British destroyers entered Narvik without a full picture of how many German ships were present, making the attack a form of reconnaissance by fighting. They sank two German warships, damaged others, and destroyed supplies on which the isolated invasion force depended. British forces had also been intercepting German supply ships elsewhere without initially understanding their role in the operation. The action therefore hurt both the fighting strength and logistical endurance of the Narvik group. The sequence also follows the fates of Norwegian captain Odd Isaachsen Willoch, German commodore Friedrich Bonte, British captain Bernard Warburton-Lee, and the injured Norwegian captain Per Askim.
Chapter · 38:38-41:46
British destroyers strike the Narvik force
The British destroyer attack at Narvik damaged German warships and supplies, but the action also exposed how much the invasion depended on a fragile logistical position.