The Sinking of the the Scharnhorst at the Battle of North

Illustration showing the German Battlecruiser Scharnhorst listing to starboard as she sank at the end of the Battle of North Cape, approximately 7.30pm on 26th December 1943. The Scharnhorst had been lured out of her Norwegian base by a passing Allied convoy and straight into a Royal Navy trap. When confronted by a superior British force, the Scharnhorst had attempted to race back to the security of her base. However, two fortuitous British hits on the Scharnhorst prevented her escape; one shell destroyed her radar and another salvo hit her boiler rooms. Unable to escape, she sank after being hit by at least 11 torpedoes. This illustration was painted by C.E. Turner from a personal description given to him by Commander T.A.K. Maunsell, who was an eye-witness on the bridge of HMS Duke of York

Approximately Attempted Battlecruiser Boiler Confronted Convoy Description Hits Listing Lured Maunsell Prevented Radar Salvo Sank Scharnhorst Starboard Superior Torpedoes Trap Unable Witness

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