Changes

The convoy JW55B was on its way to [[Russia]] with an escort of 14 destroyers and three cruisers, plus a Royal Navy protection group 200 miles away, consisting of the [[battleship]] ''Duke of York'', the cruiser ''Jamaica'', and four destroyers.  The British commanding officer was Admiral Bruce Fraser.  The German battlecruiser ''Scharnhorst'', along with five destroyers, was sent north under Admiral Erich Bey to intercept the convoy.  It had already been attacked by German bombers and [[U-boat]]s, but without success.  The German ships left Altenfiord, in northern [[Norway]], on December 25.

The convoy JW55B was on its way to [[Russia]] with an escort of 14 destroyers and three cruisers, plus a Royal Navy protection group 200 miles away, consisting of the [[battleship]] ''Duke of York'', the cruiser ''Jamaica'', and four destroyers.  The British commanding officer was Admiral Bruce Fraser.  The German battlecruiser ''Scharnhorst'', along with five destroyers, was sent north under Admiral Erich Bey to intercept the convoy.  It had already been attacked by German bombers and [[U-boat]]s, but without success.  The German ships left Altenfiord, in northern [[Norway]], on December 25.

By 0930 on the following day, bad weather caused the ''Scharnhorst'' to become separated from her escorts.  Bey tried to attack the convoy anyway, but was intercepted by the escorting cruisers.  While they kept the German ship busy, the protection group came around from the other side and attacked.  Caught between two strong forces, the Germans had no choice but to fight.  The ''Scharnhorst'' was hit by several salvoes from the ''Duke of York'', then the destroyers moved in to attack with torpedoes.  The small ships retreated under smoke, and the ''Duke of York'' attacked again.  With the battlecruiser battered and aflame, she was finished off with another torpedo attack.  By 2000 hours, the ''Scharnhorst'' had capsized, taking over 1900 of her crew with her.  Only 36 German sailors were rescued by the British ships.  British casualties and damage were light.

By 0930 on the following day, bad weather caused the ''Scharnhorst'' to become separated from her escorts.  Bey tried to attack the convoy anyway, but was intercepted by the escorting cruisers.  While they kept the German ship busy, the protection group came around from the other side and attacked.  Caught between two strong forces, the Germans had no choice but to fight.  The ''Scharnhorst'' was hit by several salvoes from the ''Duke ohttp://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.gov.au/f York'', then the destroyers moved in to attack with torpedoes.  The small ships retreated under smoke, and the ''Duke of York'' attacked again.  With the battlecruiser battered and aflame, she was finished off with another torpedo attack.  By 2000 hours, the ''Scharnhorst'' had capsized, taking over 1900 of her crew with her.  Only 36 German sailors were rescued by the British ships.  British casualties and damage were light.

This was the last attempt by a German capital ship to challenge the superiority of the Royal Navy.

This was the last attempt by a German capital ship to challenge the superiority of the Royal Navy.

[[Category:World War II Battles]]

[[Category:World War II Battles]]