The Wreck of DKM Bismarck − A Marine Forensics Analysis 1 The ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The Wreck of DKM Bismarck − A Marine Forensics Analysis Baron von Müllenheim-Rechberg taking command of the aft turrets. LTJG Friedrich Cardinal, in the Forward Gun Computing Station, telephoned the Baron at about this time to inform him that he should take control of the gunfire, since Schneider was not answering his calls. ○ There is the possibility that this same round also killed or incapacitated Admiral Günther Lütjens and Captain Ernst Lindemann 29 . There was an interior bulkhead within the forward conning tower that may have provided some shielding, but if this projectile’s fragments made it inside the conning tower, there is the likelihood that everyone in there was killed or severely wounded. CAPT Netzbandt is known to have made it out of that position, so severely wounded that he propped himself against the port bulwark only to be the victim of another 406-mm shell. ○ A shell of unknown size brought down the foremast about 0940-1000. ○ Some time after 1005, as Rodney fell astern of Bismarck, two 406-mm shell hits occurred in Compartment IV, damaging access ladders. One shell penetrated the starboard aft quadrant of the barbette for Turret Dora. Red hot shell splinters started a fire in the lower platforms of the turret. The shell’s explosion hurled the hatch to the magazines high into the air. Machinist Mate Helms and others standing near Turret Dora suffered serious burns to their faces and hands in the aftermath of the shell’s explosion. Turret Dora was disabled by 406-mm shell fire, including this damage on the fore port side of the barbette. Note the armor penetration and the blast damage to the deck structure. 29 In a letter interview with the senior surviving officer, Baron von Müllenheim-Rechberg, Author Bill Garzke mentioned the nature of damage to the Forward Conning Tower. The Baron conceded that it in all likelihood Captain Lindemann perished during the early phases of the battle. 24
The Wreck of DKM Bismarck − A Marine Forensics Analysis The fore bridge tower was the natural center of aim for the British gunners. This view from the starboard side offers stark evidence of the effects of this concentrated fire. There were no survivors who had battle stations inside the conning tower structure. Chief Warrant Officer (Machinist) Wilhelm Schmidt, in charge of Damage Control Team No. 1, quickly flooded the turret’s magazines to prevent a catastrophic magazine explosion 30 . ○ Around 1005-1010, a 356-mm shell penetrated the 145-mm upper splinter belt in Compartment VII on the port side. Its trajectory carried it forward through a main transverse bulkhead to Compartment VIII and exploded just above deck level outside the Aft Canteen, where 200 men had assembled to make their escape to the main deck. Over a hundred of these men were killed, including the executive officer, CDR Hans Oels. ○ King George V resumed fire at 1018, hitting Bismarck's turret Bruno, bridge, and conning tower. Fire ignited in a pyrotechnic locker. This British battleship ceased fire at 1021. o It appears that one 203-mm shell from either Norfolk or Dorsetshire penetrated or became lodged in the 145-mm upper citadel belt abreast of Turret 63 (starboard). The projectile exploded, however, causing a fire in this turrets’ magazine. o There are a number of gouges and splashes in the upper and lower armor belts from 203-, 152-, andr 134-mm shells. 30 Evidence from Chief Warrant Officer Schmidt in correspondence with author Bill Garzke. 25
Page 1 and 2: The Wreck of DKM Bismarck − A Mar
Page 23: The Wreck of DKM Bismarck − A Mar

The Wreck of DKM Bismarck − A Marine Forensics Analysis 1 The ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?