dunmunro wrote:The KGV class had excellent seakeeping capabilities which were certainly the best of any treaty limited battleship. If this wasn't the case, then how did DoY run down and sink Scharnhorst in a raging gale? IIRC, the requirement for zero angle firing across the bow was to allow KGV to engage close range targets and during WW2 there was a surprising number of these.
northcape wrote:I agree that both from Denmark street and north cape battles, it is evident that the KGVs presented a very good combination of stable gun platforms and excellent fire control.
alecsandros wrote:northcape wrote:I agree that both from Denmark street and north cape battles, it is evident that the KGVs presented a very good combination of stable gun platforms and excellent fire control.
... At Denmark Strait Prince of Wales obtained 3 hits from 55 shots fired (74 ordered), on clear day and calm sea.
... At North Cape, Duke of York obtained 4 or 5 hits in the pursuit phase (90 minutes pursuit), in a heavy storm.
Dave Saxton wrote:alecsandros wrote:northcape wrote:I agree that both from Denmark street and north cape battles, it is evident that the KGVs presented a very good combination of stable gun platforms and excellent fire control.
... At Denmark Strait Prince of Wales obtained 3 hits from 55 shots fired (74 ordered), on clear day and calm sea.
... At North Cape, Duke of York obtained 4 or 5 hits in the pursuit phase (90 minutes pursuit), in a heavy storm.
Calm Sea at DS? The photographs show a fairly large swell, and there are reports that the spray coming over the bows on POW was limiting the use of the in turret range finders.
alecsandros wrote:... from what I understand, there was a moderate breeze of 10m/s, which created swells here and there. The wind was blowing to the west, thus hindering Prince of WAles and Hood's optical rangefinders.
alecsandros wrote:northcape wrote:I agree that both from Denmark street and north cape battles, it is evident that the KGVs presented a very good combination of stable gun platforms and excellent fire control.
... At Denmark Strait Prince of Wales obtained 3 hits from 55 shots fired (74 ordered), on clear day and calm sea.
... At North Cape, Duke of York obtained 4 or 5 hits in the pursuit phase (90 minutes pursuit), in a heavy storm.
northcape wrote:And what should us tell this? I don't get your point. Do you expect every shot to be a hit?
Dave Saxton wrote:But even the Prinz Eugen reported that sea spray made identifying the enemy warships difficult.
paulcadogan wrote:Dave Saxton wrote:But even the Prinz Eugen reported that sea spray made identifying the enemy warships difficult.
Where was this reported? Can't find it in the KTB. The only time spray affected Prinz Eugen was when the splash from Hood's nearest shell collapsed over the ship putting the decks awash (reported in the KTB by Jasper) and I think it was Busch who described the RF/spotting lenses having to be wiped off in the aftermath of that.
The wind direction was responsible for the spray fogging Hood & PoW's optics. That same wind would have blow any spray away from BS & PG, so it would not have fogged theirs.
BTW - remember we have video footage of KGV ships in heavy seas: http://www.kbismarck.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6708
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests