Floating Torpedo Batteries of the Kriegsmarine

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Thank you so much for the information so far on floating torpedo batteries of the Kriegsmarine. It was a little known topic.

Edward L. Hsiao

[Stephan]

Beaching assaults were not common until 1943. Torpedoes are mostly useless against vessels with low draft like landing craft.
Torpedo batteries were security measures against larger ships: Think of Oscarsborg/Oslo and what it did with the Blücher.

Yes, the usual story is about the gallant action of the old 28cm cannon battery in Dröbak whom fired successfully at Blücher sinking it. And they add, afterwards the torpedo battery also gave a salvo, helping with the sinking.

Im not doubting the old barely manned battery had a heroic action. but guys, lets not joke. 2 shots of old 28 cm cannons would never ever sink a modern heavy cruiser, even if both projectiles did hit. (As I read, they had barely men to skeleton man 2 of the 4 old cannons, and thus no possibilites to a quick reloading. So in practice, they had only 2 prepared shots to give). (they presumedly did hit, mainly because they shoot more or less on point blank).
Nay, the result was more to alarm all around, than to make a devastating destruction.

Its clear for all analysis, it must be the barely mentioned torpedoes from this shore torpedo battery which did the major part of the destruction and sinking of Blücher... Its only torpedoes here which could sink a modern heavy cruiser almost instantly. 2 torpedo hits could be enough, no?

Of course, the fires onboard started by the cannon battery, surely helped much to aim. Still the sinking as such was apparently done by the torpedo battery.

[Polar bear]

hi,

I tend to disagree. Fire in a ship is always dangerous (not only in Greek ferries).

In WW II, it was fire that destroyed the japanese carriers at Midway and TAIHO in the Philippine Sea, not the bomb or torpedo damage

AFAIK, in the case of BLÜCHER, there was a lot of Otto fuel on the decks not for the Arado, but, e.g., for the embarked troops`motorcycles.

greetings, the pb

[danebrog]

Yes, the usual story is about the gallant action of the old 28cm cannon battery in Dröbak

Not to forget the 15-cm guns from battery Kopas, who also made approx. 20 hits.
Decisive was the fact the majority of hits from artillery and torpedoes were concentrated midships and caused the massive devastation with large fires who finally went out of control whilst the ship was without power

[Stephan]

Yes, the usual story is about the gallant action of the old 28cm cannon battery in Dröbak

Not to forget the 15-cm guns from battery Kopas, who also made approx. 20 hits.
Decisive was the fact the majority of hits from artillery and torpedoes were concentrated midships and caused the massive devastation with large fires who finally went out of control whilst the ship was without power

OK, so it was a good combo of hits and causes, including large fires. This most hits were midships is of course no coincidence, it was surely the short distance, them shooting in reality point blank. And of course aiming midships, as is the easiest if you arent a crack shooter... So most hits were midships, and not a random serie hits spread everywhere, as from shootings from waaay afar.

Im not saying Im a great expert on sea warfare. But in the description on the battles on Guadalcanal, one of the battles was between american heavy cruisers (I presume equivalent to Blücher) and two japanese older battle ships with 356 mm cannons, loaded with exploding projectiles. (they were on way to bombard shore positions, so they didnt had much panzer breaking ammo).
The author told; a modern heavy cruiser was constructed to manage 5-6 hits with such 356 mm projectiles, before it become unable for any further fight.

That is why Im so sure, 2 hits from 280 mm cannons, wouldnt never ever be enough. And even not with added 20 15 cm hits. Even if 150 cm was good enough to cause some damage. (next question is if the 150 was exploding or panzer breaking ammo - its some difference).
So I still think, torpedoes to finish it off was necessary.
And as we said in the tread; some uncontrolled fires did certainly help too....

Nothing is alike a combo!