Post
by tommy303 » Fri Aug 09, 2013 3:37 am
The Graf Spee's bridges were somewhat reversed from Bismarck's. The normal navigation bridge and wheel house were in the lower portion of the massive tower mast and afforded a good view for normal peace time or non-combat navigational situations. The conning tower, with its heavy armour and the foreward artillery command post was lower and the view was more restricted. Although it only had splinter proof shielding, the navigation bridge in the tower mast was actually a much better place to direct the ship from in action, with orders being passed to the conning tower by telephone. In the event, Langsdorff, I believe, directed the ship from the foretop gallery surrounding the foretop artillery command post.
The arrangement in Bismarck was somewhat better, with the combat bridge and the conning tower being higher in the superstructure. Lindemann could, of course, direct the ship from any suitable station he chose, but his normal combat duty post was on the combat bridge, either in the armoured conning tower or on the open gallery around it (Brinkmann, during the action against Hood chose to direct his ship from the open gallery around the conning tower, rather than from within the conning tower).
Commander Oels, the executive officer and second in command under Lindemann, had his action station in command central below the armoured deck. From this position he was able to monitor ship systems and damage control. This put him in an ideal position to keep the captain informed of damage and status.
One point that is often overlooked is the fact that the navigational portion of the conning tower was actually quite cramped. Most of the heavily armoured structure was taken up by the foreward artillery command post from which control of the secondary guns was exercised. The navigation portion occupied a horseshoe-shaped extension wrapped somewhat around the front of the elevated artillery post. There was enough room for a combat chart table, the captain, helmsman, a couple of communication ratings, and a watch officer and warrant officer to assist the captain, man the engine room telegraphs, and keep the combat chart updated.
As a consequence, it is unlikely that the Fleet Commander was present with Lindemann during the action; Luetjens would likely have stuck to his combat station on the admiral's bridge. Although the position was unprotected, except perhaps against splinters, it was sufficiently roomy to house the admiral's staff, fleet radio room and information center, and it afforded a good all-round view superior to any he would have on the combat bridge. In any event, it would have been unwise for the admiral to be in the same place as the captain as that would increase the odds of them being taken out by a single hit.
Their shoulders held the sky suspended;
They stood and Earth's foundations stay;
What God abandoned these defended;
And saved the sum of things for pay.