Scharnhorst and Gneisenau Vs. HMS Rawalpindi

[NASAAN101]

Guys, I've had this question on my mind for a very long time, and i've looked on the Internet for the Answer, but try as i may i haven't. so here!
Scharnhorst flashed a signal to Rawalpindi to "Heave to!" followed up with a warning shot across her bow! what dose that actually Mean? Also why did she fell like she had to fight, there was and iceberg four mile away?
NIKKI

[HMS Bergamot]

"Heave to" is nautical talk for stop your ship from going forwards, and to basically stop doing whatever you're thinking of doing.

While patrolling north of the Faroe Islands on 23 November 1939, she investigated a possible enemy sighting, only to find that she had encountered two of the most powerful German warships, the battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau trying to break out through the GIUK gap into the Atlantic. The Rawalpindi was able to signal the German ships' location back to base. Despite being hopelessly outgunned, Captain Edward Coverley Kennedy of the Rawalpindi decided to fight, rather than surrender as demanded by the Germans. The German warships returned fire and sank Rawalpindi within forty minutes.


Two hundred and thirty eight men died, including Captain Kennedy. Thirty seven men were rescued by the German ships and a further 11 were picked up by HMS Chitral (another converted passenger ship). Captain Kennedy, the father of broadcaster and author Ludovic Kennedy, was posthumously Mentioned in Dispatches.


Thanks to the actions of the Rawalpindi the German attempt to break out into the Atlantic was foiled. The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were forced to return to base in order to avoid interception by the British Home Fleet.

[herakles]

Not that Captain Kennedy had any choice in the matter. He could hardly even out-run them.

Surely it was known those two ships were in the area. What was HMS Rawalpindi doing there on her own?

[battlestar]

Hi Herakles

Just in case you missed it, my article on the subject.

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2574

'A Defiant Slaughter'

Battlestar

[NASAAN101]

ya i did, that was a neat article, were did you find that, or did you write that? Here's what get me , she knew she was going to lose, so why fight, you know.. and i printed, that article, and i hope that was ok with you.. so tell me about it , why and how did you write it?
Nikki

[herakles]

Hi Herakles

Just in case you missed it, my article on the subject.

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2574

'A Defiant Slaughter'

Battlestar

In fact I posted there a few times but I had forgotten your excellent article Ian. Thanks for reminding me.

I can see now that the ship was on patrol as were others, which explains why she was there. But it doesn't explain why she didn't get help immediately. Had comms failed perhaps?

This incident underscores the fact that these ships should never have been given the role that they were given. Perhaps things were so desperate that there was no choice.

[NASAAN101]

Guys!
Knid of a dumb question, is there a book on this? I know his son, my have done a book, i just can't remember it.. But LIKE i said RIP Rawalpindi, You well be missed! HOw do you actully say her name?
NIKKI

[Blaydon]

Kind of think it was Captain Kennedys duty to close and attack the enemy once found, had he not he would probably never have been able to hold his head up.

Besides it only takes one lucky shot sometimes and stopping one of those beasts from reaching home port would be a big break.

Also it buys time for supporting units to arrive.

[Batstiger]

Here is an ideal place to post this press photograph.
The caption reads:-

"British prisoners in Germany"

Somewhere in Germany ...English seamen, captured with the sinking of the armed Auxiliary Rawalpindi, are marched into Headquarters in a city in Germany. Later they were marched to a German prison camp.

Bob.

[nigelweysom]

NIKKI you ask if they knew they were going to loose why fight , of course we cannot know the exact reason , unless we came find any accounts from survivors ? ,it could have been duty, it could have been the realization that by fighting they could hold them up until other RN ships could arrive, whatever the reason we can find many other accounts from the war where men and women did things that we find hard to comprehend .
Nigel

[NASAAN101]

nigelweysom,
If Kennedy and his crew knew they were going to lose, Then why didn't they try and get behind an ineberg, one they are all ice and i don't think an 11-inch shell can go through an iceberg, so in a sence she's safe for the moment, unleast the twin know whjat she's trying to do and cut her in mid-run. But that just me! i know she was not the oldest in her class right?
NIKKI

[HMS Bergamot]

Ah, Nikki, unfortunately no ice. Also, two enemy ships. You might be able to hide from one, but you can't hide from two.

If Captain Kennedy had managed to get one lucky hit it might have meant that the ship so hit got caught and sunk by the British fleet.

He didn't, in the end, get that lucky hit, but do you blame him for trying?

[NASAAN101]

Guys,
no, i don't blame Kennedy for running, but it would have been funny if kennedy gave Kurt and scharny the middle finger! what would have happened if he did?
NIKKI