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

by Angus Konstam

Overview

On 25 December 1943 the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst slipped out Altenfjord in Norway to attack Arctic convoy JW55B which was carrying vital war supplies to the Soviet Union. But British naval intelligence knew of the Scharnhorst's mission before she sailed and the vulnerable convoy was protected by a large Royal Naval force including the battleship Duke of York. In effect the Scharnhorst was sailing into a trap. One of the most compelling naval dramas of the Second World War had begun.

‘Angus Konstam’s gripping account tells the story of this crucial but under-studied naval battle, and explains why the hopes of the German Kreigsmarine went down with their last great ship; only 37 of the German battlecruiser’s 1700 crew were saved.’ The Nautical Magazine

‘This book illuminates this forgotten and overlooked battle like an unexpected enemy star shell bursting out of the Arctic night.’ IPMS

‘Angus Konstam’s book is an excellent read and strongly recommended…. thoughtful and totally engrossing….If you are interested in the Royal Navy in the Second World War, the Arctic convoy campaign or capital ship actions, The Battle of the North Cape is well worth its cover price.’ Naval Review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781848845572
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	12/01/2011
Series:	Campaign Chronicles
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Angus Konstam is a military and maritime historian and author. Formerly a curator at the Royal Armouries, and curator at the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, he is now a full-time author, with over 70 books in print.

Table of Contents

Maps and Illustrations vi

Background 1

Introduction 1

The Rivals 6

Order of Battle 11

Ship Specifications 14

Campaign Chronicle 22

Day 1 Monday, 20 December 1943 22

Day 2 Tuesday, 21 December 1943 28

Day 3 Wednesday, 22 December 1943 33

Day 4 Thursday, 23 December 1943 39

Day 5 Christmas Eve - Friday, 24 December 1943 45

Day 6 Christmas Day - Saturday 25 December 1943 54

Day 7 Sunday 26 December 1643 64

The Middle and Morning Watches (00:00-07:59 hours) 64

The Forenoon Watch (08:00-11:59 hours) 73

The Afternoon Watch (12:00-15:59 hours) 92

The Dog Watches (16:00-19:59 hours) 112

Aftermath 149

The Survivors 149

Conclusion 159

Index 162

Editorial Reviews

…a fast read with surprising twists and turns… illuminates this forgotten and overlooked battle like an unexpected enemy starshell bursting out of the Arctic night.

IPMS/USA

"Angus Konstam’s gripping account tells the story of this crucial but under-studied naval battle, and explains why the hopes of the German Kreigsmarine went down with their last great ship; only 37 of the German battlecruiser’s 1700 crew were saved."

The Nautical Magazine

"Angus Konstam’s book is an excellent read and strongly recommended…. thoughtful and totally engrossing….If you are interested in the Royal Navy in the Second World War, the Arctic convoy campaign or capital ship actions, The Battle of the North Cape is well worth its cover price."

The Naval Review

Angus Konstam’s book is an excellent read and strongly recommended…. thoughtful and totally engrossing….If you are interested in the Royal Navy in the Second World War, the Arctic convoy campaign or capital ship actions, The Battle of the North Cape is well worth its cover price.

Naval Review

This book illuminates this forgotten and overlooked battle like an unexpected enemy star shell bursting out of the Arctic night.

IPMS