Naval History Forums

Some additional notations re general condition and practical speed capability of RODNEY at the time in question- In the pursuit of BISMARCK (see 26 May 41 signal above), RODNEY was burning - 23 tons of oil per hour at 22 knots. 19 tons of oil per hour at 19 knots. According to Oscar Parkes ("B...

Some information re RODNEY's speed during her pursuit of BISMARCK, extracted from her signal log Fm RODNEY to ComDes Flot6 - 0315hrs 25 May 41 My speed 20 the initial course 262. Follow at your best speed under weather conditions. - - - - - Fm RODNEY to CinC H.F. – 0900hrs 25 May 41 My position 52d...

Welcome aboard, sir. Thank you for your reading recommendations on the Italian Campaign. My uncle served in Italy in 1SSF. He never spoke a word about his service; I only discovered his 1SSF connection when his Ike Jacket was put on display at the wake and I recognized the unique shoulder patch. … a...

I take your point, Paul. But USN frigates, etc, don’t seem to carry very many guns nowadays, especially in terms of dealing with swarm attacks by drones. I suspect that we are witnessing a generational change in the nature of the aerial threat that is going to require a deep re-think about air defen...

Hi Holger, Re the photo you posted, I would concur that it was quite likely a training exercise. Re turret-mounted range-finders, there were certain advantages which were obtained: > the turret would provide an excellent structural support for very long-base range-finders > the range-finder would be...

Hi Jose, I am unsure as to whether this may help to explain the apparent bearing mystery, but in the Garzke/Dulin/Jurens book "Battleship Bismarck - A Design and Operational History" (page 202) it is written - "At 0537 Holland ordered a forty degree course change to starboard that wou...

Wonder how many of these questions have known answers -- There were seven DF stations in Great Britain in 1941? At what lat-lons? How accurately did they measure the azimuth of an incoming signal -- plus or minus how many degrees? Did the accuracy decrease if the signal had crossed Ireland? Did som...

Would anyone know of a complete listing of all ships sunk and those damaged (both Allied and Japanese), during the Guadalcanal campaign? And the cause eg surface action, aircraft, submarine etc. From 7 August 1942 to 9 February 1943 inclusive. I've seen mentioned in various books numbers that range...

Let me find Jellicoe's book and I'll get back to you. This is so I can blame Jellicoe if I'm wrong. :ok: Hi OaP If you are referring to Jellicoe's book "The Grand Fleet", go here - https://archive.org/details/grandfleet1914100jell/mode/2up?q=Grand+Fleet Scroll down the page. Find the &quo...

Lost this somewhere in space/time: The battlecruisers at Jutland were less than successful IIRC. (Jellicoe's book around here somewhere, emphasis on "somewhere".) Hi OaP, I tend to disagree, but I'd like to better understand your position on this before responding in any detail. Byron

Is/was putting "battle" on a ship's class that isn't/shouldn't be in the line of battle a good idea? Hi OaP, My recollection is that the idea you reference stems from the RJW Battle of Tsushima, where Togo’s use of his armored cruisers as an adjunct to his battle-line proved successful in...

Interesting post, Chuck. Thanks.

As Thomas Sowell is fond of saying: there are no solutions, only trade-offs.

Byron

Found this in my files. Given the dearth of information on Blucher's experience at Dogger Bank I thought it made sense to share it. Please read with care, however, as there are (unavoidably) a few incorrect assumptions and errors of recollection. Sometimes, the timeline of events can also be somewha...

In a very general sense, one larger propeller turning slowly will be more efficient than any larger number of propellers turning more rapidly. The optimum number of propellers, and their size, is largely driven by issues of geometry -- draft is limited after all -- and the perceived need for redund...

In a very general sense, one larger propeller turning slowly will be more efficient than any larger number of propellers turning more rapidly. The optimum number of propellers, and their size, is largely driven by issues of geometry -- draft is limited after all -- and the perceived need for redund...