The Germans had eight destroyers still in the fjord along with two U-boats. The new British force consisted of the battleship HMS Warspite and eight destroyers under the command of Vice Admiral William Whitworth. They were stranded without fuel and a second battle began on 13 April. But the Germans had to retreat and make repairs. Unbeknown to the British navy, a further five destroyers were at anchor in other fjords and these emerged to attack the British flotilla, killing Warburton-Lee, destroying his flagship, sinking another and damaging two more ships. Early on the morning of 10 April, with added advantage of heavy snow, the British entered the harbour and sunk two German destroyers and six merchant ships, damaging another destroyer. The British depended now on stealth for a successful attack. Luckily, U-boats in the port failed to spot the flotilla. Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee commanded a British destroyer flotilla of five ships which arrived too late. The first battle of Narvik was initiated by the British Navy, who had orders to prevent the Germans landing. The British had laid mines off the entrance to the port only the day before, but had not anticipated a German occupation. On 9 April the Germans arrived in ten destroyers and landed 2,000 troops there. This Norwegian port was important to the Germans because it was used to ship out iron ore to supply Nazi Germany. Two naval battles were fought at Narvik in 1940. Warburton-Lee is killed and his flagship sunk. Of the German forces in Narvik, only U-51 survives by escaping out to sea. Outcome: Ten German destroyers and six merchant ships sunk. Players: Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee, Admiral William Whitworth
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