Prince Philip’s Service in World War II

Simple History
17 Apr 202103:11
EducationalLearning
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TLDRPrince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was a decorated World War II veteran who served in the British Royal Navy from 1940 to 1945. Born in Greece in 1922, he was the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. After the Greek monarchy was overthrown, his family relocated to France, and he later received education in England, Scotland, and Germany. Prince Philip graduated at the top of his class in 1940 and went on to serve on several warships, earning a Greek War Cross for bravery during the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941. He was promoted to first lieutenant at the age of 21, making him one of the youngest lieutenants in the Royal Navy at the time. During the Sicilian invasion in 1943, he devised an ingenious plan using a decoy to protect his ship, HMS Wallace, from an enemy attack. After the war, he became a naval instructor and married Princess Elizabeth in 1947. Upon her father's death, Elizabeth became the Queen of the United Kingdom, and Prince Philip remained by her side for 73 years until his death on April 9, 2021, just two months before his 100th birthday.

Takeaways
  • 👑 Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, making him a significant figure in the British royal family.
  • 🎂 He passed away on April 9, 2021, just two months before his 100th birthday.
  • 🇬🇷 Born in Greece, he was the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, and his family fled Greece in 1922 due to a revolutionary uprising.
  • 🏠 His family settled in Paris, France, after leaving Greece, and he received his education in various schools across England, Scotland, and Germany.
  • ⚓️ In 1939, Prince Philip joined the British Royal Navy and graduated at the top of his class in 1940, just as World War II began.
  • 🏆 He earned a Greek War Cross for bravery during the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941 for his role in illuminating enemy ships.
  • 🚢 Serving on HMS Valiant, he commanded a searchlight detachment that helped sink two Italian cruisers.
  • 📢 In 1942, he was assigned to HMS Wallace and was promoted to first lieutenant, making him one of the youngest lieutenants in the Royal Navy at the time.
  • 💡 During the allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, he devised an ingenious plan using a wooden raft with naval flares to decoy an enemy bomber, saving his ship.
  • 🔫 After the war, Prince Philip served as a naval instructor at a land-based Royal Navy training establishment.
  • 💍 He married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, who later became Queen Elizabeth II upon the death of her father, King George VI.
Q & A
  • What was Prince Philip's title during his lifetime?

    -Prince Philip held the title of Duke of Edinburgh during his lifetime.

  • When did Prince Philip pass away?

    -Prince Philip passed away on April 9, 2021.

  • How long was Prince Philip married to Queen Elizabeth II?

    -Prince Philip was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years.

  • Where was Prince Philip born?

    -Prince Philip was born in Greece.

  • What significant event led to Prince Philip leaving Greece as a baby?

    -Prince Philip left Greece as a baby in 1922 aboard a British warship when the monarchy there was overthrown during a revolutionary uprising.

  • At what age was Prince Philip when he joined the British Royal Navy?

    -Prince Philip joined the British Royal Navy in early 1939.

  • What achievement did Prince Philip earn during the Battle of Cape Matapan?

    -During the Battle of Cape Matapan, Prince Philip earned a Greek War Cross for bravery.

  • How did Prince Philip contribute to the sinking of two Italian cruisers?

    -Prince Philip was in command of a searchlight detachment on the battleship HMS Valiant, which helped illuminate two Italian cruisers, enabling the Valiant's guns to sink them.

  • What position did Prince Philip hold at the age of 21 in the Royal Navy?

    -At the age of 21, Prince Philip was promoted to First Lieutenant, making him one of the youngest lieutenants in the Royal Navy at the time.

  • What was the ingenious plan Prince Philip devised to protect HMS Wallace from a Luftwaffe bomber?

    -Prince Philip launched a wooden raft with naval flares, known as smoke floats, to act as a decoy. The bomber attacked the decoy, allowing HMS Wallace to escape unnoticed.

  • What role did Prince Philip serve in the Royal Navy after World War II?

    -After the war, Prince Philip became a naval instructor at a land-based Royal Navy training establishment.

  • When did Prince Philip marry Princess Elizabeth, and what significant event followed five years later?

    -Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and five years later, she became the Queen of the United Kingdom upon the death of her father, King George VI.

Outlines
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👑 Prince Philip's Early Life and Royal Navy Service

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born in Greece to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. He fled Greece as an infant in 1922 during a revolutionary uprising and his family settled in Paris. He was educated across England, Scotland, and Germany. In 1939, he joined the British Royal Navy and graduated top of his class in 1940, just as World War II began. He served on several warships and was recognized for bravery with a Greek War Cross during the Battle of Cape Matapan. He also served on HMS Valiant and HMS Wallace, where he was promoted to first lieutenant at the young age of 21, making him one of the youngest lieutenants in the Royal Navy at the time. He played a crucial role in protecting the Allied invasion of Sicily by devising a plan to launch a decoy with naval flares, successfully misleading a Luftwaffe bomber.

🎓 Post-War Naval Career and Marriage to Princess Elizabeth

Following his service in World War II, Prince Philip transitioned to a role as a naval instructor at a land-based Royal Navy training establishment. In 1947, he married Princess Elizabeth, who later ascended to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II upon the death of her father, King George VI. Their marriage lasted for 73 years, marking a significant partnership in the royal family's history. Prince Philip passed away on April 9, 2021, just two months shy of his 100th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of service to his country and dedication to his family.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh was a British royal title held by Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. It is a significant title within the British royal family and is associated with Prince Philip's service and contributions to the UK. In the script, it is mentioned as a title held by Prince Philip, highlighting his royal status and his close relationship with the reigning monarch.
💡World War II
World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's major powers, including the United States, the Soviet Union, and Nazi Germany. In the context of the script, Prince Philip's service during World War II is a key aspect of his biography, showcasing his military involvement and bravery during a critical period in world history.
💡Prince Philip's death
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away on April 9, 2021, just two months before his 100th birthday. His death is a significant event in the script as it marks the end of a long life of service and is a point of historical and personal significance for the royal family and the UK.
💡Marriage to Queen Elizabeth II
Prince Philip was happily married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, making their union one of the longest in royal history. This keyword highlights the personal life and partnership of Prince Philip with the reigning monarch, which is central to understanding his role within the British royal family.
💡Greek War Cross
The Greek War Cross is a military decoration awarded for acts of bravery in wartime. Prince Philip earned this honor during the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941, where his actions in commanding a searchlight detachment contributed to the sinking of enemy ships. This keyword exemplifies Prince Philip's valor and military achievements.
💡HMS Valiant
HMS Valiant was a British battleship on which Prince Philip served during World War II. It is significant as the ship where he was awarded the Greek War Cross for his bravery during the Battle of Cape Matapan. The mention of HMS Valiant in the script underscores Prince Philip's active role in naval engagements during the war.
💡HMS Wallace
HMS Wallace was a destroyer in the British Royal Navy where Prince Philip was later assigned and promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. His ingenuity in evading an enemy attack by using a decoy with naval flares is a notable example of his leadership and strategic thinking during wartime.
💡Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Prince Philip served in the Royal Navy during World War II and later became a naval instructor, which is a significant part of his military career. His service and subsequent role as an instructor reflect his dedication to the British military and his expertise in naval operations.
💡Naval Engagements
Naval engagements refer to the various battles and military actions at sea during wartime. Prince Philip's involvement in several naval engagements is a key aspect of the script, illustrating his active participation in World War II and his commitment to the British war effort.
💡Amphibious Invasion of Sicily
The amphibious invasion of Sicily was a major Allied operation during World War II, aimed at capturing the island of Sicily from the Axis powers. Prince Philip's involvement in the task force assigned to protect this invasion demonstrates his role in significant military operations and his contribution to the Allied victory.
💡Naval Instructor
After World War II, Prince Philip became a naval instructor at a land-based Royal Navy training establishment. This role signifies his continued service to the Royal Navy and his dedication to the training and development of future naval officers, further cementing his legacy within the British military.
Highlights

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, served in World War II from 1940 to 1945.

He died on April 9, 2021, just two months before his 100th birthday.

Prince Philip was happily married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years.

He was born in Greece and was the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark.

Philip left Greece as a baby in 1922 aboard a British warship during a revolutionary uprising.

His family settled in Paris, France after leaving Greece.

He was educated at various schools in England, Scotland, and Germany.

Prince Philip joined the British Royal Navy in early 1939 and graduated at the top of his class in 1940.

He served on several warships and was involved in numerous naval engagements during World War II.

He earned a Greek War Cross for bravery during the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941.

While serving on HMS Valiant, he commanded a searchlight detachment that helped sink two Italian cruisers.

In June 1942, Prince Philip was assigned to the destroyer HMS Wallace and was later promoted to first lieutenant.

At 21 years old, he was one of the youngest lieutenants in the Royal Navy at the time.

HMS Wallace was part of the task force assigned to protect the Allied invasion of the Italian island of Sicily in July 1943.

Prince Philip devised an ingenious plan using a wooden raft with naval flares to evade a Luftwaffe bomber attack.

After the war, he became a naval instructor at a land-based Royal Navy training establishment.

Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, who later became the Queen of the United Kingdom.

Transcripts
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