Devonshire's Norwegian evacuation mission

In 1940 Devonshire became flagship of the First Cruiser Squadron under Vice Admiral John H. D. Cunningham, a future First Sea Lord. The squadron covered Scotland, the Faroes, Iceland, and operations around Norway. Cunningham also negotiated local refuelling and the movement of Norwegian troops while detached to Tromsø. Devonshire covered the Namsos and Narvik evacuations before embarking King Haakon VII, Crown Prince Olav, the prime minister, and other officials on 7 June. By carrying 461 passengers to safety, the cruiser preserved Norway's political leadership as well as performing a naval evacuation.