25 Nov update
THE SHOWBOAT Engages THE IRON CHANCELLOR
I have been asked to post in black and am happy to comply.
Force H Faces TG Cilax
2 JUNE 1941 1800 TG-39.1 OTC Rear Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt was in flag plot going over the lack of results of the afternoon aerial searches for Bismarck. Ernie King must have chewed PatWing 5’s ass raw because he had his boys continuous long range sector searches from 0330 Sunset 2340. His own SOC’s were hunting down his hunches along with a Nautical sun rise to sunset local submarine and surface search out to 50 miles.
Problem was his SOC’s where really VFR (visual Flight Rules) scouts with a very limited night flying and searching capability. That meant in clear weather conditions, at normal search height their horizon is faintly visible during Nautical Twilight . Many of the brighter stars can also be seen, making it possible to use the position of the stars in relation to the horizon to navigate at sea. Nautical dawn occurs when the Sun is 12 degrees below the horizon during the morning. Nautical dusk occurs when the Sun is 12 degrees below the horizon in the evening. Which means they were blind once the sun really set.
Hewitt to his C of Staff. “I really hope PatWing Five’s idea of stationing one of his PBY’s to take over our local search at night pays off. Remember what chief O'Shae told us about that 40 miles range ASE radar set not being much for area searches? If the Flyboys orbit us at just under our max surface search radar range, 12 miles give or take, they extend our search range out to around 50 miles or so. That is well worth trying Sir. We can also send them off to investigate if someone gets a DF fix or the ONI boys or the Limeys actually dig something up in our AOR (Area Of Operations).” C of Staff also remembered the Chief’s comment on the reliability of the ASE sets. Well better than nothing.
2 JUNE 1941 1830 USCGC Muskeget (WAG-48) was make good storm damaged and otherwise CASREPed gear, chipping and painting, settling in new crew, taking on stores and generally making ready for another three week weather patrol southeast of Greenland. Not much had happened since they landed their survivors except for one hell of a field day to clean up the oil, dirt, filth, debris and blood from the survivors and a lot of captain’s masts. At first messages of appreciation came from HM Government’s Board of Trade and a few others. Then CG HQ, Via District One in Boston ordered LCDR Moultron to express to his ship’s company a very hearty Well Done and to authorize maximum liberty while in port. That had mixed results as his crew, very full of themselves, destroyed a number of local drinking establishments. Captain’s masts followed and his real wild men, who had performed magnificently, would have spent most of the time until their next patrol busted and restricted to the ship. Finally, Letters of commendation had been placed in the jackets of the CO Moultron and a few others (still on restriction) for the rescue. This allowed him, as CO, to release them from restriction and restore their former Ratings. A few of them, after a single liberty, were once again restricted to the ship. Moultron thought “You got to love them” and how lucky he was to be their CO.
2 JUNE 1941 1915 Prime Minister Churchill entered the Admiralty Command bunker and casually returned the Royal Marine sentry's rifle salute. The sentry next shouted "Prime minister on deck" All present came to attention and turned toward their PM. Winston growled "Carry on with your duties" The old man rapidly crossed the room toward Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers Pound and his soon to be successor Vice Admiral Ramsay. They had been bent over a chart table but now stood facing the on rushing Churchill who looked like he were about to "thrash" both of them.
Churchill with just controlled anger in his voice "Gentlmen let us adjourn to your office Admiral of the Fleet." When they got into the office, Ramsay closed the door and the two Admirals stood at attention in front of their obviously angry "Master".
Churchill "Force H's report was one of the same I have had to endure ever since the Denmark Straight disaster. The RAF committed the only available bomber squadron against Cilax, got that squadron decimated and have nothing to show for it but two damaged destroyers; not exactly a Trafalgar!
Jimmy Somerville has one damaged, Great War Battle Cruiser, no better than Hood, a single 6 inch cruiser and a half dozen escorts against the Nazis two Battle and one 8 inch cruisers. Do I have to remind you WS-12's escort will not swim for 15 minutes once those Battle Cruisers reach it and it is a large troop convoy. This will be the Queen Mary again writ large as those Nazi bastards intend to sink every ship in that convoy."
He stopped talking, sank into an arm chair, took his time lighting a cigar, all the time scowling at "His" Admirals who were marshalling their thoughts for an acceptable answer.
Before Pound could speak Churchill sarcastically growled "What gentlemen are you doing to help Somerville." The word "gentemen" was spat out like the most disgusting of lower deck insults.
Pound manfully replied. "Sir, we have nothing of sufficient force that can reach WS-12 before the Nazis. All we can do is let Vice Admiral Somerville fight the battle his way. I am sure his destroyers will make a torpedo run and, given the number of Eels, they have a chance to damage, possibly severely, the two Battle Cruisers, especially if they can attack after dark. Then it will be up to old Renown's 15 inch guns longer reach and heavier shells to cripple and maybe sink Gneisenau and Scharnhorst before their 11 inch score a major blow on Renown. She actually handled them pretty roughly off Norway and actually drove them off by herself. "
Mentioning Norway, a real tactical victory for the RN but a strategic disaster to Winston was taking a big chance. Churchill decided let it go. He knew these men were doing their best with far too few ships. Their number one priority had to be the Atlantic lifeline and that tied their hands. It left the in intiative, for now, to that butchering maniac Hitler's small, but very efficient, modern, purpose built commerce destroying fleet the initative. He had abused them enough for now. He'd like to think he did it because it was his duty to get the most out of them, which was true, but he also knew he had to vent to someone. In his heart of herats he was truly frightened, nay terror stricken was more accurate of nothing more than loosing the "Battle of the Atlantic". At this juncture he was a very worried old man who ate too well, got far too little exercise or diversion and drank and smoked far too much but not as much as his enemies thought.
2 JUNE 1941 1930 Gneisenau's flag bridge. Vizeadmiral Cilax was weighing up his Task group's chances for a quick and relatively light damage destruction of Force H. TG Cilax was now composed of two Battle Cruisers and one 8 inch cruiser. Although his TG had sustained some damage from the Englander's gallant but very luckless attacks; all were still operational with main batteries unharmed. His 4 destroyers were all gone now; two sunk and two heading for Brest being mission killed by the Englanders. The light and medium Flak batteries had taken a beating, especially to his gunners but were now remanned and more than adaquate to protect his ships. His main and secondary battery fire control directors were unharmed. Some of his radar antennas had been shot away but enough remained operational as not to materailly degrade his "vision of the upcoming "Killing Ground". His ships had plenty of fuel and could sustain 25 knots for more than enough hours to get to WS-12.
He was also grateful TG Cilax had all modern, state of the art ships, with veteran very, well trained officers and crews. HIS TG ships had operated together in peace and war for a long time now which made a big difference. His captains knew thier doctrine, were strict but fair with their crews and totally dedicated to winning this war. His Maats (POs) were exceptional technicians and deck plate leaders especially his Chiefs. His men were the least of his worries and how many commanders could honestly say that?
He still had a good chance of carrying out his primary mission, commerce destruction. The Englanders could absorb the loss of Force H but the utter destruction of WS-12, along with the havoc being raised by the U-Boats, Bismarck and The Prince at this time could prove decisive. The current morale of the Englanders had to be shaken by the loss of Europe, their defeat in the Denmark straight, the destruction of HX-123 and especially the sinking of the Queen Mary.
He discounted Dunkirk and the battle of Britain because the convoys were what fed that island nation and those convoys were being decimated by his Kriegsmarine.
His greatest concern was not old Renown, or Ark Royal, with her destroyed air group, or the still almost totally ineffective RAF but Somerville's remaining Destroyers. He was pressing the battle at 25 kts with Force H because he did not want to give those "Torpedo Boats" the alley of darkness for their inevitable massed torpedo attack. He knew SUNSET would be at 2118 and Nautical Twilight would end at 2258. Unless he forced the issue Somerville would not send his "Fegers" until full dark. With the low overcast, moon light would be of no consequence. He had no Escort screen to fend off the "Fegers" and give the Main Body" a warning, time to maneuver and put down a rain of HE in the Englander's path. He would have to rely on his already degraded radar, his excellent German night optics and the skill and discipline of his lookouts; hand picked for their exceptional Mark One Eyes balls.
Too bad the RN, like his own Navy, had pretty much corrected the unexpected early war problems with their Eels. He could not count on mechanical failure, unpredictable depth, irratic running courses and unreliable warheads to save TG Cilax.
He could not count on anything but totally professional, suicidally brave and utterly determined torpedo runs by Force H's Med War Veterans. These damn "Fegers" were comanded and manned by the best the RN had. Despite of their recent run of bad luck, mainly due to a lack of resources, a fleet stretched far too thin and still suffering from the neglect of the depression years, the men of the RN were absolute professionals and should NEVER be underestimated.
Finally, Vizeadmiral Otto Ciliax was an old, very experienced sailorman and as such knew Nothing was certain at sea. He also knew that "Lady Luck" could change sides at any time. In the end it was all in God's hands. So be it. He then called for his stewart to bring him a mug of coffee with a double cognac sweetener.
2 JUNE 1941 1945 HMS Renown's Flag Plot. Vice-Admiral Sir James Somerville commander of Force H, Was thinking about the upcoming surface action against TWO new Battle Cruisers and a very tough Hipper class Heavy cruiser . With luck Ark Royal's CO Capt. C.S. Holland, RN would find a new air group soon but not soon enough to help Force H. All he had left was Old "Refit",CO Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN his six inch gunned Cruiser "Shiny"CO Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN and his "Trump Cards". His torpedo armed destroyer leader Duncan, destroyers Iris, Jupiter, Jersey, Fortune, Fury, & Foresight just might be decidive. They give him 35 MK IX 21-inch torpededos with 750 lbs. TNT warheads. Although operational in 1930 were considerably improved by 1939 with a range of 5 miles at 41 knots or 7 miles at 35 knots. Real ship killers now that the early war problems have been corrected.
He could only pray the Nazis did not find Force H until full dark. Although that made his air dominance scouts and spotting aircraft much less effective. If he meets TG Cilax after dark his first punch will be his destroyers. If Cilax finds them during Nautical twilight, which ends at 2258, he would still send them in even though it would reduce the destroyers chances of reaching a good torpedo launch point greatly, to say nothing of their chances of survival. Even after full dark, the Nazi Radar fire control and the world's best night optics, to say nothing of old fashion but deadly efficient star shells, will make that tropedo run quite a long bet. When you add the excellent gunnery shown by the Kriegsmarine capital ships this war, their chances get even slimmer.
There was always the chance his destroyers would do enough damage to give "Old Refit" a chance to either sink them or drive them back to France too damaged to make the massacre of WS-12 worth it. The rub was that TG Cilax took orders from Hitler and his malignant crew. Those orders might be TG Cilax is expendable; sink that convoy.
He did take comfort in the fact this would not be the first time "Old Refit" went up against these two Nazi beasts. She met them off the southern coast of the Lofoten Islands, Norway. Talk about history repeating itself; at that time Renown had nine destroyers. Vizeadmiral Günther Lütjens, same man who had the Bismarck TG, only had the two Battle cruisers. Granted each side now also had a Cruiser but it sure was as close repeat as he had ever heard of. "Old Refit" managed to land a few telling blows on Gneisenau, inflicting moderate damage, and some much too near misses to Scharnhorst. After this sharp, short opening to the engagement Lutgens decided to "withdraw", (AKA Run Like Hell). Renown having suffered only minor damage was ordered not to follow up.
2 JUNE 1941 2100 Admiral Bertram I. Thesiger, Commodore of WS-12 was in Strathaird, had just read the latest signal from The Admiralty. Not good, TG Cilax had not been stopped and was still coming for his 23 ships. His "Troopers", mainly converted Liners and a few Aussie refrigerator ships' convoy speed was just 13 kts but he had ordred 18 as soon as he found out what was after him. So far the black gangs were able to mantain that speed but those Aussie refrigerator ships had nothing to spare and running a plant flat out for extended periods was a recipe for disaster. It was up to him when and if the convoy should scatter. With scout aircraft those German Battle cruisers could track down every one of his ships, given enough time and daylight. How many 11 inch shells would it take to sink one of his ships? Even Hipper's eight inchers might sink the liners in a singles alvoe. Those Arado's were more than capable of crippling and maybe even sinking an unsupported single ship. There were also reports a Wolf Pack was forming ahead of them. Scatter and he looses is anti submarine escort.
2 JUNE 1941 2135 Hipper's Funker (radioman), monitoring "Athos" the FuMB 35 (Funk-Mess-Beobachtung) An advanced radar detection device, painted a spike on his O scope display. A few adjustments and he had the Frequency, Pulse repetition rate and relative bearing of 023 of the "Contact". He reported this to his watch "Maat" (Petty officer), who came over and took a few minutes to varify it was not a Geist and then informed the OOD they had a British capital ship radar. The OOD informed the captain who ordered the contact report to be sent via shielded signal light to TG Cilax's commander. Ten minutes later Vizeadmiral Cilax executed the signal to come to the new course. He would not order Action Stations quite yet since his TG was already manned 50% and no one really knew just how far out an "Athos" signal really was. If he had two Athos fixes, at roughly the same time, from ships with a much longer spacing than any in his formation; at least 20 nautical miles, his Funker could give him a useable fix and a number of these cross bearing could give a fairly accurate course and speed. It was not all that unusual, under particularly favorable weather conditions, for Athos to pick up radar signals at three times the radar detetction distance, so Force H could be as far as 60 miles away.
2 JUNE 1941 2250 Gneisenau, flag of TG Cilax’s FuMO (Fuunk-Mess-Ortung Radar. (RadioDetection) Seetakt 23 watch radar operator reported an intermittent contact at a range of 19 miles, relative bearing of 010; no course or speed yet . The OOD ordered the forward 10.5-meter rangefinder, with it’s excellent night vision optics, trained on that bearing; nothing spotted so far. He informed his Captain, by sound powered phone, who was in the Flag plot talking to Vizeadmiral Cilax, who instantly informed the TG commander of the radar contact. Vizeadmiral Cilax took less than a minute and ordered his Staff Watch officer to "Blinker" light signal the other ships the contact report and to come to Battle stations immediately. Cilax then ordered Hipper to come to flank speed and scout down the contact bearing but not to engage Somerville alone.
2 JUNE 1941 2300 Jimmy's Somerville's luck held. His course change South West at 20 kts bought Force H and Convoy WS-12 what he needed most, to delay contact with TG Cilax until full dark. One of Renwon's radar Technicians reported to his watch Chief he had three contacts, two large and one medium. Three minutes more gave a range 22 miles, course135 degrees true, speed 25 kts. The CPA (closest point of approach) which was CBDR (constant bearing decreasing range) "collision course".
"No doubt the Nazi's had us on radar Sir." said the chief to the Watch officer who provided the amplifying info to the bridge. Both Somerville and Capt. Simeon, RN heard the reports.
Somerville to his staff watch officer "Immediate execute formation course 135, speed 25". He had to close the range as quickly as possible. As soon as the formation course and speed change had been achnowledged.
"Make to Duncan, repeat to Shefield, Iris, Jupiter, Jersey, Fortune, Fury, and Foresight by signal light. Conduct torpedo attack , per my previous order, as soon as possible. Concentrate on Battle Cruisers. Good luck and God Speed". Get an acknowledgements from all ships. No time for a communications bollox."
Second signal to The Admiralty copy to Commodore Thesiger in WS 12. "Am engaging TG Cilax which now consists of Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and Hipper. God Save The King." Include our position.
Third private signal to Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers Pound "Dudley my old Snotty shipmate, Simeons and I promise you those twin Nazi bastards are not going to get away from us again."
He then turned to Old Refit's,CO Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN Force H and TG Cilax were rushing toward each other at 50 kts. Those 22 miles would be eaten up very, very soon. "I have every confidence in your ship's company and you to finish the job WE started off Norway."
Simeon, "HMS Renown would not think of disappointing you again Vice-admiral.
Permission to open fire as soon as we have a good fire control solution Sir?"
Capt. C.E.B. Simeon, RN was determined his Renown would open up first because he remembered 9 Apr 1940 off Norway all too well.
Somerville "By all means, anything we can do to help St. Barleigh and his "death or glory boys" live long enough to launch those ship killing Mark Nines with their 750 pound warheads." What worries me Sir Rhoderick, given the sea conditions and the excellent Nazi Radar and optical fire control system St. Barleigh would have to launch at 5 miles and that meant the 36 kts setting. If he tries to get closer the Nazi secondary battery, along with the 8 and 11 inchers, would probably sink the lot before they could launch their Eels."
2 JUNE 1941 2305 Catain D ,The Honourable George Colhurst St. Barleigh ordered an Execute To Follow signal by blinker light to his destroyers to split into two groups. Jupiter and Iris to form on him. Jersey, Fortune and Fury, would form on Foresight as OTC. Barleigh's plan was simple, when executed both groups would go to flank and make for the torpedo run start points. Duncan's to port and Foresight's to starboard, slightly ahead of TG CILAX. Timing, as usual would be critical. They all had to start their runs simultaneously. Like the Aircraft the destroyers would also go for a hammerhead attack. By coming in from three different directions old Shiny and his two groups would also split TG Cilax fire. A lot would dpened on Sheffield being able to blanket the upper works of the Battle and heavy Cruisers with 6 and 4.1 inch rapid fire.It was avert tall order indeed when he had to split fire fire between three ships.
"Shiny"CO Capt. C.A.A. Larcom,RN addressed the crew of his his six inch gunned Cruiser by Tanoy speaker. Shipmates the destroyers chaps are going in against the Battle and Heavy cruisers with torpedoes. Our job will be to go in with them and do everything in our power to suppress the Nazi gunfire. We got to give them a chance. So we will shoot straight and shoot fast to cover them. Make no mistake if those Nazi bastards get by Force H troop convoy WS 12 and many tens of thousand of our soldiers and merchant seaman will die tonight. God have mercy on us all."
To his Executive officer Commander Sir Edmond Blackadder,RN alone he added "Jimmy you and I know those German ships have very good main and secondary battery radar fire control; better than ours. They are very good gunners and excellent ship handlers. I don't dare fire Star shells to blind their optical gunfire control because that same light will shine on our ships and provide those excellent Nazi ship handlers a big help combing the wakes of our Fish. So our chaps also have to deal with the very best day and night optical fire control systems which means their medium and light AA batteries can join in the slaughter. I fear we will not see many of them even get to their torpedo release point, let alone back to Force H.
Our AP shells will just bounce off those Battle cruisers and do little damage to Hipper. I intend to go for the radar antennas and fire control directors so we will fire H.E. Shells. Make sure the gunner is on the same page. Jimmy if we are to be of any real help to those destroyers we are going to have to go in close and smother their upper works of those Nazi ships with our 6 iand 4.1 nch pop guns. I really don't think they will allow us to do that unmolested. I intend to go in slightly ahead of the destroyers at a maximum speed and maneuvering no more violently than our fire control can handle. I itend to launch our own torpedoes if I get the chance. The more the merrier eh?" Then more seriosuly. "I'm afraid our own survival must be subordinate to scoring hits on those ships. Even after the destroyers have launch their torpedoes and on the way out we must maintain our fire. So XO I'll be ordering a course and speed that will allow us to unmask as many of our guns as possible as we withdraw. You know what that does to our chances!
Jimmy, if anything happens to me I am counting on you to carry out that same plan. I was not jesting about what those Nazi Bastards will do to WS-12 if they get by Force H." Capt. C.A.A. Larcom,RN of HMS Sheffield did not say "What little is left of Force H" but that is what he thought.
Sheffied's XO Sir Edmond Blackadder said with determination "I don't like this game one bit but I will do as you say Captain."
Sitting in his bridge chair, sucking on his pipe and watching his "wanker" XO Sir Edmond Blackadder, heading down to brow beat poor old Baldrick he was thinking about his ship. The prize of his less than spectacular career.
HIS "Shiny Sheff" was one of the Southampton sub class of the Town-class cruisers. She took part in actions against several major Nazi & Itie warships already. She saw action off Norway during the Nazi invasion, at Operation White and the battle of Cape Spartivento where she fought two battleships Vittorio Veneto and Giulio Cesare. So the old girl was used to fighting Battle ships but he doubted she would survive this time. Unlike most Royal Navy ships of her time, her fittings were constructed from stainless steel instead of the more traditional brass. The official story was this was an attempt to reduce the amount of cleaning required on the part of the crew. Actually it ws a cunning plot by his masters at Admiralty to get support of the badly needed South Yorkshire MPs to support the navy ship building budget proposal.
2 JUNE 1941 2310 Sheffied's XO Sir Edmond Blackadder "Well Gun Buster (gunnery Officer) that is what the captain intends to do so make sure there are plenty of HE projectiles at hand.
Sheffied's 46 year old gunnery Officer, who started out on the lower deck before the Great war and was promoted to Warrant Gunner just after Jutland and commissioned in October 1918 hardly needed that order. Baldrick recived exactly one promotion, to Lt. and was forceably retired, along with many others, in 1934. He had been called back in in Sept 1939 and was now a LCDR said "Certainly sir but I doubt we will get a chance to fire all that many rounds. The Twins are very good at shooting fast and hitting what they shoot at.
Those 11 inch guns are very efficient and served by gunners every bit as good as ours. Their fire control, both radar and optical are absolutely first rate. They find the range very quickly. Even if we cross their T, which we won't be for long, using only their forward turrets they can bring 12 Eleven inch rifles to bear with a proven very high rate of sustained fire, say 3-4 rounds a minute per barrel and for short periods 5 or 6. We are talking 36 rounds per minute sustained or, worse case, 48 per minute initially. Also since our Captain wants to go in close we are going to be peppered by their secondary battery. That is half of their 24 5.9" SK C/28 at 10 miles range can penetrate all our armor and fourteen of the Twenty eight 4.1 inch SK C/33 guns which, at 9 miles range should not be able to penetrate our 4 and a half inch side belt, and magazines but will certainly smash our two inch barbettes, turrets and main machinery spaces." 1 to 2
XO Sir Edmond Blackadder " Cheer up; I'm sure you will come up with some plan to get the best out of our guns. A plan As cunning as one by a fox who’s just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University.
Gun Buster Baldrick said " I'll do my best Sir." and thought "You damn wanker".
2 JUNE 1941 2320 Catain D ,The Honourable George Colhurst St. Barleigh seeing both groups were formed up and the Light cruiser was in position, Executed his previous signal by blinker light and short range HF radio. His next signal ordered that all future signals would be on HF tactical net until further notice. No use relying on slow blinker light when it was certain the Nazi's knew where they were and exactly what they were doing.
2 JUNE 1941 2330 HMS Sheffield slowed from 32 to 20 kts, adjusted her course to unmask her after turrets with a sinuous weave and opened fire on the three Nazi capital ships at 25,000 yds (45 degrees elevation). Gun Buster Baldrick's twelve BL 6 inch Mk XXIII naval guns were hurling 112 pound HE shells at 2,760 feet per second at 8 rounds per minute per barrel or 96 rounds a minute per salvo initially. How long the gun crews could keep that up in battle was anyone's guess with "gallons" of Adrenalin pumping into their nervous systems. In non firing practice that pace could only be maintained for about 20 minutes. However, the gunnery regulations stated rapid fire should only be maintained for 10 minutes without a break to cool the barrels liners, preferably with fire hoses. If no break was possible then a sustained fire of 5 rounds per minute was neccessary to keep from damaging the guns and killing the crews with a breach explosion. It was not unknown (Jutland came to his mind) for a turret explosion to sink the ship if gunnery regs concerning the use of flash proof doors and shutters were not rigorously enforced.
Gun Buster Baldrick had a good deal of experience which bred great trust in his BL 6 inch Mk XXIII guns and the crews he trained. HIS crews were very, very good at their murderous trade. The RN replaced the BL 8 inch Mk VIII used on earlier Washington Naval Treaty cruisers with these 6 inch hounds of hell. These built-up guns consisted of a tube and 15 foot jacket with a hand-operated Welin breech block. Cloth bags contained 30 pound charges of flashless (NQFP) powder they would use tonight. Useful life expectancy was 1100 effective full charges (EFC) with with NQFP per barrel. Baldrick doubted they would live long enough to see that. The Mk XXIII turret design was improved through a "long trunk" ammunition hoist, which reduced the crew requirements and increased the speed of the ammunition hoists. As in the MK XXII turret loading could be accomplished at any angle up to 12.5 degrees elevation.
Gun Buster Baldrick was in main battery plot, in the RN AKA the T.S. (Transmitting Station) with the forward director controlling A and B turrets on the Scharnhorst, he only knew as target 1 and the after director controlling X and Y turrets on the Gneisenau, designated target 2. He had his secondary directors controlling the 4 inch on the smaller target designated 3 he was pretty sure was Hipper. Since this would be a radar shoot Baldrick kept a sharp eye on the ratings manning the F.C. (Fire-Control) table and radar training tube.
The bridge gave the order to open fire and he repeated it to his fire control party as "SHOOT, SHOOT, SHOOT". The salvo bell sounded and a few seconds later HIS GUNS fired. The range was long for the the four inch DP guns, just outside maximum effective range but as they closed that would be corrected. Not so his six inch main battery. The C.O. had brought them well within maximum effective range for of HIS Mk XXIIIs. Having "come Up" before radar Baldrick was never quite comfortable in relying it. He had seen it work well, sometimes and other times mostlu due to it's fragility seen it fail HIM at very bad times. He was only partially convinced the boffins had soleved the problem of shock damage when the Main battery was firing. He had his best radar technician "CPO Sharkey" in the radar transmitter room with his best P.O.s and all the spares ready to jump in if needed. Cold comfort but the best he could do.
CPO "Otto" Sharkey, was an abrasive, long service RN chief of the old school. Sharkey was callous, sarcastic and insulting to everyone around him and an artist when he applied it to junior and sometimes even senior officers. Baldrick liked him because he was a master of radar and underneath his harsh exterior he genuinely cared for his men, his ship, his RN and his country. The chief often went to great measures to help with his men's problems without letting them know it was he that did it. It also helped that Baldrick had taken the measure of Otto Sharkey when they were both young lower deck messmates at Jutland.
2 JUNE 1941 2332 On the Flag bridge of Gneisenau, Vizeadmiral Cilax had a rapid series of immediate execute blinker signals made. 1St, to Hipper to belay his last signal. Second, to TG Cilax to come to a line abreast formation triple standard distance on present course and speed. Third, Guns free. Fourth, to prepare to maneuver independently when the torpedo attack began. Fifth, all tactical signals, sighting and damage reports would be paralleled by blinker light and HF voice radio until further notice." To his watch staff officer he said "Make sure you get a reply from both Scharnhost and Hipper".
When you receive acknowledgement send an immediate precedence signal to BdU "Am engaging Force H blocking my passage to WS-12 Troop convoy Hiel Hitler" give him our position.
Private signal to Erich Raeder Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine (CinC of the Navy) "Erich, it's been a long voyage from our days aboard torpedo boat S82 at Marineakademie in Kiel. Wish you were here old shipmate. I assure you we will pay Somerville, Simeon and Renown back for Norway. Do you think our old God damned boss Franz "The Terrible" von Hipper would be pleased this time? Maybe not!"
To his staff gunnery officer keep a close eye on the FUMO's performance tonight. I expect YOU to ensure target information is rapidly transmitted to any ship whose radar fails. I also want to prepare illumination rounds for use against the destroyers if I decide the radar is not providing good targeting information. If we fire illumination rounds I want them up very, very fast.
I also want Renown and Ark Royal identified as soon as possible. Renown is our primary target tonight followed by Ark Royal, if we get the chance, AND still meet the torpedo attack with both main and secondary battery against the destroyers before they get into launch range. I fear we are looking at a lot of the Tommy torpedoes tonight in one mass attack bent on stopping us quickly. That must not be allowed to happen.
2 JUNE 1941 2335 Catain D ,The Honourable George Colhurst St. Barleigh led the Duncan attack group against Scharnhorst at 32 kts in a staggered line formation with enough spacing to ensure a single well placed 11 or 5.9 inch salvo would not get more than one of his destroyers. The Foresight group was in a line formation also with good spacing. They had two targets; three would go for Gneisenau and Jersey would break off ,if she was not needed, and try for Hipper. The plan was for the destroyers to hold fire until the Nazi's opened up on them. For now "Shiny Sheff" seemed to have their full attention, the poor bastards just had to keep the Nazi's distracted for a few more minutes. Both of his attack groups would be at their launch points and then it was let the devil take the hindmost, which would be his Duncan as they ran to rejoin Renown.
2 JUNE 1941 2338 Renown commenced firing ranging shots from her forward A & B turrets under radar control. It was not the first time Old refit had engaged Scharnhorst and this time Simeon, was going to sink the Bastard and her sister too.
TG Cilax was well within maximum effective range of Renown's BL 15-inch Mk I "15 inch/42" guns firing Mk XVIIB rounds of 33,550 yds. Each twin turret, with a good crew, could fire four 1,938 lb. rounds per minute at a Muzzle velocity of 2,450 feet per second or 2,640 feet per second with supercharge. His gunnery officer had orders to concentrate on the two large radar targets designated 1 & 2 and leave the smaller target 3 to the secondary battery. Old Refit, thanks to her prewar major rebuild, was armed with Ten twin 4.5in DP QF Mark 3 guns in twin UD Mark II gun houses. The Mark 3 fired 55 Lb. shells out to a maximum effective surface target range of 20,750 yds at 16 RPM for a limited time, dependent on the endurance of the gunners ,and 12 RPM sustained. , Simeon ordered his gunnery officer to split the fire of the 4.5s with three twin mounts , firing HE only at targets 1 & 2 and two (4 guns) firing both AP and HE at target 3 initially
2 JUNE 1941 2340 Duncan Group weapons tight 8 miles from TG Cilax. Foresight group weapons tight 7.8 miles TG Cilax. Sheffield main and batteries firing rapid salvos, secondary battery continuous fire at TG Cilax. Renown firing full main battery alternate salvos on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, secondary battery firing on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and Hipper. TG Cilax returning firing on all Force H ships with the Battle cruisers main battery targeting Renown and Sheffield, secondary battery continuous fire against the destroyers.
2 JUNE 1941 2350 HMS Duncan sunk, HMS Jupitor DIW (Dead in The Water) burning fiercely crew abandoning ship and HMS Iris guns free continuing to launch point. HMS Jersey and HMS Fortune sunk, HMS Fury guns free speed reduced to 20 kts continuing to launch point HMS Foresight guns free at 32 kts continuing to launch point. HMS Sheffield's X turret and 1/4 of the secondary battery disabled continuing firing and closing TG Cilax. HMS Renown straddled repeatedly with no serious damage, continuing to engage TG Cilax.
2 JUNE 1941 2340 HMS Iris and HMS Foresight at 5 miles from TG Cilax launch torpedoes and firing on Hipper as they withdraw. Total of eighteen 21 inch torpedoes launch, 10 aimed at Gneisenau and 8 at Scharnhorst.
2 JUNE 1941 2350 HMS Fury bow blown off by 8 inch salvo, rapidly filling with water but manages to launch 8 torpedoes at extreme range at closest TG Cilax ship Hipper.
3 JUNE 1941 0000 Gneisenau hit by one torpedo high on the armor belt, where it was thickest, anti torpedo system held up well with moderate flooding and fire soon under control contiunes to fire on Renown with main battery and the retreating destroyers and Sheffield with secondary battery.
Scharnhorst hit by three torpedoes only two detonate, speed reduced to 24 kts, secondary battery fire control disabled, major fires being fought in the aircraft hangar.
3 JUNE 1941 0010 HMS Sheffield struck by 11 inch shell from Gneisenau, DIW, multiple fires, bridge destroyed with no survivors, XO Sir Edmond Blackadder asumes command and directs the DC effort from secondary Conn. Chief engineer estimates 20 minutes to get the plant back on the line but only good for 10 kts. Restoration of Full power was possible IF the initial damage survey held up but no promises. Only minor flooding but all Radars down and therefore Lcdr Baldrick orders director control firing on TG Cilax ships on fire using optical rangefinders.
3 JUNE 1941 0020 two of, now sinking Fury's torpedoes hit Hipper in the main machinery spaces leaving the heavy cruiser DIW and without electrical power. Guns firing under local control. Many casualties.
Two of Renown's 15 inch shells hits Gneisenau at a range of 9 miles wrecking turrets Anton and jamming Bruno. Splinters from Anton badly injure CO., cause casualties on both the ship's and the flag bridges, knock out all radar and most communications antennas.
3 JUNE 1941 0035 After receiving DC reports from his three ships, Hipper is sinking rapidly, Vizeadmiral Cilax orders what is left of his TG to break off the action and retire to the North East at best speed. His plan is to draw off the old battle cruiser from the convoy, maintain fire on Renown as he "Ran" and hope for a crippling hit or major propulsion casualty to the great war relic. He could still reach WS-12 and carry out his mission.
To his C of Staff, "Signal to BdU stating our situation and my intentions to sink, disable or evade Renown and destroy WS-12. Show me the message before you transmit.
Second signal to Hipper, I am proud of you and promise YOU WILL BE AVENGED Hiel Hitler". He thought but did not say No harm making the Bohemian paper hanger think we are doing this for him.
3 JUNE 1941 0037 flag bridge HMS Renown Vadm Somerville to his Flag aid "make to Commodore Thesiger in WS 12. I am persuing the Battle cruisers. Maintain your escort force close to convoy. Dispatch ONE repeat One of your detroyers or corvets to aid Force H damaged ships. Your prime responsibility is protection of WS-12 not recure Force H. Good luck.
Second signal to the Admiralty. I am persuing remainder of TG Cilax, moderately damaged but still operational Schranhosrt and Gneisenau. I will maintain station between Nazis and WS-12. Regret to inform you most of my destroyers have been sunk with heavy loss of life but their torpedo attacks were successful. HMS Sheffield has sustained damage, Capt. C.A.A. Larcom,RN is dead now under command of her XO Sir Edmond Blackadder. Sheffield is not operational at this time
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WS-12 will dispatch one escort for rescue duties and maintain the rest as close in defense, if required. Request you dispatch tugs and other rescue craft for my damaged ships.
Private signal to Admiral Pound "Dudley those bastards will be sunk today. You have my word for it."
To his Steward, "Cup of char spiked with a double Rum on the double." He thought a toast to the men who I murdered today. When this is over "Sir" Simeon, if I have anything to say about knighthoods, and I are going to find a nice quiet place and drink until we both pass out and when we wake, we will do it again. Maybe punishing this old body will deaden my conscience but I doubt it. For now I want Nazi blood and both those Battle Cruisers sunk. I owe that to my men and maybe their ghosts will leave me alone.
3 JUNE 1941 0100 HMS Renown, turned to course 070 at 30 kts to close the range on Gneisenau and a slightly lagging Scharnhorst.
3 JUNE 1941 0110 Renown fired her main armament at a range a little over 18000 yards. Target was the Gneisenau. Renown's secondary armament, (4.5" DP) opened fire on the Scharnhorst.
3 JUNE 1941 0121 Renown received an 11 inch shell hit on her foremast.
3 JUNE 1941 0124 Renown hit Gneisenau's fire control system putting it out of action. Cilax ordered his flag to turned away on course 30°. He ordered Scharnhorst to moved between her sister ship and HMS Renown to lay a smoke screen.
3 JUNE 1941 0130 Despite the smoke screen Renown scored a hit on Gneisenau's turret Anton along with shell splinters from near misses that pummeled Gneisenau's engineering plant. HMS Renown then shifted her main armament to the Scharnhorst but she was then hit herself in the stern. Damage was minor.
3 JUNE 1941 0210 Renown reopened salvo fire, after transfer of munitions from after to forward turrets on the Scharnhorst at a range of 12,000 yds; as she came into range when the Germans had to reduce speed temporarily. Scharnhorst quickly returned the fire.
3 JUNE 1941 0215 One of Renown's 15 in shells struck Scharnhorst abreast of turret Anton. The shell hit jammed the turret's training gears, putting it out of action. Shell splinters started a fire in the ammunition magazine, which forced the Germans to flood both forward magazines to prevent an explosion. The water was quickly drained from turret Bruno's magazine. The ship was now fighting with only two-thirds of her main battery. Shortly thereafter, another 15 in shell struck the ventilation trunk attached to Bruno, which caused the turret to be flooded with noxious propellant gases every time the breeches were opened. A third shell hit the deck next to turret Caesar and caused some flooding; shell splinters caused significant casualties. At shell struck the forward 5.9 inch gun turrets and destroyed them both.
3 JUNE 1941 0230 a 15 in shell struck Scharnhorst on the starboard side, passed through the thin upper belt armor, and exploded in the number 1 boiler room. It caused significant damage to the ship's propulsion system and slowed the ship to 8 knots. Temporary repairs allowed Scharnhorst to return to 22 knots. She managed to add 5,500 yds to the distance between her and Renown, while straddling the ship with several salvos.
Shell splinters rained on Renown and disabling one of the secondary battery fire-control radars wounding Somerville and his C O Staff on the flag bridge. Chief Sick Berth attendant (Chief SBA) Tom Baker and his party were on the flag bridge within 5 minutes. One look at the C O Staff was all he needed to immediately render first aid. His senior PO attended to the vice Admiral who was a complete pain in the ass about not needing anything but a bandage.
Chief SBA "Sir we will have to get you down to Dr. Who right away." The man was in no condition to argue. Two of the stretcher bearers strapped the C O Staff in and began the long haul to the Sick bay.
The Chief SBA then turned to the Vice Admiral. "Sir do you want a jab of morphia?"
Somerville "No Baker, I need a clear head at present but a dram of medicinal Rum would not go amiss."
Chief SBA Tom Baker " I'd dearly like to join you in one but Dr. Who would flail me alive sir, besides he does not trust me and my first aid team with it."
Somerville "That's the trouble with our Surgeon Commander Basil Who. "The Doctor" has no respect for rank or seniority Chief."
HMS Renown's head of the medical division Surgeon Commander Basil Who was called "Dr. Who" by the lower deck and by the wardroom just "The Doctor".
Chief SBA Tom Baker "Well that should hold you until you finish with the Jerries Sir. I do strongly recommend you fight the rest of this action from your bridge chair or sitting down in Flag plot."
Somerville laughing "Get away with you Chief SBA unfortunately there are plenty others to abuse today. I will take you up on your impertinent suggestion. RHIP but damn few of them.
At that Chief SBA Tom Baker hurried off the flag bridge.
The easy banter between the Vice Admiral and the SBA came from a very mutual respect. Both had served together for a long time. Baker was an interesting chap. He is tall, with eyes that seem to constantly wander, he had curly but regulation lenth hair with distinctly flashing teeth. He is from Gallifrey, just out side Boston in Lincolnshire. When in civvies he wears a white shirt, plaid waistcoat, red cravat, grey Donegal tweed trousers, a light grey frock coat (with pockets containing a seemingly endless array of apparently useless items items), a brown wide-brimmed felt fedora hat and a long, multi-coloured scarf, which was knitted for him by his maiden aunt and acts as a magnet for women.
3 JUNE 1941 0242, up to this point Renown had fired 52 salvos and having scored at least 15 hits. Many of these hits had badly damaged the ship's secondary armament. On her next full main battery salvo Renown hit Scharnhorst abreast of turret Bruno, which caused it to jam. A second shell hit the ship on the port side and caused some minor flooding, and the third was a near miss close aboard aft that damaged the port propeller shaft. The fourth hit the ship in the bow. These hits slowed Scharnhorst to 12 knots , which allowed Renown to close to 9,100 yds. With only turret Caesar operational, all available men were sent to retrieve ammunition from the forward turrets to keep the last heavy guns supplied. After several more 15 inch hits, Scharnhorst settled further into the water and began to list to starboard.
3 JUNE 1941 0310 Scharnhorst went down by the bow, with her propellers still slowly turning. Of the crew of 1,968 officers and enlisted men, only 36 men survived.
Vice admiral Somerville, addressed his staff "Gentlemen, the battle against the Scharnhorst has ended in victory for us. I hope that any of you who are ever called upon to lead a ship into action against an opponent many times superior, you will command your ship as gallantly as the Scharnhorst was commanded today. Gneisenau is still a threat to WS-23 so our job is only half completed."
He then picked up the phone to Captain Simeon "Somerville here. Your men did a magnificence job, make sure you tell I said so. Our job is not done yet. Gneisenau is getting away. Send up a scout plane as soon as possible. We still have a 5 knot speed advantage on her and I want that ship sunk. As you well know she is still a dangerous ship and a real danger to WS-23. Besides, I want a full bag from today's shoot."
Simeon "Congratulations sir. I will have to check with my senior pilot but I am pretty sure at least some of my 4 Walrus' have suffered shock and splinter damage. My catapult has sustained some minor damage; nothing we can't correct quickly. Nautical Twilight begins at 0342, God willing, and if this damn rain stops, I can have my scouts launched then."
Somerville " Light a fire under your aircraft mechanics. For now come to course 030 at 25 knots. We still have our radars and she might have been hit harder than we thought. Who knows she might just be just out of radar range, but I doubt it?"
Simeon "Aye, Aye Sir." He then burst out laughing which confused his Bridge watch. Did Jimmy Somerville not know it had been pouring throughout the entire battle? He needed that release from tension as he needed a Pink Gin right now. "OOD announce to the crew we will Spike the Main Brace at battle stations now. And tell the "Pusser to be smart about it." Stewart " For the love of God get me a pink gin."
Somerville To his Flag aide "Get an immediate signal to Argus ordering a thorough air search for Gneisenau be launch as soon as practicable. Give them her last position and known course and speed."
3 JUNE 1941 0345 Somerviile to his staff Aid Get a signal to the Admiraltyand copy WS-12. . I have the honor to advise you the german Battle Cruiser Schranhosrt was sunk, give position and time. We are persuing a moderately damaged Gneisenau. I will maintain station between Nazis and WS-12. I will have aerial scouts from Renown and Argus out at dawn. Expect to meet Gneisenau in a few hours time. God save the King.
Private signal to Admiral Pound "Dudley One down and One to go. Gneisenau has suffered quite a bit to her armament and upper works but her engines, despite more than one torpedo hit, seem to have escaped damage so far. Old Refit's engineering plant is performing as well as when she was commissioned. God only knows how the Engineering Commander and his black gang have accomplished that.
Gunnery in Renown has been very, very good, seamanship is just as good. Simeon really must be commended for the shape the old girl and her crew are in. I think a knighthood is in order for our old shipmate? I know you are on your way out but if you have any influence left, and I think you will after today would you mind using a bit of it for Simeon? After all, YOU put us in our current positions and that has to count for something. I would consider it a personal favor if you would recommend him for that honor.
The weather here is deteriorating with heavy rain and gale force winds. I do worry about our aerial scouts ability to find anything in this muck or even to fly. I still think, well hope really, we will find Gneisenau borken down, near by. If she eludes us for half a day I will have to fallback to WS-12. Last thing we want is that beast destroying that troop convoy while I romp about fat, dumb and happy eh what? I am also concerned about Sheffield's ability to ride out this storm. Blackadder certainly has his hands full.
Go on. 
not have wasted the deck space and ship topweight. The FLAK could not even handle Swordfish. 
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