German Battleship Tirpitz
The German Battleship Tirpitz was the sister ship of the much more famous Bismarck. The Tirpitz was the last Kriegsmarine warship larger than a destroyer that was put in commission. The Tirpitz main armament was eight 15 inch guns in four double turrets, with a secondary armament of twelve 5.9 inch guns. She carried a crew of approximately 2100 officers and men. The only time the Tirptiz fired her main guns in anger was in September 1943 when she bombarded the shore installations on Spitzbergen. Probably the Tripitz' greatest contribution to the war was during an action she never participated in. In July 1942 the Tirpitz set sail with the Admiral Hipper and Admiral Scheer to attack the convoy destined for Russian number PQ-17. Although these ships were recalled and never contributed to the attack, the mere threat of them at sea caused Admiral Dudley Pound to order the convoy to scatter. This fateful message resulted in the Germans sinking 17 of the 33 ships in the convoy by U-boats and the Luftwaffe. The rest of the war the Tirptiz served at the Fleet in being off of Norway and was finally sunk by the RAF November 12 1944.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
French Submarine Surcouf Specs and History
French Submarine Surcouf
The French Submarine Surcouf was a "cruiser sub" which mounted not only 21.7 and 15.7 inch torpedoes but also twin 8 inch guns for commerce raiding. The Surcouf had a crew of approximately 110 men and had an on board prison accommodation for 40 prisoners. The Surcouf carried a float plane for reconnaissance and spotting purposes and served both under the Third Republic and the Free French. There has been a lot of conspiracy theories regarding the loss of the Surcouf to friendly fire and other causes, but the official cause of loss was the collision with a merchant ship en route to the Panama Canal during the war.
The French Submarine Surcouf was a "cruiser sub" which mounted not only 21.7 and 15.7 inch torpedoes but also twin 8 inch guns for commerce raiding. The Surcouf had a crew of approximately 110 men and had an on board prison accommodation for 40 prisoners. The Surcouf carried a float plane for reconnaissance and spotting purposes and served both under the Third Republic and the Free French. There has been a lot of conspiracy theories regarding the loss of the Surcouf to friendly fire and other causes, but the official cause of loss was the collision with a merchant ship en route to the Panama Canal during the war.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Moment of Destiny - Book review.
This is the first of many book reviews from my vast WW2 library. This book is Moment of Destiny - One Day in Oran by Roger Branfill-Cook, and loaned to me by "Admiral" Dave, who sails in Flagship351. This is a 1 star book. Although it is fun to read as an alternative history to WW2, it makes almost no sense and is complete fantasy. The author would have us believe that by not attacking the French Fleet at Mers-El-Kebir, the French and their fleet of Battleships, Battlecruisers etc (including Richelieu, Dunkerque, Strasbourg and others) would have led to an Allies victory over the German fleet in one large battle against the Bismarck, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen; one large Allies victory over the whole Japanese Battle Fleet and a huge French armor spearhead to liberate France. Also somehow, earlier in the war the Germans seize Moscow, Stalin is assassinated etc. Not to be too critical of the author he does clearly state this book is fiction, but fiction is an understatement in my book after reading it. Feel free to judge yourself.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
German Destroyer Z-31 Specs and History
German Destroyer Z-31
The German Destroyer Z-31 was the first of the Type 36A (MoB) class which included Z32, Z33, Z34, Z37, Z38 and Z39. The Z-31 as commissioned in April 1942 and had a complement of approximately 315 men. The Z-31 had a main armament of four 5.9 inch guns and eight 21.7 inch torpedoes. Z-31 participated in the Spitzbergen raid in September 1943 and was in the Baltic prior to Germany's surrender. The Z-31 survived the war and was turned over to the French who operated her under the name Marceau until 1958.
The German Destroyer Z-31 was the first of the Type 36A (MoB) class which included Z32, Z33, Z34, Z37, Z38 and Z39. The Z-31 as commissioned in April 1942 and had a complement of approximately 315 men. The Z-31 had a main armament of four 5.9 inch guns and eight 21.7 inch torpedoes. Z-31 participated in the Spitzbergen raid in September 1943 and was in the Baltic prior to Germany's surrender. The Z-31 survived the war and was turned over to the French who operated her under the name Marceau until 1958.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
British Battleship King George V Specs and History
British Battleship King George V
The King George V or KGV was the first of its class of five battleships. This class of Battleships included the Prince of Wales, Anson, Duke of York and Howe and they were all completed and commissioned in the early 1940s. The KGV class had a main armament of ten 14 inch guns in two quadruple and one double turret, with secondary armament of sixteen 5.25 inch guns. This class of battleship carried a complement of approximately 1425 men and was built as a result of European Naval Arms race which began at the expiration to the various naval treaties. These ships were built subsequent to the start of the Littorio class Italian battleships and the Bismarck class German battleships. The King George V was assigned to the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow for a large portion of the war and is known mostly for its battle with the German Battleship Bismarck. After the disastrous sinking of the famous Hood, the guns of the KGV and Rodney pummeled the Bismarck, which resulted in what many authorities now claim was its scuttling by its crew. The KGV was present on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese surrender and was placed on the disposal list in 1957.
The King George V or KGV was the first of its class of five battleships. This class of Battleships included the Prince of Wales, Anson, Duke of York and Howe and they were all completed and commissioned in the early 1940s. The KGV class had a main armament of ten 14 inch guns in two quadruple and one double turret, with secondary armament of sixteen 5.25 inch guns. This class of battleship carried a complement of approximately 1425 men and was built as a result of European Naval Arms race which began at the expiration to the various naval treaties. These ships were built subsequent to the start of the Littorio class Italian battleships and the Bismarck class German battleships. The King George V was assigned to the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow for a large portion of the war and is known mostly for its battle with the German Battleship Bismarck. After the disastrous sinking of the famous Hood, the guns of the KGV and Rodney pummeled the Bismarck, which resulted in what many authorities now claim was its scuttling by its crew. The KGV was present on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese surrender and was placed on the disposal list in 1957.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper Specs and History
German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper
The Admiral Hipper was the first of the class of new Heavy Cruisers launched by the Kriegsmarine in the late 1930s. Originally there were to be 5 ships to include the Hipper, Blucher, Prinz Eugen, Seydlitz and Lutzow. However, the Seydlitz was later destined to be converted to an aircraft carrier which was never completed and the uncompleted Lutzow was sold to the Russians in February 1940. This Hipper class carried a main armament of eight 8 inch guns with a secondary armament of twelve 4.1 inch guns. She carried a crew of approximately 1600 officers and men. Although these ships appeared to be well armed and fast, mechanical problems from the high pressure steam systems limited their success. The Admiral Hipper sunk the British Destroyer Glowworm but was rammed in the process. However, her raid on a convoy with the Pocket Battleship Lutzow and destroyers was such a disaster in December 1942 that Hitler demanded all the capital ships scrapped and their guns used for shore batteries. This decision resulted in the resignation of Grand Admiral Raeder who was replaced Grand Admiral Donitz. Although Donitz was able to reverse Hitler's order for the scrapping the Hipper was never used for much more than training purposes. She was scuttled in May 1945 after being badly damaged by Russian bombs in Heinkendorferbucht.
The Admiral Hipper was the first of the class of new Heavy Cruisers launched by the Kriegsmarine in the late 1930s. Originally there were to be 5 ships to include the Hipper, Blucher, Prinz Eugen, Seydlitz and Lutzow. However, the Seydlitz was later destined to be converted to an aircraft carrier which was never completed and the uncompleted Lutzow was sold to the Russians in February 1940. This Hipper class carried a main armament of eight 8 inch guns with a secondary armament of twelve 4.1 inch guns. She carried a crew of approximately 1600 officers and men. Although these ships appeared to be well armed and fast, mechanical problems from the high pressure steam systems limited their success. The Admiral Hipper sunk the British Destroyer Glowworm but was rammed in the process. However, her raid on a convoy with the Pocket Battleship Lutzow and destroyers was such a disaster in December 1942 that Hitler demanded all the capital ships scrapped and their guns used for shore batteries. This decision resulted in the resignation of Grand Admiral Raeder who was replaced Grand Admiral Donitz. Although Donitz was able to reverse Hitler's order for the scrapping the Hipper was never used for much more than training purposes. She was scuttled in May 1945 after being badly damaged by Russian bombs in Heinkendorferbucht.
Friday, December 5, 2008
American Battleship Arizona Specs and History
American Battleship Arizona
The Battleship Arizona is one of the most famous of all American Warships. The Arizona was built and completed during World War 1. She had a main armament of twelve 14 inch guns in 4 triple turrets and a secondary battery of twelve 5 inch guns. The Arizona carried a complement of approximately 1050 men. After World War 1 service the Arizona underwent a major modernization between 1929 and 1931 and then became the Flagship of Battleship Division 3 in the Pacific in 1932. The Arizona was assigned to Battleship Division 1 on December 7, 1941 when she was hit be eight bombs and one torpedo during the Japanese sneak attack raid on Pearl Harbor. The Arizona sunk taking a huge loss of life, many of which are still entombed in her today. The Arizona memorial is in Pearl Harbor and the Arizona still leaks fuel oil. Legend has it that she will continue to leak fuel oil until the last survivor of her attack passes away. We pray those brave men who were killed on her during the Pearl Harbor attack continue to rest in peace.
The Battleship Arizona is one of the most famous of all American Warships. The Arizona was built and completed during World War 1. She had a main armament of twelve 14 inch guns in 4 triple turrets and a secondary battery of twelve 5 inch guns. The Arizona carried a complement of approximately 1050 men. After World War 1 service the Arizona underwent a major modernization between 1929 and 1931 and then became the Flagship of Battleship Division 3 in the Pacific in 1932. The Arizona was assigned to Battleship Division 1 on December 7, 1941 when she was hit be eight bombs and one torpedo during the Japanese sneak attack raid on Pearl Harbor. The Arizona sunk taking a huge loss of life, many of which are still entombed in her today. The Arizona memorial is in Pearl Harbor and the Arizona still leaks fuel oil. Legend has it that she will continue to leak fuel oil until the last survivor of her attack passes away. We pray those brave men who were killed on her during the Pearl Harbor attack continue to rest in peace.
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