Glowworm had been detached from a force that included HMS Renown and encountered two troop-laden German destroyers connected with the Narvik operation. Lieutenant Commander Gerard Roope correctly understood that they were drawing him toward a superior force but pursued and reported the contact. After firing ten torpedoes without success and suffering heavy damage, he closed Admiral Hipper and rammed the cruiser before Glowworm capsized. Only 31 of the destroyer's complement of 149 were saved, while Hipper stopped to recover survivors. Hipper's captain, Helmuth Heye, later recommended Roope for the Victoria Cross, an unusual acknowledgement of an opponent's conduct. Heye's later promotion to vice admiral and Black Sea command from November 1942 shows that the recommendation did not end his Kriegsmarine career.
Notable Point · 15:40-21:01
HMS Glowworm's last fight with Admiral Hipper
HMS Glowworm pursued two troop-carrying German destroyers, attacked the far larger Admiral Hipper with torpedoes, and rammed the cruiser.