Action at Horten

9 April 1940, Karljohansvern naval base, Horten, Oslofjord

German success; the naval base captured

While Blücher and the main German force pushed up the Oslofjord towards Oslo, the torpedo boats Albatros and Kondor and two motor minesweepers were sent to seize the Norwegian navy's main base at Horten. The minelayer Olav Tryggvason, in for repairs with only part of her crew, moored across the harbour entrance, and at first light the two minesweepers came in with landing troops aboard. Her 12-cm guns sank R 17 beside the quay; only 15 of the 45 soldiers aboard got ashore unhurt. The minesweeper Rauma fought R 27, and the torpedo boats were kept outside the harbour. But R 27 had got her troops ashore, and when the Germans threatened to bomb the town the base commander surrendered at 7.35. Olav Tryggvason, the coast-defence ships Tordenskjold and Harald Haarfagre and the ships in the yard all fell into German hands.

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