Sinking the Konigsberg

Antipodean Andy · 20-01-2008, 08:58 AM

While looking in to the sinking of this German light cruiser during the invasion of Norway, I was reminded of an earlier post on here (since I was trying get a Skua pilot's viewpoint):

Lt C H ‘Fairy’ Filmer RN - July 07
He obtained his wings in 1938 and was immediately sent to 803 NAS as part of the Air Group of “Ark Royal”. He was promoted Lt with Seniority date of 31st January 1939. Whilst based ashore at HMS Sparrowhawk (RNAS Hatston), Kirkwall, Orkneys, as part of Lt Bill Lucy’s 803 Squadron he helped to write a piece history when he delivered a 500 lb SAP bomb on the German Köln class cruiser “Konigsberg” in Bergen harbour on the 10th April 1940. In his own words: “This was the first time in the history of aviation that a major warship was sunk by air attack in wartime.” As the BBC of the day stated that night (and Alva Liddell said it)
“The RAF has done it again!”

Here's an excellent synopsis of the attack. Page includes excellent photos of the ship sinking.
Sinking of the Konigsberg

Kyt · 21-01-2008, 02:45 AM

Something I picked up recently was a copy of Operation Skua by R T Partridge (who flew on the Königsberg mission. Looks very interesting (but am still reading other stuff so haven't had a chance to read it).

And details of a Skua recovery (though I think this has been mentioned before):

Operation Skua 2005

Antipodean Andy · 21-01-2008, 02:48 AM

Would be an interesting read from the point of view of not much having been written by those who flew Skuas. Let me know what you think of it or if you're going to donate it to the Andy Benevolent Fund...:-P

Kyt · 21-01-2008, 02:53 AM

Andy Benevolent Fund? Ha! The books are cheap, the shipping is crippling. But once I'm gone i suppose that would be your problem

Antipodean Andy · 21-01-2008, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyt

Andy Benevolent Fund? Ha! The books are cheap, the shipping is crippling. But once I'm gone i suppose that would be your problem

Like you were going to give it up!

Same problem abounds when trying to supply the Kyt Humane Society - an Australian based charity that tries to send books to its namesake so he can at least buy food and keep warm.

Kyt · 21-01-2008, 03:14 AM

It's food or warmth at the moment mate. But books come first (I have a thick cardi and need to lose some weight anyway!)

Antipodean Andy · 21-01-2008, 03:27 AM

Guess you'd get some heat off the toaster...