Naval History Forums

Hi Martin,

Are the shots you posted from the same area ?

I ask this because on a quick review, in your first photo and the archive one of the seachlight, the hand/guard rails look remarkably similar.

Boxes remain a mystery though. Electrical junction boxes ?

All the best.

Here's a picture of the aft AA rangefinder station. http://tinyurl.com/26s4s7 There are also some (ammunition?) boxes to the left of the picture, which may well have been closer to the rangefinder on the starboard side due to absence of the vent. In this one you can see plenty persons standing in th...

Hi All,

Does anyone know why the two forward searchlights on the funnel had these covers and all the others didn't, even the ones mounted in a similar position aft on the funnel ?

Thanks for any replies.

And here's a picture of a searchlight.

Jack B. looks like he was 'spot on' with that one. You can clearly see the three panels on the side.

http://tinyurl.com/2s2fcg

Here's another view:

http://tinyurl.com/3x68qx

Yep, 4th one down is one of the cranes on the funnel:



p.s. hope this works - 1st time posting a pic.

Thanks to Martin and Jose for these.

Could the fourth one down show parts of the gearing and a shaft of the cranes that were on the funnel ?

Hi all,

So maybe the number of launches was reduced. I can't imagine that would be the first priority in weight saving but someone probably could easily advise otherwise.

If they were reduced, my mind is boggling at the thought of the history of the removed ones.

Thanks for any replies

Hi Bgile,

However, the sub probably wouldn't be able to see the bow wave because targets are often hull down to a periscope viewer

Could you explain what is meant by 'hull down' ?

Thanks

Thanks Bgile Of course - submarine attack. My apologies, i was just thinking of a surface encounter. OK, i am satisfied as to the purpose of these false waves, bow and stern. Does anyone know why the stern one together with the side 'stripes' were painted out for Op Rhein, leaving only the bow one ?...

Thanks guys. For the false bow wave to 'work', the enemy would have to be around to see it. If the enemy was around, i would imagine the ship would be at maximum or near maximum speed, causing a real bow wave. Hence we now have two bow waves. I know this is all very well from a computer desk and Tio...

Thanks Gerard We know the false waves were intended to mislead. I'm not so sure they were intended to provide a misleading view of the length or size of the ship (i thought the dark grey painted sections fore and aft were intended to try to do this). Of course, they would but i think the intention w...

Hi all, Does anyone know why the false waves were painted on both the bow and the stern of the Bismarck ? I understand the false waves were intended to give the impression of speed to distant observers, who might then miscalculate estimated distances travelled, gunnery ranges etc. but on the stern a...

Hi Antonio and all,

I have seen another post or info somewhere which said the boats were removed for Op Rhein - why i don't know.

If they were removed, where are they ?

Thanks for any replies

Bill, Many thanks for your reply. I think i understand now you have actually been there. Absolutely awesome. Forgive me for using this quote thing but one sees a 'hump' in the mud -- and sometimes the actual exterior of the gun tube -- extending outward from six to ten feet from the faceplate. Do yo...