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USS Massachusetts BB-59 vs Bismarck

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  • #31
    BTW the german ship received fully integrated radar-fircontrol for range and bearing during training period of Bismarck. And according to the report of the Artillerieversuchskommando (AVKS-700 Schlußbericht vom 31.05.1941) the set was also able to spot for fall of projectile. Nevertheless the comprehensive integration of radar into fire control was done the first time in german use

    RADAR EQUIPMENT
    During 1940, the German Navy began introducing new shipboard radar equipment on their warships. The radar aboard Bismarck was fitted after the trials of the 380-mm guns had been completed based on information gleaned from Baron von Müllenheim Rechberg4. The Baron was puzzled by the decision to outfit the ship with radar equipment following the gunnery trials. When Norfolk was engaged on 23 May in the Denmark Strait, the firing of the two forward turrets disabled the two forward radars, making it necessary for Prinz Eugen to take the lead to search sector ahead of the formation with her radar. This exchange in ships would cause great confusion on board Hood in identifying Bismarck on 24 May. (The German heavy cruisers were very similar in appearance to the Bismarck and Tirpitz.)

    (4) Baron Burkard von Müllenheim-Rechbereg, as recalled during a conversation with authors Bill Garzke
    and Bob Dulin in Annapoolis, MD, 20 September 1980
    ;)
    Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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    • #32
      Something was drastically wrong with the guns and fire control system of the Bismarck. When it first opened fire on the HMS Suffolk & Norfolk, it missed (with a visibility range of only 6 miles). The worst damage was the guns knocked out Bismarck's own Navigational RADAR.

      The hits on the HMS Hood were more luck than accuracy. Lutjens never used the aft two turrets but ordered them to keep watch on the two British Cruisers.

      There is photgraphic evidence and the testimony of the Prinz Eugen's Captain (during a 1946 Naval Inquirey) was the it was one of his 8 inch shells that lit up the rocket locker that burned through the decks into the powder magazines of the Hood.

      In the final battle Bismarck never made a single hit. The closest ship to Bismarck was the HMS Rodney that took a lot of shrapnel hits from near misses but never a direct hit.

      I have a British Battle Ensign (being donated to the Iowa) with the autograph of J.M. Atkinson who was on the bridge of Rodney during that battle and he saw the Bismarck go down.

      So did the USCGC General Greene that watched the battle.

      A few years ago I devoted quite a bit of study on the Bismarck's activities that has raised more questions than delivering answers.
      Able to leap tall tales in a single groan.

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      • #33
        out of all the survivors on the bismarck ,was there any gunnery crews or officers that could shed some light on the effective or ineffectivness of the bismarck gunnery

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        • #34
          Originally posted by blackzz28 View Post
          out of all the survivors on the bismarck ,was there any gunnery crews or officers that could shed some light on the effective or ineffectivness of the bismarck gunnery
          Burkard Baron von Müllenheim Rechberg was the Bismarks Fourth Gunnery Officer when Bismark sank he was 30 years old. He was the Senior officer to survive the sinking. The Baron passed in June of 2003 at 92 years old. He did however share many of his experiences of engagement in interviews with the Naval Community and wrote Battleship Bismark: "A Survivor's story". Which is still available.

          Adalbert Schneider (Korvettenkapitän) was Bismarks 1st Gunnery Officer he did not survive the battle. It is written that an 8" shell from Norfolk hit the foretop FC director and destroyed it and Schneider along with it.

          Helmut Albrecht (Korvettenkapitän) was the Bismarks 2nd Gunnery Officer. He died aboard Bismark as well.

          From a gunnery stand point IMO, Burkard Baron von Müllenheim Rechberg would have been the leading authority being he was the only Officer from the Gunnnery Div. that survived battle and the sinking.

          These were the men that would have been directing Bismarks main battery during her engagement.
          Last edited by Dreadnought; 28 May 13,, 18:02.
          Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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          • #35
            thanks again dred,as every battleship fan ,im a huge bismarck fan & i will scout out that book ,so it sound like the could only shoot with local control & as a result poor shooting
            Last edited by blackzz28; 29 May 13,, 00:32.

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            • #36
              https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m...5200827-27.png


              https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m...5200827-27.png

              The battle started with courses of the british ships directly towards Bismarck, with high approaching velocities. Distance at open fire slightly above 20 kyard. Bismarck could only bring 4 guns into battle at the first salvos. In addition Bismarck heeled considerably from the beginning and could not steer a steady course. furthermore tovey approach started from northwest with the visibility advantage for his ships. Nevertheless Bismarck was able to straddle Rodney and force Rodney to change its courseto avoid further straddles.

              The first noted noted detoriation of Bismarcks shooting seem to be related to Rodneys (first?) hit at around 08.54.
              Until 09.12 all three artillery control stations went offline aditionall the forward turrets were put out of action at 09.02.
              Evidenced by the map, the distance at this time(09.02) was approximately 15 kyard.

              At this distance no single armor plate could withstand a direct hit with major battle ship caliber AP-projectile. Bad luck.
              other ships lost their firepower even through non penetrating hits against barbettes and or turrets.

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              • #37
                no edit function
                Map is from Russell Grenfell's Bismarck Episode and appears to have been drawn form Admiralty charts.


                from Battle summary 5 chase and sinking of Bismarck, admirality record 1950

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