HMS Jervis Bay’s suicidal dash

HMS Jervis Bay’s suicidal dash - TheNovaScotian - TheChronicleHerald.ca

WHAT CHANCE had a small, old British liner converted for wartime use against the most modern of battleships, the pride of the German navy? Yet in November 1940, Capt. Edward Fogarty Fegen, himself injured and many of his crew injured or dead, and with fires burning aboard his sinking ship, headed HMS Jervis Bay, her guns blazing to the last, straight for the Admiral Scheer.

 

I've always thought hers was a sad but heroic tale. Thank you, Spartanroller.

 

It was a brave action, and that brave action saved the majority of the convoy the HMS Jervis Bay was protesting. The Armed Merchant Cruisers were a desperate idea, as they were totally unable to defend themselves, both against surface vessels and U-boats, let alone protect convoys. However, they did help the Royal Navy better spread its resources, and so they were a help in that regard.

I am just sad that most people forget these crews, despite their brave actions.

 

An old "Battle" comic once ran a straight story in cartoon form of the fight and sacrifice of the "Jervis Bay".

It was probably the most inspiring cartoon I have ever read in my life. I wish I'd kept this, as it was the ONLY comic story I have ever read that was based in reality from start to finish. It even featured a panel where a young rating was polishing the old main weaponry of the "Jervis", waxing lyrical about what would happen "....when these beauties get going." He was stopped short by an old salt, telling him that these weapons were "...useless except at point blank range."

Why "Battle" didn't publish more in this nature, based purely on historical stories, rather than simply glorifying Allied involvement, I'm not sure. But this story is still the only one I've run across that was true to the war from beginning to end.

 

Alexander Kent/Douglas Reeman wrote a book 'Rendezvous South Atlantic' (I think mostly if not all fiction) but based loosely on the Jervis Bay story that was a great read if you don't mind a little fiction it is definitely worth a look if you haven't already.

 

The Battle of the Atlantic, at least in the early years was undoubtedly fought in this under-equipped manner. My maternal Grandfather sailed from Greenock in Spring 1941 as part of an escort group assigned to a convoy bound for Iraq. He said the escort vessels were as vulnerable as the freighters and out of the three vessels only one had deck guns protected by steel plates - the other two had wood painted grey to imitate armour.

 

Hello

JERVIS BAY's actions were an attempt to damage ADMIRAL SCHEER.

You see the same tactic used by destroyer GLOWWORM in April 1940 and auxiliary patrol ship LI WO in February 1942.

It was their duty and we will remember their valour.

All best

don