Search found 88 matches

by Saltheart
Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:07 pm
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

If the Kriegsmarine would concentrate the bulk of their fleet at a certain point , the RN probably would react accordingly and concentrate their forces too. That's what I was thinking of when I was looking at the threats. First of all the Germans would have to get into the Atlantic past 5 fast capi...
by Saltheart
Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:43 pm
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

Lets look at the threats to the 3 battleships. Destroyers Torpedoe tubes, they'd have to get to about 5km or closer to hope to get a hit. Shadowing capability limited by short range. Cruisers Torpedoe tubes, they're bigger targets so they won't get close. They can shadow for long distances. Slow bat...
by Saltheart
Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:29 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck's fate.
Replies: 34
Views: 17476

Re: Bismarck's fate.

We all know the torpedoe hit on the rudder was the end of the road for the Bismarck. It's ability to carry on fleeing was removed as completely as if it was a man who had been shot in the legs. But out of interest, if it were a situation where the British would not now be closing in and there would...
by Saltheart
Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:43 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

When he invaded Poland he went to war with Britain. Conquering Poland didn't change that he was still at war with Britain. No. Britain declared war on Germany two days after the invasion of Poland was launched. Germany has never ever declared war on Britain! Hitler ignored a British ultimatum to gi...
by Saltheart
Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:59 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

Basically when Hitler started a war which he could not end, could not force to an end, but which instead was dependent on the British agreeing to peace he placed Germany in a fatal position. If he builds enough ships to beat Britain he will almost inevitably bring in America and then he loses. So r...
by Saltheart
Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:52 pm
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

And don't forget - Britain mobilised a large army, a large air force and maintained a growing navy. Britain had a completely different ratio between the branches of service compared to Germany. The British army was the smallest branch, while the German army was always preeminent. If using the terms...
by Saltheart
Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:58 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

If Germany prewar had built as big a surface fleet as allowed by treaty then it would have taken resources away from tank, truck, artillery and aircraft production. The German army would not have been ready for the campaigns against Poland or France. As far as equipment went in 1938 when they moved ...
by Saltheart
Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:38 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

If 3 battleships would not attack a convoy protected by an old battleship in the escort because of fear of damage then they would have no business being in the Atlantic at all. They would have to accept the risk of damage, maybe superficial or maybe severe, if they're going to hope for any gain like...
by Saltheart
Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:58 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck's fate.
Replies: 34
Views: 17476

Re: Bismarck's fate.

may have taken some time to figure things out but without the British I think they would have eventually made it to France. unfortunalety for them time is something they didnt have. without enemy harassing fuel wouldnt be a problem either as long as they steam at low speeds 10-15 kntos. I think the...
by Saltheart
Mon Mar 05, 2012 12:29 pm
Forum: Bismarck General Discussion
Topic: Bismarck's fate.
Replies: 34
Views: 17476

Bismarck's fate.

We all know the torpedoe hit on the rudder was the end of the road for the Bismarck. It's ability to carry on fleeing was removed as completely as if it was a man who had been shot in the legs. But out of interest, if it were a situation where the British would not now be closing in and there would ...
by Saltheart
Thu Feb 09, 2012 2:10 pm
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

In February 1942 Gneisenau was severely damaged, but the Germans had finished the repairs by December. They had already started work on strengthening the barbettes and bulkheads, had completed the 2 new bows and built all 6 new gun turrets. Installing the bow would take some time. Also, the interna...
by Saltheart
Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:50 pm
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

Re: 3 German battleships in May 1941.

G&D mentions about 2.5 years needed to upgun Gneisenau from 11" to 15", with 300 workers. WIth 500 workers, the time would decrease to about 1.5 years. I don't know if it would change the war anyways... But not building the Schanrhorst's and panzerchiffes at all, and building 2 more B...
by Saltheart
Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:32 pm
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: 3 German battleships in May 1941.
Replies: 119
Views: 23761

3 German battleships in May 1941.

Imagine that in late June 1940 Hitler decides to upgun Sharnhorst and Gneisenau. He's seen them be badly outgunned recently by the Renown and now they're back in port after the Norwegian campaign and it's time to improve them. He orders that they both be fitted with 6x15 inch guns and be ready for o...
by Saltheart
Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:13 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Ideal Rheinubung
Replies: 144
Views: 29894

Re: Ideal Rheinubung

Hello, AA fire from the German ships may be a factor, as many planes would be damaged, and could not be re-used in subsequent attacks. IIRC, 6 of the 15 Swordfishes from Ark Royal were damaged by Bismarck's AA fire. 1 of them was considered a total loss on return to the carrier. 2 others were to da...
by Saltheart
Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:10 am
Forum: Hypothetical Naval Scenarios
Topic: Ideal Rheinubung
Replies: 144
Views: 29894

Re: Ideal Rheinubung

I think the co-ordination of continous attacks together with a combined shadowing and attacking role is going to be more difficult in terms of both flight operations and carrier logistics you you seem to allow. I don't think that three carriers would be enough. And this is before you consider inter...