HMS Barham, a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship, was one of five super-dreadnoughts built for the Royal Navy during the 1910s. By the Second World War, she had served in several notable engagements, including the Battle of Cape Matapan, where she contributed to sinking three Italian heavy cruisers. However, her legacy is often overshadowed by her devastating and tragic demise on November 25, 1941, which remains one of the most iconic naval losses of World War II, captured on film in chilling detail.
During the Mediterranean campaign, Barham was part of a Royal Navy force tasked with intercepting Axis convoys delivering supplies to North Africa. The Mediterranean Fleet, under Admiral Cunningham, included battleships Queen Elizabeth, Valiant, and Barham, accompanied by destroyers to provide escort and protect against submarine threats. However, lurking beneath the waves was German U-boat U-331, commanded by Hans-Diedrich von Tiesenhausen.
U-331 maneuvered through the destroyer screen and, at 4:20 PM, fired a spread of torpedoes at Barham. Three torpedoes struck the ship in quick succession, tearing into her port side and causing catastrophic flooding. Within minutes, the battleship began to capsize, her crew scrambling to escape. Just as her port side submerged, a massive explosion erupted, likely caused by the detonation of her magazines. The blast obliterated Barham and threw debris hundreds of feet into the air, sealing her fate in a fiery display. Out of her crew, 862 men perished, while around 400 were rescued.
The exact cause of the explosion has been the subject of much debate. Contemporary reports from witnesses aboard Valiant and survivors of Barham suggested that a fire in one of the smaller magazines spread to her 15-inch shell magazines, triggering the catastrophic detonation. Others have speculated that seawater flooding the boiler rooms might have caused a secondary explosion, though this remains unverified. The destruction of Barham serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by naval crews during World War II.
Barham’s loss was a blow to the Royal Navy, already reeling from the earlier sinkings of HMS Hood and HMS Ark Royal. Her sinking highlighted the deadly threat posed by German U-boats, which were increasingly active in the Mediterranean. Despite these challenges, the Royal Navy continued to play a critical role in the war, ensuring the survival of Malta and supporting Allied forces in North Africa.
The sinking of HMS Barham remains a powerful story of heroism, tragedy, and sacrifice. The footage of her final moments captured on film has immortalized her story, offering a stark visual reminder of the war's toll on both men and ships. While some have labeled her an "unlucky ship" due to the incidents that plagued her career, Barham’s service in two world wars demonstrates her significant contribution to naval history.
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Full Video on Barham: • HMS Barham: From Jutland to her Disas...
Intro 0:00
Background 1:20
What Happened 6:48
Explaining the Explosion 7:53
Conclusion 18:25
Sources/Other Reading:
https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...
https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...
https://www.amazon.com/War-Mediterran...
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Seas-Batt...
https://www.amazon.com/Naval-War-Medi...
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=british+ba...
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