Search found 116 matches

by Patrick McWilliams
Tue Jan 09, 2024 3:34 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: 3-shaft propulsion
Replies: 128
Views: 105626

Re: 3-shaft propulsion

I understand that Bismarck's port side and centre propellers rotated anticlockwise and the starboard propeller clockwise (looking directly at the stern from behind). Was this the optimal design or might it have been better for the middle propeller to turn in a contrary direction to those on the outs...
by Patrick McWilliams
Tue Jan 02, 2024 12:52 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Borman's ss auf bismarck?
Replies: 3
Views: 6129

Re: Borman's ss auf bismarck?

hallo,zu erst,neues guten jahr an alle . Ich mochte hier ein thema offnen . Am 5 mai 1941 AH besuch an bismarck & tirpitz war auch Borman's ganze klink dabei , hier bildern die dass beschtedige könte. 416095814_7357764604245855_369336855586533077_n.jpg Thank you/Danke AAz57, Was this picture of...
by Patrick McWilliams
Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:50 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Were Bismarck and Tirpitz ever together ?
Replies: 8
Views: 12115

Re: Were Bismarck and Tirpitz ever together ?

Simple Yes. Evidence by my great grandfather from his photo diary. He was on the destroyer Nuremberg, and was with them Not sure how to paste a image, but prinz euegen and bismarck and tripnitz were together in one photo. When replying, use the button to the right of the "*" at the top of...
by Patrick McWilliams
Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:06 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Group North and Group West
Replies: 12
Views: 29759

Re: Group North and Group West

The official border between Group North and West for Rheinübung was the line from the southern tip of Greenland to the northern tip of the Hebrides. If this line was crossed, a message should be made to the groups, which triggered the transfer of command. Based on the intercepted shadowings reports...
by Patrick McWilliams
Mon Dec 18, 2023 3:14 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Best Holiday Wishes to All
Replies: 3
Views: 16724

Re: Best Holiday Wishes to All

Best holiday wishes to all members of this forum (including those with whom I do not always see eye to eye). May you and your families and friends have the good fortune to be able to celebrate together. May good spirits flow freely. May 2024 bring better days for all. B And a very Happy Christmas t...
by Patrick McWilliams
Tue Dec 12, 2023 5:48 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Group North and Group West
Replies: 12
Views: 29759

Re: Group North and Group West

Hello, I share your interest in the operational areas during Bismarck's dash for Brest. While I don't have a specific map to reference, you might find detailed naval history archives or books that delve into the specifics of Group West's operational boundaries during that period. The timing of Lutj...
by Patrick McWilliams
Sat Dec 09, 2023 2:51 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Group North and Group West
Replies: 12
Views: 29759

Re: Group North and Group West

Thank you for clarifying that point, Hans.

Hence my comments about the "dividing line" between Groups North and West are not particularly relevant to Bismarck.
by Patrick McWilliams
Thu Dec 07, 2023 10:08 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Group North and Group West
Replies: 12
Views: 29759

Re: Group North and Group West

Thank you Marcello! I'll look at a larger map and see if I can project that line of latitude (or quadrant edge) at the north of Scotland westward into the Atlantic and see where it goes (south of Iceland, I imagine). Since my post earlier, I've seen that the message to Group West came earlier than I...
by Patrick McWilliams
Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:25 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Group North and Group West
Replies: 12
Views: 29759

Group North and Group West

Hello all, Is anyone aware of a map that shows each of the above group's operational areas? My reason for asking is that Bismarck came under the control of Group West during the dash for Brest and I was wondering where and when that took place, and the "dividing line" or quadrant the ship ...
by Patrick McWilliams
Sun May 28, 2023 3:04 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: How close was the final battle?
Replies: 256
Views: 2596016

Re: How close was the final battle?

I regret starting this thread, I think we ended up more confused than we started. But my question is answered, in that it is unknown what the issue was. Hi Mustang, There's no reason to regret starting this thread at all, it has produced from our experts on the subject (as always) some very interes...
by Patrick McWilliams
Thu May 25, 2023 6:52 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: How close was the final battle?
Replies: 256
Views: 2596016

Re: How close was the final battle?

Bismarck hitting Rodney would have made little difference in the end, for the reasons Paul has noted. Even if Rodney's central fire control had been eliminated, I assume the turrets could still have operated under local control and blast away from what was point-blank distance for a battleship. The ...
by Patrick McWilliams
Mon Dec 05, 2022 3:42 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: 'New' Photo of Bismarck on the Elbe
Replies: 14
Views: 13410

Re: 'New' Photo of Bismarck on the Elbe

I can see you're having a bit of fun, but this was a pointless comment, as few (especially someone from mainland Europe) would know the lyrics of that obscure song by Johnny Horton. Also, the massive guns are as clear as day on her superstructure...
by Patrick McWilliams
Sat Nov 26, 2022 2:58 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: 'New' Photo of Bismarck on the Elbe
Replies: 14
Views: 13410

Re: 'New' Photo of Bismarck on the Elbe

Hello Hans, Many thanks for your replies. It's quite unusual to find 'new' pictures of Bismarck, hence my delight at this one. I suspected it was taken in the early days, what with the civilians to the foreground cheering as she sailed along the Lower Elbe from Hamburg to Brunsbüttel where the Kiel ...
by Patrick McWilliams
Sat Nov 26, 2022 3:13 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: 'New' Photo of Bismarck on the Elbe
Replies: 14
Views: 13410

'New' Photo of Bismarck on the Elbe

Hello all, I was amazed to find this pic., by Walter Hollnagel, apparently: https://eisenbahnstiftung.de/images/bildergalerie/82918.jpg Has this only surfaced recently? As it's new to me, I thought it must be fake (hardly Tirpitz?), although it looks genuine with the foretop cupola rangefinder not y...
by Patrick McWilliams
Fri Jun 03, 2022 11:59 am
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Was the battleship Bismarck really the best of its time?
Replies: 220
Views: 60753

Re: Was the battleship Bismarck really the best of its time?

Hello Paul, Setting the scuttling charges deep inside the ship *may have been safer than being anywhere near the battery deck and the upper reaches of the superstructure, for the British fired until 10.15 or so. I've been rereading the Baron's book these last few days and the scuttling procedure too...