soc.history.war.world-war-ii

"a425couple" wrote in message
news:LeudnQVJoLeQWGLanZ2dnUVZ_o_inZ2d@comcast.com...
> "Fred Zimmerman, Nimble Books LLC" wrote ...
>> On Apr 4, 2:10 pm, "a425couple" wrote:
>> > I'll post some of my thoughts
>> > "Tirpitz Hunting the Beast" by John Sweetman,--
>> > I got mine discounted at Half Price Books, $5.00 ---
>> > Tells 'adequately' the tale of this ship.--
>> > I'm just not too sure of some of given 'specifics'.--
>> > Not perfect, but now I have it in my control, so for
>> > just $5.00 I'm happy enough, but for others???
>> > Not a lot new or novel, that I did not already know.
>> > Anyone else read? Or care to offer thoughts?
>>
>> I have a copy out from the library right now.
>> Will let you know when I get into it.
>
> Yes, I will look forward to that.
> (see if another agrees with my 'luke warm' thought/opinion?)
>
> Meanwhile - to add 50% new info. for wwii group:
>
> One interesting area I have seen little general public
> knowledge about is the use of BB main guns (15" & 18")
> for AA fire through use of cannister/beehive rounds.
> (both IJN and Germany used this, I've seen no indication
> that it even tried by USA or UK. But then also, they
> did not often get threatened by large bomber level
> formations trying to hit ships)
>

You are kidding right ?

There were rather large bomber formations trying to hit
British ships in the Med (think Crete, Malta etc) and in the
pacific off Okinawa where they fought alongside the USN

> At very first thought, seems silly, but I think, not silly!
> For use against large bomber aircraft doing high
> altitude level bombing (esp. in formation) it could have
> been with some technilogical improvements quite
> effective.
> Because remember, once they are on the bomb run
> they are flying pretty much straight at the target,
> hence straight into where the fire comming from,
> so no deflection concerns, and no 'avoidance' issues.
> And 1,500 to 3,000 pounds of ordinance (in either
> 20mm or 50 cal sizes) oncomming at targets at
> 2,500 feet per second is a significant amount!

In fact post war analysis showed that the small calibre guns
were ineffective

> Also note, the BB medium and light AA guns
> are not even in range until bombs have been dropped.
>

Wrong. The 4.5" QF HA Mk V had a range in excess of
16,000 yards


> So the main guns fired at 13 miles. But at least partly
> due to inaccurate altitude estimate by the on shore
> AA spoters, were below correct altitude.
> (the BB's radar FC had been diminished by earlier--)
> Tallboys, 12,000 pound bombs, do tend to shake
> things up, and mess up a day, or a ship!
>

The major reasons for not using BB main guns is that
they cannot be elevated sufficiently to bear on high level
aircraft and they couldnt track quickly enough to
target low level attackers. The beehive rounds were a sign
of desperation.

Keith