MOHAWK returned to Scapa. WARSPITE departed the Clyde on the 7th escort DDs HESPERUS, HAVANT, MACKAY. She was due to arrive at Gib on the 12th to return to the Med Flt, but was soon recalled due to events in Norway.

Fishing trawler FRIESLAND (Ger 247 grt) was captured by DD HOSTILE NW of Tromso, Friesland. She was taken to Kirkwall arriving on the 10th.

Western Approaches
DD SALADIN sustained damage to her hull plating while going alongside another ship in the Western Approaches Command. DD SALADIN sustained damage to her hull plating while going alongside another ship in the Western Approaches Cmd.

Nth Atlantic
U.37 refuelled from DKM Raider ATLANTIS. The next day, U.37, was unable to keep station with ATLANTIS in heavy seas, and was detached from the escort of ATLANTIS in the Denmark Strait.

 

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5 April 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
RN Flower Class Corvette ARABIS , Fr Elan Class MSW Commandant Dominé (est comm date)

Known Losses
Fishing trawler BLANKENBURG (Ger 344 grt) was captured by DD FEARLESS northeast of North Cape. She was escorted by DD FEARLESS as far as North Cape, then departed under prize crew for Kirkwall arriving on the 11th. Trawler BLANKENBURG was renamed RECOIL for use by the Royal Navy as an anti-submarine trawler.

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DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Conference on the Situation with Chief, Naval Staff
Special Items ;
1. Letter from OKW;
a) The Fuehrer has ordered that the cruiser LUETZOW is to be drown in to transport about one battalion to Trondheim, independent of her further assignment.

b) The Navy is responsible for the protection of the landing parties carried on warships, even after their disembarkation, against Norwegian and Danish forces. It may be necessary for this purpose to leave single naval vessels, not scheduled to
remain permanently, in Norwegian ports until the Army troops landed can no longer be impeded in the fulfillment of their assignment by Norwegian naval forces.

2. Fuehrer's directive about operational cooperation with Italy;
Discussions with Italy on strategic and operational subjects are to be resumed. Conducted by OKW. The High Commands of the
Services are not to commence discussions until the result of OKW's is available.

3. Report by Chief, Naval Intelligence Division on an Armed Forces High Command political and military memorandum on the situation in southeastern Europe.

4. The Naval Attache in Moscow reports that the Russians are raising difficulties with regard to departure of the JAN WELLEM and do not desire the supply ship to return to the base again.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Put out to take up position: U 1, 2, 4, 5, 6.

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-38

Departures
Kiel: U-17, U-50

At Sea 5 April 1940
U-1, U-2, U-4, U-5, U-6, U-7, U-9, U-10, U-13, U-14, U-19, U-25, U-30, U-34, U-37, U-43, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-49, U-50, U-51, U-56, U-57, U-58, U-59, U-60, U-62.
28 boats at sea.


OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.138 departed Southend, escort DD WALLACE and sloop FLAMINGO. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 7th. MT.45 departed Methil, escort DD VALOROUS, sloop LOWESTOFT, and ASW trawlers of ASW Gp 1 . The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 6th. U.2, U.5 and U.6 departed Wilhelmshaven for patrols off southern Norway. U.4 had departed Wilhelmshaven on the 4th and U.1 departed Wilhelmshaven on the 6th. U.3 departed Wilhelmshaven on the 13th when U.2 left patrol with defects for Wilhelmshaven.

MSWs GOSSAMER, SALAMANDER and NIGER spent the night of 4/5 April in the Downs. On the 5th, MSW NIGER proceeded directly to the Humber. The other two MSWs stopped at Harwich for work in connection with a ML op off Dover. Following the operation, MSWs GOSSAMER and SALAMANDER proceeded to the Humber. MSW LEDA was to proceed to the Humber after boiler cleaning.

NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN

PLANNED BRITISH MINELAYING OPERATIONS
The original British plan was to lay mines in Norwegian waters on the 5th and the first contingent of British troops for Narvik were to sail from the Clyde on the 8th. However, several factors caused the schedule to be put back three days.

ML TEVIOTBANK with DDs INGLEFIELD, ILEX, IMOGEN, ISIS departed Scapa to lay mines off Stadlandet between Aalesund and Bergen. This was the first of three minefields planned under operation WILFRED. Screening forces for these operations were BC RENOWN with DDs GREYHOUND, GLOWWORM, HYPERION and HERO sailing from Scapa at 1830 with the TEVIOTBANK force. CL BIRMINGHAM, which had departed Scapa 31 March to search for German fishing vessels, was to have escorted the ML force, but on the 5th reports were received that all four Norwegian coastal defense ships were at Narvik. At the last moment, the Admiralty decided to send RENOWN and have BIRMINGHAM rendezvous with her off the Norwegian coast. However, BIRMINGHAM was unable to make the rendezvous due to bad weather.

DKM SUPPLY SHIPS MOVEMENTS
DKM supply ship ALSTER (8514grt) and tanker KATTEGAT (6031grt), escorted by Norwegian TB STEGG, arrived at Kopervik at the pilot station. The station could not provide sufficient pilots and the German ships' progress north was delayed. The German ships spent the night at Kopervik and left the next morning towards Narvik. German steamers MAIN (7624grt) and BARENFELS (7569grt) experienced similar delays and spent the night of 6/7 April at Kopervik. German steamer SAO PAULO (4977grt) was forced to spend the night of 7/8 April at Kristiansand.

UK-NORWAY CONVOY ON.25
ON.25 with 43 ships for Norway and two ships for Aberdeen, departed Methil at 1200 escort DDs JAVELIN, JUNO, ECLIPSE, GRENADE and submarine THISTLE. CLs MANCHESTER, SOUTHAMPTON and CLA CALCUTTA provided close support.

Off Aberdeen, sub THISTLE was detached from the convoy with ASW trawler COVENTRY CITY (546grt) and British steamer MAGRIX (454grt) for Scapa. On the 6th, the convoy was joined at sea by DDs JANUS, which departed Scapa at midday of the 5th and JUPITER, which had departed Scapa next morning, escorting the ten ships of the Kirkwall section of the convoy. Upon joining the convoy, DD JANUS remained with the local escort and DD JUPITER was ordered to search for British drifter SEABREEZE.

On the 8th, the Admiralty recalled ON.25 due to German naval activity in the North Sea. Steamers DALVEEN, CALEDONIA, DELAWARE, ROY, DIANA, EINVIK, INGER, VESTLAND, HJALMAR WESSEL, ORANGEMOOR, FREY, CREE, BULLAREN, WAPPU, STAR and RINGULV arrived on the 9th at Kirkwall, NORDOST on the 10th at Kirkwall, SOLHAVN at Kirkwall and BERTHA at Methil on the 11th, TOPDALSFJORD at Kirkwall and NORTH DEVON at Methil on the 12th, HELDER at Kirkwall and NYANZA at the Tyne on the 13th, and IMPERIAL VALLEY at Methil on the 16th.

On the 10th, escort vessels VIVIEN, WOOLSTON and WOLSEY, which departed Rosyth on the 9th, escorted ON.25 from Kirkwall being joined en route by Sloop BITTERN. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 11th. Sloop BITTERN was detached en route to round up Danish fishing vessels in Moray Firth on the 10th. Steamers MAGDALENA, LOTTE, METTE, BEGONIA, EROS, SJOFNA, IBIS, VARD, ASCANIA, HAGA, SOPHIE, SWAINBY, SARPFOSS, C. F. LILJEVALCH and STANJA of ON.25 were lost or captured when the convoy was recalled on the 8th and twenty-four ships lost touch continuing towards Bergen. Steamers VELI RAGNAR safely arrived in the Kirkenes and FORSVIK at Gothenburg.

Northern Waters
DDs CODRINGTON and JANUS departed Scapa at midday to search for a reported German submarine bombed by aircraft (presumably RAF Coastal Command) at 1020. The DDs made six attacks on a submarine contact in 59-11N, 1-03W. Submarine UNITY at 0848 fired three torpedoes at U.2 in 56-02N, 6-35E. All the torpedoes missed.

Channel
MSW Flot 6 was formed with MSWs HALCYON, SPEEDWELL, SKIPJACK, HARRIER and HUSSAR at Dover.

Nth Atlantic
DDs WALPOLE, WITHERINGTON and HESPERUS which were en route to meet convoy HX.30 and destroyer HAVANT, escorting OA.122 were ordered to hunt a German submarine reported in Dingle Bay.

Med- Biscay
HG.25 with 37 ships departed Gib escort DD WATCHMAN from the 5th to 7th. The ocean escort was sloops FOWEY and BIDEFORD which escorted the convoy from the 5 to 15th. DDs VERITY, VIVACIOUS and BROKE joined the convoy in Home Waters on the 12th and escorted the convoy until the 15th, when it arrived at Liverpool.

 

[parsifal]

6 April 1940
Reinforcements
Allied
Flower Class Corvette GLADIOLUS, Fr CH-5 Class SC CH-10

Losses
Trawler LEONORA (UK 217 grt): Crew 9 (all lost) The trawler sank in the North Sea 60 miles east of Scarborough.

Some sources state this ship was lost 16 April 1940. A few have it listed as lost 16 April 1941. Llloyds records it as missing from 6 April 1940

MV NAVARRA (Nor 2118 grt): Crew; 26 (12 dead and 14 survivors): cargo: Fully laden with Coal Route: Swansea - Kirkwall - Oslo : Sunk west of Kirwall: Convoy HN 10B: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Orkney Islands, by U-59. Survivors were rescued by MV ATLAS (Fn).

Type IIA U-1 (DKM 381 grt): Uboat net records her loss as 6 April sunk on a British laid minefield in the Nth Sea, nth of Ne Coast near the Dogger Bank

Type VIIB U-50 ( DKM 780 ngrt): Uboat net records her loss as of this day, but date is uncertain. She was lost in the same locale as U-1.

Pictured is U-48, of the same class and appearance as U-50

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

(Raider) Ship "36" sails according to plan as the second auxiliary cruiser. The supply ship NORDMARK leaves for the Atlantic and proceeds via Route II.

"Weseruebung" :
6 April, "Weserday" minus 5 :
Naval ops commence as planned. Groups I and II (Narvik and Trondheim) sail at 0300 on 6 April under the command of
Commanding Admiral, Fleet. The CS LUETZOW dropped out of the Trondheim Group at the last moment. In the afternoon the report is received from the LUETZOW about breakdowns caused by cracks in the auxiliary engine casings. Complete repairs will take several days. Provisional repair is being carried out. Sailing for operations in the Atlantic is out of the question until full repairs are completed. The ship must therefore be restored as quickly as possible, since Naval Staff attaches the greatest importance to operations in the Atlantic in order to effect a strong diversion as soon as possible after " Weseruebung". It is agreed with the 21st Army Group that the LUETZOW is not to operate to Trondhelm because of her breakdown, but is assigned to the Oslo Group. The LUETZOW is ordered to proceed through the Kiel Canal and join the Oslo Group.

Composition of the units sailing today :
Commanding Admiral, Fleet: Vice Admiral Luetjens
BCs GNEISENAU SCHARNHORST

Group I : (Narvik) Commander: Commodore Bonte
DDs: WILHELM HEIDKAMP DIETER VON ROEDER

GEORGE THIELE WOLFGANG ZENKER, HANS LUEDEMANN ERICH GIESE, ANTON SCHMIDT ERICH KOELLNER, HERMAN KUENNE BERND VON ARNIM. Embarked 2,000 men of the 3rd Geb XX. (1 regt).

Group II : (Trondheim) Commander: The Commander of the HIPPER, Captain Heye.
CA: HIPPER, DD FRIEDRICH ECKOLDT BRUNO HEINEMANN THEODOR RIEDEL PAUL JACOBI
Embarked HIPPER : 900 men; On the DDs: 800 men of the 3rd Geb XX (1 regt).

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Put out to take up position: U 50 also U 64 escorting the auxiliary cruiser "Ship 36". After executing her assignment (escorting the auxiliary cruiser until breakthrough into the Atlantic) this boat is at the disposal of B.d.U. At the moment therefore 2 U-boats are detailed for escort duties with outward bound auxiliary cruisers (U 37, U 64). Their participation in the Weser operation is, it is true, intended, but does not appear certain. It is not possible to foresee the course of the duties assigned to them so exactly that almost with any reserves of time, they may be further deployed. Enemy action or adverse weather conditions could easily upset calculations and cause delay and surprise. In view of the tireless concentration demanded by the coming task I have done everything to avoid splitting up. I consider the value of U-boat protection for surface craft negligible. I see 2 possibilities in the execution:

U 38 and U 43 have put in. While U 43 observed no traffic in her operations area west and north of England and was unable to sink anything, U 38 had more luck. It sank: 5 steamers one in a convoy, of altogether 17 to 19,794 tons. Both boats report strong and hindering U-boat patrol by fishing boats in the Shetland and Orkney area. None of the three boats recently berthed are in a fit state to put out again in the next few days.

U 51 (Trondheim area patrol) has received orders to return to its original position in West Fjord, while the boats U 30 and 34, which have in the meantime arrived, are to take over the patrol of Trondheim. U-boats at sea have received instructions to open the operational orders for the occupation of Norway. The general political situation is coming to a head. English operations against Norway again appear imminent.

As owing to the early intelligence of the Weser day the boats have already taken up position two days before zero hour in the harbor area, one boat (U 30) is to take over the patrol of the entrance. U 37 reported leaving escort duties with ship 16. The boat's position is so far west, that prompt occupation of the intended position near Narvik is no longer possible. (Note: I regret this very much as I considered the presence of tried and older commanders at this spot, where the greatest number of U-boats was deployed especially desirable.). U 52 has put out.

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-17, U-43

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-64

At Sea 6 April 1940
U-2, U-4, U-5, U-6, U-7, U-9, U-10, U-13, U-14, U-19, U-25, U-30, U-34, U-37, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-49, U-51, U-56, U-57, U-58, U-59, U-60, U-62, U-64.
26 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Baltic
Western Baltic
DKM Raider ORION departed Kiel for operations in the Sth Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. She was escorted in the Skagerrak by TBs SEEADLER and LUCHS, and through the North Sea by U.64 which was then detached for Narvik operations.

North Sea
OA.124 departed Southend escort (at various times DDs WILD SWAN, VESPER CAMPBELL. The convoy was dispersed on the 9th and DD CAMPBELL joined inbound convoy HX.31. FN.139 departed Southend, escort DD VIVIEN and sloop PELICAN, and arrived in the Tyne on the 8th. FS.139 departed the Tyne, escort DD VALOROUS and sloop LOWESTOFT, and arrived at Southend on the 8th.
TM.39 departed the Tyne, escort DD WALLACE, sloop FLAMINGO, and ASW trawlers of ASWGp 19. The convoy joined FN.138 on the 7th.

NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN
BRITISH MINELAYING OPERATIONS
ML DDs ESK, IMPULSIVE, ICARUS and IVANHOE of DesFlot 20 escorted by DDs HARDY, HUNTER, HOTSPUR and HAVOCK of DesFlot 2 departed Sullom Voe as Force WV to lay mines in Vestfjord off Hovden. At sea, Force WV rendezvoused with BC RENOWN and her escorts which had departed Scapa the day previous. DD GLOWWORM was detached from the RENOWN screen to recover a crewman lost overboard in heavy weather. GLOWWORM lost sight of RENOWN even as she turned, but the crewman was rescued. DDs HYPERION and HERO, also of the RENOWN force, were detached to refuel at Lerwick prior to operating as Force WB, a simulated minelay off Bud. They arrived at Sullom Voe at 1545/6th and departed at 0615/7th. If they encountered GLOWWORM, the destroyers were ordered to tell her to meet RENOWN off Vestfjord.

Fr CL EMILE BERTIN and Contre Torpilleur DDs MAILLE BREZE and TARTU both from Fr DesDiv 5 departed Brest for Scapa Flow.

GERMAN SHIPPING MOVEMENTS
German gunnery ship BRUMMER and TBs FALKE and JAGUAR departed Cuxhaven at 0700/6th with steamers MENDOZA (5193grt), TIJUCA (5918grt) and TUBINGEN (5453grt) for Stavanger. German tkr DOLLART (233grt) departed Brunsbuttel on the 9th for Stavanger.

Northern Waters
DD JANUS sighted Drifter SEABREEZE in difficulty and communicated to her as to her state. The sea state was listed as "poor". . When it was ascertained that the drifter was making for a lee in the Shetland Islands, JANUS continued on her way. DD JUPITER was later ordered to search for the drifter when she made an SOS, but at 2200, JUPITER returned to Scapa when SEABREEZE was reported in the company of a trawler.

West Coast UK
OB.124 departed Liverpool escort DD WARWICK and sloop FOLKESTONE from the 6th to 9th, when they were detached to HX.31. OB.124 dispersed on the 10th.

UK - France
SA.36 with one steamer departed Southampton, escort DD ACHERON, and arrived at Brest on the 8th.

Nth Atlantic
HX.33 departed Halifax escort RCN DD OTTAWA, RESTIGOUCHE and SKEENA with RESTIGOUCHE returning to harbour after dark. At noon on the following day, the DDs turned the convoy over to the ocean escort, AMC ASCANIA and Fr sub BEVEZIERS, which detached on the 15th. DD WHITEHALL and sloop ROCHESTER escorted the convoy in home waters from the 18th to 20th, when it arrived at Liverpool.

Med- Biscay
OB.123GF departed Liverpool escort DD VIMY and sloop ROCHESTER, while OA.123GF departed Southend escort sloops WELLINGTON and ABERDEEN. The two convoys merged as OG.25F with 57 ships. ROCHESTER escorted OG.25F from the 6th to 7th when she detached to convoy HG.25F. VIMY, WELLINGTON and ABERDEEN escorted the convoy from the 6th to 12th, and it was joined near Gib by DD WISHART which joined the escort from the 9th to 12th, when it arrived at Gib. WELLINGTON and ABERDEEN were temporarily attached to DesFlot 13 to replace DDs DOUGLAS and WRESTLER which were proceeding with convoy HG.26 to give their crews leave in the UK.

 

[parsifal]

7 April 1940 Part I
Known Losses
DD FEARLESS captured Aux PV VP.411 (Fmr trawler NORDLAND; DKM 392 grt) in the North Sea, proceeded with her to Sullom Voe, arriving on the 10th, and went on to Kirkwall the next day arriving on the 11th

[NO IMAGE FOUND}


steamer MARE (Est 1217 grt) was seized by German forces, and renamed BUG for German use. The Estonian crew was returned to Estonia via Stockholm.

[NO IMAGE FOUND}


DKM War diary
1. Norway :

Reuter states that the notes to Norway and Sweden contain no Intimidating clauses, but that Great Britain reserves the right to take action against German attempts to use Scandinavian waters as a protected route in order to avoid the blockade*

The German Military Attache' wires from Finland that Swedish and Finnish circles are greatly perturbed about the ships concentrated in Pomeranian ports. It is concluded that Germany has hostile intentions against Sweden.

Telephone tapping intercepts telephone conversations between the Danish Naval Attache and the Danish and Norwegian
Ambassadors, in which he requests an immediate audience since he has communications to make of the highest political
importance and bearing. The Danish Naval Attache has possibly gained some knowledge of the coming "Weseruebung" operation.

"Weseruebung" and movements to date.

Great Britain :
Disposition of forces: The WARSPITE is suspected to be proceeding to Portsmouth (?) because of damage, the NELSON
and BARHAM to be still in southern England. The RENOWN, REPULSE, VALIANT and RODNEY can be assumed to be
in Scottish waters.

Radio monitoring also intercepts convoy movements. Convoy"HS 25", comprising 23 steamers, is proceeding north from Gibraltar, 150 miles from the coast.

At 0948 (German Summer Time) enemy air reconnaissance reported 1 cruiser, 6 destroyers, 8 planes on bearing 90° 3 miles from 55° 30'N, 6° 37'E, course 350° (cruiser HIPPER). On the basis of this report the cruisers GALATEA and ARETHUSA with
destroyers were sent out in an unknown direction. Further afternoon reconnaissance resulted in priority radiograms
from 1630 from the Admiralty to Commander in Chief, Home Fleet and other Commanders (1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, 1st and 2nd Cruiser Squadrons) as well as to the submarines at sea. It can be seen from the Admiralty's radiograms that at least
1 battleship of the SCHARNHORST type, d cruisers - one possibly a pocket battleship - and 10 destroyers are assumed.

The enemy has thus identified the operation directed north- ward and has ordered corresponding operational measures. It may be assumed that the Admiralty has not yet drawn conclusions about a large-scale German action within "Weseruebung" from the air reconnaissance information, but rather expects a break-through to the Atlantic by a pocket battleship. In any case, as Naval Staff expected, the German movement has warned the enemy.

The cruisers SHEFFIELD, PENELOPE and CAIRO put in to Scapa on 6 April. Enemy submarines are detected in the eastern Skagerrak and Kattegat, also near Utsire. Further submarine positions cannot yet be ascertained.

Own Situation:
The movements of the battleships and Narvik and Trondheim Groups continue as planned. Deterioration in weather and visibility in the area of advance. The destroyers can still just advance in the prevailing weather. The south to southwest winds are still blowing strength 7-8 in the northern North Sea. Action will be severely restricted in this weather. Rainfall and bad
visibility will greatly hinder enemy air reconnaissance according to the weather forecast; southwest winds, strength 6-8 can oe expected in the southern part of northern waters, decreasing to strength 4 to the north, so that conditions during the northern part of the advance will be more favorable.

In connection with the battleship movements 24 Wellington bombers had an engagement with heavy German fighters at
1500 northeast of our declared area. Two British bombers were shot down in aerial combat in between two cloud covers
at 2,000 m altitude.

At noon a plane of Commander, Naval Air attacked an enemy submarine of the GRAMPUS class with two 250 kg. bombs,
apparently successfully, 30 miles north of the northeastern corner of the declared area. Air reconnaissance off the Norwegian coast detected nothing special. The movements of the "Weseruebung" "export" units seem to have proceeded according to plan so far. According to Naval Staff's calculations the Narvik "export" Unit must already be in the area off Trondheim, the Trondheim Unit a little to the north of Bergen. Since the ships- appear to have passed the Haugesund "cliff" without Incident, it may be assumed that the Norwegians are so far unsuspecting. Today the sea transport units are in the following areas:

Bergen Unit: (3 steamers); Stavanger Unit: (3 steamers); Krlstlansand Unit: (4 steamers); Oslo Unit: (5 steamers)

The tanker JAN WELLEM, which is particularly important for Narvik 1 s supplies, left Base North on 6 April. She is expected to arrive promptly in Narvik. The 17th Submarine Chaser Flotilla left for an operation in the area east of Skagen. The Oslo Group, which embarked forces on the evening of 6 April, sailed as planned from Swinemuende on the evening of 7 April.
Composition :
Commander: Rear Admiral Kummetz
Cruisers : BLUECHER, LUETZOW, EMDEN
Torpedo boats : (KOHDOR, MOEWE, FALKE)
2,000 men embarked, parts of the 163rd Division.

During the night of 7 April there also put to sea as planned (at present in waiting positions):
a) Schleswlg Holstein Group, with Training Flotilla of Commanding Admiral, Defenses, Baltic (with 1,840 men for the
operation against Korsoer).
b) Rugard Group with submarine chasers (with 400 men for the operation against the bridge over the Belt at Middelfahrt).
c) HAKSESTABT DANZIG (with 1 reinforced battalion for Copenhagen).

Air reconnaissance was flown over the Kattegat as far as the line Ska gen-Paternoster. No enemy forces or submarines were sighted. The steamer KURITYBA, belonging to the 1st Sea Transport Unit (Bergen Group) ran aground four miles north of
Helsingborg and requires help from tugs. The 17th Submarine Chaser Flotilla and the tugs PREUSSEN and WOTAN
have been sent out to help her. The fact that the steamer ran aground at the border of Swedish territorial waters gives rise to the danger of the enemy being warned in advance if the camouflage of the vessel carrying material, horses and men is not maintained successfully. Naval Staff's objections to the sea transport units appearing before "Wesertime" have already been
confirmed. It can also be stated that the steamers of the 1st Transport Unit should have been better camouflaged and
that the soldiers and men in charge of the horses on board should have worn civilian clothes.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

U 30 and U 34 must have reached their waiting position before tomorrow.

As owing to the early intelligence of the Weser day the boats have already taken up position two days before zero hour in the harbor area, one boat (U 30) is to take over the patrol of the entrance. U 37 reported leaving escort duties with ship 16. The boat's position is so far west, that prompt occupation of the intended position near Narvik is no longer possible. (Note: I regret this very much as I considered the presence of tried and older commanders at this spot, where the greatest number of U-boats was deployed especially desirable.) U 52 has put out.

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-52

At Sea 7 April 1940
U-2, U-4, U-5, U-6, U-7, U-9, U-10, U-13, U-14, U-19, U-25, U-30, U-34, U-37, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-49 (+), U-51, U-52, U-56, U-57, U-58, U-59, U-60, U-62, U-64 .
27 boats at sea.

 

[Njaco]

April 6 Saturday
GERMANY: The fighters of III./JG 52 move from Straussberg to Mannheim-Sandhofen while the fighters of I./.JG 76 are renamed II./JG 54.

RAF aircraft conducted a photo reconnaissance mission over Kiel, Germany to monitor preparations for the German invasion of Norway. German Kriegsmarine's Marine Gruppe 1 departed Cuxhaven, Germany for Narvik, Norway with 2,000 soldiers on 10 destroyers escorted by battlecruisers "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau". Marine Gruppe 2 departed Wesermünde, Germany for Trondheim, Norway with 1,700 soldiers on 4 destroyers escorted by cruiser "Admiral Hipper". Both departures were made after nightfall to escape British detection. The battle cruisers "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau" sail with the Narvik group but are to go on to operate against shipping in the Arctic. A large part of the U-boat fleet is also involved in the campaign but they achieve very little, partly because they use torpedoes with magnetic exploders which do not function properly in high latitudes. (This error is discovered during the campaign and is later rectified.) The ships carry units of three divisions for the assault. Three more are earmarked for a second wave. Only one, 3rd Mountain Division, is regarded by the Germans as being of best quality. They have air support from 500 transport planes, over 300 bombers and 100 fighters. For this air support to be effective it will be necessary quickly to take airfields in northern Denmark and Norway itself. This difficult task will be achieved.

German armed merchant raider "Orion" leaves Germany. She was on her first raiding mission.

RAF Bomber Command suspended leaflet dropping missions in Germany. Since September 3, 1939 about 65 million leaflets and "newspapers" have been dropped.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: At 0316 hours, U-59 sinks Norwegian steamer SS "Navarra" with 1 torpedo 20 miles off the Scottish coast. Six die in the explosion and another 6 when their lifeboat capsizes. 14 survivors in one lifeboat are picked up by Finnish steamer "Atlas" and landed at Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.

German submarine U-1 disappeared in the North Sea, and the crew of 24 were never seen again. The submarine most likely was lost to a British naval mine.

UNITED KINGDOM: British submarines "Truant" and "Seal" departed Rosyth, Scotland for the Norwegian coast, while "Tarpon" was ordered to patrol the German coast near Helgoland Bight.

.

 

[Njaco]

April 7 Sunday
WESTERN FRONT: Major Johannes Gentzen, of Stab I./ZG 2, flying a new Bf 110 Zerstörer shoots down a French Hawk 75 over the Argonne. It is his ninth victory.

A Do 17 of 1(F)./122 was involved in an inconclusive combat with six H-75As of GC I/4.

Oblt. Richard Seiler of 1./JG 54 gets his second victory when he destroys a French Morane, west of Strasbourg. Also getting his second kill this day is Hptm. Wolfgang Lippert of 3./JG 53 when he destroys a Spitfire south west of Diedenhofen shortly before 1300 hours.

UNITED KINGDOM: RAF night reconnaissance reports major naval activity in four north German ports and transport convoys headed toward Lübeck. Hudson reconnaissance aircraft of 220 Squadron RAF spotted a part of German Marine Gruppe 1 and reported the presence of 1 cruiser and 6 destroyers at 1325 hours, sailing in a northward direction. The British response is a disaster. 12 Blenheim and 24 Wellington bombers were dispatched to attack this group but the attack was not successful. The Admiralty assumes German surface raiders are breaking out into the Atlantic (ignoring the possibility of coastal landings in Norway) and prepares to engage the German fleet in the open sea. The Home Fleet (battleships "Rodney" and "Valiant", battlecruiser "Repulse", 2 cruisers and 10 destroyers) delays leaving Scapa Flow until 0915 hours and misses the chance to intercept the troop-laden German warships, while the 1st Cruiser Squadron disembarked the troops already on board in order to prepare for a battle on the open seas, losing the opportunity for rapid landings in response to the German invasion. The British 2nd Cruiser Squadron leaves Rosyth. Nevertheless, British submarines continued to patrol the European coast for German activity rather than going out to the open seas; HMS "Shark" and HMS "Seawolf" departed Harwich naval base to patrol off Dutch coast, while HMS "Clyde" and HMS "Thistle" departed Scapa Flow to patrol the coast of Norway.

British Naval Attaché Henry Denham sends a telegram to the British Admiralty from Copenhagen, Denmark, reporting sightings of German warships with likely destinations on Norway.

A RAF Hampden L4054 crashed near to St. Mary's Island, Whitley Bay killing all of the crew.

.

 

[parsifal]

7th April Part II (cont'd)
OPERATIONS
Baltic
Western Baltic
Steamer CURITYBA, (Ger 3081 grt ) on voyage from Stettin to Oslo carrying "camouflaged" elements of the Oslo Occupation group (Transport Gp 1) . Stranded North of Helsingborg on the Swedish Coast. Salvaged by S/S GARM, S/S SIGYN and S/S BIEN (all danish). DKM were very concerned the contents of the shipping manifest would be discovered. Besides the 3 Danish salvage vessels, there were also the German M/S WOTAN taking part of the Salvage. On the 8 April the Ice breaker PREUSSEN arrived . The ship was towed from her grounding place. and continued her voyage.

North Sea
MiL TEVIOTBANK was recalled at 2251 on the 7th before the WS minelay was accomplished. She was ordered to cancel the minelaying and steer to the northwest. Minelayer TEVIOTBANK arrived at Sullom Voe at 1100/9th.DDs INGLEFIELD, ILEX, IMOGEN and ISIS arrived at Sullom Voe at 0830/9th. The destroyers were placed at the disposal of Admiral Forbes. The four I-class DDs, HERO and HYPERION, after refuelling, departed Sullom Voe at 0300/10th and joined Forbes at 1100/10th.

FN.140 departed Southend, escort DDs VEGA and WOOLSTON, and arrived in the Tyne on the 9th. MT.46 departed Methil, escort destroyer VIMIERA, sloop BLACK SWAN and anti-submarine trawlers of the 23rd Anti-Submarine Group, and arrived later that day. TM.40 departed the Tyne, escort by destroyer VIqVIEN, sloop PELICAN and anti-submarine trawlers of the 1st Anti-Submarine Group, and joined convoy FN.139 at daylight on the 8th. FS.140 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VIMIERA and sloop BLACK SWAN, and arrived at Southend on the 9th. Convoy SL.27 departed Freetown escorted by armed merchant cruiser MOOLTON until the 21st, when sloop FOLKESTONE and destroyer VENETIA joined the escort. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 24th.

NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN
The German invasion of Norway, WESERUBUNG , was originally set for 20 March. However, like British operations, various delays postponed the operations and the invasion was finally set for 9 April.

GERMAN NAVAL MOVEMENTS
The first German warships had already cleared ports for Norway. CA ADMIRAL HIPPER and 14 destroyers leave Bremen bound for Trondheim and Narvik, escorted by BCs SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU. In the evening CA BLUCHER, CS LUTZOW and CL EMDEN with eight minesweepers, two armed whaling ships and three TBs sail with their troops for Oslo. Around midnight CLs KOLN and KONIGSBERG, gunnery training ship BREMSE, a storeship and eight torpedo boats leave Wilhelmshaven bound for Bergen.

The British also have put substantial forces to sea, but their operational plan is dogged by unworkable restrictions and caveats. Whilst the Minelaying component is authorised (Operation WILFRED), the landing elements of the operation (Operation AVONMOUTH) is not permitted to commence until or unless clear evidence of German violation of Norwegian neutrality can be shown. There is no formal declaration of war issued by the germans before their invasion, and whilst elements of the invasion fleets are detected, the target of those fleet movements remain unclear. The RN is left with no choice other than for its already embarked ground troops to be returned and unloaded at friendly ports. The minelaying component of the operation is permitted to continue but eventually even this component of the operation is affected. Forbes sends the remainder of the Home Flt to blocking position in the Denmark Strait, to cover the eventuality of a possible breakout by DKM surface units into the Nth Atlantic. The British are wary of taking too much of an aggressive stance in Norway. They are winning the psychological battle against Germany regarding the Scandinavian neutrals, and are very keen to ensure the Norwegian merchant fleet gravitates to their control, which can only be achieved if germany is shown to be the true aggressor in the region. Cutting the iron route is also a major prize for the British. In the finish Britain wins the psychological and moral war against germany, gains control of the Norwegian Merchant Fleet, succeeds in significantly bloodying DKM at sea, but does not cut the iron route, and cannot save norway from Germn occupation. The Germans gain control of Norway, secure their access to the iron ore supplies and gain a flanking position to the North Sea containment area. but DKM losses are heavy, to the point that Weserubung can at best be considered a Pyrrhic victory for them.

From the very start, the RNs cards are marked in this deadly game of "chicken". DKM has full knowledge of British strategic intentions, and even a fair amount of information of RN movements and dispositions. The RN has a poor level orf air reconnaissance, and very limited intelligence sources other that that. The Norwegian campaign was to deliver to Britain the first chinks in german security as the first elements of breaking the unbreakable enigma codes are achieved as a result of the exceptionally high levels of signal traffic sent and received by DKM. Germany was to gain control of the significant Heavy Water Plant in Norway

HOME FLEET OPERATIONS
Allied a/c report German naval forces east of the German declared minefield steering northwest mid and late morning. The force was later identified as one BC, one CS, three CLs, 12 DDs. The Admiralty with the information at hand is unable to exactly deduce what is happening, which causes a postponement of AVON. This set British Home Fleet other operations in motion however.

Admiral Forbes (C-in-C Home Fleet) in BB RODNEY with VALIANT, BC REPULSE, CLs SHEFFIELD, PENELOPE, Fr EMILE BERTIN, DDs ESKIMO, PUNJABI, BEDOUIN, KIMBERLEY, JUPITER, CODRINGTON, GRIFFIN, BRAZEN, ESCAPADE and ELECTRA departed Scapa. DDs TARTAR, SOMALI (D.6), MATABELE and MASHONA, which had departed Rosyth on the 7th at 2330, joined Forbes at sea. Forbes proceeded with his fleet with the intent to firstly to cover those units engaged in WILFRED, soon to commence off the Norwegian coast. Fr CL EMILE BERTIN lost touch with the Fleet and returned to Scapa Flow arriving on the 8th.

ALLIED TROOP-LANDING PLANS
In conjunction with operation WILFRED, troops were to be landed at Stavanger, Trondheim, Bergen, Narvik under operation AVONMOUTH . These troops were already embarked in British naval vessels. At Rosyth were CAs DEVONSHIRE, BERWICK and YORK of CruSqn 1 and CL GLASGOW, which had just completed refitting, of CruSqn 18 each with 90 tons of stores in addition to the troops embarked. These cruisers were to land troops at Stavanger and Bergen but only if it became apparent that Germany intended to violate Norwegian territory. DDs AFRIDI, GURKHA, SIKH, MOHAWK, ZULU and COSSACK of DesFlot 4 were at Rosyth to escort these cruisers. In the Clyde were troopships CHROBRY (11,442grt) and BATORY (14,287grt) with troops to be landed at Trondheim and Narvik to be escorted by light cruiser AURORA and destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER and FORTUNE which arrived at the Clyde on the 3rd, DDs DELIGHT, ASHANTI and FOXHOUND, which arrived at the Clyde on the 5th, destroyer MAORI which completed repairs at the Clyde on the 3rd.

OTHER ALLIED NAVY MOVEMENTS
Additionally at Rosyth were CLs GALATEA and ARETHUSA. HN.24 had just arrived at Rosyth with DDs SOMALI, MATABELE, MASHONA and TARTAR. The DDs immediately put back out and joined Adm Forbes at sea. ON.25, which had put to sea on the 5th, was recalled at 1851 on the 7th and her escort of CLss MANCHESTER, SOUTHAMPTON, CLA CALCUTTA, and DDs JANUS, JUNO, JAVELIN, ECLIPSE and GRENADE were ordered to Scapa. ON.25 was at that time in 61-20N, 1E. The convoy was ordered to reverse course and remain west of the Shetland Islands until further notice. CALCUTTA arrived at Sullom Voe and GRENADE at Scapa at 1230/9th for refuelling. DDs JANUS, JUNO, JAVELIN and GRENADE were reassigned en route, but later arrived at Scapa Flow at 1820/9th for refuelling.

CL BIRMINGHAM on patrol since 31 March was ordered to join the RENOWN group off Vestfjord. In heavy weather, she was unable to make the rendezvous and later arrived at Scapa on the 11th after refuelling at Sullom Voe on the 10th. DD FEARLESS of the group had been detached for refuelling after the capture of trawler BLANKENBURG (Ger) on the 5th, proceeded to Sullom Voe and departed after refuelling on the 7th. DD HOSTILE of this group had been detached to escort trawler FRIESLAND to Scapa Flow and later joined the British forces off Vestfjord.

CLs ARETHUSA and GALATEA (CS.2) departed Rosyth with DDs AFRIDI , GURKHA, SIKH, MOHAWK, ZULU, COSSACK, KELVIN and KASHMIR, plus ORP AA DDs GROM, BURZA and BLYSKAWICA, sailed for a position 80 miles west of Stavanger to arrive at 1700/8th from whence they would sweep north.


Northern Waters
DDs ESCAPADE and ELECTRA departed Scapa to escort base ship MANCHESTER CITY to Kirkwall. The ships safely arrived at 1415 and the DDs returned to Scapa.

Channel
BC.33 6ix steamers, including ATLANTIC COAST, BATNA, BRITISH COAST, CITY OF LANCASTER and MARSLEW departed Bristol Channel escort DD MONTROSE. The convoy arrived at Loire on the 9th.
UK - France

 

[Njaco]

April 8 Monday
GERMANY: The whole of the German surface fleet is now committed to Operation Weserubung, sailing at different times in six groups. They plan to land at Narvik, Trondheim, Bergen, Kristiansand, Oslo and a small detachment at Egersund. After midnight, Marine Gruppe 3 departs Wilhelmshaven for Bergen (cruisers "Königsberg" and "Köln", transport "Karl Peters", minelayer "Bremse" and 5 torpedo-boats carrying 1900 troops). At dawn, Marine Gruppe 4 and 6 depart Cuxhaven carrying 1250 troops for the South coast of Norway; Marine Gruppe 5 leaves Wilhelmshaven Swinemünde for Oslo (cruisers "Blücher", "Lützow" and "Emden", 8 minesweepers and 3 torpedo-boats carrying 2000 troops).

1./KG 40, a new bomber wing solely equipped with the new combat version of the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 'Condor', flies its first missions against British shipping.

Two Bf 109E's of 4./JG 52 – "White 4" and "White 3" – collide while taxing at Speyer and are badly damaged.

German Field Marshal Keitel ordered the transfer of active military servicemen who were 50% Jewish and those who were married to women who were 50% Jewish to reserve or militia units.

NORTHERN EUROPE: Operation Wilfred begins, as British forces lay mines off the Norwegian coast. Off Narvik, British destroyers "Esk", "Icarus", "Impulsive", and "Ivanhoe" mined Vestfjord at 0500 hours in preparation for landings by British and French forces at Namsos, Narvik, and Andalsnes; Norway was informed of this action at 0600 hours. The British government informs Norway that they are mining the leads along the coastal waters off Norway.

At 0800 hours, British destroyer HMS "Glowworm" encounters German Marine Gruppe 1 heading to Trondheim. "Glowworm" sinks German destroyer "Bernd von Arnim" off the Norwegian coast. "Glowworm" then discovered German Navy Marine Gruppe 1 at 0800 hours and was fired upon by cruiser "Admiral Hipper " at close range. Outgunned, "Glowworm's" captain decided to ram the German cruiser, which caused heavy damage for "Admiral Hipper" but it also led to her sinking, which killed 118, including commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope, who drowns after helping survivors put on lifejackets. "Admiral Hipper" is out of commission for several weeks for repairs. Lieutenant-Commander G. Roope is posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his action, in part due to the testimony of his adversary, Captain Hellmuth Heye of the "Admiral Hipper", who wrote to the British authorities via the Red Cross giving a statement of Commander Roope's courage.

Nine He 111s of 1(F)./122 took off from Hamburg/Fuhlsbüttel to check the area east of the Shetlands. One of these aircraft sighted the 2nd Cruiser Sqdn together with 11 destroyers heading north at high speed to intercept the suspected breakout to the Atlantic of the "Admiral Hipper" and her escorts. Another of the 1(F)./122 Heinkels encountered a Sunderland of 204 Sqdn. A running fight ensued which resulted in the Sunderland crashing into the sea west of Bergen. The Heinkel returned to Hamburg undamaged. Further engagements took place between a number of the Heinkels and Hudsons of 233 Sqdn, these again were inconclusive.

UNITED KINGDOM: Only Vice-Admiral Max Horton commanding home-based submarines (alone among Royal Navy brass) correctly perceives German intentions to invade Norway. He dispatched 6 more submarines to intercept additional German invasion fleets. Many of his peers, who were against this decision, believed there would not be any additional fleets being dispatched by the Germans. Among the 6 newly dispatched British submarines included HMS "Ursula", HMS "Triad", and HMS "Sterlet", which departed to patrol the Skagerrak between Denmark and Norway. At noon, Polish submarine "Orzeł" (part of Horton's 2nd Submarine Flotilla, already on patrol in the Skagerrak) sinks German troop transport "Rio de Janeiro". German troops rescued by Norwegian ships confess they are enroute to Bergen. However, British minelaying dominates Norwegian thinking and they are not prepared for invasion by Germany.

.

.

 

[parsifal]

8 April 1940 (Part I)
Known Losses

Tkr BELT(Ger 850 grt) Was attached to the Bergen invasion Gp: The coastal tanker was sunk on this date.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Tkr DOLLARD (Ger 880 grt) The coastal tanker was sunk on this date. Cause of the loss and other details are unclear

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Tkr EUROLAND (Ger 869 grt): Attached to the Oslo invasion gp. The coastal tanker was sunk on this date in the approaches to Oslo. Some sources say the ship managed to dock and provide fuel for the invasion.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Tkr SENATOR (Ger 845 grt (est)) Attached to the Oslo invasion Gp. The coastal tanker was sunk on this date in the port approaches, some sources claim it made it to the dock areas.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Transport RIO DE JANEIRO (DKM 5261 grt) was intercepted by ORP ORZEL off Lillesand at 1110. After ordering the crew and troops aboard into lifeboats, ORZEL fired one torpedo at 1145 and another torpedo at 1155. The transport was sunk. RNoN DDs ODIN and GYLLER and fishing boats picked up the RIO DE JANEIRO personnel. It was learned from the troops aboard the German ship that they were en route to protect the port of Bergen. However, news of this discovery was very slow to reach the Allies.

Steamer OKEANIA (Gk 4843 grt) was sunk on a mine laid by Schiff 11, with the Chief Engineer missing. DD BOADICEA on North Goodwin Patrol and minesweeper HUSSAR proceeded to assist, with BOADICEA picking up twenty nine survivors and Dutch steamer BEVERLAND the remainder.

DD GLOWWORM (RN 1380 grt) The G-class destroyer was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea north west of Trondheim, Norway while ramming the CA Admiral Hipper with the loss of 115 of her 149 crew. The GLOWWORM had stumbled upon the Trondheim/Narvik invasion groups in the vicinity of Trondheim. Engagement began with a skirmish between GLOWWORM and two of the DKM DDs, which fell back onto the HIPPER. LCdr Roope (who postumously received the first VC of the war as a result of this action....awarded in 1945 after the details of the fight were at last known, and confirmed by German records as well) knew what was happening but wanted to confirm the location of the DKM heavy units. That was achieved, and HIPPer was rammed and damaged but the Britsh DD and most of her crew were lost in the process.

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Statements from the British and French Governments to Norway about Allied minelaying in Norwegian territorial waters.

"The Allied Governments have decided to exclude their enemy from the unimpeded use of parts of Norwegian territorial waters which are obviously of the greatest use to him. They have thus resolved to prevent the unhindered passage of ships carrying contraband through Norwegian territorial waters. They therefore announce:

"Some parts of Norwegian territorial waters have become un-navigable because of mines. Ships which traverse these areas do so at their own risk. It is quite clear from the list already published that the free approach of Norwegian ships to their own ports and villages is in no way impeded by minelaying. In order to avoid the slightest possibility of Norwegian and other ships unintentionally traversing the areas before it is possible to warn them against mines, arrangements have been made that the limits of these areas are patrolled by British ships until 48 hours after the first mines have been laid in the areas concerned* The safety of shipping is
guaranteed by this measure, together with the warning given on the radio." (For position of barrages see under "North Sea").

The Western Powers have now flagrantly violated Norwegian neutrality officially by laying mines inside Norwegian waters. The Fuehrer is of the opinion that these measures are only the first step in the Allies' strategic plan to gain a footing in the Scandinavian area, suppress supplies of ore from Norway, exercise pressure on Sweden to stop deliveries of ore to Germany, dominate the Shetlands-Norway passage and extend the war to Scandinavia. The necessity of carrying out the German "Weseruebung" operation is confirmed by the Franco-British measures.

Reports on the enemy received during the course of the day show the following picture as a whole in the evening:

Light British forces off West Fjord (including 1 heavy cruiser), south of Trondheim and near Stadlandet in order to carry out the minelaying operations announced and in order to control shipping off the Norwegian coast. Various merchantmen have already been stopped ana had to turn about. The reports about mine barrages laid are confirmed in the afternoon by telephone calls from Norway. The mines are said to have been laid during the night of 7 April at the places indicated, possibly also near Karmoey (south of Haugesund) ana near Halten (entrance to Trondheim). (Near Halten seems improbable). Part of an enemy main force, consisting of 2 battleships, 1 heavy cruiser and several destroyers, on northerly course about noon off Romsdals. BC squadron and other cruisers at sea protecting light enemy forces. Position unknown. Light forces between Shetlands and Norway. Strong submarine disposition in the Skagerrak and Kattegat and off the coasts of southern Norway and Denmark.

Own Situation
Groups Narvik, Trondheim, Bergen, Kristlansand and Oslo proceeding to their operational targets as planned. The enemy is aware that the battleships are included in the Narvik and Trondheim Groups. Our own plans are not yet revealed, but it is possible that increased steamer traffic through the entrances to the Baltic may appear a most striking measure both to neutral Scandinavian countries and to the enemy in connection with the known concentration of transports in Hamburg, Stettin and Gdynia which took place some time ago. It cannot be ascertained how far the enemy has actually been warned or is acting on supposition.

Destroyers were reported west of Trondheim this morning by the enemy. Engagement between the destroyer BERNDT v. ARNIM and the British destroyer GLOWWORM. Result still unknown. The enemy possibly concludes German operations against his measures in Norwegian waters. He may expect a pocket battleship sortie.

We fear that the British minelaying operations will affect our military operation unfavorably. Naval Staff forsees danger in bringing the "export" unit and the tankers through. Re-routing to avoid encounters with British patrols has been ordered, but is made difficult
as the actual positions of the steamers are not known. The operations by our forces in the northern area run great risks from the superior enemy who, in pursuance of his own plans, is now in our operational areas at the same time to our disadvantage. The necessity of despatching battleships to protect our destroyers is fully confirmed by the enemy situation.

The 1st Sea Transport Unit is at sea comprising 15 steamers as planned; at noon the Bergen and Stavanger Groups were in the
Skagerrak off the Norwegian coast, the Kristiansand Group roughly off Skagen, the Oslo Group in the Kattegat near the
Danis"h coast. The steamer KURITYBA is still aground north of Helsingborg. Great danger from submarines in the Kattegat and Skagerrak. The steamers are sailing alone , as merchant steamers, along the border of territorial waters.

During the afternoon the first news was received of steamers torpedoed in the Skagerrak. At 1815 the German Ambassador in Oslo reported that the steamer RIO DE JANEIRO of the 1st Sea Transport Unit (Bergen) was torpedoed and sank at 1420 near Lillesand between Grimstad and Risoer. Shortly afterwards the torpedoing of the steamer KRETA (of the Kristiansand Group) was asserted. She sent an SOS at noon. (Report is not confirmed later. The steamer was not torpedoed, but apparently managed to evade the enemy submarine in time. )

At 1815 the torpedoing of the tanker POSIDOUIA (present name STEDINGEN, naval supply ship) off Stave rne by the submarine
TRIDENT was reported. The enemy submarines were apparently directed today to proceed without warning against all German merchantmen In and outside neutral territorial waters. Under these circumstances it would have been better to camouflage the
steamers of the 1st Sea Transport Unit as neutrals (Swedes, Norwegians, Esthonians).

There was consternation in Scandinavia when it was learnt that many of the rescued survivors were German soldiers in full uniform, who statred to their rescers they were there to "protect Norwegian neutrality". This gave the Norwegians a few hours to prepare. The use of unrestricted attacks by the British submarines represented a significant change in British policy.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

U 13 reports a CA and 2 DDs full speed on a NE course E of Pentland Firth. Short signal received from U 64 with contact with an AMC was lost 24 hours ago. Orders were given to proceed to Westfjord and to join UB Gp1, while U 37 is to be re-directed . The announcement of English declared areas on the Norwegian coast makes the appearance of English forces in the coastal waters appear probable. The quickest possible closing of the entrances to our own landing ports is in this case particularly desirable. U 57 reports a CA with DD on a southeasterly course east of Pentland Firth. It presumes this to be a French unit. U 38 has put out. A German transport ship was torpedoed off the south coast of Norway.

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-38

At Sea 8 April 1940
U-2, U-4, U-5, U-6, U-7, U-9, U-10, U-13, U-14, U-19, U-25, U-30, U-34, U-37, U-38, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-49, U-51, U-52, U-56, U-57, U-58, U-59, U-60, U-62, U-64
28 boats at sea.

 

[parsifal]

8 April 1940 (Part II)
NORWEGIAN INVASION AND SUPPORT GRUPPEN
DKM Warship Echelons: The invasion fleet consisted of 9 gruppen of U-boats and 11 gruppen of warships. The warships carried a portion of the ground forces destined for the Norwegian Coast, and they were also the surface protection for the entire invasion fleet. Of the 11 groups of warships in the Warship Echelon, 5 groups were actually destined for Denmark, but because these groups were technically a part of the Wesserubung flt.

Gruppe 1 - Destination: Narvik, (Kpt.z.S. Friedrich Bonte); DKM DDs (Zerstorers), GEORG THIELE, WOLFGANG ZENKER, BERND VON ARNIM, ERICH GIESE, ERICH KOELLNER, DIETER VON ROEDER, HANS LUDEMANN, HERMAN KUNNE, ANTON SCHMIDT, WILHELM HEIDKAMP
Under separate command: DKM BCs GNEISENAU SCHARNHORST
Gruppe 2 - Destination: Trondheim, (Kpt.z.S. Hellmuth Heye), DKM CA HIPPER, DDs(Zerstorer), PAUL JACOBI, THEODOR RIEDEL, BRUNO HEINEMANN, FRIEDRICH ECKOLDT
Gruppe 3 - Destination: Bergen, (KA Hubert Schmundt); DKM CLs KÖLN and KÖNIGSBERG and training ship BREMSE departed Wilhelmshaven, with TBs WOLF, LEOPARD and S-Flot-1 (S.19, S.21, S.22 and S.24) with depot ship KARL PETERS P/D (Port of Departure) Cuxhaven. Two Bns of the 69 Inf XX were embarked for the occupation of Bergen. Also attached to this group were naval auxiliary ships Schiff 9 (trawler KOBLENZ, 437grt) and Schiff 18 (trawler ALTELAND, 419grt). Shortly after rendezvous, S.19 and S.21 collided and S.19 was so severely damaged that torpedo boat WOLF had to tow her back to port. S.21 also returned to Cuxhaven but under her own power. Later on the 14th, S.23 and S.25 arrived at Bergen from Wilhelmshaven as replacements for the damaged S-boats.
Gruppe 4 - Destination: Kristiansand, (Kpt.z.S Friedrich Rieve); DKM CL KARLSRUHE, TBs LUCHS, SEEADLER, GREIF, the S-Flot 2 (S.7, S.8, S.17, S.30, S.31, S.32 and S.33) with depot ship TSINGTAU with one bn of the Regt 310 for Kristiansand.
Gruppe 5 - Destination: Oslo, (KA Oskar Kummetz); DKM CS LUTZOW, CA BLUCHER, CL EMDEN, TBs ALBATROS, MOEWE, KONDOR, MSW Flot 1 (MSWs R.17, R.18, R.19, R.20, R.21, R.22, R.23, R.24), whalers RAU VII and RAU VIII P/D Swinemunde with 2 bns of 163 Inf XX for Oslo. .
Gruppe 6 - Destination: Egersund, (KK Kurt Thomas); DKM MSWs M.1, M.2, M.9 and M.13 P/D Cuxhaven to capture the cable station at Egersund.
All ground formations for the Norwegian expedition (AG21) had had their TOE reinforced and brought to 1st wave status (equivalent to Infantrie XX 1-35) prior to embarkation. These were now among the best Infantry formations fielded by the wehrmacht.

Minelaying Gruppe DKM MLs ROLAND, KONIGIN LUISE, COBRA and PREUSSEN P/D Cuxhaven escort MSWs M.6, M.10, M.11 and M.12 to lay two minefields west of the Skagerrak during 8 and 9 April.

DKM Tkr Echelon: The Tkr Echelon of pre-positioned vessels consisted of 9+ ships: Tkr KATTEGAT, JAN WELLEM (Narvik), Tkr MOORSUND, SKAGERRAK (6044grt) (Trondheim), EUROLAND, SENATOR (both lost - destination Oslo), BELT (lost - Bergen), Tkr Dollardt (sunk Stavanger), Unidentified Tkr (Kristiansand). The loss of these advance tkr echelon forced led to the pushing forward of the follow up echelon, consisting of Tkrs ANTARES (2593grt), IONIA (3102grt), ITAURI (6838grt), MUANSA (5472grt) and NEIDENFELS (7838grt) which arrived at Horten (I think) around the 10th.

DKM "Export" Echelon: The Export Echelon preceded the passage of the warship gps, arrying vital equipment (generally vehicles artillery and horses as well as most of the ammunition) for the troops that were to be disembarked in Norway (the warship gps were carrying the troops and their personal weapons). As with the ships of the Tkr Echelon, those of the Export Echelon were also disguised (ie mis-flagged and named) as merchant ships and attempted to put into port prior to the actual invasion. The Export Echelon consisted of 7 ships as follows: Transports BARENFELS, RAUNFELS, AlSTER (Narvik); SAO PAULO, LEVANTE, MAIN (lost) (Trondheim); RODA (possible lost), (Stavanger)

DENMARK INVASION AND SUPPORT GRUPPEN
Gruppe 7 - Destination: Korsor and Nyborg, (Kpt.z.S. Gustav Kleikamp); Pre- Dreadnought SCHLESWIG HOLSTEIN, 12 Transports
Gruppe 8 - Destination: Copenhagen (KK Wilhelm Schroeder), Transports HANSESTADT, DANZIG, STETIN possibly 2 others
Gruppe 9 - Destination: Middelfart (Kpt.z.S. Helmuth Leissner); transports OTTO BRAUN, ARKONA, MSW M157 (?), VP 102 (?), MSW R6, R7, ASW trawler UJ 107, MVs MONSUN. PASSAT, RUGARD
Gruppe 10 - Destination: Esbjerg (Kpt.z.S. Friedrich Ruge); MSW M4, 20, 84, 102, 1201, 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1208, Raumbootes R25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, MV KONIGN LUISE
Gruppe 11 - Destination: (NOT DETERMINED); (Kpt.z.S. Walter Berger), MSWs M61, 89, 110, 111, 134, 136, Raumboote MSW R33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, MV VON DER GROBEN.

FOLLOWING ECHELONS
The final component of the invasion were the Sea Transport Echelons (Seetransportstaffeln), which consisted of 8 waves of transports carrying the bulk of the invasion troops. The first 3 Sea Transport Echelons were unique, while the remaining 5 consisted of returning ships of the initial 3 waves. The 1st Echelon consisted of 15 ships, while the 2nd consisted of 11 ships and the 3rd 13. The composition of the 1st and 2nd Sea Transport Echelons are known for sure, while the 3rd is currently unknown. The remaining 5 Sea Transport Echelons consisted of ships of the first 3, but as of yet, their exact compositin is also unknown. All ships of the Sea Transport Echelons after the 1st sailed directly to Oslo.

After the initial invasion and follow-up waves, all troops, equipment and supplies were sent to Norway via Denmark-Oslo. After the experiEnces of the first 8 Seetransportstaffeln, a move was made to complete the transport of men and material to Norway using smaller and faster ships to relieve the pressure on the larger transports. Around 270 ships and 100 smaller trawlers took part in this facet of the invasion, transporting up to 3,000 men a day at one point. Between the beginning of the invasion and June 15th, 1940, a total of 107,581 men were transported to Norway, along with 16,102 horses, 20,339 vehicles, and 109,400 tons of supplies.

LUFTWAFFE A/C USED IN WESRUBUNG April 1940
290 two-engined bombers, 40 single-engined "Stuka" divebombers, 100 SE fighters, 70 recconnaisance aircraft (including floatplanes), 500 transports

HEER FORMATIONS COMMITTED TO THE BATTLE
Infantrie Divs 69, 163, 181, 214, 3 Mtn
Independant small unit: 1/40 Pz Kompanie, 3 x para Kompanies, 3 x LAA Bns, 6 x Ind Artillery Btys, 3 Bn sized airfield construction units, 3 x ind engineer (construction) units roughly Bn size. During the campaign DKM put together a Naval Infantry regt in Narvik, using vast amounts of captureed artillery and small arms. 2 full Bns of mtn artillery were attached to thjis scratch formation.

Composition of the Norwegian Armed Forces (April 1940)
Coast Defense Cruisers EIDSWOLD, NORGE, TORDENSKJOLD (used as trainig ship), HARALD HARFAGRE (used as training ship), TBs SLEIPNER, AEGIR, GYLLER, ODIN, GARM (WWI-era), DRAUG (WWI-era), TROLL (WWI-era), 10 MLs (including modern Minelayer/Gunboat OLAV TRYGVASON), FROYA (WWI-era), GLOMMEN, LAUGEN, TYR (launched in 1886!), 9 Subs (6 B-class, 3 A-class), 8 MSWs (including new, purpose-built OTRA and RAUMA), 17 "MTB"s (including TRYGG, STEGG, and SNOGG), 58 patrol craft, and 3 ships under construction but not yet available for combat (2 DDs, 1 TB).

Of the Norwegian Navy's 5,200 men in uniform on the eve of the German invasion , over 2,400 were serving ashore as garrisons of naval fortifications. (There were five major fortified areas under Norwegian naval jurisdiction as follows: Outer Oslo Fjord, Oskarsborg Narrows also in the Oslo Fjord but closer to the city of Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen, and Agdenes near the entrance to the Tr ondheim Fjord - for more information, see below).

The Royal Norwegian Navy (Konglisk Norges Marine) also had a small air arm with about 35 operational a/c in April 1940, mostly floatplanes. The most modern type in service was the German-built He-115, a two-engined floatplane with a top speed of just over 200 mph, a bomb load of up to 2,200 lbs, and a defensive armament of two machineguns. 110lb and 220lb bombs were also used. . During the invasion, the Norwegian Navy air units actually managed to capture two more German He-115's and one (single-engined) Arado Ar-196 floatplane.

The Norwegian Army
The army had a nominal strength of about 6 divs. Much of this force structure never managed to form, before their depots and mobilization points were overrun, In practice, the norwegians operated mostly as independant bns. Within D+24hrs the Norwegians managed to filed 9 bns of Infantry, 7 bns of mtn infantry, a platoon of cyclist inf, 3 bns of armoured cars (there is a great deal of doubt about these formations). There were a significant number of irregular formations that fought in the south of the country, less prominent after the main centres had been overrun

Allied Ground Forces Sent to Norway
British (Bdes): 15th, 24th Gds, 146 Inf, 148 th, 6 AA Bde
French (Regts): 5 Mtn, 13 Lt Inf, 27 Mtn
Polish (Bde) : Chasseurs Du Nord Inf
There was little artillery committed until the very end of the campaign, no construction equipment or troops.

 

[parsifal]

8 April 1940 PART III
OPERATIONS
Western Baltic
Sub TRIDENT on patrol in the Northern Skagerrak at 1215 stopped tkr POSIDONIA (Ger 8036 grt) on her maiden voyage off Rauer. The crew scuttled the tanker as they abandoned ship. TRIDENT finished off POSIDONIA with torpedoes at 1320 near Stavern. POSIDONIA was salvaged in June and renamed STEDINGEN.

Sub SEAL was involved in a collision with Estonian steamer OTTO (1954grt) nw of Egersund. Only minor damage was sustained with the pressure hull leaking slightly. SEAL was able to continue patrol, reconnoitering Stavangers fjord and acting as a beacon ship for the Stavanger bombardment on the 16th before returning to Rosyth on the 19th. SEAL went on to Blyth arriving on the 20th and was transferred to SubFlot 6 for ML FD.7.

At 1800, sub TRITON sighted the Gp 5 and unsuccessfully attacked it off the Skaw. She was able to fire ten torpedoes between 1758 and 1906 at CS LUTZOW but missed. TRITON was then heavily counterattacked by DKM TB ALBATROS. Sub SUNFISH also contacted the Gp 5 , but was unable to reach a position to fire torpedoes.

North Sea
Scapa was bombed by the 20 He.111's of KG.26, but no damage was done. Fr DDs TARTAR and MAILLE BREZE arrived at Scapa 0900, and escorted by DD ENCOUNTER to the oilers and buoys. FOUDROYANT, BRESTOIS , and BOULONNAIS arrived at 1300 and again led in by ENCOUNTER to the oilers and buoys.

MT.47 departed Methil, escort DD WOLSEY, sloop AUCKLAND, and ASwGp 19, and arrived the next day.

Northern Waters
BRITISH ML OPS
Between 0432 and 0529, ML DDs ESK, IMPULSIVE, IVANHOE and ICARUS of DesFlot 20 laid a minefield in Vestfjord off Hovden escort DD HARDY, HUNTER, HOTSPUR and HAVOCK of DesFlot 2. DDs HYPERION and HERO also from DesFlot 2 simulated a minelay by dropping marker buoys off Bud near Molde. They then remained off Hustadvika to patrol their "minefield" until early on the 9th when Norwegian naval forces took over. Nor PV SYRIAN (trawler, 298 grt) arrived at 0610 and Nor TB SLEIPNER at 0748. Both RN DDs arrived at Sullom Voe at 1430/9th for refuelling and departed the next day at 0300 with DDs INGLEFIELD, ILEX, ISIS and IMOGEN to join Adm Forbes at sea.

OTHER FLT OPS OFF NORWAY
Off Vestfjord, BC RENOWN with DD GREYHOUND headed sth towards GLOWWORM's last position and ordered the ML DDs and their escorts to follow. These 8 DDs joined the RENOWN at 1715 off Skomvaer Light, about 70 miles west of Bodo. DD HOSTILE, which had been detached from CL BIRMINGHAM to escort German trawler FRIESLAND to Scapa early that day, was within 40 miles of the GLOWWORM-ADMIRAL HIPPER action. HOSTILE heading towards that location actually sighted HIPPER in heavy weather, but was not able to identify her and was in turn, fortunately not sighted. HOSTILE later joined the RENOWN force off Vestfjord.

At noon on the 8th, the DKM Gps 1 2 parted company. Damage to DKM CA ADMIRAL HIPPER from her encounter with DD GLOWWORM was not so severe to prevent her and the 4 Zerstorers from proceeding to Trondheim as planned.

Late on the 8th, the Gp 2 was sighted by a British flying boat while this force was steering west to adjust their arrival time at Trondheim. They were identified as a BC, two cruisers and two DDs. The Admiralty decided that this was a German squadron breaking out into the Atlantic and CAs DEVONSHIRE, BERWICK, YORK with CL GLASGOW were ordered to disembark their Avonmouth troops and head north to intercept. The cruisers departed at 1400. French CL EMILE BERTIN, Contre Torpilleur DD MAILLE BREZE and TARTU departed Scapa at 1800 with orders to join the DEVONSHIRE force off Rattray Head. CL AURORA and the DDs in the Clyde were ordered to Scapa to await further orders. However, DD DELIGHT was damaged in heavy seas and returned to Greenock that day. CLs SOUTHAMPTON and MANCHESTER, of the recalled ON.25 convoy escort, were off the Shetlands. They were also placed at the disposal of Adm Forbes. BB WARSPITE was ordered to discontinue her voyage to the Med and return to Scapa. WARSPITE arrived at Scapa in afternoon of the 9th escort DDs HESPERUS and HAVANT. DD MACKAY which had been in WARSPITE's escort was detached at 1610/8th and returned to Liverpool. In the Med, CVs GLORIOUS and ARK ROYAL were ordered to enter Alexandria and late on the 10th, escort DDs WESTCOTT, BULLDOG and RAN STUART, joined on the 11th by DD WISHART, were steaming at high speed towards Gib arriving on the 13th.

Late on the 8th, CAs YORK, DEVONSHIRE, BERWICK and CL GLASGOW, soon to be joined by Fr CL EMILE BERTIN and her DDs, were ordered to join CruSqn 2 at 0500/9th and sweep up the middle of the North Sea towards Adm Forbes' Main Force. CruSqn 18, further nth, was also ordered to sweep nth towards Forbes. Late on the 9th CLs ARETHUSA GALATEA, EMILE BERTIN, and Fr DDs MAILLE BREZE and TARTU were ordered to pin down DKM ships at Bergen and Stavanger and prevent their reinforcement. This patrol was terminated at 0400/10th. By the next evening, the Admiralty ruled interference with enemy communications in the southern areas must be left mainly to submarines, aircraft, mining, and aided by intermittent sweeps when forces allow.

Home Flt main force centred on BBs RODNEY VALIANT, with CL SHEFFIELD, DDs SOMALI, KELVIN, KASHMIR, JUPITER, MASHONA and MATABELE turned south on receipt of intelligence of ships in the Skagerrak and Kattegat to join CLs MANCHESTER and SOUTHAMPTON which were unsupported off Norway's southern coast. This was all too late to save southern and central Norway.

In the late evening of the 8th, the DKM Gp 1 (Narvik) reached the entrance to Vestfjord and as the DDs entered the fjord , BCs GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST turned out to sea to draw the main part of the Home Flt away from the Norwegian coast.

Late on the 8th, the Admiralty finally awoke to the true nature of the German naval activity around the Norwegian coast and decided that Narvik was threatened. BC REPULSE, CL PENELOPE, DDs BEDOUIN, KIMBERLEY, PUNJABI and ESKIMO, which had been detached to assist DD GLOWWORM, were sent north at 1956/8th to join the RENOWN force off Vestfjord. DD HOSTILE joined the REPULSE force during the night and all arrived off Vestfjord at 1130/9th. It is important to note here that the Germans had broken the British Fleet Code, which enabled the Germans to avoid nearly all RNs interception maneouvres on their way to the Norwegian ports. That is the main reason why very few intercepts were made until after the German ships reached their destinations.

UK - France
DD KEITH departed Dover at 1000 for Dunkirk carrying Vice Adml B. H. Ramsay CB, MVO. Ramsay was en route for a conference with Amiral Nord regarding the possibility of Fr trawlers taking over North Goodwins Patrol and Fr trawlers cooperating with British trawlers in ASW ops in the Straits of Dover. Admiral Ramsay and DD KEITH arrived back at Dover at 1800.

Nth Atlantic
DKM Raider ORION, breaking out during these operations, first encountered a merchant ship in the North Sea escorted by an allied DD and later ML TEVIOTBANK and her four DDs, but was able to proceed undetected.

 

[Njaco]

April 9 Tuesday
THE INVASION OF DENMARK AND NORWAY
NORTHERN EUROPE: 'Operation WESERUBUNG' is launched wherein the principal role is of denying Britain's use of Norwegian waters and airfields in that part of northern Europe. The fear of the High Command is that the British might be able to seal off the entire North Sea from Scapa Flow to Stavanger. The Luftwaffe amasses several transports of Ju 52s, Fw 200s (of KG 40) and Ju 90s to drop paratroops over key airfields as part of the invasion. Aircraft from KG 4, KG 26, KGr 100 and StG 1 attack forts and coastal installations over Norway and Denmark. Fighter support for the campaign is limited only to the Bf 109Es of II./JG 77 and about seventy Bf 110s of I./ZG 1 and I./ZG 76.

Denmark: German troops crossed into Denmark at 0500 hours, with landings near Copenhagen unopposed. Motorized troops cross the border into Denmark, as amphibious landings are made on Danish islands and on the waterfront of Copenhagen.

Twelve JU 52s of 8./KGzbV 1 drop paratroops on Aalborg airfield. The airfield is captured after almost no resistance. Fighter cover is provided by II./JG 77. The entire Danish airforce, except for the Navy Flying Corps, is stationed at Vaerlose airfield and in a few minutes it is destroyed. At 0520 hours, two squadrons of Bf 110s from I./ZG 1 attack the airfield. Gruppenkommandeur Wolfgang Falck comments;

"I could see our target, the main airfield on the outskirts of Copenhagen. On the tarmac below were ten old high-wing Fokker reconnaissance aircraft and about two dozen Fokker D-21 fighters lined up in the morning sun, and they all seemed to be warming up. If they got into the air we would have our hands full – dog-fighting with a D-21 at low altitude would be no mean task. Just then I spotted one of the recce's taking off. As I went for the Fokker, now about 100 meters in the air, the others began strafing the now taxiing fighters as ground fire opened up on us. Firing both my cannon and MGs, the recce burst into flames and fell back to the ground as I pulled up. I banked around and saw fire and smoke billowing up from the burning aircraft on the ground."

The Fokker is Hptm. Falck's seventh victory of the war. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire from the ground, the attack leaves eleven planes as burning wrecks and fourteen badly damaged. The remaining Bf 110s of ZG 1 attack airfields at Esberg and Oksboel, destroying five Fokker D. XXIs on the ground, effectively eliminating the Royal Danish Air Force. At the city of Soelsted, about fifty men of a Danish anti-tank unit hold up the German 11th Motorized Regiment until Henschel Hs 126 ground-attack planes strafe the Danish force with machine guns and drop bombs. The Danes retreat.

Around 0400 hours, before the first attack, the German ambassador telephones the Dutch foreign minister with terms of surrender before operations begin. The ambassador threatens that if the conditions aren't met then Copenhagen would be bombed. As the King of Demark and his ministers discuss the situation, several German bombers from KG 4 arrive over the city and begin dropping leaflets. This forces the King to sign surrender terms. The fighting in Denmark is over on the first day.

Norway: Norway does not succumb so easily as Denmark. Germans warships land troops at 4 main points in Norway. The German government claims the invasion is made to forestall a British invasion. Vidkun Quisling speaks on Oslo Radio, urging Norwegians to cease further resistance. He deposes the legal government, and appoints himself Prime Minister. The national authorities leave Oslo by train. Another train carries the country's gold reserves north. The shipment of Norway's gold reserve from Oslo on the morning of 9 April 1940 consisted of 818 cases weighing 40 kilos each, 685 cases weighing 25 kilos each and 39 kegs weighing 80 kilos each. The total shipment weighed 53 tonnes whereas the gold bars weighed about 48.8 tonnes.

To the north, Trondheim is taken practically without a shot. German warships pretended to be British ships and sailed by the coastal batteries without being hassled, thus the city was captured with relative ease. At Trondheim airfield two squadrons of He 115s from KuFlGr 506 led by Major Minner arrive in the harbour area with light resistance.

The group of ships intended for Oslo meets increasing resistance as they sail up the Oslo Fiord. At the Oscarsborg Narrows the brand-new heavy cruiser "Blücher" is sunk as is the light cruiser "Karlsruhe". The troops are compelled to land below this point but are, however soon in the town. Airborne units take some casualties in a simultaneous landing at Oslo airport. Later twenty-two Ju 87 Stukas of I./StG 1 attacked the rock fortresses of Oskarborg and Akershus. About 1100 hours, German troops begin arriving in Oslo, by transport aircraft.



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[Njaco]

April 9 Tuesday continued

Fog disrupts the German landings at Kristiansand but eventually the troops get ashore. The Norwegian coast defenses at Kristiansand surrender.

At Bergen, the coastal batteries at Fort Kvarven damaged German cruiser "Königsberg" and minelayer "Bremse". At Bergen, aircraft of 9./KG 4 destroyed enemy batteries and bunkers in the morning.

The primary Luftwaffe objective in Norway is the capture of four main airfields: Oslo-Fornebu, Stavanger and the Trondheim-Vaernes airfield. A small landing strip at Kristiansand is also to be occupied. Heavy fog causes several flying problems. Twenty-nine Ju 52s of II./KGzbV I, loaded with paratroopers, heads to Oslo-Fornebu airfield, but two aircraft are lost in the fog and the Gruppe returns to Aalborg. A second group of paratroops, flying in transports of KGzbV 103, ignore a return order and fly on to Oslo-Fornebu, still not captured by German forces. Eight Bf 110s of ZG 76, led by Hptm. Hansen, attack a flight of Royal Norwegian Air Force Gladiators and shoot down several of the biplanes at a loss of two Bf 110s. Lt. Helmut Lent claims a Gloster Gladiator for his fifth victory. Now down to six aircraft, the Bf 110s arrive over Oslo-Fornebu airfield, unaware that the first wave of transports has turned back. Expecting to see parachutes over the airfield, they are surprised when the second wave of Ju 52s arrive and land under heavy fire from the airfield. Being low on fuel and three of the warplanes flying on only one engine, Hptm. Hansen orders Lt. Lent and the other Bf 110s to land and assist the Ju 52s. This activity causes the Norwegians to withdraw, giving the airfield to the Germans. Oslo-Fornebu airfield is now held by a handful of men from Infantry Regiment 324, a few paratroops and the crews of the Bf 110s and Ju 52s. Hptm. Hansen radios;

"Fornebu is in our hands. I./ZG 76."

Further west, twelve Ju 52s of 7./KGzbV 1 head for Stavanger airfield. Fog and heavy cloud forces one Ju 52 to land in Denmark and two Bf 110s of 3./ZG 76's covering force to return home. This leaves Gordon Gollob with only two Bf 110s to cover the paratroop landings. But once the paratroops hit the ground it takes only thirty minutes to secure the airfield. Shortly after, the Luftwaffe flies its first mission from Stavanger. When the Norwegian destroyer "Aeger" sinks the German steamer "Roda" with much of the airborne force's equipment, German bombers from Stavanger attack the destroyer and sink it with two bombs.

The most questionable part of the German plan is the move on Narvik. By a combination of luck and bad weather they pass the British patrols enroute and once up the fiord quickly sink the two old coast-defense ships, the cruisers "Eidsvold" and "Norge", killing 276. Ten German destroyers assist the German troops in occupying the Norwegian harbor. Offshore the British battlecruiser HMS "Renown" intercepted German battleships "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau" after they had successfully escorted Marine Gruppe 1 to Narvik. "Renown" fired first, hitting "Gneisenau" three times, but received two hits before the German ships disengaged from the battle. The "Scharnhorst" is badly hit, but escapes. All ships survive the encounter. The westward course of the German battleships further convinces the Admiralty that the Kriegsmarine is attempting to breakout into the Atlantic Ocean. But a British destroyer force is on the way to Narvik.

In the afternoon, the Luftwaffe searches for Royal Navy ships, finding the Home Fleet and 1st Cruiser Squadron that are still searching for the Kriegsmarine's "Atlantic breakout". Off Bergen, for three hours, forty-one He 111s of KG 26, the 'Lion' Geschwader, and forty-seven Ju 88s of KG 30, the 'Eagle' Geschwader attack the British fleet. The destroyer HMS "Gurkha" is destroyed and the cruisers HMS "Devonshire", HMS "Southampton" and HMS "Glasgow" are damaged. "Rodney" was hit by a dud 500-kg bomb, and "Gurkha" sank at 1600 hours, killing 15. Cruiser HMS "Aurora" picks up 190 survivors. Four Ju 88s of KG 30 are destroyed. Britain calls off the attack on German forces at Bergen, Norway.

Vice-Admiral Horton's hunch pays off and his submarines are in position to attack German warships. At 1957 hours, HMS "Truant" is patrolling in the Skagerrak and torpedoes German cruiser "Karlsruhe". "Karlsruhe" does not sink and is finished off at 2150 hours by the German torpedo boat "Greif". Meanwhile, French submarine "Sybille" (under Horton's command) departs Harwich to patrol the south North Sea, West of Denmark.

In one of the last actions for the day, Oblt. Werner Hansen of 1./ZG 76 claims a British Sunderland flying boat destroyed near Oslo. His claim is denied.

Overall the Germans have succeeded in getting their forces ashore and their established control of Stavanger airport will prove crucial. German airpower is already restricting British operations, having sunk one destroyer and damaged the battleship "Rodney".

GERMANY: German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop issues a statement:

"The German forces will see to it that no Englishman or Frenchman shows his nose in Norway or Denmark for the rest of the war."

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[parsifal]

9 April 1940 PART I
Known Reinforcements
Allied
RN Boom defence vessel BARNSTONE (Bar Class)

Known Losses
Steamer ADELAIDE STAR (UK 11,000 grt) was seized at Copenhagen and renamed SEEBURG for German use.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Also on the 9th, Steamer GULLFOSS (Iceland 1414 grt) was seized at Copenhagen.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

DD GURKHA (RN 1854 grt): The Tribal-class DD was bombed and sunk in the North Sea south east of Bergen, Norway by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26 and Junkers Ju 88 aircraft of KG30, Luftwaffe with the loss of 15 of her 219 crew.

TB GYLLER (RNoN 597 grt) After returning from a sortie, TB GYLLER was captured whilst docked at Kristiansand and served in the German Kriegsmarine for the rest of the war. The ship survived the war and was returned to Norwegian service in the late 1940s.

Profile of the GYLLER, in which the extra set of TTs she carried are visible

TB ODIN (RNoN 597 grt); After returning from a sortie, TB ODIN was captured whilst docked at Kristiansand and served in the German Kriegsmarine for the rest of the war. The ship survived the war and was returned to Norwegian service in the late 1940s.

Sub A-2 (Nor 342 grt) The A-class submarine was attacked by DKM R-22 and R-23 in Oslofjord off Tønsberg and was damaged beyond repair.

Sub A-3 (Nor 342 grt) Proceeded to sea after the invasion, but could not escape after Naval Base at Horten was captured, Scuttled by own crew between 9 and 16 April

Sub A-4 (Nor 342 grt) Proceeded to sea after the invasion, but could not escape after Naval Base at Horten was captured, Scuttled by own crew between 9 and 16 April

Coast Defence Ship EIDSVOLD (Nor 3645 grt) The coastal defence ship was torpedoed off Narvik by Z21 WILLHELM HEIDKAMP and sunk with the loss of 175 of her 181 crew.

Coast Defence Ship NORGE (Nor 3645 grt): Located deeper inside VestFjord, NORGE heard the explosion as her sister EIDSVOLD was sunk. Retreting to Narvik harbour itself, she got into a fight with two DKM DDs. BERNDT VON ARNIM sank her after three full salvoes of torpedoes had been fired. Return fire from the NORGE before she was sunk had flown over the heads of her opponents and could be seen exploding in the township behind them. There were 101 of her 191 crew lost.

Cutter SORLAND (Nor 100 grt (est)): Battle of Drobak Sound: The cutter was shelled and set on fire in Oslofjord by R-18 and R-19 and was beached with the loss of two of her five crew. She was a total loss

[NO IMAGE FOUND].

PV POL III (Nor 214 grt) encountered Gp 5 in the Drobak. She challenged the DKM ships and getting no reply opened fire with her single gun. POL III was soon overcome and sunk by DKM TB ALBATROS with the loss of 18 crew. Raised at some point, post war she became the AMOYTRANS. Not sure if she still exists.

Norwegian MSWs RAUMA (370 grt), HAUK (58 grt) and Aux PVs HVAL III (246 grt) and BETA (168 grt) surrendered at Horten on the 9th. MSWs OTRA (370grt) was seized at Filtvedt on the 10th. MSW HVAS (58grt) was seized at Stavern on the 12th. Aux PVs ALPHA (235grt) and FURU (85grt) surrendered at Halvorshamn on the 12th. MSWs FALK (58grt). KJAEK (58grt) and Aux PVs FARM (424grt), SKUDD I (247grt), SKUDD II (247grt), OTER I (251grt), HVAL II (224grt), RAMOEN (299grt), SAETRE (172grt) and SARPEN (187grt) surrendered at Tonsberg on the 13th. ML BRAGE (236grt) and Aux PV TREFF (204grt) surrendered at Melsomvik on the 14th. Whale catchers SAIMA (217grt) and SOUSA (217grt) laid up at Tonsberg were seized on the 9th. Old TBs (pre-WWI) TB TEIST (92 grt) , was at Farsund, when the attack took place; she, scuttled herself; TB JO (55grt), was at Arendal, TB GRIB (55grt), had been at Risor, and RAVN (55grt), had been at Langesund, were all scuttled. In addition, old TBs ORN (55grt) and LOM (55grt) of this div were repairing at Horten and surrendered there on the 9th. .

Nor naval vessels at Bergen were TBs STORM and SAEL, MLs TYR (281grt) at Klokkarvik, VALE at Littlebergen, ULLER at Bergen and GOR at Herdia, plus armed aux PVs HAUS (135grt), LINDAAS (138grt), ALVERSUND (178grt), MANGER (153grt) and OYGAR (128grt). DesDiv 1 was based at Bergen, with GARM , TROLL, and DRAUG. DesDiv 2 was also based at Bergen, with AEGER at Stavanger and SLEIPNER at Kristiansund. Pre-WWI TBs DJERV and DRISTIG were at Littlebergen. TBDiv1 was at Bergen, with SNOGG at Floro and STEGG at Skudesneshavn. TBDiv 4 was at at Bergen, with STORM at Hummelsund, BRAND at Bergen, and SAEL at Brandasund. TBDiv 5 was originally based at Trondheim, but was in the Bergen area with TB SKREI (84 grt) at Hestvika on Hita (scuttled), SILD (84 grt) at Kristiansand (scuttled 5 May at Svanholmen) while TB SAKS (84 grt) was under repair at Trondheim and surrendered on the 13th.

The following vessels were seized by DKM at Bergen and mostly renamed for DKM service. MV GALLIA (Sd 1419 grt), MV FAVERVIK (Sd 1912 grt), MV MONARK (Sd 1786 grt) was lost when the German prize crew attempted to sail her back to Germany in early May. MV ANTON H. (Fn 1436 grt), steamer USKO (Fn 1876 grt), steamer KADLI (Est 1818 grt), steamer ARCTURUS (Est 1682 grt), steamer AKSI (Est 844 grt), steamer GERDA (Den 1151 grt) had arrived at Bergen on the 4th, was later ordered to Stavanger, and en route, struck a mine on 8 May off Flesland and drifted ashore. Steamer ANGLO (Pan 2978 grt) was also captured. Steamer ALBERT (Sd 1745 grt) was seized by DKM at Kristiansand. At Trondheim, steamer EMMI (Fn 1592 grt) was seized by German forces and renamed SCHIRMECK for German service. At Stavanger, steamer SPYRIDON (Gk 3527 grt) was under repair, and seized by German forces and renamed EKENES for German service. At Narvik, steamers BLYTHMOOR (UK 6582 grt) (sunk next day at 1st Ballte of Narvik) , MERSINGTON COURT (UK 5141 grt), NORTH CORNWALL (UK 4304 grt), ROMANBY (UK 4887 grt) and RIVERTON (UK5378 grt) were seized by German forces and their crews taken prisoner and placed aboard German tanker JAN WELLEM (11,776grt). A working party from the steamer LIPPE (Ger 7849 grt) removed the deck guns from the captured steamers for coastal defense of the German positions.


TB TOR (Nor 632 grt): The incomplete vessel was scuttled 9/4/1940, but was raised and completed by Germany as the TIGER, returned 5/1945, stricken 1959. Sisiter ship TB BALDER (Nor 632 grt) was similalry captured by the germans

sister ship BALDER in the 1950s

At Boknfjord, near Stavanger, Nor TB AEGER sank steamer RODA (Ger 6780 grt), carrying AA guns and ammo. The German supply ship had departed Hamburg on the 3rd, was bringing these guns and other supplies to two bns of German paras which had captured Sola airfield.
View attachment 289337

Later on the 9th, TB AEGER (RNoN 597 grt) was sunk by German Ju.88 aircraft of KG.4, already based at Sola on the 9th. Seven crew were killed, one fatally wounded, and one severely wounded.
View attachment 289336

 

[parsifal]

9 April 1940 (Part II)
Known Losses (cont'd)
MV AMASIS (Ger 7129 grt): Not involved in the invasion this ship was transporting coal to Sweden. The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk off Måseskär, Sweden by Sub SUNFISH. All 51 crew were rescued.
View attachment 289434

CA BLUCHER (DKM 16974 grt): The Admiral Hipper-class cruiser was sunk in Oslofjord, Norway by Norwegian coastal artillery and shore-based torpedoes with the loss of around 1,000 of her 1,382 crew.
View attachment 289435

MV BOCKENHEIM (Ger 4981 grt): The cargo ship was scuttled off Narvik, Norway by her crew who mistakenly believed that the DKM DDs attacking Narvik were British.
View attachment 289438

Trawler DAGNY (Sd 47 grt): The fishing vessel struck a mine and sank north of Hanstholm, Denmark with the loss of six crew.
[NO IMAGE FOUND].

CL KARLSRUHE (DKM 8130 grt ): Gp 4 hoves to the Nor coast at about 0430 hrs, but due to heavy fog are not able to enter the fjord at Kristiansand until after 0600. The KARLSRUHE engages and silences the Norwegian coastal btys at Odderøya, but it is time consuming and it is not until later in the afternoon that troops are finally landed and the city secured. At 1900 hours, Karlsruhe and the TBs boats depart Kristiansand. At 1958 hours, the KARLSRUHE is torpedoed south of Kristiansand by the Sub TRUANT. One torpedo hits the starboard side amidships in the cruising turbine room. The ship loses power and the crew is then taken off by the nearby torpedo boats. At 2250 hours, the Karlsruhe is finally scuttled by 2 torpedoes from TB GREIF. 11 men die..
View attachment 289462

Tkr KATTEGAT (DKM 8061 grt) Was one of two naval tkrs DKM needed to use in order to quickly refuel the 10 DDs of the Gp1. On hearing of the minefield laid by the RN in Vestfjord, the captain anchored at Ornes outside the harbour. After hailing by PV NORDKAPP (which had located her), with no response (KATTEGAT was frnatically hailing for DKM assistance) the NORDKAPP was instructed to take her a s a prize, however the Nor pilots advised that the DKM crew were armed. The tkr made vary aggressive signals to the NORDKAPP, convincing her that boarding was not possible. After warning shots were ignored, firing was commenced, and registered 4x47mm hits. Before any lethal damage could be done the tkr scuttled herself. 34 of the 39 crew were rescued. This loss was to have catestrophic effects for Gp1.
View attachment 289463

Very early on the 9th, DD DRAUG (Nor 540 grt) at Haugesand captured supply ship MAIN (DKM 7624 grt) carrying mines to Trondheim. Later that morning, German aircraft bombed and badly damaged MAIN. DD DRAUG was forced to scuttle MAIN after taking aboard her crew of sixty seven. RN DDs MATABELE and SIKH were ordered to join DRAUG and escort her towards Sullom Voe, where she arrived on the 10th. The RN DDs then rejoined Adm Forbes' Main Force. On the 10th, Fr DD BRESTOIS departed Sullom Voe for Kirkwall with the 65 German prisoners brought there by DRAUG, and then went on to Scapa. Fr DD BOULONNAIS escorted DRAUG directly to Scapa.
[NO IMAGE FOUND OF THE DKM MAIN] View attachment 289469

Early on the 9th, motor MSWs R.20 and R.24 landed troops at Rauoy, and R.22 and R.23 at Bolaerne. However, when R.17 and R.21 attempted to land troops at Horten, Nor ML OLAV TRYGVASSON and MSW RAUMA sank MSW R.17 (DKM 117 grt) and damaged TB ALBATROS and motor MSW R.21, despite covering gunfire from TB KONDOR.
View attachment 289468

MV SAO PAULO (Ger 4977 grt) were lost en route; The supply ship struck a mine off Bergen and sank.
View attachment 289470

Steamer SEATTLE (Ger 7369 grt), had departed Curacao on 5/6 March and called at Tromso on 31 March, arrived off Kristiansand as the German force arrived. She was sunk by gunfire from Norwegian destroyer GYLLER
SeaBotix News - Missing Divers
View attachment 289471

Supplies for the Kristiansand and Arendal invasions were embarked on steamers AUGUST LEONHARDT (Ger 2593 grt), which was lost at sea en route (cause unknown, but probably a mine), KRETA (2359grt), which arrived three days late, WESTSEE (5911grt) and WIEGAND (5869grt) which had all departed Stettin at 1700/6th.

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

The German Ambassador in Oslo informed the Norwegian Government in writing and verbally that Germany requests Norway to place herself under German military protection. A similar note was handed to Denmark at the same time. Assurances were given that the political independence and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark would be respected now and in future. After thorough deliberation the Norwegian Government refused the German demand, since it signifies an attempt on her sovereign rights. The Danish Government decided to accept German military protection under protest.

At 0515 German naval forces arrived in Norwegian and Danish bases, forces disembarked, the Danish frontiers were crossed. Denmark prohibited firing. The Norwegian Government, which ordered increased alert for Air Force flying and maintenance personnel and coastal defenses yesterday, states that Norway will offer resolute resistance.

According to a Reuter report, at 1300 the (British) Foreign Office stated officially that the British and French Governments
have decided to give Norway full help at once with land, sea and air forces; the necessary steps are being taken.

During the day a second Government was formed in Norway under Vidkum Quisling (former secretary to Nansen, then leader of the Norwegian National Unity Party and from 1931-32 Minister for Defense) .

The Germans, whilst finding Quisling useful, had in fact never intended to install him as the head of the Norwegian govt by force of arms. However, the loss of the cruiser BLUCHER, forced them to improvise. The ship had been carrying most of the personnel intended to take over Norway's administration, The Germans had expected the legitimate Norwegian govt to collaborate and yield as the Danes had done, and were genuinely surprised and dismayed at their defiant response. They had expected the govt to resign to allow the legitimate assumption of power to Quisling; neither happened, although the invasion itself continued. After hours of unseemly haggling, Quisling and his German supporters decided that an immediate coup was necessary, though this was not the preferred option of either Germany's ambassador Curt Bräuer or the German Foreign Ministry. In the afternoon, Quisling was told by German liaison Hans Wilhelm Scheidt that should he set up a govt, it would have Hitler's personal approval. Quisling drew up a list of ministers and, although it had merely relocated some 50 km (having ben given time to evacuate by the delaying actions by the Hans Majestie Kongen Garde (HMKG) who continued to resist in the steets of Oslo for some hrs whilst the govt escaped) to Elverum, accused the legitimate government of having "fled".

Meanwhile, the Germans occupied Oslo and at 17:30 Norwegian radio ceased broadcasting at the request of the German commander. At approximately 19:30, Quisling went on air again and proclaimed the formation of a new govt with himself as PM. He also tried to revoke an earlier order to mobilise against the Nazi invasion, which was ignored. Two orders—one to a friend in the military (Colonel Hans S. Hiorth, the commanding officer of the army regiment at Elverum to arrest the govt and another to the HMKG to cease resistance were ignored. The oslo Police also resisting did not comply either. Hitler lent his support as promised and recognised the new Norwegian government under Quisling within 24 hours. Norwegian batteries continued to resist, and had to be overrun to silence them. it was self evident that Quisling had no authority in his own country, and no Norwegians would ever obey his commands. On 10 April, Brauer (the ambassador) met with the legitmate govt and conveyed the message to King Haakon to recognise Quisling. Haakon refused saying he would prefer to abdicate if it came to it. With no popular support, Quisling was no longer of use to Hitler. Germany retracted its support for his rival govt, and on 15 april, just 5 days later, withdrew recognition of Quisling govt.

Everywhere, the Norwegians were resisting the invasion and it had become obvious to everyone that the germans would have to assume the mantra of being an aggressor and invading power, forcing the surrender of the legitimate govt, and failing that, forcing a ceasefire as a result of full occupation. Norway never surrendered, and provided substantial support to the allies whilst for the germans they were saddled with the need to maintain substantial garrisons in Norway just to prevent revolt from occupation.


Departures
Kiel: U-23, U-24
Wilhelmshaven: U-65

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

At Sea 9 April 1940
U-2, U-4, U-5, U-6, U-7, U-9, U-10, U-13, U-14, U-19, U-25, U-30, U-34, U-37, U-38, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-49, U-51, U-52, U-56, U-57, U-58, U-59, U-60, U-62, U-64, U-65.
29 boats at sea

 

[parsifal]

9 April 1940 (Part III)
OPERATIONS
Baltic
Western Baltic
GP 5 (OSLO)
Oslo was supposed to have been by small tkrs EUROLAND (869grt) and SENATOR (845grt) which had departed Hamburg on the 6th, but as indicated above these ships were actually sunk by causes Ive yet to pin down. It is not known if the fuel these small coastal tkrs were carrying was actually unloaded. In any event, additional fuel and supplies were carried by cargo ships ANTARES (2593grt), IONIA (3102grt), ITAURI (6838grt), MUANSA (5472grt) and NEIDENFELS (7838grt) which had departed Stettin at 0200/7th and arrived as soon as Oslo was secured.

They were followed two days later by 11 steamers carrying the 196th XX. These were ESPANA (7456grt), FRIEDENAU (5219grt), HAMM (5874grt), HANAU (5892grt), KELLERWALD (5032grt), ROSARIO (6079grt), TUCUMAN (4621grt), WANDSBEK (2388grt), WIGBERT (3648grt) and WOLFRAM (3648grt) which departed Gotenhafen on the 8th for Oslo, and steamer SCHARHORN (2643grt) which departed Konigsberg on the 8th for Frederikstad.

3 days later, 12 steamers (72,575grt) departed Hamburg carrying the 181st Inf XX. In this group were tkr FRIEDRICH BREME (10,397grt) which was carrying fuel for a/c based near Oslo and steamer FLORIDA (6148grt).

3 days after the 3rd group, another convoy carrying the 214th Inf XX and elements of the 196th Inf XX arrived at Oslo. In addition, independently-routed supply ships began to regularly arrived at Oslo starting with MOLTKEFELS (7863grt), UTLANDSHORN (2643grt) and URUNDI (5791grt) on the 16th, LEUNA (6856grt) and BUENAS AIRES (6097grt) on the 18th with Machine Gun Battalion 13, and ENTRERIOS (5179grt), CAMPINAS (4541grt), CORDOBA (4611grt) and SCHARHORN (2643grt) on the 22nd.

GP 6 (EGERSUND)
The cable station at Egersund and protecting torpedo boat SKARV were taken by surprise by German minesweepers M.1, M2, M.9 and M.13. Both fell into German hands with no resistance. On the 11th, submarine CLYDE was ordered to investigate the landing of troops at Egersund.

GP 4 (KRISTANSAND)
Norwegian naval forces at Kristiansand were composed of SLEIPNER class DDs (actuially TBS) ODIN and GYLLER, sub B.2 and B.5, refitting Pre-WWI TB KJELL, (under repair), pre-1900 TBs LYN, BLINK (under repair), and KVIK. NTB SLEIPNER DesDiv 2 was at Kristiansand. DKM TB GREIF was detached to land troops at Arendal. Although landings were delayed by fog until 0900, Arendal fell without difficulty to German troops. The German Kristiansand force entering harbour was forced to retire twice under bombardment from shore batteries at Odderoy. Later in the morning, a message in Norwegian code was sent to the Norwegian commander stating that Fr DDs were coming to his aid. Expecting these, CL KARLSRUHE and TBs LUCHS and SEEADLER were allowed to enter the port by the defending Norwegian forces and the town was forced to surrender by 1700/9th. The Norwegian ships surrendered at naval station at Marvika on the 11th. Destroyers ODIN and GYLLER (previously mentioned , subs B.2 and B.5 (ea: RNoN 545 grt), Pre-WWI TB KJELL (94t), Pre-1900 TBs LYN (38grt), BLINK (38grt) and KVIK (38grt), Aux PVs W. BARENTS (205grt), FIRERN (217grt), LYNGDAL (149grt), HVAL IV (248grt), HVAL VI (248grt) and HVAL VII (247grt) surrendered at Marvika.

TB KJELL pre-war. Much of the the norwegian Navy was obsolete

The two Norwegian destroyers were taken over on the 11th by DKM and commissioned on the 25th 1940 as LOWE (former GYLLER) and PANTHER (former ODIN) for duty in the TBFlot 7. This flotilla later also composed of TIGER (former TOR which had been scuttled at Horten), commissioned on 13 June 1940 and LEOPARD (former BALDER also taken at Horten), commissioned on 26 July 1940. In December 1940, the flotilla cmd was terminated and the former Norwegian vessels were transferred to the UJ (subhunter) Gp. Sub B.5 was commissioned at Kristiansand on 20 November 1940 as UC.1, and Pre-WWI TB KJEL at Kristiansand (as TIGER) and renamed KT.1 in June 1940. Pre-WWI TB JO (55grt), was at Arendal, GRIB (55grt), was at Risor, and RAVN (55grt), which had been at Langesund, were scuttled at Lyngor on the 17th. In addition, Pre-WWI TBs ORN (70grt) and LOM (70grt) of this division were repairing at Horten and surrendered there on the 9th. Steamer ALBERT (Sd 1745 grt) was seized by German forces at Kristiansand.

North Sea
Gp 3 (BERGEN)
Gp 3 arrived off Bergen and the cruisers identified themselves as HMS CAIRO and HMS CALCUTTA and KARL PETERS identified herself as HMS HALCYON which were regular callers at Bergen since being assigned to the ON/HN convoy escorts. As such, DKM CLs KOLN and KONIGSBERG were allowed to enter the fjord, but the shore batteries at Kvarven awoke to the deception and put three eight inch shells into KONIGSBERG and one into training ship BREMSE. On KONIGSBERG 16 crew were killed and 31 wounded. Nor ML TYR hurriedly dropped eight mines between Sotra and Leroy and withdrew undetected at the mouth of the fjord. Pre-1900 TB STORM (84t) torpedoed the leading DKM TB (not identified) , but the torp failed to explode. Bergen surrendered before dawn on the 9th. All the defending Norwegian naval vessels were able to escape into nearby Hardangersfjord. The fortifications at Sandviken fired on CL KOLN at anchor in the harbour, but when KOLN returned fire, the fort ceased firing. By 0930, both Kvarven and Sandviken were in German hands.

The Norwegian and neutral vessels captured or sunk at Bergen have already been noted, but it was a considerable haul for the germans.

A RAF CC Blenheim of 254 Squadron, carrying observer Lt Cdr G. Hare RN (shipborne 712 sqn, temporarily seconded from CL SHEFFIELD to assist in ship recognition), sighted the DKM warships at Bergen during the morning. At 1900, 12 Hampden bombers of 50 Squadron, six Wellington bombers of 9 Squadron, and six Wellington bombers of 115 Squadron of Bomber Command attacked CLs KOLN, KONIGSBERG and training ship BREMSE at anchor at Bergen but did not score any hits. During the evening of the 9th, KOLN with torpedo boats WOLF and LEOPARD was preparing to leave Bergen, KONIGSBERG was unfit for sea and left behind for repairs. KOLN put to sea at 2100 with the two TBs and followed the Leads south, anchoring at Maurangersfjord until the afternoon of the 10th before continuing. Off the Elbe early on the 11th, they were joined by DKM DDs SCHOEMANN and BEITZEN which escorted them to Wilhelmshaven, arriving at 1700 that evening.

GP 2 (TRONDHEIM)

The primary defending naval unit at Trondheim was ML FROYA, which was en route from the Kirkenes to Horten. On the 9th, she was in Skjornfjord in Trondheimsfjord. Also at Trondheim was PVDiv14 with aux PVs HEILHORN (192grt) at Beiarn and STENKJAER (158grt) and FOSEN (273grt) at Agdenes. The two PVs boats at Agdenes surrendered at Hasselvika on the 9th. Finally, PV NAUMA (219grt) of this division was under repair at Trondheim and surrendered on the 13th. The Trondheim Group entered Trondheimsfjord without firing a shot. DDs JACOBI, RIEDEL, HEINEMANN were detached near the fortifications of Brettingen and Hysnes with landing parties to neutralize the forts, while CA ADMIRAL HIPPER and DD ECKHOLDT continued on to Trondheim.

CA ADMIRAL HIPPER had already passed the fortifications when the guns at Hysnes opened fire. DD RIEDEL getting underway rapidly, accidentally ran aground doing considerable damage to her hull. Return fire from ADMIRAL HIPPER sent up clouds and smoke and dust spoiling the aim of the fort's gunners. RIEDEL was able to get herself off . The DD was then beached in Strommen Bay for repairs until 20 April. HIPPER and DD ECKHOLDT anchored in Trondheim harbour and the town surrendered without a shot. ML FROYA (Nor 595 grt) attempted to escape from Trondheims fjord, but was damaged by German coastal artillery and forced aground where she was scuttled by her crew on the 13th.

The Trondheim supply ships, tanker MOONSUND (321grt), had departed Brunsbuttel on the 9th, steamers MAIN (7624grt) and SAO PAULO (4977grt) were lost en route; SAO PAULO late on the 9th at Brantholm. The fourth supply ship, steamer LEVANTE (4770grt) did not arrive until 12 April. CA HIPPER departed on the 10th. She took DD ECKHOLDT with her, but the DD was forced to return to Trondheim. The other 3 DKM DDs were immobile. DD RIEDEL, had run aground, HEINEMANN, had defects, and JACOBI was too low on fuel to attempt the return trip. The non arrival of tkr SKAGERRAK (6044grt), which was delayed at Kopervik, and the loss of SAO PAULO (4977grt), was greatly affecting German DD activity.

By mid-morning on the 9th, reinforcements had reached Adml Forbes in the form of CAs DEVONSHIRE, BERWICK and YORK of CruSqn 1, CruSqn 2 (CLs ARETHUSA and GALATEA), CruSqn 18 (GLASGOW, SOUTHAMPTON and MANCHESTER), Fr CL EMILE BERTIN, DDs ELECTRA, CODRINGTON, GRIFFIN, ESCAPADE, GURKHA, SIKH, AFRIDI, MOHAWK, ZULU and COSSACK, ORP DDs GROM, BURZA and BLYSKAWICA and Fr ContreTorpilleur DDs MAILLE BREZE and TARTU. early that morning DD KELVIN ran into KASHMIR's stern forcing the latter to return to Lerwick under tow by DD COSSACK escort DDs ZULU and the damaged KELVIN.

Fr DDs BRESTOIS and FOUDROYANT dep Scapa on the 12th for Lerwick. On the 12th, destroyers KELVIN, proceeding stern first, and KASHMIR departed Lerwick for the Tyne, and were met at sea by the Fr DDs. They all safely arrived on the 13th at 2030. KELVIN arrived at Scapa after repairs on 28 May and KASHMIR returned to service on 13 June.

 

[Njaco]

April 10 Wednesday
NORTHERN EUROPE: With their seizure of so many of the Norway's large towns the Germans have taken most of the stocks of arms at the Norwegian mobilization centers. The Norwegians, therefore, have even less chance for resistance than might have been expected.

The Luftwaffe continues its attacks on the fortress of Oskarborg in Norway along with enemy positions on the island of Hunhaaren and military barracks in the northern part of Oslo. Norwegian mine-layer "Olav Tryggvason" hits German cruiser "Emden" in Oslo fjord. The landing strip at Kristiansand is taken and occupied by the Staffeln of II./JG 77.

Coming out of the rising sun at 0730 hours, 16 Skua fighter/bombers of British Fleet Air Arm 800 and 803 Squadrons divebomb German cruiser "Königsberg" in Bergen harbor (at the absolute limit of their range from Hatson airfield, Orkney Islands). "Königsberg" is hit with three 500 pound bombs (18 killed, 23 wounded) and sinks 2 hours later. German transport ship SS "Barenfels" is also damaged. 1 Skua malfunctions and crashes (2 aircrew lost). "Königsberg" was the first major warship to be sunk by dive bombing in the war.

First Battle of Narvik: At dawn in heavy snow, a British destroyer flotilla is launched against German forces in Narvik. 10 German destroyers were in the Ofotfjord when 5 British destroyers - "Hardy","Hostile", "Hotspur","Havock", and "Hunter" - attacked the German ships, achieving complete surprise. They sank destroyers "Anton Schmidt" and "Wilhelm Heidkamp", and sink or destroy eight supply ships. Five strong German destroyers then approached the British destroyers from two directions. "Hardy" is severely damaged, and run aground to get the crew out. "Hunter" is hit and sinks in under a minute. "Hotspur" and "Hostile" are damaged, and with "Havock", escape to return to England. The British withdraw but are not chased by the Germans who are low on fuel. All five German destroyers are damaged, delaying their departure from Narvik. Enroute from Narvik to England, destroyers "Hotspur", "Hostile", and "Havock" sink German ammunition ship "Rauenfels" containing the artillery, anti-aircraft guns and ammunition for Generalleutnant Eduard Dietl's 138th Gebirgsjäger Regiment at Narvik. Both naval commanders at Narvik die in the engagement and are decorated. British Captain Bernard Armitage Warburton Warburton-Lee is killed by a direct hit to HMS "Hardy's" bridge. He will be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross and, in 1942, the Norwegian War Cross. Commander of the German destroyer flotilla at Narvik Commodore Friedrich Bonte is killed when his flagship, destroyer Z21" Wilhelm Heidkamp", is torpedoed and explodes. Bonte will be posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz).

The German pocket battleship "Lützow" is badly damaged by a submarine attack while homeward bound. Other German merchant ships from a convoy for Oslo are also sunk.

Near Narvik in northern Norway, several Ju 52 transports loaded with a mountain battery from 5./Inf. Rgt. 159 and supplies, land on a frozen lake and one transport sinks through the ice, killing seven crewmembers. This action along with the destruction of German supply ships in the harbor leave the ground units in Narvik in danger of being trapped.

British Coastal Command Wellington bombers make their first air raid on the airfield at Stavanger, Norway.

U-4 sinks HMS "Thistle" at 0213 hours (all 53 hands lost) at Stavanger. HMS "Tarpon" fires torpedoes at Q-ship "Schiff 40/Schürbek" but is sunk by depth charges 50 mile off the Danish coast (another 53 crew lost).

GERMANY: Generalmajor Alfred Bülowius is made Kommodore of LG 1 in place of Oberst Dr. Robert Knauss.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-37 torpedoed Swedish motor tanker "Sveaborg" 10 miles north of the Faroe Islands between Scotland and Iceland at 0215 hours, killing 5. Norwegian merchant vessel "Tosca" arrived to rescue the 29 survivors on and around the burning "Sveaborg". At 0323 hours, U-37 returned and sank "Tosca" with one torpedo, killing 2. Survivors from both ships were later rescued by British armed boarding vessel HMS "Northern Chief".

UNITED KINGDOM: Henry Tizard established the Military Application of Uranium Detonation (MAUD) Committee in the United Kingdom to investigate the feasibility of an atomic weapon.

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[parsifal]

9 April 1940 (Part IV)
OPERATIONS (contd)
North Sea(Contd)
GERMAN U-BOAT OPERATIONS
DKM U-boats operated off Norway in support of Fleet operations under Operation HARTMUTH. Early on the 9th, they were deployed as following. In Vestfjord were U.25, U.46, U.51 and U.64 which had departed Kiel on the 6th and was en route. Off Trondheim were U.30 and U.34. Off Bergen were five submarines - U.9 and U.14 southwest of Bergen, U.56 due west of Bergen, and U.60 and U.62 northwest of Bergen. Off Stavanger were U.1 and U.4, with U.1 off the actual harbour entrance and U.4 off the outer channel in a position to protect Haugesand as well. Northeast of Lerwick, Shetlands were U.48, U.49, U.52. U.50 was supposed to be se of Lerwick, but had been lost on a mine on the 6th with the entire crew of forty four dead. U.38 and U.47 were to the north of the Shetlands. U.37 escorted Raider ATLANTIS as far as the Denmark Strait until being detached on the 5th, after which she arrived off the Shetlands and joined this group.

East of the Pentland Firth were U.13 and U.57 with U.58 and U.59 to the west of Pentland Firth. Off Stavanger and the Naze were U.2, U.5, U.6 and later U.3. U.2 was west, sw of Egersund,U 5 was wsw of Lindesnes,and U.6 was southeast of Lindesnes. On arrival, U.3 was stationed wnw of Lindesnes. U.2 was forced to return to Wilhelmshaven on the 12th with hydroplane defects. The sub arrived on the 15th for repairs. Se of the Shetlands were U.7, U.10 and U.19. U.7 was se of Sumburgh Head, with U.10 and U.19 east of Fair Island. At the east end of the English Channel off Rotterdam and Antwerp were U.17, U.23, U.24 and U.61. The sub group northeast of the Shetlands was dispersed on the 11th with U.50 and U.52 redeployed off Trondheim and U.38, U.47, U.48 and U.49 in Vaagsfjord. U.50, however, had already been lost on a mine on the 6th before her order for redeployment was sent. The submarine group at the east end of the English Channel was redeployed on the 13th with U.17, U.23 and U.24 were ordered to patrol off Bergen and U.61 off Trondheim.

Northern Waters
BATTLECRUISER RENOWN'S ENGAGEMENT WITH SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU
At 0337, BC RENOWN with DDs GREYHOUND, ICARUS, IVANHOE, ESK, IMPULSIVE, HARDY, HUNTER, HAVOCK and HOTSPUR encountered DKM BCs GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST and an action ensued. RENOWN hit GNEISENAU's main armament control system putting it out of order and forcing the German ships to retire. RENOWN began to pursue the German ships. HARDY and HUNTER were able to keep up with RENOWN for a time in the heavy weather, but the others fell behind. At 0658 the DDs were ordered to patrol the entrance to Vestfjord. RENOWN scored two more hits on GNEISENAU, one of them crippled GNEISENAU's forward turret, opening it directly to the sea. RENOWN received two hits in return. The one hit passing through the extreme stern without exploding and the second perforating the foremast, severing all internal cables, but also not exploding. The searchlights sustained minor damage by splinters. Lt Cdr M.J. Evans was the only crewman wounded. In the high speed retirement, both SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU sustained further damage from the weather in the form of flooding their forward turrets; GNEISENAU's damage being much more severe because of the shell damage to her gun house from RENOWN's hit. 3 hours after the action began, the German battleships were able to outdistance RENOWN which returned to her patrol off Vestfjord.

DDs ESCORT, JAVELIN, JANUS, JUNO and ECLIPSE departed Scapa escorting BB WARSPITE. CVL FURIOUS with DDs ASHANTI, MAORI, DELIGHT and FORTUNE departed the Clyde at 0001 on the 9th. Aircraft carrier FURIOUS flew on nine Swordfish aircraft of the 816 Squadron and nine Swordfish of 818 Squadron. Her fighter component was available but was not landed on, it was not yet RN doctrine to rely on fighters for air defence....that was soon to change. The Skuas of the 801 Squadron were not embarked. DELIGHT suffered weather damage and was forced to return to Greenock. The WARSPITE and FURIOUS groups proceeded to a rendezvous ten miles north of Muckle Flugga where they met at 0500/10th. Together, the ships proceeded to join the C in C Home Flt on course 115°, 16 knots, in 61-24N, 2W at 0700/10th.

GP 1 (NARVIK)
Norwegian naval forces at Narvik were coastal defense ships NORGE and EIDSVOLD at Narvik, submarines B.1 and B.3 of SubDiv3 at Liland near Narvik. The following merchant ships were at Narvik early on the 9th - Norwegian steamers CATE B (4285grt), ELRID (1712grt), HAALEGG (1758grt) and SAPHIR (4306grt), Dutch steamer BERNISSE (951grt), Swedish steamers BODEN (4264grt), OXELOSUND (5613grt) and STRASSA (5603grt), British steamers BLYTHMOOR (6582grt), MERSINGTON COURT (5141grt), NORTH CORNWALL (4304grt), RIVERTON (5378grt) and ROMANBY (4887grt), German steamers AACHEN (6388grt), ALTONA (5398grt), BOCKENHEIM (4902grt), HEIN HOYER(5386grt),MARTHA HENRICH FISSER (4879grt), NEUENFELS (8096grt), ODIN (5806grt), JAN WELLEM (11,776grt),LIPPE (7849GRT), FRIELINGHAUS (4339grt) and PLANET (5881grt), and Swedish tugs DIANA (213grt) and STYRBJORN (167grt).

Gp 1 less GIESE whose hull was holed in heavy weather and had fallen behind, entered Ofotfjord (the outer fjord) at 0410 without opposition. The force entered Ofotfjord and encountered Norwegian fishery protection vessels MICHAEL SARS (207grt) and SENJA (243grt). They ordered the Norwegian guard ships to turn about and return to Narvik. DD ROEDER was detached to patrol off Baroy to await the arrival of destroyer GIESE. She captured Aux PV KELT (376grt) while on this patrol. At the Ramnes Narrows, flotilla commander Bonte detached DDs LUDEMAN and SCHMIDT to land troops and capture the Narvik fortifications which prove to be nonexistent. Abreast of Herjansfjord, DDs ZENKER, KUNNE and KOELLNER were detached to go up the fjord to Elvegaard where the Norwegian regimental depot for the area was located. The depot was captured without resistance.

DDs HEIDKAMP , ARNIM and THIELE continued on to the harbour of Narvik where the BOCKRNHEIM then scuttled herself (see precedeing entries). The DDs encountered Norwegian coastal defense ship EIDSVOLD which HEIDKAMP sank after a perfunctory request for free passage. EIDSVOLD sank. DD ARNIM was already alongside the wharf when coastal defense ship NORGE opened fire on her, but ARNIM was able to sink NORGE without damage to herself. NORGE also sank. Sub B.1 (RNoN 545 grt) scuttled herself at Liland in Ofotfjord after an unsuccessful attempt to get to sea. Sub B.3 was able to escape and reached safety in a fjord further north. She eventually sailed to britiain, where she joined the RN flotilas for a short while, then was used for training.

 

[Njaco]

April 11 Thursday
NORTHERN EUROPE: German success depends on reducing Norwegian Army resistance in southern Norway. The key is to link up their forces at Oslo and Trondheim via the long parallel mountain defiles. The German 196th Division moved north from Oslo up the Gudbrandsdal and Østerdal valleys in an attempt to link up with the German forces in Trondheim. They brush aside improvised Norwegian roadblocks. In an attempt to halt the German advances, the RAF attacked the Stavanger airfield in southern Norway.

Norwegian Army General Kristian Laake was relieved of command for his failures in the opening chapters of the German invasion; General Otto Ruge took over as his successor.

But the British battle back in Norway. In the morning eighteen British aircraft from the aircraft carrier HMS "Furious" attack Trondheim without success. Another Allied attack with nine aircraft, on the railway system between Trondheim and Oslo cuts off the line when a tunnel is destroyed. Defense from the Luftwaffe consists of a raid by ten He 111s from III./KG 26 on the British battlefleet off Trondheim – three battleships, a carrier, two cruisers and fourteen destroyers are attacked. Two hits are reported on a cruiser and one hit by a 50 kg bomb on the carrier HMS "Furious".

An Allied Expeditionary Force leaves Clyde en route to Narvik, Norway.

British Vice-Admiral Horton's submarine deployment pays off again. HMS "Spearfish", patrolling in the Kattegat, encounters the already-damaged German cruiser "Lützow" returning from Oslo just after midnight. "Spearfish" fires a spread of 6 torpedoes then runs, not realizing that "Lützow" is unescorted. 1 torpedo hits "Lützow" nearly ripping off her stern. "Lützow" is towed back to Kiel but is out of action until repairs are complete in June 1941. Not realizing "Lützow" was unescorted, "Spearfish" fled from the action as soon as she fired her torpedoes. A member of the crew described how Lieut. Pirie, second-in-command, and the captain stood in the conning-tower watching the approach of what was thought to be the "Admiral Scheer".

"Lieut. Pirie remarked 'I think this is a German battleship', but our captain at first thought it was only a destroyer. Suddenly he said to Lieut. Pirie 'You're right. It's a pocket battleship.' We were ready for anything. As the 'Admiral Scheer' came nearer the captain realized what a great opportunity was being presented. Lieut.-Commander Forbes had time to maneuver his ship to bring the 'Admiral Scheer' to a favorable position. Then came crisp orders which electrified the whole ship's complement and earned them full reward for months of patrols without sighting a German ship. It was impossible, of course, to wait and see what damage we had done, but not a man in the ship believes the German story that the 'Admiral Scheer' has reached home. As we got away we distinctly heard the impact of the torpedoes on the German warship."

She was fortunate that "Spearfish" was out of torpedoes.

The crew and planes of II./JG 77 starts moving from airfield to airfield to keep up with the invasion, ending up on this date at Kristiansand-Kjevik in southern Norway. During the days to come, the Staffeln of the Gruppe are moved to other airfields and is stretched between Kristiansand and Trondheim. By the beginning of May the Gruppe is moved to Stavanger airfield. One of the first missions from Kristiansand is attacking Norwegian troops at a training area near Evjemoen. Twelve buildings are set on fire.

German collaborator Vidkun Quisling sent a message to King Haakon VII of Norway, asking him to return to Oslo; seeing through his plot to use him as a puppet, the king chose to ignore the request. Seeing a lack of response from the king and his government, German bombers attacked the village where they were hiding in a failed attempt to wipe out Norwegian leadership.

UNITED KINGDOM: Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, gave instructions to the Royal Navy to occupy the Faroe Islands. An announcement was broadcast on BBC radio, and the RAF flew an aircraft over the islands. The Faroe Islands are a small collection of islands approximately half way between Norway and Iceland. They are a territory of Denmark. If occupied by the Germans they would enable the Nazis to control shipping which passes north of Scotland, along with any shipping moving towards Norway or the rest of Scandinavia.

Winston Churchill spoke at the House of Commons and used Norway as an example to urge other smaller neutral European countries to join the Allies before Germany violated their neutrality as well.

In a report to the War Office in London, British General Lord Gort of Limerick, VC, stated that his five regular-army divisions were effective, although not up to the standards of the British Expeditionary Force of 1914. The remaining eight Territorial divisions, he reported were, fit only for static warfare.

WESTERN FRONT: The Belgian army cancels all leaves.

Three Do 17s from 5(F)./122 flew across the front. Attacked by aircraft from GC I/5, GC III/6 and GC III/7, one was shot down near Reims while another escaped with slight damage having been caught by defending fighters near St Quentin.

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