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Why didn't the Bismarck shoot down any Swordfish?

Published on Tue, May 8th 2018 Education Rectangular HD

The Bismarck was struck critically by an attack of 15 Swordfish bi-plane bombers, yet wasn't able to shoot a single one down. How was this possible, considering that the Bismarck was the most advanced Battleship of the Kriegsmarine and the Fairey Swordfish a rather archaic and fragile look plane? Was it the visibility, were the Germans just bad shots, was there a problem with the AA guns or the fire control system or other factors?

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» SOURCES «

Friedman: Naval Anti-Aircraft Guns & Gunnery [Thank you Martin!]

Breyer, Siegfried; Koop, Gerhard: Schlachtschiff Bismarck. Eine technikgeschichtliche Dokumentation

Elder, George H.; Rudofsky, Ulrich H.: Final Report of Artillery Testing Command for Ships No. 700/41 – AVKS Tests aboard Battleship “Bismarck” found on: The Battleship Bismarck – Armament Information
http://www.kbismarck.com/archives/barmament.html

NavWeaps: 3.7 cm/83 SK C/30
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_37mm-83_skc30.php

NavWeaps: 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_41-65_skc33.php

NavWeaps: 2 cm/65 (0.79") C/30 -2 cm/65 (0.79") C/38 AA MG http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_20mm-65_c30.php

ADM 234/509: Sinking of the 'Bismarck', 27 May 1941: Official Despatches
http://www.hmshood.org.uk/reference/official/adm234/adm234-509tovey.htm

Naval History Forum – No Swordfish shot down by Bismarck
http://www.kbismarck.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65

Horan, Mark E.: “With Gallantry and Determination” - The Story of the Torpedoing of the Bismarck
http://www.kbismarck.com/article2.html

Reddit – Ask Historians – I read that the reasons why the swordfishs … Bismarck
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/34tiou/i_read_that_the_reason_why_the_swordfishs_from/

Rielly, Robin L.: Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket Ships. Okinawa, 1945

Harrison, W.A.: Fairey Swordfish in action

Rimell, Ray: Swordfish – Fairey Swordfish MKS I-III


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Song: Ethan Meixsell - Demilitarized Zone

#bismarck #swordfish #bismarckvsswordfish