HMS Juniper

[Vegaskip]

There is a bit of mystery about this one, but first the story, for those who dont know.
During the 'Norwegian campain, HMS Juniper a 'tree' class Trawler, was sent to escort the tanker 'Oil Pioneer' back to the uk.Their luck ran out when they met SHARNHORST, GNEISENAU ADLIRAL HIPPER and 4 destroyers!.
Juniper turned towards the enemy, hoisted her battle ensigns and opened fire with her 12 pdr. She lasted 90 minutes and there were 4 survivors
Now the mystery, I wanted to do a painting of this incredable act of bravery and defiance, so started looking around for a reference phpto of Juniper, I'm still looking, I have heard that some one has the copy right and has withdrawn all photos of her , which I find very strange.
I welcome any information or comments or even possibly a genuine photo.
With the greatest respect and in rememberance of some very brave men.

43594DE5-DFC1-41D5-99C3-F9261DCF32FE.jpeg

[timlewin]

remind me by email Jim and I will ask the NMM & IWM next week

[Vegaskip]

Will do
Jim

[timlewin]

Found Her Jim, she was a "Bay" class trawler, named as you suggest after trees, hence Bay class as in Bay tree, (not to be confused with Bay Class frigates, lochs, rivers and all that) There is a picture and list of all the names of the class with Jumiper listed as one of the War Losses, this is from my precious 1943 Janes FS. Its a bit fragile now but tomorrow morning I will skick it on the scanner and send you the page. Will also have a look a Roskill for a report of this heroic one-sided encounter. The picture is very small so I will try to scan at highest resolution.

[timlewin]

Dear Jim, apologies, the class was Rowan (Tree) not Bay, the picture is of Bay. Here is the page. I checked Roskill, the loss of Juniper is not covered in detail but is there, it was during the sortie of Scharnhorst, Hipper and Gneisenau between the 4th to 13th June 1940. They were sent to distract and attack HYM ship at Narvik, unaware that we were actually evacuating the place (they worked this out later). Juniper and her tanker were swiftly overwhelmed, later the group found the carrier Glorious, they saw he smoke on the horizon. Scharnhorst opened fire at 28,000 yards with devastating accuracy. Glorious loss as you most surely know was one of ineptitude and possible negligence, she was detached from the main force and had only two destroyers, Ardent and Acasta as escorts. She had no patrols up despite having Swordfish and torpedoes onboard. Ardent and Acasta in similar vein to Juniper immediately turned towards the enemy and made smoke to shield the carrier but this gave only temporary respite. The shells soon found their mark again. Glorious was overwhelmed and turned over to starboard with great loss of life. Acasta and Ardent continued at full power towards the enemy firing for all they were worth, guns and torpedoes. Acasta having fired all her outfit was overwhelmed and lost, Ardent carried on and manged to put a torpedo into Scharnhorst below her after turret causing severe damage before she too was overcome.

so many brave men lost...

tim

[Vegaskip]

Thanks Tim, I got most of her history before I did the painting, the only thing I couldn’t find was a photograph. There was plenty pic of hr sisters, but nothing of her. I thought I strange because you can usually find a pic of every ship in a class, if not official, at least 'private' snaps. It’s as if she only ever existed in writing. I’ve seen a couple of paintings of her on other sites, but the artist has always noted that the painting was based on one of her sisters. In my book on naval Trawlers, she is listed as A/S, while the rest of the clas ar M/S, hens the reason for a photo.
Jim

[timlewin]

a remarkable story Jim, one I never knew about. I haves put the word into the NMM/IWM but they usually take time to reply.

Welcome back, I hope you are well on the way to being restored now?