Whitworth's Tribal-class and other destroyers returned aggressively to Narvik after earlier British losses. Their willingness to re-enter a dangerous fight rather than concede the fjord reflected the Royal Navy's appetite for action. The same approach could have disrupted the German covering force if Scharnhorst and Gneisenau met Renown, Warspite, or a determined destroyer group. German commanders operated under restrictive instructions intended to preserve scarce naval forces. Even resistance short of destroying the covering ships might have been enough to make them break off. Institutional risk tolerance and rules of engagement could therefore decide whether the amphibious operation reached its objectives.
Chapter · 13:16-14:32
Whitworth, Narvik, and the limits on German naval action
The Royal Navy's aggressive return to Narvik is contrasted with German orders that discouraged risking scarce heavy ships against determined opposition.