And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Tirpitz, the second of two Bismarck-class battleships, stern view
Combat Beneath The Seas, a book that details the several attempts by British frogmen in mini-subs to sink her. In one instance, they did not realize how successful they had been. She was holed mightily, the pumps could not keep up. But she was anchored in such shallow water that she rested on the bottom looking low in the stern.
Tirpitz was so large that Hitler dared not to use her. She saw one brief action; an offensive shelling of land facilities. Though the Germans moved her around the fjords, she was never lost to Allied recon. The Brits repeatedly bombed the schitz out of her. Churchill demanded a bomb large enough to finish the job. The Tallboy, a bomb of over 12,000 lbs TNT, was made just for Tirpitz. After several bombings by B-17s and Lancasters, she finally rolled over.
Speaking of too large a battlewagon; the nips didn't learn the lesson either. Adm Yamamoto wanted more carriers. The IJA brass were in control, they sent him a battle ship. The Yamato was so large that she could be protected only by not engaging the Allies. Yamoto became nothing but a glorified troop transport. Once discovered, it was turn out the lights for her.
And when they tried to turn the 3rd Yamato-class hull into a carrier the ship never completed her maiden voyage, sunk in transit to a more protected yard.
Sending a capital ship to sea without ASW or Combat Air Patrol coverage is suicide.
There is a group of men standing on the rear turret, partially blocking the view of the #3 turret's guns. It looks like the crew are getting ready to paint the hull as there are work platforms rigged on both sides. Al_in_Ottawa
Just watched "The Dambusters' Great Escape" yesterday. It was the final bombing run against the Tirpitz and finally put her, capsized, on the bottom. Interesting story and an interesting theory was presented about why nearby German fighters were late defending her.
I have read, but cannot say that it is true, that the Tirpitz continues in a seccond life today. Street crews of Belsen, Norway, use plate steel from the Tirpitz to cover street work in progress today.
Combat Beneath The Seas, a book that details the several attempts by British frogmen in mini-subs to sink her.
ReplyDeleteIn one instance, they did not realize how successful they had been. She was holed mightily, the pumps could not keep up. But she was anchored in such shallow water that she rested on the bottom looking low in the stern.
Tirpitz was so large that Hitler dared not to use her. She saw one brief action; an offensive shelling of land facilities. Though the Germans moved her around the fjords, she was never lost to Allied recon. The Brits repeatedly bombed the schitz out of her. Churchill demanded a bomb large enough to finish the job. The Tallboy, a bomb of over 12,000 lbs TNT, was made just for Tirpitz. After several bombings by B-17s and Lancasters, she finally rolled over.
Speaking of too large a battlewagon; the nips didn't learn the lesson either.
DeleteAdm Yamamoto wanted more carriers. The IJA brass were in control, they sent him a battle ship. The Yamato was so large that she could be protected only by not engaging the Allies. Yamoto became nothing but a glorified troop transport. Once discovered, it was turn out the lights for her.
And when they tried to turn the 3rd Yamato-class hull into a carrier the ship never completed her maiden voyage, sunk in transit to a more protected yard.
DeleteSending a capital ship to sea without ASW or Combat Air Patrol coverage is suicide.
Is that a body hanging from the crane (?) over on the starboard side?
ReplyDeleteYeah. I'll teach my top men not to fall out of the rigging!
DeleteSeriously, I think it is cable rig. Or, maybe I've watched too many Westerns, it does look like a body.
Too small, even with the extra distance. Probably a snatch block or quick-connect to pick up the spotter seaplane.
DeleteThere is a group of men standing on the rear turret, partially blocking the view of the #3 turret's guns. It looks like the crew are getting ready to paint the hull as there are work platforms rigged on both sides.
DeleteAl_in_Ottawa
Don't let Bubba Wallace see that.
DeleteJust watched "The Dambusters' Great Escape" yesterday. It was the final bombing run against the Tirpitz and finally put her, capsized, on the bottom. Interesting story and an interesting theory was presented about why nearby German fighters were late defending her.
ReplyDeleteCall me stupid, but that sure looks like the pointy end of the ship.
ReplyDeleteNah, this is the pointy end:
Deletehttps://www.worldwarphotos.info/wp-content/gallery/germany/kriegsmarine/tirpitz/battleship_Tirpitz_Norway.jpg
I have read, but cannot say that it is true, that the Tirpitz continues in a seccond life today. Street crews of Belsen, Norway, use plate steel from the Tirpitz to cover street work in progress today.
ReplyDelete