May 27, 1941 ... a good officer ... a gentleman

[Antonio Bonomi]

Hello everybody,

it is May 27th, 1941 ... at 08.47 HMS Rodney opened fire starting Bismarck last battle ... at 10.39 the Bismarck sunk.

On those dramatic moments, ... there was an officer that had to do his duty, ... and he did it, no doubts about it, ... as there was a war going on and Bismarck was an enemy warship to be sunk ... but he did not forget to be a man, ... an officer and a gentleman ... this man was HMS Rodney commander, ... Sir Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton.

Future generation must know and learn that on crucial moments you really see the man, ... and this gentleman was an honorable person and a fair enemy.

I like on this anniversary to point out his name and his conduct ... what he did should be better known.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_ ... e-Hamilton

http://www.npgprints.com/image/676621/w ... e-hamilton

Bye Antonio

[Shaene]

Well said Antonio,
the most remarkable things that happened during Exercise Rhine was the courage, bravery and devotion to duty by all the sailors on both sides in the incredible maiden voyage of the Schlachtschiff Bismarck during Exercise Rhine 19 to 27 May 1941. Captain Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton HMS Rodney faced the same dangerous hostile seas of naval warfare as Captain Ernst Lindemann faced on Bismarck. In battle all sailors are in danger from every shell fired and the fact that they all did their duty on all ships is to be remembered and commended. They distinguished themselves for their ships and the Kreigsmarine & Royal Navies that they served!!

"...Rodney would have discretion to manoeuver on her own. Dalrymple-Hamilton receiving this message was grateful to Tovey for giving him the freedom of action Holland had denied to Prince of Wales. He thought of his son North at his action station in one of King George V's anti aircraft directors, hoped he would come safely through the battle...."
PURSUIT The Sinking of the Bismarck..Ludovic Kennedy.

A great commander and father, very human indeed who along with all the various participants on both the English & German sides fought with great honour and bravery for their ships and their nations.
LEST WE FORGET HMS HOOD & SCHLACHTSCHIFF BISMARCK forever forged in brotherhood in the tranquil seas of eternity. REST IN PEACE!!!

[Antonio Bonomi]

Hello everybody,

@ Shaene,

welcome to this forum, ... I am sure you will enjoy the discussion and have nice time here in given your passion.

The action I am referring to while underlining Captain F. Darymple-Hamilton conduct that day is the following in summary.

Once Bismarck guns were all silenced and the german battleship a wreck floating on the ocean not responding fire since several minutes, ... Rodney commander Captain F. Darymple-Hamilton asked the permission to cease fire to Admiral Sir John Tovey on board the HMS King George V.

Admiral Tovey replied to continue firing at the Bismarck anyway.

The Rodney fired few more salvoes, ... and soon after a radio message was sent to Admiral Tovey from HMS Rodney.

The radio message briefly explained that HMS Rodney was CEASING FIRE ! ... because the guns were in such overheating conditions that a sure problem was going to occur very soon and for sure if they had continued firing. Being a warship commander and the responsible of the fighting conditions of his warship, the commander was forced by that to take the decision immediately and it was recorded into HMS Rodney war diary.

Apparently no reply came back.

Again, ... discipline, ... court martial ... personal decisions and attitude ... at the end everything depends on who you are as an officer in command.

Bye Antonio