Armchair Admirals: the Battles of Narvik

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[h3]Episode 10[/h3] Premieres: Mon. 26 Apr. 19:00 CEST (UTC+2)

This month we're trying out a new time slot for our historical talk show – join us on Twitch, YouTube or Facebook next Monday, April 26 at 19:00 CEST and tune in to our panel's discussion of the naval battles of Narvik. In April 1940, British and German destroyer forces engaged in brutal close-quarters combat in the claustrophobic confines of the Norwegian Fjords as both powers vied for the strategic control of the nordic country.

This month, our panelists are YouTuber Drachinifel, naval historian Dr. Alexander Clarke, and World of Warships' own Tuccy, and MrConway.

• You can leave your questions and comments for our panel at our dedicated Discord server at the link below. If you're not a member of our server, you can join here. If you're already a member, you can follow the direct link below. You can also fill out the traditional question form if you're not comfortable with Discord.

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[h3]The Battles of Narvik[/h3]
For months after Britain's and France's declaration of war against Germany, the world held its breath as neither side seemed to want to be the first to escalate the conflict. In this period, which came to be known as the 'Phoney War', faith in a diplomatic solution to the war still remained, and actual military actions were limited to a small scale. 

The balance was disrupted when in April 1940, Germany buckled and made an aggressive move to occupy Norway —Operation Weserübung— with the aim of gaining uninterrupted access to Swedish iron ore, as well as strategic ports in the British-controlled North Sea. This sudden campaign was costly in general for both sides, and for the Kriegsmarine in particular: heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper suffered damage after being rammed by destroyer HMS Glowworm on April 5, and her sister Blücher was sunk by Norwegian coastal defenses in Oslofjord on April 9.

While this was happening, a force of 10 German destroyers assaulted the sparsely defended northern port of Narvik and landed troops to garrison the city. Due to a delay in refueling, the German destroyer flotilla was forced on April 9 to stay another night in the frigid waters of Ofotfjord before retreating back South.

In the early morning of April 10, the first Royal Navy units slipped into the fjord, setting the scene for a spectacular end to the 'Phoney War'.

How did it play out? Join our stream next Monday and find out!