Narvik
In April 1940, indecision on the part of the British Government, and the surprise invasion of Norway by the Germans, contrived to place the two opposing fleets in the same bit of sea at the same time, albeit unknown to each other. Thus was triggered the two sea battles of Narvik.(see Overview)
Map showing many of the wrecks in the Fjords
In the engagements the British won two posthumous V.C.s as they destroyed ten German destroyers and a submarine for the loss of two of their own destroyers and two aircraft. The Norwegian Navy lost two ageing ships and two patrol boats. Over 700 sailors were killed on all sides, and it later came to light, that in the initial torpedo attacks, a German troop ship, carrying 3000 men of the Alpine Division, was sunk drowning all on board.
Map showing wrecks in Narvik harbour
At the time of the battle over 25 merchant ships were anchored around Narvik harbour, and many were sunk. These ships, together with all the destroyers, have turned the area around Narvik into a spectacular graveyard of shipwrecks, to which access has only been recently granted.
All these wrecks were dived on in September 2004, from the Diving vessel Jane R,
skippered by the inimitable Gordon Wadsworth, who is still finding new wrecks.
While I was in Narvik I met a great underwater photographer called Frank Bang who has extensively filmed most of the wrecks in the area, and is still adding more. He was very kind to allow me to reproduce several of his photo's in the articles below. visit his site frank bang's homepage for more great photo's.
- Narvik Overview
- Martha Henrik Fisser
- Strassa
- Blackwatch
- Karmoy
- Romanby
- Z-2 George Thiele
- Z-13 Erich Koellner
- Herman Kunne
- Hardy
- Dornier Seaplane
- Fredrick Henry Ward survivor from H.M.S. Hunter
- James Renshaw survivor from H.M.S. Hunter
- Cyril Cope survivor from H.M.S.Hardy
- Robert Mc Atamney survivor from H.M.S.Hardy
- Frederick Avery and the Hardy's safe
- Austin McNamara's Sea Boot Stockings
- Les Smale B.E.M. survivor from H.M.S.Hardy
- Anthony Ronayne B.E.M. survivor from H.M.S.Hardy
- Ralph Brigginshaw Hardy Survivor
- Harry Rogers, survivor from H.M.S.Hardy
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HMS Hardy survivor Austin McNamara
> I am searching for a particular photograph of Winston Churchill inspecting the survivors of the HMS Hardy on 19 April 1940 at the Horse Guard Parade at Whitehall. I have been successful in obtaining many different photographs of the occasion over the past few months, but not the correct one clearly showing Austin McNamara in the photograph. Austin had been presumed dead in the sinking of the HMS Hardy at Narvik in Norway on 10 April 1940. The local paper boy in Bolton raced around with a copy of the newspaper saying ‘he was alive’. I am trying to get a copy of the right photo for his sister’s 70th birthday in April 2004. Apparently the same photograph appeared on a television documentary at the time as well. I am also trying to get any information pertaining to him or the HMS Hardy or HMS Gould for her.
I have hundreds of pages of emails, photos etc if someone would like to have copies of information I have gleaned over the years about HMS HARDY in my search for the photo for my mother in law.
Thanks Leo…in making contact you have provided me with a significant amount of relevant but more so personal photographs and information which would have taken me as long as it has taken you to collate. Your remarkable efforts deserve a successful outcome. Obviously if anything comes by way of my own research I will pass it on quickly. Ron Cope
My father was on the Hardy (Walter Mitchell known as Mick) and at Trafalgar Square when Winston Churchill was giving his speach. I have a photograph of him and also a Pathe News video of the event.
Can I help in any way.
Regards
Mrs Diane James
Dear Diane, Sorry for delay in getting back. I have just been to Malta where I met the family of Anthony Ronayne. Anthony although now passed away, his lovely family made me very welcome and provided me with his written account on that fateful day on 10th April 1940. Any information (see above at the top of this page which has been recently placed kindly by Peter Mitchell) may be of interest. It could be I can send you information. Walter was a member of the Narvik Association, in fact I have photo of him with my father and the wonderful lady who helped the survivors Petra Kristiansen. Ron ‘roncope@btinternet.com’