Narvik (5): The cunning KM plan [Hypothetical Wargame]

Studying his options Captain Von(J) decided that his worst enemy was the complete lack of accurate intelligence. The best the German Naval High Command could offer was to inform that they expected half the Royal Navy to be potentially outside the entrance of Narvik Fjord in less than twenty four hours time.

German Naval Intelligence estimates of Royal Navy strength in the Narvik Region:

Definite Information:

• The flotilla of destroyers identified (5 destroyers, of which 1 was sunk and 1 badly damaged)
  

Probable:

• An Unknown Destroyer Flotilla (4+ destroyers)
• Light Cruiser

Whereabouts unknown:

• Light Cruiser Squadron 4 ships
• Battleship HMS Warspite + destroyer escorts

Possibly within 24 hours steaming:
Three separate RN battlegroups:

• Battlecuiser HMS Hood + 6 Destroyers
• Battlecruisers HMS Repulse and HMS Renown + 4 destroyers
• Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal +  2 light cruisers + 6 destroyers

The unexpected appearance of Royal Navy destroyers in the Fjord had obviously upset the KM Naval Intelligence Community and Staff Planners alike. Previously all these ships had been plotted in Scapa Flow. The clarification that there was five German U-Boats on station, but not where, did not really help him much either. Nevertheless Von(J) determined that if at all possible he would attempt to break out, but was it possible?

Quickly he organised a search plan.in two steps. A small patrol (single destroyer) to the North West of the Fjord as a safety check in a region unlikely to be seeded with RN vessels, which would sweep down to rendezvous with a stronger patrol exploring the South West of Narvik. The second patrol was three destroyers strong and expected to encounter a Royal Navy picket, if any were at all there.This would indicate whether an immediate breakout was feasible as the three destroyers oiling desperately tried complete the process as fast as possible.

Not long after departing, a mere six nautical miles, South West of the fjord the second group encountered a lone RN destroyer on picket. Captain Von(J) immediately ordered the two remaining fully fueled destroyers to sea and the concentration of his forces against whatever the Royal Navy was mustering outside Narvik.

Visibility conditions five nautical miles (twilight)
Sea state - slight swell

Next related post will be of the resulting GQ2 Naval Wargame: Narvik Breakout [Hypothetical]