Berwick’s convoy defence against Admiral Hipper

During the defence of troop convoy WS5A, Berwick faced Admiral Hipper, a newer ship with 132,000 shaft horsepower and a speed of 32 knots against Berwick’s 80,000 shaft horsepower and 31.5 knots. Hipper damaged the cruiser, but much of the eight-inch fire passed through upper works above the protected deck and killed only four of Berwick’s crew. The escort could not manoeuvre freely because it had to remain between the raider and a small, fast convoy. Hipper failed to reach the merchant ships, and the convoy suffered no losses. Berwick fulfilled her mission by keeping the raider away, even though she neither sank nor seriously damaged the attacker.