Narvik (8): The encounter with HMS Penelope - First Rounds

The "destroyer" that to the horror of the watching Germans turned out to be in fact a "six inch cruiser", the irrepressible "HMS Penelope" (later known as HMS Pepper-pot when serving in the Mediterranean because of the daylight that streamed through the many, many holes the Germans and Italians put into her, yet she still survived).

Her mission to blockade and report on any enemy activity in the vicinity of Narvik.

The deep-blue sea base is my experiment with "cheap oils". Lessons learned being that they take an age to dry! Meanwhile leading the German force into battle is destroyer Z3 followed by Z4 and Z5.

First blood to the RN as Z3 is immediately straddled, good shooting Penelope at the twilight 40" range bracket.  Lucky shots or the taste of things to come?

Z3 makes smoke to cover Z4 & Z5 as the Germans attempt to "close the range". Hoping that Z3 can take the punishment stoically and still remain afloat. Logic being at this range the traffic is all one way in the RN's favour, the destroyers need to half the range to be effective with their gunfire and perhaps have a sporting chance with a torpedo attack. Strategically the Germans want to punch a hole in the blockade and make a run home to Germany with at least some of the destroyers.

It looks likely to be a bloody affair though if HMS Penelope keeps up her good shooting.

To be Continued ...