HMS Daring in the Pentland Firth
HMS Daring (D-class) is a 1,375-ton British destroyer commissioned in 1932. Her commanding officer , 38, has been operating since October 1939 on convoy escort duty in Western Approaches Command. On 17 February 1940 Daring is escorting the convoy HN 12 (heavy transports) through the Pentland Firth — the narrow passage between the Orkneys and the Scottish coast.
On the night of 17-18 February U-23, commanded by , 28, is operating on the surface in free hunt mode in the Pentland Firth. Visibility reduced by fog. At 02:45 on 18 February Kretschmer makes out Daring's silhouette at 1,200 metres.
Daring is steaming darkened, in accordance with ASW orders. Kretschmer manoeuvres on the surface at 17 knots. At 03:00 he fires a single G7e electrically driven torpedo from 800 metres.
Cooper and his crew have seconds to react.
What should Cooper have done if the torpedo was detected?
Cooper has no chance to apply A, B or C. The torpedo strikes Daring amidships, in the engine room. Massive explosion: the destroyer breaks in two in under 30 seconds. Cooper is killed in the blast, along with 157 of the 162 men on board. Only 5 survivors are picked up three hours later by other escort vessels. Kretschmer dives, remains undetected, and reaches Wilhelmshaven on 22 February. He is decorated with the Iron Cross First Class for the mission. HMS Daring is the first British destroyer lost since HMS Courageous. The incident hastens Churchill's decision to reinforce the ASW patrol doctrine and to accelerate development of the Type 144 active sonar. Kretschmer would continue his Atlantic raids, sinking 47 ships (1939-1941); he was captured on 17 March 1941 by HMS Walker. A prisoner in Canada until 1947. Returned to service in the Bundeswehr in 1955. Died in 1998.
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