ORP Piorun: The Fearless Thunderbolt
Initially laid down as the HMS Nerissa, the ORP Piorun (English: Thunderbolt) was an N-class destroyer operated by the Free Polish Navy. While under construction, the vessel was transferred to the Polish forces in 1940 and would primarily be used to escort convoys along the British coast.
A Brief but Heroic Service
To say she would have an eventful life in Polish service would be an understatement. Between 13 and 15 March 1941, while undergoing repairs, Piorun took part in the defence of Clydebank against air raids by the Luftwaffe. Sailing up and down the Clyde and sending up a wall of anti-air fire in defence of the nearby shipyards and town. She would also see action in the Mediterranean and would even accept the surrender of a number of German U-Boats after the war. But these would pale in comparison to what would become her finest moment. As well as prove that the Polish can be bloody savage!!
Encounter with the Bismarck
On 22 May 1941, the Piorun was attached to the 4th destroyer flotilla and was on her way to the Indian Ocean. On the 25th, the Flotilla was reassigned to assist in the search for the German Battleship Bismarck. This wasn’t too long after the vessel one-shotted the HMS Hood and the Royal Navy was out for blood. But as it turned out, the Poles had an even bigger bloodlust and were rather eager to get a chance to hit the pride of Hitler’s Navy.
In fact, Piorun was the first Allied warship to sight the German, along with the destroyer HMS Maori. Now… Initially, their orders were to just shadow the warship and use torpedoes to “harass” it. So imagine just how the crew of the Maori felt when they saw Piorun break formation and charge the Bismarck! The ship the Royal Navy feared was now being attacked by a lone Polish destroyer which began to send the message “I am a Pole” before opening fire.
The Bold Attack
Needless to say, it was a very interesting sight as the Piorun began to unload within the Bismarck. 4.7-inch shells, Pom Poms and machine guns were all being fired at the now bewildered German ship, which seemingly had problems getting a lock on the plucky Pole. It is even said at one point, the Polish crew began to sing their national anthem and play instruments on deck during their attack, all the while the ship continued to flash “I am a Pole”. How true that is, I don’t know…. But I wouldn’t doubt it.
Eventually, the Piorun broke off its one-ship rampage and, to show just how little f**ks it gave afterwards, the ship refused to return to its home port in England and would only return once its fuel began to run low.
Legacy of ORP Piorun
Now, Piorun’s exploits against the Bismarck are often overshadowed by its eventual destruction by the Royal Navy. But not totally forgotten.
In 1994, the Orkan-class fast attack craft ORP Piorun was launched and members of the original N-class destroyer were invited to the commissioning ceremony. There was also a special coin that was created that has the image of the Piorun on it, so she is not totally forgotten.
~NC
