Battleships of the Scharnhorst Class by Gerhard Koop & Klaus-Peter Schmolke

Author:Gerhard Koop & Klaus-Peter Schmolke
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781473849341
Publisher: Seaforth Publishing

3. I did not keep the record of salvos and timings required by standing orders as I had to reappoint Aircraft NCO Kroll to another duty (removal of dented shell cases etc.).

4. In the event of battle, the orders were that gunlaying and firing was by HFS and SVZW, which would override at Alarm.1 The switch-over ordered by gunnery control to change from gunlaying on bearing/elevation gauges and centralised firing, and the checking back by the command-relay officer, led to a delay in reporting the turret clear for action.

II. Mechanical faults, breakdowns and changeovers

a) Gun Platform

1. The right barrel failed at the second salvo. Reason: loading container did not drop down. Action: loading container raised with hand lever and then disengaged. Fault did not recur.

2. The left barrel was reported to have failed at the fourth salvo. It was reset but misfired (fifth salvo). Barrel out of action for two minutes. On examination it was found that the firing cable had become unplugged during recoil. Subsequently left barrel was fired by use of lanyard. The cable was removed during the first pause in the shooting and the plug was soldered in by the turret mechanics later in the battle. The reserve cable was useless. This fact was known before the operation. The shipyard would not supply cabling with plugs that fitted because they had no contract for it. There was insufficient time available to obtain the necessary contract before sailing.

3. During loading, the barrels (when under HFS) came out of the loading position. The rammers were not bent at that time as these had just been drawn back. The right rammer had been raised a little.

4. Because of faults 2 and 3, reverted to laying by bearing gauge, turret-elevated, turret-fired.

5. Right barrel loading problem. A shell case jammed because cover was torn off. One cartridge was extracted with emergency bar. During this fault right barrel fired singly. Interruption lasted three salvos. Later fired singly during another two salvos.

6. While right barrel was firing single rounds, centre barrel No 1 reported ‘bearing gauge out of action’. Transferred to bearing/elevation by direct laying, turret-fired. Right barrel coupled up with centre barrel. Examination revealed only a mechanical fault. Turret mechanics replaced the defective item. During the repair direct elevation and turret-fired. Subsequently reverted to elevation gauge, transferred to salvos from left.

7. During the pause in the battle, an attempt was made to couple up to HFS again (more accurate training). The turret mechanic had overhauled this during the first stage and believed it was now clear for action. However, the attempts made during the pause proved negative. Motor drive was therefore reverted to at once, all three barrels training from right. SVZW could not be used as left barrel was being fired by lanyard (see 2)

8. Towards end of action the centre barrel would not return to firing position. Reason: probably barrel sticking to cradle due to overheating to both because of high number of rounds fired. Measure: fired two outer barrels, from right.

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