HMS GLOWWORM, Victoria Cross ship

lost in her lone attack on German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, 8th April 1940

 

HMS Glowworm prewar
(courtesy NavyPhotos, click for enlargement)

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click on the images for larger versions

 

My thanks to Huub van Sabben of Holland for bringing these photographs to my attention. They were taken from Admiral Hipper, and although I do not have copyright permission, I would like to obtain this and acknowledge the source.

It is difficult to be sure of the sequence of the photographs, but the Victoria Cross citation following the photographs may provide further clues.


 

 

 

 
       

above - possibly just after Glowworm rammed Hipper

   
Below - possibly after Glowworm pulled away with her stove-in bows, turned over to starboard and sank. Note the heavy seas.
   
   
   

From the shadow, it would seem this photograph of an
armed party on Hipper was taken at another time

 

 

Norwegian Invasion and Campaign, 8th April 1940, Operation 'Wilfred' - British Navy destroyers laid minefields, simulated and real at three points off the Norwegian coast, including near Bodo. Battlecruiser ‘Renown’ and other destroyers provided cover. One of the screen, ‘GLOWWORM’ (Lt Cdr G B Roope+) was detached to search for a man overboard just as 8in-gunned cruiser ‘Admiral Hipper’ headed into Trondheim. They met to the northwest of the port and the destroyer was soon sunk, but not before she rammed and damaged ‘Hipper’.

 
 

 
 

 8th April - Lt Cdr Gerard ROOPE RN, CO HMS Glowworm, lost in sinking of ship in action with German heavy cruiser 'Admiral Hipper' off Trondheim. Posthumous award.

The London Gazette, Tuesday 10 July, 1945 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour to:‑

The late Lieutenant-Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope Royal Navy.

On the 8th April, 1940, H.M.S. Glowworm was proceeding alone in heavy weather towards a rendezvous in West Fjord, when she met and engaged two enemy destroyers, scoring at least one bit on them. The enemy broke off the action and headed North, to lead the Glowworm on to his sup­porting forces. The Commanding Officer, whilst correctly appreciating the intentions of the enemy, at once gave chase. The German heavy cruiser, Admiral Hipper, was sighted closing the Glowworm at high speed and an enemy report was sent which was received by H.M.S. Renown. Because of the heavy sea, the Glowworm could not shadow the enemy and the Commanding Officer therefore decided to attack with torpedoes and then to close in order to inflict as much damage as possible. Five torpedoes were fired and later the remaining five, but without success. The Glowworm was badly hit; one gun was out of action and her speed was much reduced, but with the other three guns still firing she closed and rammed the Admiral Hipper. As the Glowworm drew away, she opened fire again and scored one hit at a range of 400 yards. The Glowworm, badly stove in forward and riddled with enemy fire, heeled over to starboard, and the Commanding Officer gave the order to abandon her. Shortly afterwards she capsized and sank. The Admiral Hipper hove to for at least an hour picking up survivors but the loss of life was heavy, only 31 out of the Glowworm's complement of 149 being saved.

Full information concerning this action has only recently been received and the VICTORIA CROSS is bestowed in recognition of the great valour of the Commanding Officer who, after fighting off a superior force of destroyers, sought out and reported a powerful enemy unit, and then fought his ship to the end against overwhelming odds, finally ramming the enemy with supreme coolness.

 

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