Naval Historical Society of Australia

Preserving Australia's Naval History

You are here: Home / Artworks / Ships and aircraft in company / A Gallant Failure Attack on Scharnhorst 1940

A Gallant Failure Attack on Scharnhorst 1940

by Drew Harrison

Dimensions:
61cm x 91.5cm
Medium:
Acrylic on canvas
Place made:
Adelaide, South Australia
Date:
2023
Setting:
WW II (1939-1945)
Photo courtesy of the artist, Drew Harrison / Copyright Drew Harrison

In April 1940 the powerful German capital ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were committed to the invasion of Norway. On 13th June fighters from HMS Ark Royal attacked Scharnhorst in Trondheim Fjord and inflicted light damage. After minor repairs she sailed south with escorting vessels to Kiel on the 20th. The following day a reconnaissance report was received at the Royal Navy base Hatston, Orkney Islands indicating a German force was sailing south along the Norwegian coastline. Calculations indicated torpedo armed Swordfish aircraft could intercept the enemy while operating at an extreme range of 240 nautical miles.

As the squadron’s Senior Observer, Australian Victor Alfred Trumper Smith (VAT Smith) was tasked to command and navigate six aircraft on the precision strike with Senior Pilot Lt John Stenning piloting their Swordfish. In broad daylight, and with no escorting fighters, the slow and vulnerable biplanes of 821 and 823 SQNs Royal Navy located their prey near Utsira island, off the Norwegian coast. Facing well over one hundred guns the results were inevitable. Two 823 SQN crews were blown out of the sky and the remaining four aircraft were under pressure and, disappointingly, unable to secure any torpedo strikes. However, despite the result, VAT Smith survived and had commanded the first mass torpedo attack against a capital ship at sea, for which he was later Mentioned in Despatches. The mission was officially described as “This attack – the first of its type against a capital ship in history – can only be described as a gallant failure with an inadequate force.” Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper Smith AC, KBE, CB, DSC is considered the father of RAN’s Fleet Air Arm and was instrumental in championing naval flying in Australia after WWII.

  • About Drew Harrison

    Drew Harrison is a practicing professional artist based in Adelaide, South Australia.

    He has extended his formal illustrative background and forged a path into aviation, fine and contemporary art. As an acrylic paint specialist, Drew has created a wide range of artworks for private and commercial projects.

    Early ventures in the field of illustration included publications such as the children’s book A Horse and More. An interest in flight has led to a successful period of detailed Aviation painting with regular prizes in the Royal Australian Air Force Heritage Awards.

    With an eye for the vast Australian sky, Drew’s observational Landscapes are a continued exploration of light, shade and vivid hues.

    During 2021 the epic releases for the Royal Australian Air Force Centenary and Black Hawk Sunset signalled an exciting change in artistic direction. With these commissions Drew seamlessly combined multiple artistic genres into dynamic, visually engaging and collectable designs.

    Drew has exhibited in group exhibitions and his paintings are represented in private collections. He is also an experienced art tutor who has gained a reputation for effectively communicating and demonstrating practical art knowledge.

    More paintings by Drew Harrison
  • About Ships and aircraft in company

    In this section a wide variety of artworks with more than one ship, submarine or aircraft are featured. When two or more naval vessels are operating together they are said to be ‘in company’.

    The diverse nature of activities, exercises and deployments undertaken by ships, submarines and aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy means that a ship may spend long periods conducting single ship operations or periodically join with large numbers of other ships for such events as a naval review or fleet entry to a port. These latter events are generally scheduled to commemorate a particular event.  During such events a prominent or royal figure will review the fleet as part of the ceremony. Throughout its history ships of the RAN have participated in major fleet entries and reviews both in Australian waters and overseas.

     

    Details of Ships in the First Fleet

    Name Class Commission Dates
    HMAS Australia Indefatigable Class 21 Jun 1913 – 12 Dec 1921
    HMAS Melbourne Town Class Light Cruiser 18 Jan 1913 – 23 Apr 1928
    HMAS Sydney Town Class Light Cruiser 26 Jun 1913 – 8 May 1928
    HMAS Encounter Challenger Class Light Cruiser 1 Jul 1912 – 1 Jan 1923
    HMAS Warrego River Class 1 Jun 1912 – 22 Jul 1919
    HMAS Parramatta River Class 10 Sep 1910 – 22 Jul 1919
    HMAS Yarra River Class 10 Sep 1910 –  30 Sep 1929

More reading

Other works featuring Ships and aircraft in company

Explore all Naval Art

Follow us