Bismarck VS Swordfishs

[Jefgte]

 

Bismarck was attacked twice by Sorwdfish aircraft, once by Victorious with 9 from 825 Sq and the other time by two squadrons from Ark Royal - 818 and 810 (fifteen in all).

None were shot down. Why?

[Herr Nilsson]

To shoot with a Flak is an essential but no sufficient condition. QED

[t-geronimo]

One problem was the construction of the Swordfish or so-called "Stringbag".
The metal frame was covered with fabric. The light anti-aicraft-projectiles went through this fabric without igniting the fuzes.

Also Bismarcks fire control for the 10,5-cm was poor because it was designed for the new model but half of her guns were from the older type that needed different fire control methods.

[Urs Heßling]

Hi

@Herr Nilsson
To shoot with a Flak is an essential but no sufficient condition. QED 

@t-g
The light anti-aicraft-projectiles went through this fabric without igniting the fuzes.

A British book whose title I can´t recall spoke of the "relative invulnerability of the [Italian] torpedo bombers" - it may be a gunner´s problem, too, if he sees the plane coming directly at him.

One solution of this problem was, later, the proximity fuze (first in the US Navy ?).

Greetings, Urs

[Lutscha]

1) inadequate training

2) poor light and mediocre heavy AA Weapons

3) problems with the directors as mentioned before

The fabric is a nice excuse, since it was impossible to hit the ordnance, engine, pilot or fuel tank... It may have been of help but it did not make a Swordfish impervious to light AA guns.

Jefgte, see the Avks700 on kbismarck.com.

[t-geronimo]

But it reduces the possibility of a lethal hit. 
Like all other mentioned points, too. So it belongs to the "total picture".

[Big A]

One solution of this problem was, later, the proximity fuze (first in the US Navy ?).

To my knowledge (can't find the book that fast) proximity fuses were first used during the Solomon Island campaign after Guadalcanal - I think it was on Bougainville

Axel

[Ulrich Rudofsky]

Das AVKS 700 Original kann man von mir bestellen......gratis per email.
Meine Übersetzung ist OK, aber.........

Die ganze Sache ist eine interessante Geschichte.  Aber ich wundere mich warum die Flak usw. nicht zumindesten einen Piloten, einen Motor oder einen Benzintank ausversehen getroffen haben.  Das mit den "String Bags" und all den unexplodierten Durchschüssen durch die dünne Leinwand kommt mir komisch vor und scheint eine Ausrede zu sein.

[t-geronimo]

Ich würde sagen, ein Teil des Puzzles.

Die von Lutscha angeführten Gründe gehen alle dahin, daß Bismarck kaum treffen konnte. 100%ig Zustimmung!
Aber ab und zu hat sie ja getroffen - schließlich hatten mehrere Swordfish Löcher in ihrer Bespannung.
Und da kam eben die Sache mit den Zündern zum tragen, denke ich. Und viel Glück für die britischen Piloten, daß genau diese Geschosse, die getroffen haben, eben keine vitalen Systeme erwischt haben.


Aber die Frage war ja nicht: "Warum hat Bismarck nicht getroffen?"
Die Frage war ja "Warum hat Bismarck keinen abgeschossen?" - und da gehört die Zünder-Geschichte eben mit rein.
Oder warum gabs nur kleine Löcher?

[Ulrich Rudofsky]

vor 4 Jahren......... http://www.kbismarck.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a