H.M.S. Matchless - (G 52) - H.M.S. Matchless at speed, her 48,000 horse-power engines driving her twin screws! [000] [043] [158]

The book 'British Destroyers' by Les Brown [271] he describes the moment when the pride of the German Navy was challenged. "In December 1943 both Matchless and Meteor were involved in the engagement against the German battleship Scharnhorst (the Battle of the North Cape). With other destroyers, including the 'S' class Scorpion, Savage, HMorMS Stord (ex-HMS Success) and Saumarez, they attempted a torpedo attack against the damaged ship but, owing to extensive weather damage due to operations at high speed in the appalling conditions, HMS Matchless was unable to discharge her weapons. However, one torpedo from Scorpion and three from Savage found their mark and doomed the German ship."

H.M.S. Matchless at a more leisurely pace. [266]

Glyn Prysor in his book, 'Citizen Sailors: The Royal Navy in the Second World War', [272] provides a vivid account of life aboard H.M.S. Matchless in Arctic waters. "Lieutenant Commander John Mowlem was in command of the destroyer HMS Matchless during Arctic convoys in 1942 and 1943. "Condensation occurred on all metal surfaces making everything dripping wet, in spite of the constant mopping up there was always an appreciable trickle of water." he recalled. "Every deadlight and hatch had to be battened down so that the only light was artificial. Although the ventilation fans pumped in hot damp air, there was no adequate exhaust, causing air to become fetid, assisted by the reek of stale cigarette smoke and the lingering smell of cleared-up vomit."