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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: HMS Glowworm ~ 30 September 2019
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 09/29/2019 5:03:21 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do!
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For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. |
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Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ HMS Glowworm All info and photos from this website. |
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HMS Glowworm, (H92) a 'G' class destroyer was launched on 22nd July 1935. She weighed 1,345 tons. She was armed with four 4.7 inch guns; seven anti-aircraft/machine guns; ten 21 inch torpedo tubes and depth charges. She cost £300,000 to build and had a complement of 145.
(Picture: Glowworm in 1936) |
Her first peacetime duties were in the Mediterranean which included escort work at the time of the Spanish Civil War and the Munich Crisis. It seemed that Glowworm was developing a habit of colliding with things in an uncanny similarity to her destiny, after she hit HMS Grenade, her sister ship, in May 1939, whilst on night exercises and the Swedish Ship Rex in February 1940. Both collisions resulting in her undertaking extensive damage repair.
(Picture: Glowworm at Alexandria after colliding with Grenade in May 1939. Note the extensive damage.) |
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On 22nd July 1938 Lieutenant Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope was appointed in command of Glowworm. A competent career naval officer, well liked and respected by his men. His ship's company called him 'Old Ardover', for his habit of altering course at a moment's notice and 'Rammer Roope' as a result of the events described above. At the Outbreak of World War Two, Glowworm was based at Harwich. On 5th April 1940 She left for the stormy waters of Norway as one of the escorts for the Battle Cruiser Renown, dispatched to intercept the expected German invasion force.
(Picture: Glowworm in heavy seas) |
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On 6th April whilst screening a minelaying operation (Operation Wilfrid) off the coast of Norway, Glowworm, in heavy weather conditions, lost a man overboard. After seeking permission from the Renown, Lt Cdr Roope turned her around to look for him. After spending the day fruitlessly searching they gave up and attempted to rejoin the group. On the morning of 8th April Glowworm, still on her own, sighted a destroyer who when challenged, initially identified itself as Swedish. The destroyer was in fact German: Bernd Von Arnim, which began firing. The Glowworm promptly returned fire. Another German destroyer soon appeared: Paul Jakobi. Glowworm's fight against the odds had begun. Picture: destroyer in the distance: Glowworm as photographed from the Hipper. |
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In the ensuing exchange Bernd Von Arnim, packed with invasion troops and Paul Jakobi, both turned and fled into a rain squall. Lt Cdr Roope guessed that they were trying to lead him on to their main force, but gave chase in an attempt to find the main German Invasion fleet, so he could report their position to the Admiralty. After emerging on the other side of the squall, Glowworm came face to face with the 10,000 ton German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Von Hipper, armed with eight 8 inch and twelve 4 inch guns.
Picture (above) The Heavy Cruiser Admiral Von Hipper |
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Roope immediately ordered that the Glowworm make smoke and for an enemy sighting signal to be sent. Using the cover of her smoke screen the Glowworm made two torpedo attacks. Firing a total of ten torpedoes. One missed the Hipper by yards but none found their mark. All this time Glowworm was taking crippling hits from the Hipper's big guns. Lt Cdr Roope then ordered a sharp turn to starboard and headed straight for the Hipper giving the famous order "Stand by to ram". |
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The Hipper, realising too late what was happening tried to turn and ram the Glowworm but was much too slow. Glowworm, all guns firing and siren wailing like a banshee, tore into the Hipper's starboard side. Striking her amidships, She tore away 100 feet of Hipper's armoured plating, damaging the starboard side torpedo tubes, killing one man at his gun and puncturing two fresh water tanks.
Picture: (left) Glowworm on fire but still fighting |
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After ramming the Hipper, Glowworm drew clear. Although her decks were swept by a storm of fire from Hipper's 4.1 inch and close range weapons, she still managed to get off another salvo hitting Hipper at a range of 400 yards. The salvo came from the only gun on Glowworm still firing, commanded by Petty Officer Walter Scott. She was by then starting to sink. Her bows wrecked, a major fire raging amidships and all steam pressure lost, Roope gave the order to abandon ship.
Picture: (above) Admiralty Artists Impression of Glowworm ramming the Hipper. |
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Lt Cdr Roope was seen on her keel talking to a Petty Officer, Townsend, about the fact that they wouldn't play cricket for a while again. He then went to open the sea cocks to sink her. As the Glowworm went down, men climbed onto her bow or dived into the stormy, freezing, oil covered water. As she slipped under, her siren which had been going all through the action, abruptly stopped causing a momentary eerie silence. Until her depth charges blew up, killing yet more men. The Captain of the Hipper, Helmuth Heye, chivalrously stayed for over an hour picking up survivors.
Picture: (left) Glowworm sinking as seen through Hipper's gun sights |
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Heye positioned Hipper so that the current in the sea would bring the drifting survivors to him. All the personnel on deck, including the soldiers, helped to pull in the exhausted, oil covered survivors. Many grabbed ropes but were too exhausted to hold on to them and slipped to their deaths. Lt Cdr Roope was in the water helping his men to the ropes and to get life jackets on. Finally he took hold of a rope himself and was pulled some distance up the side. But with a combination of the huge waves and his exhaustion, he let go and slipped beneath the waves. Out of a total crew of 149, only 31 survived. The only officer was Torpedo Control officer Lt. Robert Ramsey. The Germans congratulated the survivors on a good fight and treated them as equals. Captain Heye told the survivors that their Captain was a very brave man. Later Heye sent a message through the International Red cross, recommending Lt Cdr Roope for the Victoria Cross. The only time in British History that the VC was recommended by the enemy. |
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The Survivors spent the rest of the war as POWs. It was only after the war when they returned and Lt Ramsey told the story, that the events of that fateful day in April 1940 came to light. As a result of the gallant action Lt Cdr Roope was awarded the Victoria Cross; Lt Ramsey the Distinguished Service Order; and three other ratings got the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal; Engine Room Artificer Henry Gregg; Petty Officer Walter Scott and Able Seaman Reginald Merritt. |
Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission! And thanks, Biglook, for the heads up on this hero! |
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
September 30A Ready Remedy
The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Following the park guide, I scribbled notes as he taught about the plants of the Bahamian primeval forest. He told us which trees to avoid. The poisonwood tree, he said, secretes a black sap that causes a painful, itchy rash. But not to worry! The antidote could usually be found growing right next it. Cut into the red bark of the gum elemi tree, he said, and rub the sap on the rash. It will immediately begin to heal.
I nearly dropped my pencil in astonishment. I hadnt expected to find a picture of salvation in the forest. But in the gum elemi tree, I saw Jesus. Hes the ready remedy wherever the poison of sin is found. Like the red bark of that tree, the blood of Jesus brings healing.
The prophet Isaiah understood that humanity needed healing. The rash of sin had infected us. Isaiah promised that our healing would come through a man of suffering who would take our sickness upon Himself (Isaiah 53:3). That man was Jesus. We were sick, but Christ was willing to be wounded in our place. When we believe in Him, we are healed from the sickness of sin (v. 5). It may take a lifetime to learn to live as those whore healedto recognize our sins and to reject them in favor of our new identitybut because of Jesus, we can.
By: Amy Peterson
Reflect & Pray
What other pictures in the natural world do you see of the salvation God offers us? What has the healing He offers meant to you?
Wherever sin is, Jesus is there, ready to save.
2
posted on
09/29/2019 5:03:52 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(I am outraged at your outrage toward the outrage!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi Everybody!
(((HUGS))))
3
posted on
09/29/2019 5:05:31 PM PDT
by
left that other site
(For America to have CONFIDENCE in our future, we must have PRIDE in our HISTORY... DJT)
To: Kathy in Alaska
~ " Hi Ya!!!" ~
~ Just Studyin' ~
~ ~
~ Good Evening ~
~ Welcome To My World ~
Frontier Flights - I'm Down There Somewhere
|
4
posted on
09/29/2019 5:19:32 PM PDT
by
SkyDancer
( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good example of what can be done if one has both guts and a lack of worry about negative consequences. Some of the events of the HMS Glowworm were incorporated in Noël Coward’s ‘In Which We Serve’. The character of the destroyer commander Capt. Kinross RN seems to me to have more of Lt Cdr Roope than Mountbatten.
5
posted on
09/29/2019 5:27:52 PM PDT
by
robowombat
(Orthodox)
To: The Mayor
Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.
All rested and ready to take on the new week?
6
posted on
09/29/2019 5:30:47 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; 300winmag; ..
~ Hall of Heroes: HMS Glowworm ~
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS
CLICK FOR Current local times around the world
CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage
To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open. The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.
NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.
7
posted on
09/29/2019 5:43:35 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: MoochPooch; left that other site; SkyDancer; onedoug; BTerclinger; DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis; ...
HAPPY ROSH HASHANAH!
8
posted on
09/29/2019 6:03:48 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
The good old days when men fought for God and country. Bad manners to an enemy were in bad taste.
9
posted on
09/29/2019 6:14:58 PM PDT
by
mountainlion
(Live well for those that did not make it back.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
L'Shana Tova!
May Your Name be Inscribed In The Book of Life.
10
posted on
09/29/2019 6:20:11 PM PDT
by
left that other site
(For America to have CONFIDENCE in our future, we must have PRIDE in our HISTORY... DJT)
To: Kathy in Alaska
As much as I would of loved to stay on the lake, we had to come home. Last few things to do cleaning the old shop. Then arranging the new location and setting up my plasma cutting table. So I’m as ready as I can be.
11
posted on
09/29/2019 6:24:00 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(I am outraged at your outrage toward the outrage!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
What a great story about the tragically lost HMS Glowworm. RIP all the ones who perished aboard while it sank after pursuing and ramming the enemy. And thanks to those same enemies who rescued some of the survivors even though they were made POWs. That’s war.
12
posted on
09/29/2019 6:37:12 PM PDT
by
luvie
(The bravery and dedication of our troops in keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American!)
To: left that other site
Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...you and Blue get out today? You and Penny?
Sprinkling most of the day, heavy the last hour. Over a half inch of rain so far...we are catching up and snow is on the mountain tops.
13
posted on
09/29/2019 7:04:31 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: robowombat
Good evening, robowombat, and welcome to the Canteen.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
14
posted on
09/29/2019 7:19:46 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; HiJinx; AZamericonnie; Jet Jaguar; beachn4fun; SandRat; laurenmarlowe; ...
Greetings to all at the Canteen!
To all our military men and women, past and present,
THANK YOU
for your service!
15
posted on
09/29/2019 7:47:23 PM PDT
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Howdy, Kathy.
Had a relaxing weekend? Have you enjoyed your supper yet?
16
posted on
09/29/2019 8:03:44 PM PDT
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: SkyDancer
Good evening, Janey
((HUGS))...studying going well?
17
posted on
09/29/2019 9:14:46 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; beachn4fun; radu; BIGLOOK; All
A very pleasant good Monday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country and thanks Biglook, for this morning's thread.
How's everyone doing this morning?
18
posted on
09/29/2019 11:01:41 PM PDT
by
E.G.C.
To: E.G.C.
Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))
Were you able to get through your trip to the lake without Gizmo trying to run off for a change? :-)
19
posted on
09/29/2019 11:27:05 PM PDT
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: radu
Good evening, radu...the roast came out perfectly! 3 1/2 hours and fork ready. Thanks for the instructions. LOL!
All chores finally done, and I am beat. Tried to check the FR news, but I keep falling asleep...time to give it up and go to bed.
Did you make some progress on the new house? Good stuff moved around?
20
posted on
09/29/2019 11:52:17 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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