Bismarck

T. A. Gardner · Feb 22, 2010

spaced_monkey said:

you never really understood the damage that PoW took retreating from the Germans that day do you. in the one documentary (made in the USA) pointed out that the PoW took several major hits from the Bismark that knock out her bridge. sad fact is the German Admiral wouldn't let them follow her because the PoW was not a mission specific target . ( lets not also point out it was his idea to send the coded message with ships log that allowed the home fleet to regain contact after the captin of the Bismark pulled the wool over there eyes and doged the entire enemy fleet)

oh ya and if you read the survivors accounts from Bismarck you will read that after only 11 hour or so that the ship was capable of doing flank speed again, when it comes to info on a ship rely on her crew rather then propaganda from enemy countries.
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Actually, I do know. I know exactly what damage Prince of Wales gave Bismark and also took. I know why PoW had gunnery malfunctions and what they were. I also know that the Germans were more interested in escaping further action as Bismark was not in pristine shape any more either.
As for actually breaking contact, the Germans only managed that for short periods as there were several British cruisers shadowing them that had radar.

Bismarck and Prinz Eugen also hit the Prince of Wales three and four times respectively. The damage that resulted from these hits was:

Hit 1: 15" shell that passed through the bridge without exploding. This round killed or incapacitated the entire bridge crew with the exception of Captain Leach.

Hit 2: An 8" shell that passed through the support tower behind the bridge for the HA/LA 5.25" directors. These were put out of action due to the severing of power and communications cables in the tower.

Hit 3: A 15" shell that struck the starboard aircraft crane and aft funnel resulting in a low order detonation. Fragments from this round caused damage to the Prince of Wales' boats.

Hit 4: An 8" shell that struck the boat deck above starboard IV 5.25" turret. It failed to explode and was later recovered and thrown overboard.

Hit 5: A 15" diving shell that struck amidships on the starboard side penetrating into an outer wing tank where it came to rest unexploded. The entry hole allowed flooding of the tank putting about 600 tons of water in the ship and reducing speed to 26 knots.

Hit 6: An 8" shell that penetrated just above aft armored deck just aft of X turret on the starboard side. It partially detonated wrecking several crew compartments.

Hit 7: An 8" shell that penetrated just above the aft armored deck above the steering gear compartments that partially detonated doing minor local damage.
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That is the totality of the damage PoW took during the Denmark Straight fight. Captain Leech broke off the action due in part to the balky guns and in part to his fuel situation.

From the following article I wrote:

Military History Online - Capital Ship Surface Actions World War II

Gromit801 · Mar 29, 2014

Not to mention the PoW still had shipyard workers aboard trying to get things in shape, to give you and idea of the PoW's relative state of readiness.

lwd · Mar 31, 2014

It's also worth noteing that PoW did reengage Bismarck and may have straddled her at over 30,000 yards before ordered to break off again.

ickysdad · Mar 31, 2014

Also remember that POW's Cpt Leech was ordered to break off engagement.

lwd · Mar 31, 2014

From what I recall reading twice. Once by the admiral on the cruisers and the second time directly from the Admiralty.

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Bismarck

T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

Gromit801 Member

lwd Ace

ickysdad Member

lwd Ace

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