"...albeit with a rather low number of shots per salvo..."Alberto Virtuani wrote: ↑Thu Aug 23, 2018 2:05 pm Pag.50:
Santarini_pag.50_PoW_Gunnery_Performance.jpg
Santorini's analysis of Bismarck's gunnery suffers because he has an incorrect open fire time for her and incorrect times for hits on PoW. Regardless, the fact remains that PoW's vital 14in DCTs were all vulnerable to even 10.5cm hits, and after Hood's loss she was being subjected to a hurricane of fire from 36 KM guns including 8 x 38cm, 8 x 20.3cm, 6 x 15cm and 14 x 10.5cm which had already knocked out 3 of her 4 x 5.25in HADTs and with them her 5.25in battery.
Santorini states that PoW scored 3 x 14in hits at 2 minute intervals, yet Bismarck from 0558 to 0601 scored 3 x 38cm hits on PoW and PE scored 4 x 20.3cm hits so the combined hit rate on PoW was 4 times greater (2 hits/minute) despite PoW's manoeuvres to avoid Hood, and that number would only increase if PoW maintained a steady course yet PoW's fire was severely limited by the poor functioning of her 14in battery and the entire loss of her 5.25in output. So it is unlikely that PoW could increase the rate of hitting, while the KM hit rate would increase dramatically, and within 5 minutes PoW would absorb at least 10 more hits (with 20 being more likely) while only hitting Bismarck 2 or 3 times in return, assuming her 14in FC and turrets all remained in action, which is unlikely. The outcome of a single handed, short range, action by PoW against Bismarck and PE was almost certainly going to be disastrous for PoW with little prospect of damage to Bismarck in return.
IMHO, A/A hate Leach because he cheated Lutjens of the opportunity to destroy PoW along with Hood. Consequently A/A want to convict him of cowardice, after the fact, as punishment.