The Narvik fighting fell into three different encounters. German destroyers crushed the Norwegian opposition in the first phase, helped by the Norwegian rules of engagement. The next action against an H-class flotilla was much more mixed. The final British return brought Tribal-class destroyers, other destroyers, and HMS Warspite to prevent the German force from escaping. The Tribals' intended scouting role helps explain the comparison with the H-class flotilla sent in earlier. These encounters supply the close-action setting for the wider design argument; the later Type 1936A ships had not yet entered service.
Notable Point · 7:23-8:25
The Narvik fighting exposed the destroyer mismatch
The episode distinguishes the opening attack on Norwegian defenders, the mixed fight with an H-class flotilla, and the final British return with Tribal-class destroyers and HMS Warspite.