British Destroyer vs German Destroyer: Narvik 1940 Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

WWII warships clash off Norway in British Destroyer vs German Destroyer: Narvik 1940 – 88th in Osprey’s illuminating and entertaining “Duel 88” range.

Including background remarks and chronology, the admirably annotated effort spans 80 pages and five core chapters:

• Design and Development
• Technical Specifications
• The Combatants
• The Strategic Situation
• Combat

Fact-packed commentary includes illuminating notes on destroyer designs, weaponry, performance, employment, and personnel.

Did you know that Nazi German officer cadets served over four years ashore and at sea before commissioning? And did you know that, owing to a design defect, the bows of Kriegsmarine Type 1934 destroyers dangerously dipped at flank speed, preventing use of No. 1 gun?

Combat accounts naturally take center stage. Authors Greentree and Campbell include well known incidents – like HMS Glowworm’s fateful encounter with DKM Admiral Hipper. And they report more obscure actions – like the rapid destruction of Norway’s two ancient, but potent coastal-defense vessels by German destroyer-launched torpedoes.

Period photos, warship and armament color plates, action paintings, and maps illustrate the account. Sidebars, capsule biographies, extended captions, tables, analyses, and “aftermath” notes further supplement the study. And a selected bibliography and index wrap things up.

April 1940’s clashes off Norway’s coast influenced, to different degrees, remaining wartime destroyer development and deployment – by both sides.

Grab this informative little introduction to find our how. And ask how events might have changed had, say, magnetic pistols actually worked at Narvik.

Recommended!

My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!