The retreat of 146th Brigade toward Steinkjer introduces the physical problems that shaped Mauriceforce's operations. British troops lacked training for Norwegian snow and mountain terrain, while the sparse rail network made the east-west line through Narvik and the Swedish iron-ore district unusually important. German air raids then damaged Namsos harbour and made loading and landing still harder. Carton de Wiart ran his force from naval ships because they could move, communicate, provide supplies and air defence, and bring guns to bear. Tribal-class destroyers HMS Afridi and HMS Somali therefore became more than escorts: they were mobile headquarters and practical elements of the land force's firepower and defence.
Chapter · 10:34-13:08
Destroyers as Namsos headquarters, artillery, and defence
At Namsos, Mauriceforce relied on destroyers for command support, firepower, supplies, and air defence when its land organisation was thin.