Picture this - US battleship Texas is in Japanese controlled waters in early 1942, with either Halsey/Nimitz on board. Texas is alone, its steering smashed and with the prevailing sea conditions can only head towards Japan at slow speed.
The US admiral knows that Yamato and Musashi are closing in to sink Texas, and they have destroyer/cruiser escorts.
In that situation what would Halsey or Nimitz do, with little prospect of outside help?
Would they accept that Texas has to face Yamato/Musashi alone and outranged, a sitting duck, or would they say ''gentlemen - that situation is unacceptable'' and order that a solution be found, so that Texas can escape?
What would Halsey or Nimitz have done?
WHAT solution could possibly save them?
Even if a gang of fairies descended on Texas and managed to repair the steering gear, how is she supposed to outrun the Japanese squadron?
Texas's best bet would be to attempt to "Do a Gloworm" and ram one of the battleships - Texas would of course be lost but at least the Japanese Emporer would be left with a costly repair bill
Even if a gang of fairies descended on Texas and managed to repair the steering gear, how is she supposed to outrun the Japanese squadron?
Texas's best bet would be to attempt to "Do a Gloworm" and ram one of the battleships - Texas would of course be lost but at least the Japanese Emporer would be left with a costly repair bill
God created the world in 6 days.........and on the 7th day he built the Scharnhorst
Gloworm had to have steering and speed intact to ram Hipper and Hipper had to be at close range. Ramming wouldn't be an option as Yamato and Musashi would engage at the limit of their range to avoid the 16 inch shells of Texas.Gary wrote:WHAT solution could possibly save them?
Even if a gang of fairies descended on Texas and managed to repair the steering gear, how is she supposed to outrun the Japanese squadron?
Texas's best bet would be to attempt to "Do a Gloworm" and ram one of the battleships - Texas would of course be lost but at least the Japanese Emporer would be left with a costly repair bill :wink:
I imagine that some sort of solution would be attempted by the Americans.
Does anyone know of a circumstance in which an Iowa class battleship had a jammed rudder, and how it was corrected?
Gloworm's steering was gone by all accounts.
Some say the ramming of Hipper was accidental.
Hipper's main guns probably wouldnt have been able to depress enough to hit a target that close in.
Texas had 14 inch guns not 16 inch.
Some say the ramming of Hipper was accidental.
Hipper's main guns probably wouldnt have been able to depress enough to hit a target that close in.
Texas had 14 inch guns not 16 inch.
God created the world in 6 days.........and on the 7th day he built the Scharnhorst
The accounts I have read were that Glasford-Snell rammed Hipper right angles at full speed, rupturing a fuel bunker with the force of impact. I believe he won a VC for his action.Gary wrote:Gloworm's steering was gone by all accounts.
Some say the ramming of Hipper was accidental.
Hipper's main guns probably wouldnt have been able to depress enough to hit a target that close in.
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Captain Morgan
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The scenario was not even close to plausible.
the 30 year old 20 knot Texas against the IJN fleet. It wouldn't happen. It would be like Tirpitz and Bismarck were closing in on HMS Iron Duke What would Tovey do?
the 30 year old 20 knot Texas against the IJN fleet. It wouldn't happen. It would be like Tirpitz and Bismarck were closing in on HMS Iron Duke What would Tovey do?
There are 2 types of vessels out there. One type is called a target. If it isn't capable of silently doing 30+ knots at 2000 ft depth its always considered a target. The vessel that can silently go fast and deep is the one the targets are afraid of.