HMS Cossack (F03) - Altmark Incident

Altmark Incident

Cossack's first action was on 16 February 1940. This was the Altmark Incident in Jøssingfjord, Norway which resulted in the freeing of the Admiral Graf Spee's prisoners who were being held aboard the supply ship Altmark and the death of seven crew members of the German ship. Cossack arrived at Leith on 17 February with the 299 freed prisoners. The Norwegian Government subsequently protested at the Cossack's breach of Norway's neutrality and demanded the return of the prisoners (the same that the Norwegian Navy pronounced as non-existent), with the German Government further protesting at the act of violence committed against the Altmark.