Speed increase on Bismarck

[miro777]

hey
it's a pretty easy question?
i just can't calculate it.
if the Bismarck let's say could go topspeed at 32 kn
would that have ensured a save journey to france, with all the other incidents (hits from PoW, hits from Victorious, etc.) until the point of the one Faithful hit from Ark Royal, would that have changed anything???

adios
miro

[Dave Saxton]

Because of the need to conserve fuel, Bismarck cruised at lower speeds toward France. IIRC, about 22 knots. Had it been able to cruise at higher speeds, say 25, or 27 knots it would have been well within the Luftwaffe protection range, before Force H could have attacked it. Bismarck still had plently enough top speed, with a self impossed limit of 28 knots, but because of the fuel loss it could not maintain high cruising speeds for long periods.

[Robert J. Winklareth]

Hi Miro,

Dave is correct in his analysis, but I often wondered if it would not have been better for the Bismarck to steam at full speed to come under Luftwaffe protection as soon as possible and then request a tanker to be sent out to refuel her for the last stretch to Brest.

There was never any sound explanation given for Admiral Lutjens' decision not to top off in Grimstad Fjord, so that failure must go down as one of the greatest blunders in naval history.

Bob

[RF]

Hi Miro,

Dave is correct in his analysis, but I often wondered if it would not have been better for the Bismarck to steam at full speed to come under Luftwaffe protection as soon as possible and then request a tanker to be sent out to refuel her for the last stretch to Brest.



Bob

Refuelling from a tanker in Biscay would leave Bismarck(and the tanker) dangerously exposed - both ships stopped, sitting targets for sub and air attack. Remember that British attacks would be pretty desparate and determined by then, regardless of cost.

[miro777]

hey bob...
i must say, i also asked myself the same question...
but as RF pointed out correctly...refueling in the Biscay is not the best thing you should do...

wat about the idea of building up a whole protection center...
several destroyers against torpedoes...
tugs, to carry BS to France and non-stop aircover, with bombers ready to start any minute??

adios
miro

[RF]

hey bob...
i must say, i also asked myself the same question...
but as RF pointed out correctly...refueling in the Biscay is not the best thing you should do...

wat about the idea of building up a whole protection center...
several destroyers against torpedoes...
tugs, to carry BS to France and non-stop aircover, with bombers ready to start any minute??

adios
miro

This is what should have been done.

Something like this was later done to escort the blockade runners in/out of Biscay.

[miro777]

ha!

exactly...my point!


adios