http://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php ... icseen#new
from Sander Kingsepp
In fact, only one side (stb) was examined in a severely limited visibility, during a single pass.
Moderator: Bill Jurens
In fact, only one side (stb) was examined in a severely limited visibility, during a single pass.
would be nice to hear somwhat more substance to get an basis for discussion.Jagdboot wrote: a)Weak stern,
b)Not enough armour on the hull,
c)Should have been equipped with more AA guns. The Tirpitz had more of them.
d)Not much you can do about the jammed rudder from the torpedoattack.
Jagdboot
Not enough armor on the hull? What makes that the rest of battleships with the sole exception of Yamato? More AA guns? By spring 1941 it was pretty much what all battleships had. Weak stern or jammed rudder? I imagine that was not a flaw in Prince of Wales or Musashi? At least the Bismarck didn't run away from her enemies as more than year and a half after the South Dakota did from an aging "battlecruiser" armed with shore bombardment shells...Weak stern, Not enough armour on the hull, Should have been equipped with more AA guns. The Tirpitz had more of them. Not much you can do about the jammed rudder from the torpedoattack.
It doesn't really matter if it was too weak or not, because it only manifested itself after the ship sank. Previous to that event it was strong enough to withstand a torpedo explosion underneath and an observed Rodney 16" direct hit without structural failure.Weak stern,
It could have had more certainly. But Bismarck in 1941 was actually better equipped in this regard than her contemporaries. For example, Dunkerque was equipped only with 16 x 13cm dual purpose that didn't work against aircraft very well (too slow), only 8 x 38mm, and 32 x .50 cal light machine guns. North Carolina's only automatic flak was only four of the terrible 1.1-inch (28mm) quad mountings.Should have been equipped with more AA guns
I dare say that the over all belt protection of Bismarck was probably better than Yamato's. Moreover, the protected length was also better than all others.What makes the rest of battleships (have more hull protection) with the sole exception of Yamato?
Not much you can do about the jammed rudder from the torpedoattack
I think all the above played the contributing factor that brought Bismarck to its demise during the latter part of the Operation Rheinübung. One can speculate on the facts, but I think in terms of its design the protection belt was somewhat sufficient, but more armour on the bow would probably have hindered the PoW to get that scoring hit which cost the vessel so much fuel, also the increased intake of water slowed it down. The rudder was in perfect condition before being sabotaged by the torpedo hit. It was only unfortunate that nothing could be done with it at the time. As with most ships. The rudder is like an achilles heel. More AA guns. The more junk you toss in the air, the more you hit. Everything is up for discussion, which is why we are here.Thorsten Wahl wrote:would be nice to hear somwhat more substance to get an basis for discussion.Jagdboot wrote: a)Weak stern,
b)Not enough armour on the hull,
c)Should have been equipped with more AA guns. The Tirpitz had more of them.
d)Not much you can do about the jammed rudder from the torpedoattack.
Jagdboot
The amount of armour required in this case would be prohibitive. It would need to be of full belt thickness and this can't be applied to the bows. Heavy armour weights must be concentrated to protect the vital compartments such as turbine rooms and magazines, and the main turrets and barbets. Only splinter level protection should be employed outside of these vital areas. Bismarck did have homogenous armour worked into the outer shell fore and aft of the citadel to protect the water plane from being riddled by splinters, but armour capable for rejecting a battleship caliber shell wasn't practical.but more armour on the bow would probably have hindered the PoW to get that scoring hit which cost the vessel so much fuel,
Bigger/more exit holes in hull, prob a few more in overheard (& deck below) where shell detonates, harder to fix... Bismarck will be in even worse straits.paul.mercer wrote:Gentlemen,
I believe that the hit on the Bow from PoW went straight through without exploding, any thoughts on what would have happened if it had?