Richelieu vs. South Dakota

[Dave Saxton]

Yes it could. It could have been heeled over while maneuvering. Also San Fransisco did run amuck after most of the topside personal were cut down and before Lt. McCandless could get to the conn. McCandless then ordered some hard turns as he thought the rest of the American van would be following. An orderly van had ceased to exist by then though.

The Narrative however, says this is proof that there was another group of IJN warships at a greater range to the northward as indicated by O'Bannon's SG radar set. This was obviously a phantom contact, because there was no other IJN group.

Nonetheless, determining even the exact caliber via physical examination of hits seems to be hit and miss, much less the exact AoF.

[alecsandros]

Nonetheless, determining even the exact caliber via physical examination of hits seems to be hit and miss, much less the exact AoF.

What does this mean ... ? I don't understand...

[Dave Saxton]

Only that is difficult to accurately determine angle of fall from shell hits.

[alecsandros]

Only that is difficult to accurately determine angle of fall from shell hits.

Ah, I see...
Indeed, the estimate for the hit on Jean Bart was ~ 35*, wasn't it ?
Are there any newer sources concerning this shell hit ?

Most discussions we've had concluded that Massachussets fired that crippling shot from 22-24km max, so the AoF shouldn't have been more than 25*.