Legend wrote:The X-Class would be fun to use in Brest... lots of waves! Imagine having to load up in one of those things and sail all the way into the harbor while rocking like country road...
paulcadogan wrote:May 27 PM - Bismarck arrives in St. Nazaire to a hero's welcome. Immediately goes into dry dock.
paulcadogan wrote:Short term:
May 27 PM - Bismarck arrives in St. Nazaire to a hero's welcome. Immediately goes into dry dock. KGV & Rodney head for Loch Ewe or the Clyde to refuel leaving Force H on patrol in the Bay of Biscay. PoW heads home for repairs.
May 28 - RAF's 1st bombing raid. (Nightly raids continue thereafter.) Nelson recalled from Freetown to reinforce Force H, Queen Elizabeth or Valiant recalled from Western Med. Repulse, Revenge & Ramillies head for Scapa to maintain watch in the north.
The British objective would be to have at least two or three capital ships ( combinations of KGV, Rodney, Nelson, QE or V, Renown & later a hurriedly repaired PoW) plus cruisers on patrol in the Bay of Biscay (as opposed to one in March - April 1941 when Hood & KGV alternated in keeping an eye on the Twins). Rodney may have been sent off for her refit once PoW was back in service. Sure, only KGV, PoW & Renown had the measure of speed to at least try to compete with B, S& G - but what else could the Brits do?
This would have to be maintained until the effect of the bombing was determined so any move by Bismarck, and/or S & G to return to the Atlantic could be blocked. Once Bismarck was determined to be heavily damaged the patrols might be relaxed, but not eliminated.
Another question is what would the Germans have done. Might the escape of Bismarck have reduced the likelihood of a ban on further Atlantic raids?
in the Med, the Italians might have been emboldened by the weakening of the British forces at both ends.
Just some quick thoughts...
Paul
NO captain can be held at fault that puts his ship alongside that of his enemys,,,,,,,lord H Nelson RN
madmike wrote: ... and makes it back to Germany with the Twins in a channel dash ... put the German capital ships together ... break out into the North Atlantic
lwd wrote:The problem was at Brest the German ships sustained repeated damage from air attacks. With an additional battleship there they this is almost certain to continue. Getting Tirpitz there would also be a lot riskier as well.
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