British battleship HMS Royal Oak secured place in the history books as
unlikely hero - sunk as a result of one of the most famous naval
operations of the World War II.
German submarine U-47, commanded by G. Prien, after undetected
penetration into the Royal Navy Scapa Flow base, sent her down the
bottom of the ocean together with the majority of her crew. This was one
of the most painful losses of the British fleet during the war.
Royal Oak was one of five class "Revenge" vessels, better known as
simple "R", battleships built throughout the World War I. Amongst her
strong sides were very powerful main guns, quite good sailing abilities
and interesting, "bulky" profile.
"R" battleships have not participated in many of the naval operations of
the Great War, as for Royal Oak she took her part in the battle of
Jutland.
Between the wars HMS Royal Oak was incorporated into the Atlantic Fleet
and Home Fleet. She operated on the Mediterranean Sea during the Spanish
Civil War.