Why Didn't the Kriegsmarine Support the Seige of Leningrad?

Discussions on all (non-biographical) aspects of the Kriegsmarine except those dealing with the U-Boat forces.
thaddeus_c
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Re: Why Didn't the Kriegsmarine Support the Seige of Leningr

#16

Post by thaddeus_c » 06 Mar 2014, 00:08

it really is amazing that a PORT city was not bombarded.

certainly they had some marginal ships that could be risked in such a high reward operation?

combined with minesweepers and e-boats (wooden hulls couldn't they cross some or all minefields?)

did KM think since they had bottled up the Soviet fleet better to turn cautious?

lost the chance to take Leningrad, still faced the Soviet fleet later in the war, lost all the ships they were trying to preserve.

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LWD
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Re: Why Didn't the Kriegsmarine Support the Seige of Leningr

#17

Post by LWD » 06 Mar 2014, 00:53

Most of the mines were probably contact mines. Mine sweeping is a dangerous buisness in any case. If the mine fields are covered by artillery it's much worse.


steverodgers801
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Re: Why Didn't the Kriegsmarine Support the Seige of Leningr

#18

Post by steverodgers801 » 06 Mar 2014, 04:53

There were the Baltic fleet ships that out gunned what the Germans had.

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Ironmachine
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Re: Why Didn't the Kriegsmarine Support the Seige of Leningr

#19

Post by Ironmachine » 06 Mar 2014, 09:35

And, as has been previously noted in this same thread, a strong coastal artillery force.

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mescal
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Re: Why Didn't the Kriegsmarine Support the Seige of Leningr

#20

Post by mescal » 06 Mar 2014, 10:08

it really is amazing that a PORT city was not bombarded.
Well, Leningrad was bombarded ... by aircraft and land-based siege artillery.
You can expect to achieve similar results without endangering your warships, which are costlier to replace than a Ju-87.
Olivier

Groteska 1
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Re: Why Didn't the Kriegsmarine Support the Seige of Leningr

#21

Post by Groteska 1 » 17 Mar 2014, 04:40

Let's not forget that main guns of heavy units have very limited life's span. Few hundred shots - at the most - and accuracy goes out the window. If one hopes to successfully engaged other giants, than one needs to replace gun barrels. Keep'em fresh :D. Very costly and time consuming procedure, if any are still around to begin with. Aircraft and especially land artillery are much cheaper solution. On top of course of not endangering own side precious Queens of the Seas.

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