Ramming a German Battleship: HMS Glowworm's Insane Final Stand

This is the awe-inspiring true story of the HMS Glowworm, a tiny British Royal Navy destroyer whose unwavering courage defied all odds when faced with the massive German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper in 1940. In this video, we delve into the untold saga of not only this remarkable plucky little vessel but also its brave Royal Navy crew and heroic Captain who demonstrated unparalleled valour in the face of almost certain death.
Oceanliner Designs explores the design, construction, engineering and operation of history’s greatest vessels- from Titanic to Queen Mary and from the Empress of Ireland to the Lusitania. Join maritime researcher and illustrator Michael Brady as he tells the stories behind some of history's most famous ocean liners and machines!
#titanic #history #facts #ship #HMSGlowworm #UnyieldingHeroism #UntoldSaga #WorldWarII #RoyalNavy #NavalHistory #TrueStory #HeroicActions #Warship #Battle #Courage #Sacrifice #MilitaryHistory #Bravery #Navy #Shipwreck #HistoricalEvent #WWII #NavalCombat #TrueHeroes

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

I hope you guys loved this truly amazing story! If you've got more Incredible stories you want me to share, drop them in the comments! ~Mike

[@UncleJoeLITE]

Honestly, using "Zed" sounds more your style, skip'. "Zee" in your excellent accent are a bit jarring. Imho.

[@Endermanrule]

Such a crazy story! I'm surprised it isn't more well known!

[@paulwilliams5566]

Mate, love your work. Bravery not braveness, please. Have someone teach youy how to tie a half-Windsor knot. You'll thank me. You're a born star!

[@Pinkfacedmonkey02]

The British were experts at ramming ships after the 1918 training exercise known as The Battle Of May Island.

[@billybobjoe6180]

My gf said i have "just a little glow worm" the other day!! I gotta look up what a glow worm is now. Great video, bud

[@usaturnuranus]

That's a seriously badass vessel and crew, at the same time "Glow Worm" sounds so whimsical.

[@Packless1]

...should be re-named 'Sandworm' posthumously...!

[@barrown1275]

Could be worse. We almost had a Flower class corvette called HMS Pansy

[@bigbossimmotal]

And both stories could be true at the same time. If they were outgunned, damaged, sinking, and happened to be pointing at the enemy vessel, "RAMMING SPEED" would be a perfectly Valiant thing to order. War brings out the best in men, while bringing out the worst in men. And I second the 'Sandworm' nomination. It is from the movie Dune, and is one badass worm.

[@Merennulli]

To be fair, glowworms are pretty vicious predators in their "worm" larval state (and they hunt larger and better armored snails, which seems fitting here). I can't speak for you, but to me the main reason they sound whimsical is those "Glo Worm" toys from the 80s.

[@usaturnuranus]

@@Merennulli Good points - I think it probably was those toys that give me that impression. In any case, THIS particular Glo Worm was about as aggressive and deadly a predator as I can imagine.

[@jspaceemperor420]

As much as I love anything to do with Titanic, It's extremely refreshing to see videos about ships that aren't the Titanic thank you Mike for you're unbridled love for sea fearing vessels

[@tanaychopra338]

I do not think ships are supposed to fear the sea

[@kentslocum]

It's good to be reminded that conflicts are often fought by better people than the ones who started the conflict in the first place.

[@tallonmetroids271]

Imagine going toe-to-toe, ferociously and getting either rammed or sunk, then learning that the ship that gave you so much trouble was called the Glow Worm.

[@tigerland4328]

*Glowworm (all one word)

[@EShirako]

And THAT is probably exactly how they had a German commander write a letter of commendation for the captain, and pick up their crew, AND do the plaque commemorating the battle. I mean, you'd almost HAVE to if you were an honorable sort of person. "...HMS WHAT rammed you and tore open the side of the ship?!" "I know, and that after chasing two of our destroyers AND fighting for over an hour *before* she did that! It's not like our guns weren't hitting her, either!" "Well, I see why you picked them up that's for sure. ONE destroyer did all that?!" "Exactly! One TINY little cutesy-glow-worm did all that! We found a MOUNTAIN LION of a Glowworm when we thought we were going to pick up a helpless kitten!"

[@Randomeris1]

Man, Mike has got to be my favorite person on internet right now. So polite and classy. Love the guy

[@davidrudd9846]

Have give the German Captain credit for his appreciation for bravery and sacrifice. Even if it was the enemy. Does not happen very often and to go a step forward and recommend the Victorian Cross is amazing

[@SeanBZA]

Many of the Kriegsmarine were first and foremost honourable people, they fought for the fatherland, even if they did not exactly like the current head, but they went to do what they saw was duty. The honour they had for the captain and crew was foremost, they went in against overwhelming odds, and did not ever consider backing down or retreating, thus the sending via a diplomatic channel the request for this from the captain and officers.

[@altiramoongara9968]

The story of Glow Worm and Hipper is one of my favorites...annoyingly obscure though. So nice to see another naval history channel on KZbin. You and Drachinifel should do a collaboration.

[@Phaaschh]

That would be epic!

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

We love Drach!

[@TrickiVicBB71]

With Dr. Clarke, Armored Carriers (Jamie) & The Mighty Jingles in tow

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

My God. Every man on Glowworm deserved a decoration of some kind. What a great but tragic story. Makes you want to weep. Thanks Mike.

[@peterhobson3262]

While LT-CDR Roope was awarded the Victoria Cross on the recommendation of Kaptain Heye, the only surviving British officer, LT Ramsey, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@peterhobson3262 Good to hear, a DSO's nothing to sneeze at either. I hope the rest of the surviving crew of Glowworm were properly recognized as well.

[@Dilley_G45]

So does every man on Bismarck, Scharnhorst, Yamashiro, Fuso, Jervis Bay....

[@eri3726]

Why Yamashiro and Fuso?

[@Dilley_G45]

@@eri3726 Wikipedia.....Battle of Surigao strait. Americans were vastly outnumbering the Japanese "Southern Force". Overwhelming odds. 2 Japanese Battleships sank with 10 survivors each

[@leoborn4013]

What an absolutely incredible story. The men on the somewhat strangely named Glowworm were brave men who did their best to at least go down like heroes. And the Victoria Cross suggestion from Captain Hellmuth Heye is truly incredible. Shows that on either side there were men who honored impressive services, regardless of their heritage. Having the understanding that both parties at this battle only served their motherland and did their best and the capability to honor actions by the enemy is insanely powerful and strong. In war, there are only losers. Both the allied and the axis had incredible people in their ranks and it’s also incredible that humanity wasn’t lost in this absolutely horrifying conflict.

[@Yossarian-qg1gu]

The Glowworm and the Johnston are two of the most remarkable ships of the war. True fighting spirit

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

Shigure too, she regularly became the sole survivor of her unit

[@hourlardnsaver362]

Samuel B. Roberts, too.

[@sirboomsalot4902]

@@aslamnurfikri7640Put Yukikaze in there as well. Some of the circumstances around that ship are borderline supernatural. Stuff like torpedoes passing right under her and hitting other ships. She was also the only ship to be present for the sinking of all three Yamato-class battleships/carriers. Later had a distinguished career in the navy of the new nation of Taiwan, and was actually set to be saved as a museum ship until typhoon damage in 1969 raised the budget too high. The Taiwanese still sent some parts of her back to Japan as a good will gift, and apparently her turbines were later used in high-speed ferries. At least she gets to fight Godzilla in Minus One (I haven’t actually seen it yet though)

[@hourlardnsaver362]

⁠@@sirboomsalot4902Plus her crew is alleged to have paid their respects to Johnston as she sank

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Why is it whenever another country is talking about something some American has to come along to talk about themselves.

[@nanabutner]

HEROISM, regardless of what side you are on, should be recognized and honored.

[@jamesmichaelwoods2930]

As a military history buff I find these videos especially interesting. Well Done Mike Bradey

[@Tracy-zr9mg]

I love this story! The honor and Valor of a German captain recommending a foe for the Victoria Cross is amazing

[@melina001a]

Lieutenant-Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope VC RN was a posthumous British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Born: 13 March 1905, Taunton Died: 8 April 1940, Trondheim, Norway

[@user-vo2kp5jg8v]

Would you ever consider a video on the Whilhelm Gustlav? One of the survivors of the sinking was Eric Braeden who ended up playing JJ Astor in the 1997 Titanic film. Quite honestly I believe it to be the worst maritime disaster.

[@nanabutner]

Thank you Mike for giving the GLOWWORM’s crew the dignity heroes truly deserve! Again you videos are so informative and respectfully done. THANK YOU, for all your hard work.

[@SB-it3hr]

If Hollywood was still in the business of making epic films of value this would be the script.

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

Not gonna lie after covering so many warships maybe it's time to start Warships Design channel

[@rockymountainlifeprospecti4423]

Thank you for sharing this and keeping history and thier sacrifice alive!

[@kittenfantastic7730]

The heart and bravery of the men who crewed the “little ships,” like Glowworm, more than made up for their diminutive size. USS Johnston and Samuel B. Roberts have already been mentioned. Another amazing story of bravery that resulted in a VC by the recommendation of the enemy is that of Sgt. Thomas Frank Durrant on HM Motor Launch 306 during Operation Chariot.

[@boobah5643]

The only Victoria Cross awarded on evidence solely provided by the enemy was for a New Zealand pilot, Lloyd Allan Trigg, who died sinking _U-468._ The submarine's captain recommended him for the award; the u-boat's survivors were later picked up, awaiting rescue in an inflatable dinghy from Trigg's crashed aircraft.

[@trickydicky2908]

Glowworm's crew had to have known they were doomed (even if they got into the water). They didn't blub, just got down to business.

[@jamesgraham6122]

I know this story well.. First being made aware of the action back in the early 70s having read the excellent Larry Forrester novel, 'Battle of the April Storm', based on this event.. Through the decades I came to know a number of senior naval officers, all of which hold this action to be possibly the pinnacle of what can be expected of a commander and a ship's crew. Your excellent summation of this engagement is without doubt the most comprehensive and factual I've encountered. Well-balanced and no doubt as accurate of the events as is possible to expect at this distance. Well done sir.

[@barrydysert2974]

Mike, this is one of my favorite WWII stories. As always, Your unique presentation of the story is a welcome addition. In my opinion, Both Captains were absolute class acts! Thank You !:-) 🙏💜⚡

[@legiran9564]

You should make a video list about the TOP TEN Most Bonkers Destroyer Captains Of World War 2.

[@codehaunta9878]

I hope Mike maintains his long form content instead of doing shorts

[@7thsealord888]

Excellent video. If you choose do more in a similar vein, I recommend the ww2 Battle of Samar, arguably one of the craziest battles in naval history.

[@UKCountryball138]

LETS GOOO! Thank you for making this! I love the Glowworm story

[@mikehenson819]

Excellent as usual Mike. Thank you.

[@andrewdewit4711]

Always excellent content. Many thanks. Have seen many articles and videos on Glowworm, but this assessment includes ample information on the ship itself and the action’s context.

[@peterforden5917]

Nice to see the" battle of the April storm "related so well, here's to 'the Mighty Maggot' her incredible Captain and crew and thanks to the Enemy who risked their lives trying to save fellow seamen, even though they were the enemy, in the highest traditions of both Navies. Well narrated.

[@marklease9717]

Wonderful, Mike! Another great one!

[@Local-Of-The-Mitten-State]

We all know and love HMS Gloworm for her badassery. Glad you covered this topic, Mike Brady. Love your work.

[@kats9755]

Once again I, terrified of the ocean and profoundly disinterested in recent wartime history, am brought to tears by our friend Mike Brady's recounting of brave little ships and the courageous souls who crew them. 🫡 Fantastic channel you have here. I also cannot imagine being on the Hipper and watching this tiny thing fighting like it was in your same class. Phenomenal.

[@aussietaipan8700]

Keep going with these types of video's matey, they are awesome.

[@Echo2-2]

I have not heard this story told in such detail until now. Excellent work!

[@towgod7985]

An Oceanliner Designs at 10:00 in the morning with my coffee. Its going to be a good day! Cheers MB.

[@RMS_CT-1509]

This video is sooo great its so sad that it only got 23 000 views it deserve more

[@maribelfarnsworth4565]

Thanks, Mike, for your retelling of a story that richly deserves to be retold. I hope that the chivalrous Captain Heye survived the war!

[@Robert-kv7gb]

Hey Mike Thank you for putting this one together, I often enjoy watching your content, but this one was really good! What an amazing story from history 👏

[@WaraxTheThird]

I've seen nearly all your videos, becoming obsessed with Naval history now, where it was mostly just a passing iteresting before. Thank you for the high-quality videos!

[@d2kwazza57]

Another great video glow warm you valiant little steamer thank you to those that served and made the ultimate sacrifice

[@JKS62B50]

Crossing 400K subscribers. Congrats Mike and the OD team!! 🎉

[@paulamos8970]

An amazing story, one of many from WW2, there is a great deal of information of historic fighting ships and battles on Drachinifel's and Dr Alexander Clarke's KZbin channels. For anyone who hasn't seen them I would highly recommend both, their knowlage is immense and present in differing ways, so you learn from both. Mike it would be very interesting to look at the designs of some of the main warship classes of both world wars, if that is at all possible. Thanks for always making engagong videos.

[@SonofsamSJF]

The courage and valour of both ships crews is remarkable. Such a great and tragic tale.

[@ATR-42]

Thank you for sharing these stories of history, they are incredible. Your video creation and narration are first class. Amazing to learn of the ships, and the lives of the young, brave men who fought so hard.

[@HandyMan657]

I love this story. Good show, Mike.

[@TheHylianBatman]

It's always refreshing to see people uplifting their enemies.

[@masqueradis6925]

Fantastic video, though I'd heard of the Glowworm and it ramming a german ship before I hadn't heard the full story before now. Keep up the great work, been really enjoying your videos since recently discovering the channel. The destroyer USS Samuel B Roberts would make for a good video, the destroyer that fought like a battleship. She's also the deepest known shipwreck.

[@simonhjc]

What an incredible story. Well done

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

Hi Mike, thank you for another great video. All the best from Sydney.

[@perrylamb6286]

That is such an amazing story. You've had a couple like this, that I've seen, recently. Liners, converted to Q ships, and now this little destroyer, all going after much larger foe. Thanks so much for sharing these tales. Well done.

[@Jan-Sokolowski]

You must read about the Polish submarine ORP "Orzeł" [eagle], and the escape from Tallinn in 1939. Perhaps you will have interesting material for a new episode.

[@evilchaosboy]

A great account of courage N guts!! \m/

[@stevenkarnisky411]

I have seen this story before, but you have told it very well, Mr. Brady!

[@jacobmckay3754]

You have a wonderful narrative sir. I enjoy listening to all your videos. Thanks for the efforts to get these videos out. 👍👍

[@michaeltutty1540]

Another very interesting and enthralling video. Well done, indeed, Mike.

[@haystack_mikey25]

I absolutely love learning about ship wrecks like this one. 😊

[@brucemitchell5637]

Congratulations on getting 400,000 subs, Mike! Much deserved!

[@j3dwin]

Mike is channeling Drachinifel. I like it!

[@pimpampet7053]

Great, touching story from a ship with a great name.

[@keith800]

So many un noticed engagements of the war go unrecognized and thanks to you this one is now told and we salute the gallantry of these men along with all the other unsung hero's who fade into the obscurity of history.

[@nolandavis9040]

Congratulations on 400,000 subs Mike!!!

[@laurielaurie8280]

Great story and a great part of history. So many brave men had to die in those awful wars 💔

[@Armada-1935]

YES! FINALLY! A VIDEO ON THE GLOWWORM ON YHIS CHANNEL! 🎉🎉🎉

[@martinlancaster6282]

Loved hearing the intelligence and battle of the wits between these two commanders. Much respect to everyone involved

[@JDAeroVR]

Great content you are putting out

[@galaxysurfer1122]

I didn't like the film 'Greyhound' when I found out it was pure fiction (albeit based on true life convoy destroyer experiences). The reason why I didn't like it was that I was pretty sure there must have been actual TRUE stories that could have been used instead, and here is such a story which I never knew about before. Thanks for posting this, it was fascinating!

[@Phaaschh]

A familiar story, wonderfully and vividly retold in your own unique fashion.

[@nian60]

HMS Glowworm is the cutest ship name I have ever heard. RIP brave HMS Glowworm. 🐛🪱

[@watcher24601]

Thank you for showing this amazing piece of history, especially for ships that are less well known. Reminds me there are lots of videos about Queen Mary, but none about Queen Elizabeth

[@KircardProductionsAustralia]

Excellent story Mike. Being an ex RAN Pusser, it's great to hear these stories. Keep them coming mate. 🙂

[@ericcrockett6396]

What a great account of the fight!!!

[@lightbluewaves5526]

You know you fought bravely when your opponent shows you so much respect that he recommends your leaders to get you a medal

[@butchhubbard6124]

Fantastic!!!

[@morgandavie5371]

Good video thanks for what you do

[@philtkaswahl2124]

_Glowworm_ ended up having a perfect name for the underdog story she found herself in.

[@devtrev85]

I appreciate that naval vessels and engagements aren’t ostensibly Mike’s thing, so it’s a special occasion when he dips into that world for a moment to give it the Oceanliner Designs treatment.

[@paulheenan9098]

The backstory of the invasion of Norway actually reminded me of Admiral Hipper’s sister Blücher, which was infamously sunk by a Norwegian fortress dating back to the late 19th century. It was notable not only for being one of the first big defeats suffered by the then seemingly unstoppable Nazi war machine, but also for the damage it done to the Kriegsmarine‘s reputation.

[@leftboot83]

Wow. There are no other words I can offer on this piece of valour

[@blueboltshrimp]

oh I LOVE how the German captain recognized the bravery + skill of the other side

[@shingerz]

Fantastic story this 👏

[@ChickVicious237]

Glow Worm is my new favorite.

[@americanrambler4972]

I have heard of the Glowworm, and that she had been lost, but not the details. This is a fascinating story to be told. A light weight destroyer going up against a heavy cruiser. Definitely a one sided fight.

[@lanternsown3525]

She Truly had a brave Captain and Crew!

[@FlorentPlacide]

Incredible story ! Is there anything more epic than using your actual ship as a weapon and to _ram_ your enemy with it, regardless of your own survival ? Respect to the German officer for his honesty.

[@jos3ph.d]

Amazing

[@angryclown1990]

Glowworm rams a cruiser, the Piorun takes on the Bismark all by itself. Alied destroyer crews were just built different.

[@anttibjorklund1869]

It's stories like this, where ostensible enemies still have some respect for each other and commend each other for some acts. This situation is one and another that comes to mind is when Allied captains gave evidence for Admiral Dönitz at Nuremberg that allied ships had done some things that Dönitz was on trial for.

[@shipfusarelaifu]

Maybe a video about the Graf Spee as well?

[@piratecpnjack]

All shipmen know the absolute last Ace-in-the-hole maneuver: GIMME RAMMING SPEED

[@Marcos-ms1ij]

They were a WoWs player. Ramming is such a classic

[@miniadler]

You should do a video about poor cruiser "Wiesbaden" during the battle of Jutland ;)

[@Weststudio87]

I love learning about WWII battleships my grandpa was in the us navy during the war he fought in the pacific no one alive now can remember the name of the ship he was on.

[@slyjester3315]

Dear friend, Mike Brady, this story of being outgunned and ounumbered reminds me of the Battle off Samar. I know its a pretty large story to detail, but I know you can tell that story with the justice it deserves. Thank you for your consideration and have a wonderful day.

[@warrens1764]

Thank you

[@lyedavide]

Those days of gentleman seafarers quickly evaporated as the war dragged on

[@scottcrew5705]

Ty!!

[@DidMyGrandfatherMakeThis]

Very much in the tradition of his contemporaries such a Vian and Hill. Destroyer captains in both the first and second world wars saw themselves as death or glory, damn the torpedoes and heave the odds to hell.

[@Brock_Landers]

The chivalry of Vice Admiral Hellmuth Guido Alexander Heye to recommend an enemy captain for the Victoria Cross is an outstanding story. It's something that I would do if I had been in his shoes, and it's very admirable.