Sincere Thanks to Readers on Third Anniversary of Arnhem Jim Blog

While it hardly seems possible, this blog is rapidly approaching its third anniversary in late March. With consistently expanding, readership and support, the blog continues to grow. There are readers now identified in 164 countries, literally Andorra to Zimbabwe, Greenland to the Falkland Islands, with the number of hits now exceeding 180,000. I’m most sincerely appreciative of the continuing support provided by readers of this blog, and want to personally thank each of you very much.

I have to apologize for a reduction in rate of the number of articles presented in the blog, but quite honestly ideas for subject matter have become increasing harder to conceive. What consistent readers may have noticed is that older articles have been refined and expanded with additional details, and corrections made, as they are discovered,

One specific area that I will try and continue to focus on is the ever expanding market in fraudulent items of militaria, everything from cap badges to field equipment. With newer and younger collectors emerging, this is fertile ground for exploitation by unscrupulous individuals. As the centennial of World War I occurs I would anticipate that memorabilia from that period would be particularly susceptible to nefarious endeavors by “war profiteers” of a new generation.

The other inevitable fact of life is that as my generation of collectors becomes older, collections which have been acquired over decades will be coming onto the market. This means that genuine items, acquired in the period when there were a broad range of “war surplus” stores and other sources, will appear to look like they have just been drawn from quartermaster stores. Wary collectors will be understandably reticent to believe that items in this condition could be anything but newly manufactured replicas. This will require the continuous acquisition of knowledge by newer collectors in order to discern the “wheat from the chaff”. I hope that the information contained in this blog will continue to be an aid in that process. An additional suggestion is to join and actively participate to the extent of your knowledge, an online forum(s) of people with similar interests to you. Don't be afraid of asking questions. For the most part the members of these forums were not always that knowledgable, and will be of ready assistance to newcomers. Realize too that they are also interested in the identification of reproductions (not clearly identified as such), as well as outright fraudulent items. Some forums have specific sections related to the subject.

I would sincerely invite anyone with a specific field of interest regarding the British Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces at the Battle of Arnhem, “toy soldiers”/military miniatures, or any aspect of militaria collectibles, not to hesitate contacting me via the “comments” section on any of the blog pages related to your query. I will try and respond with either relevant links related to your request, or after research publish an additional bog page on the subject to the extent of my knowledge.

For those who might be interested the following is a three part video of the presentation of new regimental colours to the 4th Battalion (TA), The Parachute Regiment, by the Prince of Wales, at historical Hardwick Hall, home of the regiment's training depot in World War II.

 

The Territorial Army in Scotland - circa 1935 (a W. Britains Ltd. Connection)

This film was made a year before I was born in 1936. While Germany rearmed, and Italy had already invaded Ethiopia, this propaganda film was produced in Great Britain, promoting joining the Territorial Army. The narrative is obviously so dated that it sounds "stilted" (gross understatement), however the footage covering the state of the training and equipment is fascinating. It reflects the period in history that the British Army was in transition to becoming fully mechanized. The viewer is readily able to identify several items of equipment and vehicles which W. Britains Ltd. chose to replicate, contemporarily, in its boxes of toy soldiers. In numerical sequence the inspiration for the following Britains sets can be seen in real life size. Britains introductory year and span of manufacture to 1941 are in parentheses);

Set 146A (1460) RASC General Service Wagon (Active Service Order) (1933-1941)

Set 1201 Gun of the Royal Artillery (1932-1941)

Set 1318 Machine Gun Section (Lying and Sitting) (1934-1941)

Set 1331 General Service Limbered Wagon, Active Service Order, Khaki (1934-1941)
Set 1335 6 Wheeled Covered Army Tender w/Driver (1934-1941)
Set 1432 10 Wheeled Covered Army Tender w/Driver (1936-1941)

Set 1479 Royal Artillery Limber, Short Poled Pattern (1936-1941)
Set 1521 Royal Air Force Biplane (1937-1941)
Set 1791 Dispatch Riders, Motorcyclists (Royal Corps of Signals) (1939-1941)

It is interesting that neither Set 1203 Tank of the Royal Tank Corps, with Driver and Machine Gunner, (Carden Loyd Mk VI, well established by date of film) or its successor, Set 1876 Bren Gun Carrier with Crew, the latter which would become ubiquitous in the British Army, are present in the film.

Another convenient omission in this entirely positive and upbeat propaganda film is any reference to gas warfare and training in the use of gas masks and capes, which was yet to come. Britains saw to Air Raid Precautions (ARP) which were to be taken by both the military and the civilian population, represented in Set 1759 Air Raid Precautions Stretcher Party Squad and Gas Detection Services.

Significant portions of the film covers the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) T.A. More about the Cameronians and their replication by W. Britains Ltd. toy soldiers can be seen at http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/11/another-set-of-w-britains-toy-soldiers.html. 

Another unique feature is the depiction of signalmen of the Royal Corps of Signals still training at this late date with the Heliograph, Mk V, which is discussed and described in more detail at http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2011/06/19th-century-military-communications-at.html.

Description: A promotional film for the Territorial Army in Scotland (circa 1935), the TA's training techniques are highlighted.

Shotlist: Credits (0.18); Shot of Union Jack (0.31); The war proved the high military value of the TA. Its role is now to support the regular army in the event of a great national emergency and to provide the means for any temporary expansion of the forces of the Crown. There are two divisions in Scotland. The 51st (Highland Division) and the 52nd (Lowland Division). Also No. 602 City of Glasgow (Bomber) Squadron Auxiliary Air Force (1.28); Section of men in their regimental uniforms march into camera, including shot of a lorry driver of the Royal Army Service Corps (2.08); General views as the men practise shooting at the rifle range near Dechmont, Cambuslang (2.49); Group of men being taught how to use the Lewis gun. Close-ups of men using the gun and loading magazines (3.30); Shots of a group at the side of a road using the Lewis gun as an anti-aircraft gun (3.36); General view of gunners receiving instruction in the use of a horse-drawn machine gun (4.25); Panning shot of TA camp (Belltents) (4.48); General views of the Royal Engineers constructing a girder bridge (5.49); General views of Royal Engineers demolishing a chimney with explosives and close-ups of the men loading the charge (6.20); General views of the Royal Corps of Signals. Shots of men on motorbikes, general views of as tented signal office, operators tapping out Morse code signals (7.08); Close-up of the radio transmitter and shot of smaller transmitter on the back of a lorry (7.42); Shots of group of men operating portable radio equipment (7.48); General views at the tented signal office (8.08); General views of group of men as they erect telegraph poles (8.52); General shots of men laying ground lines with the aid of a mechanised cable lorry (9.03); Shot from static camera of a convoy passing through country road (9.18); General views of the transport division of the infantry with shots of men looking after the horses and general views of a grooming and equipment competition (10.19); Shots of the battalion leaving camp, led by a pipe band (10.52); General views of a group of men from the Signals using a heliograph and brief shots of men reading a map and others practising semaphore (11.21); General views of the men (11.27); General views of a mock attack with shots of the battalion marching and suddenly dispersing (11.54); Shots of various groups assembling machine gun posts (12.32); General views of the divisional battalion marching past Divisional Commander, General McCulloch, Lord Strathcona, the Under-Secretary of State for War (12.46); General views at the cook house (13.07); General views at the DAD hospital in the camp and shots of nurses attending to the patients (13.23); General views of sports including tug-of-war, musical chairs played on horseback, children's race and Highland dancing (14.10); General views of pipe band marching over the brow of a hill (15.04); Shots of changing guard (15.42); Silhouette of four buglers (16.55); General views of a mock attack by a convoy, including shots of men forming an observation post, gun crews with close-ups of loading and firing of a four inch gun (18.26); Close-up of RAF ensign (18.29); Shots of men working on bi-planes and parts of engines 602 Squadron (18.58); Line up of the bi-planes with their engines running; brief c/u control gauges (19.15); General shots of "wapitis" planes taking off and general views of the planes flying [ground aerial shots] (20.35); Shots of the battalion led by a pipe band as they march to the TA headquarters in Hill Street, Glasgow, with shots as they pass St Enoch's station, Buchanan Street and Hill Street itself. The End (21.34).

Although the film cannot be directly embedded on this page, it can be viewed in its entirety (in full screen) at http://ssa.nls.uk/film/1693. The overall web site, Scottish Screen Archive, contains additional intriguing footage of the Scottish Regiments of the British Army.

The General Aircraft Ltd., GAL 49/50 Hamilcar Mk I Heavy Assault Glider - Own your own in 1:72 Scale

Some people in their lifetime can either individually, or as part of a group, accomplish a particular lifelong desire. While I was able to visit The Assault Glider Trust, which is completing the restoration of a WWII Airspeed AS.51 Horsa Mk I Assault Glider, I only wish that I lived in the immediate vicinity of RAF Shawbury, and could have volunteered to take a more direct and active, hands-on role in the project. As an alternative, wish that I could have assisted in the limited restoration of a General Aircraft Ltd., GAL 49/50 Hamilcar Mk I Heavy Assault Glider. Judging from the popularity of two articles on this blog discussing the Hamilcar glider in some detail, apparently there are quite a few others who may well share the same ambition.

When I was a young man, I’m sure that had I already developed my current interests and knowledge, that a Hamilcar glider would have been amongst the many aircraft from kits, as well as scratch-built, that hung from the ceiling of my room. To my knowledge after an extensive search of the internet, there are only a very few sets of plans, let alone model kits of the Hamilcar presently available. Explored having a semi-professional model builder construct only the forward part of the fuselage including the cockpit in 1:30 scale (coincident with scale miniature figures of the Parachute Regiment, Glider Pilot Regiment, Airborne Forces and AFV’s), but have been told even that would be a “fairly extensive effort”, i.e. very expensive!

Finally, as a best remaining option for me personally, found that Planes Showcase could build an approximately 1:72 Scale GAL 49/50 Hamilcar Mk I Heavy Assault Glider in mahogany as a special order, and the company was having a free shipping sale. That is the same scale as the Airfix/Italieri/Revell plastic model of the Airspeed AS.51 Horsa Assault Glider that has been available for decades, thus affording a direct comparison of the sizes of the two gliders. Built to a “nominal” 1:72 Scale gives the Hamilcar model an 18.00 (should be 18.33) inch wing span and overall fuselage length of 11.00 (should be 11.33) inches The finished glider still has to fly from the Philippines to the United States via international postal service undamaged, and this day in age that is no mean feat. So if anyone else happens to be similarly inclined, this is what you may expect as an end product. Update: The glider arrived safely (very well packed), and the actual model meets and exceeds the photographs in all aspects.

Expert critics (also known as “rivet counters”) will be quick to point out the following details, some of which I intend to add and/or correct, but overall I personally think the company’s craftsmen have done an outstanding job, particularly given the media and scale. In addition, compounding the problem, is the fact that to the best of my knowledge a complete set of original plans for the glider have yet to be discovered. This is quickly realized as you review the various artist's interpretations shown in the drawings that are available on the internet.

1. The precise size of the model is off by .333 in. in wing span and overall fuselage length to be exactly 1:72 (Consistent, just slightly smaller scale, so somehow that doesn’t exactly bother me).

2. The towline slope indicator is too long (already shortened).
3. The towline slope indicator should be off-set to left of centerline of the glider.

4. Horizontal stabilizer trim tabs are not shown (can be added).

5. The forward radio antenna mast is not present (optional, as needed on the real glider, radio was intended for training missions only).

6. The rear radio antenna mast should be off-set to the port side of the fuselage (if required).

7. Nose landing light, wing navigation lights, recognition lights, tail navigation light are not present (can be easily added).

8. Pilot’s walkway (port & starboard) from pilot’s hatch to cockpit is not present (can  be added).

9. Pilot’s hatch from cargo deck is not present(can be added).

10. Aileron trimming tab (starboard wing only) not present (can be added).

11. Tow line pick-up shackles in both wings not present.
12. Tail number (not present on a majority of the actual aircraft).
13. The outline of the massive front nose cargo door is not shown (can be added).
14. The side cabin door is oversized (This does detract from an accurate appreciation of the size of this giant).
15. The cockpit should be longer and slightly flatter on top.

The majority of these details can be seen in these two detailed drawings.

An associated aspect to the above set of details is the fact that we are talking over 70 years since the Hamilcar was introduced into operational use. In addition, compared to the Spitfire, Lancaster or even the Horsa, it is a relatively obscure aircraft, and it takes a considerable effort to ferret out accurate details, having personally observed several inconsistencies and/or errors in the very few available plans, drawings and paintings. One original source document is the RAF manual; PILOTS NOTES FOR HAMILCAR I GLIDER with Appendices for tug aircraft pilots (2nd Edition), A.P. 2219-A P.N., January 1944. However, this document does not include any plan drawings of the glider. In order to download a copy of this document see; http://www.scalesoaring.co.uk/VINTAGE/Books/Hamilcar%20Manual.pdf. 

An excellent photograph from a WWII LIFE magazine article showing the significant size of the Hamilcar with air crew, and a Universal Carrier emerging from its cargo bay. Note complete absence of any radio antenna masts.

There is also a excellent series of photographs of a restored Tetrarch Light Tank Mk VII in its stored position within the cargo bay of a partially restored fuselage of a Hamilcar glider, clearly showing the extremely close dimensions. These images, taken at The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, U.K., may be seen at; http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/hamilcar/interesting/.

For those who might be interested here is a short vintage British Movietone News clip of the Hamilcar glider in flight, landing and off-loading a Universal Carrier; http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d99_1295756711. The tug aircraft depicted towing the Hamilcar is believed to be the most commonaly used Handley Page H.P. 57 Halifax a heavy bomber, one of only three aircraft in RAF operational inventory, rated to pull the glider into battle. The other two being the Avro 683 Lancaster Mk I or III  and Short S. 29 Sterling heavy bombers. The weight of the Hamilcar unloaded was 18,400 lbs. It was rated capable of carrying a combat payload of 17,600 lbs., virtually double its weight.

In the opening paragraph two other pages in this blog were briefly mentioned. These pages cover both the operational use of the Hamilcar in general, and specifically its employment in Operation Market Garden. They can be found at; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2011/09/general-aircraft-gal-50-other-wwii.html and http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/06/hamilcar-gliders-at-operation-market.html.

The following is a two page article from a contemporary (March 1945) aeronautical magazine written prior to Operation Varsity, and includes a brief biography of its designer at General Aircraft, Ltd., F.F. Crocombe, B.Sc.,F.R.Ae.S.

A closing word of advise to anyone one seriously contemplating acquisition of one of these models. They are available in a range of scale sizes from a group of companies, and predominately, if not totally, built in the Philippines. The one I purchased, and is shown, is the closest to 1:72 Scale I could find, and comes from a company with an established excellent reputation. They even sent me the above set of photographs for approval, prior to their shipping the model. For this specific configuration see; http://www.ebay.com/itm/General-Aircraft-GAL-49-58-Hamilcar-Desk-Wood-Model-Replica-Large-Free-Shipping-/200998176513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecc6cc701(for one reason or another you will have to cut and paste this URL, it does work, having tested it several times).  Depending on your personal preference you may want to specify a gloss or matte finish.

Impossible Victory - Rorke's Drift 22-23 January 1879

The majority of military historians, as well as a lot of movie buffs, are very familiar with the 1964 classic adventure film “ZULU”, including the cast of, Stanley Baker, Michael Caine (first significant role), Zulu Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi (a graduate of Sandhurst, playing Zulu King Cetewayo), Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, Nigel Green, as well as others. Richard Burton gave the initial and  final narration in the movie.

Although taking some of the normally expected liberties of film writers and cinematographers, the movie presents a reasonably accurate reenactment of one of the most famous actions of the British Army at Rorke’s Drift, Natal Province, South Africa, 22-23 January 1879. Both the battle and the movie are extensively chronicled on the internet.

A classic contemporary painting of the Battle of Rorke's Drift
by Alphonse de Neville depicting the majority of the
 principal British participants during the heat of the action

A contemporary photograph of the storehouse taken shortly
 after the battle

The restored storehouse at Rorke's Drift as it stands today

As will be seen later in this blog page, approximately 141 men (All ranks), principally of B Company, 2nd Bn, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot (later the South Wales Borders) fought off approximately 4000 to 4500 Zulu warriors, primarily the InDluyengwe, uThulwana, inDondo and uDloko Regiments, under the command of Zulu Prince Dabulamanzi Kamapande (Induna). The British and Native forces were commanded by Lieut John Rouse Marriott Chard (RE), O.C. and Lieut Gonville Bromhead, 24th of Foot (all but totally deaf), played by Baker and Caine respectively in the movie. Both officers received the Victoria Cross. The following photograph is of the actual Victoria Cross and South African Medal 1879 awarded to Lieut Chard, which temporarily resides on loan at the Museum of the Royal Welsh (Brecon).

The battle stands singular in British military history in that an unsurpassed record number of 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders of the mission station, Rorke’s Drift. While not receiving the VC for his exemplary performance of duty Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and was offered a battlefield commission. He refused the commission because he didn't think that he deserved it. Subsequently he rose through the ranks retiring as a Lieut-Colonel in 1907.

As is the case in any military action, no single factor can be cited for the successful defense. However, the following factors have been identified as major contributors:

The British forces were in a condensed (small area) defensive position. The Zulu forces could only engage a limited number of attackers around the perimeter, which had been hurriedly defended with improvised barricades of mealie bags and heavy biscuit boxes. This precluded the Zulu forces from exercising their decided advantage of mass numbers (a ratio of 45 to 1), which they had just done earlier in the day, annihilating more than 1500 British and Native troops deployed on open ground at the disastrous battle of Isandhlwana.

The British position was sited on a level that was three to four feet higher than the orchard from which the majority of  Zulu attacks were mounted. The following copy of an original source map, drawn by Lieut Chard shortly after the battle, shows the overall disposition and route of the Zulu attack.

The British forces had newly introduced breech-loading .577/.450 cal. Mk II Martini-Henry rifles, and virtually an unlimited supply of ammunition (estimated > 20,000 rounds were expended), and an adequate water supply existed.

Stark comparison of a standard .22 cal.
Long Rifle cartridge and the .577/.450
caliber Short Chamber Boxer-Henry
 cartridge

NATO Standard 7.62mm and 5.56mm
cartridges compared to a .577/.450 cal.
cartridge (same scale)

The Martini-Henry rifle, with fixed bayonet (70.5” overall; 22.5 "of bayonet)), had a significant advantage in overall thrusting length over the standard Zulu assegai (~38”) in close quarters combat .

The British officers commanding, Lieuts Chard and Bromhead, had the advice and counsel of  Lieut Gert Adendorff, 1st/3rd Natal Native Contingent, who was extremely knowledgeable of the Zulu and their military tactics.

One of many interesting aspects of the Zulu War, is that each Zulu regiment had a uniform equally as distinctive as any European army. For an individual like Lieut Adendorff they could be identified just as readily by their shields alone, as the regimental facings, cap badges, or button groupings of the British Army. The senior regiments (older, married) being predominately white, the more junior regiments (younger, unmarried) towards black.

Following is again a copy of another original source document, the roll of personnel present and casualties submitted by Lieut Chard to his immediate senior Col Glyn CB.

A contemporary photograph of the brave defenders/survivors of Rorke's Drift taken a short time after the battle. Although portrayed as a Welsh regiment in the movie, and even though their depot had been established in Brecon, South Wales, in 1873, only about 11% of the men were Welsh.

Suffices to say that the Zulu War and Rorke's Drift in particular, are a widely popular subject for toy soldier collectors and manufacturers. From elsewhere in the blog is the author's representation of the battle using troops made by Imperial Productions of New Zealand. 

The toy soldiers are accompanied by a miniature Victoria
Cross, the South Africa (Zulu) 1879 Medal, a cap badge of
 the South Wales Borderers, a .577/.450 cal. cartridge, an
 oiler and tool for the Martini-Henry rifle, and finally rocks
 from the battlefields at Ishandhlwana and Rorke's Drift.

A series of dramatic still photographs from the movie.

Finally here are two videos, the first being a documentary about the making of the movie, and the second the final climatic scene of the movie.

David versus Goliath - Fairey Swordfish against the Bismarck 1941

A     As an introduction I'd like to pose the following question. What did the jeeps of

the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron have in common with the Fairey Swordfish
torpedo bombers which engaged the German battleship Bismarck in 1941? Answer:
They both were armed with a single .303 cal. Vickers “K”/VGO (Vickers Gas Operated)
machine gun. In the case of the Swordfish it was its sole defensive weapon. In addition
there was a single fixed forward firing .303 cal. Vickers machine gun.

The Fairey Swordfish was an anachronism, already obsolete in 1936, when it first
entered active service with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. For that reason, if
none other, I thought it would be an appropriate subject of a blog page. The
“Stringbag” as it soon became affectionately referred in the fleet, became
revered in naval aviation history. Due to its decisive engagement in two major
naval battles of World War II, 73 years later there are at least four restored
examples which are still fully operational. One of which is LS 326, which is
maintained by the Royal Navy Historical Flight (RNHF). What is truly amazing is
that the Fairey Aircraft Co. Ltd., tendered ten designs (three monoplanes and seven
biplanes) in response to the Royal Navy’s Specification S.9/30. Had it not been for
the Admiralty’s ultra conservatism and abject recalcitrance, the Fairey Swordfish
rather than looking like this:

Fairey Swordfish Mk I Torpedo Bomber

 might have looked like this (similar to the Blackburn Skua).

Fairey Aircraft Project 'Scheme 9 and 10', proposed
alternate design configuration for the Swordfish 

The Swordfish’s renown was resuscitated with the making of the highly successful
movie, “Sink the Bismarck” in 1960, based on the book, “Last Nine Days of the
Bismarck” by C. S. Forester. Although probably best known for that action,
Swordfish aircraft had already been blooded in a long range attack on the Italian
Fleet in the harbor of Taranto, Italy on the night of 11 – 12 November 1940. The
background as well as the epic battle itself is chronicled in the following program; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N59MTv4z38A&t=9s%20.

There is no question (as indicated in the video) that the planning staff of the Imperial

Japanese Navy, specifically Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto, methodically absorbed every

aspect of the Royal Navy's attack. As cited, one critical detail was to modify the running

depth of their aerial torpedoes to run shallower. However one significant element of the
Royal Navy's attack, while fully recognized by Japanese Naval planners, failed in its
execution.
    
While a section of Swordfish had successfully conducted a planned bombing attack of
the Italian Navy fuel depot complex ashore, the Imperial Japanese Navy missed a critical
opportunity leaving the entire U.S. Navy fuel supply for the Pacific theatre of operations
totally unscathed. This was due to the fact that a planned second strike focused on dock-
yards, dry-docks, POL storage tanks, and remaining ships, was cancelled.

U.S. Naval Base Pearl Harbor, note proximity of the massive
fuel tank farm immediately to the left of the main channel and
"Battleship Row", October 1941 

A close-up of the U.S. Navy Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor,
better showing the fuel tank farm, October 1941 

It has been commonly held by a majority of naval historians that the attack on

Taranto played a singularly important role in the Japanese planning of  the attack

on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in December 1941. However, while

agreeing it played a significant role, this author believes he has provided a strong

case that a U.S. naval exercise conducted in 1932, may have actually been the

primary element. See this blog at;

http://arnhemjhttp://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/p/military-strategy.html.

Classic Three-view of the Fairey Swordfish Mk I with
principal specifications

The following four drawings are a cutaway of the Fairey Swordfish MK II and the
cockpit of the aircraft. Apologies for the redundancy however the two part cutaway,
which was due to the size of the drawing, affords both better resolution of detail and
legibility.

On 26 May 1941, 818 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy was embarked in HMS Ark Royal. At 1910 hours a 15 plane strike of Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers was launched against the German battleship Bismarck. Four of the aircraft were from 818 Squadron.

In the first flight was Fairey Swordfish 5C, Serial No. L9726 piloted and crewed by:
     T/S-Lt John William Charlton Moffat, RNVR (P)
     T/S-Lt John Dawson Miller, RNNVR (O)
     LA Albert J. Hayman, RN Jx. 151230 (TAG)

On 26 May 1941 at 2105, the 18 in. aerial torpedo released by Sub-Lieutenant J.W.C. Moffat (5C) struck the extreme port stern of the target (Bismarck). This torpedo hit permanently jammed both rudders (12 deg. to port) in the Bismarck, directly contributing to its subsequent sinking by British battleships the next day.

For this feat you would think that he would have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, or at the very least the Distinguished Flying Cross. Such was not to to be the case, and it was only years after that research of  records of the engagement strongly indicated that it was his torpedo that had struck the stern of the Bismarck.

T/S-Lt John William Charlton Moffat RNVR

All aircraft carried the 18 in., RNTF MK XII Torpedo, with a dual speed setting of 43 or 48 mph, 3500 yd range, 388 lb. (TNT) warhead, and dual mode detonator (contact/magnetic influence). Following  photograph shows the "business end" of the torpedo, i.e. the "whiskers" of the contact fuze. Hitting any part of the whisker detonates the warhead.

18 in. RNTF MK XII Torpedo contact fuze

The target of 818 Squadron's attack: KMS Bismarck

The Achille's Heel of the Bismarck; Stern section
with rudders and propeller shafts - the recessed
area at the ship's freeboard marks the aft end of
the heavy side armor which is yet to be applied

The following photograph is of the Bismarck's FUMo 23 radar array co-mounted with an optical 10.5 meter base rangefinder (Basisgerät BG). It is not discernible in the contemporary color photograph of the ship previously shown. Explanation, possibly not yet installed, or intentionally obscured for security reasons.  

FUMo 23 Radar and Optical Rangefinder

The primary anti-aircraft armament consisted of 16 105mm SK C/33 mounts and 16 37mm SK C/30 mounts equally divided port and starboard. In addition there were 18 20mm Flak/MG C/38 and C/30 mounts.

In addition the Bismarck’s main armament, four turrets, each containing two 380mm SK C/34 naval guns, engaged the Swordfish, albeit also unsuccessfully.

Even the Bismarck's Secondary Battery, consisting of 6  turrets of twin 150mm guns designated SK C/28, also engaged the aircraft.

105mm SK C/33 Anti-Aircraft Mount

37mm SK C/30 Anti-Aircraft Mount

During my tenure at Honeywell Marine Systems Center I had the privilege of working with Gerhard "Jerry" DeWitz, who as a young engineer had been employed by Telefunken in Germany. He was a member of the design team which developed the first generation naval radar systems installed in the pocket battleship Graf Spee. Subsequently the Bismarck, battleship Tiripitz, cruiser Prince Eugen, and battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau received radar systems of various designs and manufacturers.  He also had an extensive knowledge of the fire control computer systems employed in these ships. Called "predictors" by the British, gunfire control computers of the day were analog machines. Rather than even incorporating radio vacuum tubes, let alone transistors or circuit boards, they were electro-mechanical, incorporating a complex series of mechanical gear trains and cams which interacted with each other to provide critical parameters for laying of the guns. They integrated inputs from both range and height-finding telescopic optical instruments, as well as radar, when available. This included continuous incremental changes necessary to lead the target in train and elevation, and adjust for changes in target acceleration and de-acceleration, relative to the motion (in 3 axes) of own ship. It is analogous to shooting skeet with multiple rifles (not even shotguns) from a moving boat. When the Germans designed the fire control computers, they incorporated a model of aerodynamic characteristics consistent with the high performance aircraft of the day. (Spitfire Mk I - 355 mph, Messerschmitt Bf109E - 348 mph at comparable altitudes). Even given the Swordfish's slow top (139 mph) and stalling speeds, and exceptional maneuverability, its performance envelope was still within the capability of what were called the "Flak directors" installed in Bismarck.

As is usually the case, no single factor allowed the attacking aircraft to escape destruction from the combined firepower of the Bismarck's primary (105mm) and secondary (37mm and 20mm) anti-aircraft defense batteries. The following combination of factors contributed an overall synergistic effect:

• The Swordfish was a particularly forgiving aircraft affording the pilots the ability to approach at wave top level resulting in intermittently "masking" their return signal to the Bismarck's radar transmissions. Analogous to "terrain masking" used in the modern era. The Bismarck's FuMO 23 radar was capable of training on a target within 6 deg. bearing accuracy, and a range accuracy of 70 meters. However its display was a simple "A" scope barely able to track a single target at a time. It did not have a PPI (Plan Position Indicator, i.e. multiple target tracking capability).

• Given their head-on final run-in to target for torpedo launch the aircraft presented a minimum radar cross-section.

• Accurate radar guided anti-aircaft gunfire requires a continuous data stream injected into the fire control computer(s). This capability was only gained in the later FuMO 231 Euklid radar.

• The Bismarck's 4 main Flak directors were to have been triaxially stabilized, however due to a high level technical/economic exchange agreement with the Soviet Union, only the forward two were. The un-stabilized aft directors also may have had inferior computers and rangefinders.

• The rear 105mm Flak guns, while upgraded still had faults, one of which were firing cut-out cams which precluded sufficient depression necessary to engage low flying targets.

• The Bismarck's anti-aircraft gunnery crews had no actual combat experience, and only limited training, particularly in firing as coordinated batteries.

• Conversely the pilots and air crews of 818 and 810 Squadrons who attacked the Bismarck, while not engaged in the attack on Taranto, were not only well trained, but greatly benefited from the lessons learned by the Swordfish aircrews of 813, 815, 819, and 824 Squadrons who were in the attack.

As a combined result of all of these factors the pilots and air crew of  818 Squadron were able to press home their torpedo attack without the loss of a single aircraft directly attributed to the Bismarck's gunfire.

In addition to the video embedded below there is an excellent National Geographic special in which surviving air crew members are interviewed and contemporary combat film footage is shown. This can be found at; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-leCeiWXFo.

There is another excellent link which details a chronological plot of the series of events
leading to the sinking of the Bismarck. It can be found at; http://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/bismarck_menu.html For those who happen to go there, you
will discover this is only a small segment of an extensive web site on the Bismarck.

The following drawing shows the U.S. Navy Computer Mk IA introduced shortly after World War

II. In many respects it was analogous to the Norden bombsight, although quite a bit

bigger and heavier (3,150 lbs.). By the annotations you can immediately get a sense of 
the number of inputs/outputs, as well as calculations it had to make.

U.S. Navy Fire Control Computer Mk IA

A U.S. Navy Fire Control Computer ("Rangekeeper") Mk I
in operation, note number of technicians manning the device

The author has been unable to find any photographs of contemporary Kriegsmarine gun

fire control computers, let alone those specifically installed in the Bismarck. What I did
find, however, was a WWII German Army fire control computer designated the
Kommandohilfegerat 35.

German Army Fire Control Computer
designation Kommandohilfegerat 35

It bares a striking similarity to the Sperry (Kerrison) AA Predictor No.1 MK III used by
anti-aircraft artillery units of the British Army during the same time frame, as
can be seen in the following photographs.

British Army Sperry AA Predictor No.1 MK III with
 probable 3.7 in. Anti-Aircraft Gun in the background

A British Army Sperry AA Predictor No. 2 MK (Unk)
 obviously a much heavier configuration

The following link is to a contemporary Pathe News film describing to the general public (obviously in simplified terms) how a "Predictor" works;
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/predictions-while-you-wait .

For those of a technical bent and inclination the following contemporary (1941) Kriegsmarine report is available at http://www.kbismarck.com/archives/barmament.html, and provides detailed information. In addition the overall web site is excellent. There is another report on WWII German Naval Radar Systems found at;

http://dreadnoughtproject.org/friends/dickson/German%20Radar%201.pdf.

Scale model of the Fairey Swordfish Mk I accompanied by
a Royal Navy Type "C" flying helmet worn by the air crew
The oxygen mask only because it contained a microphone

This short video depicts the flight of the fully restored LS326 at a recent air show in
Great Britain. Truly a labor of love, and no little expense. Fortunately as a result of
voluntary private contributions, in a trust, there was not a hit on the Ministry of Defence
budget.

For those who may be interested in further details regarding the sinking of the Bismarck,
the following website is the obituary of CDR Peter "Roddy" Elias DSC, who wrote an eyewitness account of the battle as one of the pilots directly participating in the attacks on the battleship. The obituary includes several photographs and a page from his flight log book with entries from his engagement
of the Bismarck. Please see;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11464533/Commander-Peter-Roddy-Elias-obituary.html#disqus_thread