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本帖最后由 LeSoleil 于 2016-7-16 23:26 编辑
有一些相当有意思的炮术细节，以深蓝色字体标出。
'Gunnery narrative' from the Report of Proceedings of H.M.S. Duke of York
1. Preliminary remarks
The night before the action Duke of York had encountered a full gale and heavy seas, so that water had entered many compartments including the 14-inch Transmitting] S[tation] down faulty ventilation trunks - necessitating many small immediate repairs (e.g. to panel L.I8).
During daylight hours of 26th [December] the wind and sea abated, leaving a heavy swell and moderate visibility. By the time of the engagement the maximum daylight (a dim twilight) had long passed and the northern lights behind the clouds provided the only light, with visibility about 8,000 yards and the horizon occasionally clear. The second degree of L[ow] A[ngle] readiness was assumed at 0900 and hands remained at action stations until the final engagement. Action messing for dinner and tea was carried out smoothly, if with some difficulty in the control positions in handling a Boxing Day pork chop with bare hands. By 1400 it was clear that action would be joined within three hours if Scharnhorst maintained her course and speed, and a final check was made of receivers and firing circuits to ensure that no 'gremlins' were present.
2. Narrative of the action
Scharnhorst was detected by Type 273 [radar] at a range of 45,500 yards and initial information of course and speed (160 degrees - 28 knots) was passed from the tactical plot to 14-inch T.S., where the table was then kept set for bearing and tuned to maximum range. Bearing was passed to Type 284 Office, who in turn controlled the Director] Qontrol] T[ower] by Evershed. Type 284 transmission was switched on when the range had closed to 40,000 yards and searching with the gunnery set then started. The target was initially detected at 30,400 yards by Type 284, and the amplitude of the echo became sufficient to hold bearing firmly on the bearing tube at 25,800 yards, after one unsuccessful attempt at a slightly longer range when control of director training had to be returned temporarily to 284 Office. This passing of bearing control from 284 Office to T.S. or vice versa, had previously been reduced to a cut and dried drill and was achieved without difficulty. From this time on, bearing continued to be held without difficulty on the beam tube, and, with the table to indirect, range and speed across plots stabilized, all guns at the ready, and the director laying by stabilized sight, the moment to open fire was awaited with some confidence. It had previously been determined to close within starshell range if possible or in the event of the enemy firing first to fire blind at the moment of seeing her guns flash.
The first starshell were fired from Belfast and did not illuminate the target, which continued to be held satisfactorily in blind control. Starshell were then fired from the port 5.25[-inch] battery and at once provided illumination: at first impression, Scharnhorst appeared of enormous length and silver grey in colour. The table was switched to direct at once, the settings already estimated were retained and the first 10-gun broadside was fired at 1651 at true range 11,950 yards, to score a straddle and hit low down and well forward. The hit, or hits, appeared as a greenish glow along the waterline. Scharnhorst immediately turned away apparently behind a smoke float and a quantity of smoke appeared from her - whether due to damage or with intent to conceal her movements it is difficult to say. Eight more broadsides were then fired at fleeting glimpses of the target amongst the smoke, five straddles being observed - illumination then became very unsatisfactory and intermittent as smoke lay everywhere and finally when a delay in changing the starshell turret, and therefore in providing illuminants, occurred, blind fire was undertaken and maintained until the end of Phase 1.
The enemy's speed had evidently not yet been appreciably reduced as he started at once to open the range, and the action became a chase with Scharnhorst steering a mean course E.S.E. and Duke of York pursuing on a parallel course on the starboard quarter. Steady firing continued throughout this period in blind control with the range steadily opening as Scharnhorst drew slowly away. Fortyfour broadsides were fired, 25 being reported as straddles and 16 others as 200 yards or less from the enemy - all by radar spotting on panels L.I2 and L.I8. Three hits were observed visually. The majority of the firing was from the foremost group, but when breakdowns forward reduced the number of guns in a broadside, 'A' arcs were opened and 'Y' turret fired. Scharnhorst was also engaging with her main armament, and despite starting 2,500 yards short she soon had the range and Duke of York was straddled several times. This for the control was the most testing time of the whole engagement for no visible results were occurring from own fall of shot, the large orange enemy flashes on the horizon appeared extremely menacing and it appeared he would hit at any moment. The minimum range in blind fire was 13,400 yards at about 1717, and thereafter the range opened until at 1824, at 22,000 yards, the Type 284 developed a temporary defect and check fire was ordered. At this range also radar spotting became impracticable although positive spots had been made up to 21,500 yards.
A distinct atmosphere of gloom and disappointment was felt at the order to check fire when it appeared that despite undoubted hits the enemy would escape with her superior speed. It subsequently transpired from interrogation of survivors and from the tactical plot that one of the hits during the blind firing, at a range of about 17- 18,000 yards had winged Scharnhorst on or near a propeller shaft and reduced his speed, so that two destroyers which were endeavouring to gain bearing for torpedo attack were able to deliver their attack and their hits further reduced his speed.
The range was quickly closed and tracking by Type 284 (now repaired) started again at 22,000 yards. For the next eighteen minutes until 1900 frequent changes were made from blind to visual control without difficulty, as a glow in the smoke and the flashes of enemy gunfire afforded fleeting points of aim. Destroyers were now in full cry, and the enemy appeared as the dark source at the centre of a veritable mass of diverging and converging tracer and gun fire. He did not appear to observe the approach of Duke of York who opened fire with a broadside at 10,400 yards. This created enormous havoc aft. Direct fire was now possible and 25 broadsides were fired, 21 straddles and many hits being observed. At 1922 when the 72nd broadside fell, it was noticed on all radar tubes that the echo after first appearing as a normal straddle, developed into a great 'bunch' of width 800 yards either side of the target; at the same time a considerable explosion occurred aft in Scharnhorst. Fire was checked at 1929 after 80 broadsides, by which time Scharnhorst was a blazing wreck, very low in the water - she sank shortly afterwards.
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发表于 2016-7-16 23:24
发表于 2016-7-17 16:29
发表于 2016-7-18 10:04
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发表于 2023-2-8 10:55
