The Sinking of the Blucher: The Battle of Drobak Sound, April 1940

A lesser-known event during World War II, the sinking of the Blücher is key part of naval history that marked the beginning of the Norwegian Campaign. The Sinking of the Blücher is a comprehensive investigation into why the German cruiser, named for Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (Prussian victor of the Battle of Waterloo), was approaching Oslo on the night of 9th April 1940, why and how she was sunk and the ramifications and significance of the event. The book also explores the influence of the British government and military on the reasons behind Operation Weserübung, the German invasion of Norway. This book is a methodical, unbiased compilation of primary sources and archival material. It details the sequence of events leading to the sinking of the Blücher, the flagship of the force that was to seize Oslo, from setting sail for Norway, to evading British submarines in the Skagerrak, and finally sinking to the bottom of the Dr bak Narrows after being struck by Oscarsborg fortress gunfire and torpedoes. The text, which connects intricate accounts of the attacks, paints a picture of the sinking and explains the politics behind the military operations, and the result of the sinking which enabled King Haakon and his government to escape to Britain, join the Allies and continue the resistance from there. Simultaneously, the primary source material individualizes the sailors and military personnel involved in the sinking from both sides. The writing is accompanied by multiple maps and two hundred stunning, photographs, many never-before-seen.

Tor Jørgen Melien is a Kommandørkaptein (Ret.) (Commander SG) from the Norwegian Navy and has a Cand Philol degree in history from the University of Oslo. He served in the Coast Artillery, including Oscarsborg Fortress during the Cold War. In addition, he served as Commander at Bolærne Fort and acting Commander at Rauøy Fort, all part of the events described in this book. Later he worked at The Defence Staff, at the Ministry of Defence, and at NATO SHAPE in Belgium. Melien has been Editor for the Norwegian Military Journal. Since 2008 he has been working as historian and Research Scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies.

Geirr H. Haarr has written several books, including No Room for Mistakes and The Gathering Storm.