Battleship NJ VS Bismarck: Guns!

In this episode we're talking about the difference between Bismarck and New Jersey, in particular the difference between the two types of main battery guns.

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[ericenglund]

My grandchild came and looked over my shoulder; "Is that man reading the shells a bedtime story?"

[jamesrichardson]

If New Jersey and Tirpitz had met, you can be sure movies and documentaries would be available for us to watch. Interesting video Ryan.

[tonepoem]

9 years ago I purchased a book “BATTLESHIP MISSOURI An Illustrated History” by Paul Stillwell. It is almost the same size book and it is just as heavy. And the reason why I was interested in purchasing this particular book is because of my three years tour on the Battleship Missouri BB-63 (1985-1988) OA Division.

[TAJ]

In memory of all comrades, of all nations, who never came home... RiP 😢 peaceful greetings from Germany - ExF213 Augsburg

Thx for the Video

[Alpheus]

The German guns also used vertically sliding breech blocks, as opposed to the more common interrupted screw breech.

[dagreatevil]

I just got myself a Bismarck Bible! My favorite book as a kid was a nice illustrated book about the Bismarck and Dr. Ballard discovering it.

[ET_Don]

@8:42 Describing a shell as being "Only 5 feet tall" is kinda funny. Great video Ryan.

[fountainvalley]

The most important thing you didn’t cover was the fire control system. Doesn’t matter what the gun is if it is not hitting the target.

[phil_]

I think those German gun crews were some of the best. Their commander let them down when he phoned home.

[steveridgewaynrtgo]

It was interesting and informative having the explanation of 50 caliber guns. I often wondered how large and small guns could both be referred to as the same.

[jmullner]

I like "Story Time with Ryan" surrounded by shells.

[billweare]

Story time is my favorite. Thanks for explaining the meaning of caliber in relation to the size of the shells.

[martinhiemstra]

I have 4 Bismarck books and have watched "Sink the Bismarck" many times. I've always believed German acting in war movies is the best. I'm of Dutch descent. I felt sorry for the German officers and sailors of Bismarck because they were on a suicide mission as Bismarck was badly outnumbered. The first gunnery officer Schneider said so himself. The interplay between the Lutjens and Lindemann actors is extremely interesting and sophisticated. When Bismarck is nearly done for at the end and all is lost. Lindemann asks Lütjens "where is your Luftwaffe now sir?" as a cheap shot that reveals the antagonistic relationship between the two at the end. Captain Lindemann was Germany's top naval gunner. And a former commandant of the German naval gunnery school and was involved in ship design in the 1930s. As a little boy he dreamed of being a captain of a German warship and going down with his ship as a glorious naval warrior. Eyewitnesses in the water say Lindemann was still alive before Bismarck sunk. He was hanging on to the foremast at the stem and saluted the men in the water as the ship rolled over. It's enough to make you cry.😪

[Janet-mo]

Because of your recommendation, I bought that book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Great book for interested people and it really is massive.

[F-Man]

Would love to see a similar comparison with the Iowa’s and Yamato’s main battery!

[garyhill]

Ryan, you always come up with videos that get me engrossed and I can't stop watching when I should be going to sleep!

[TTTT-oceb]

Rate of fire during a battle doesn't always give a good indication of max ROF. During the battle of the Denmark Strait, the three first salvos from Bismarck were ranging salvoes - thereafter followed three quick salvoes, before she shifted her fire to POW - then a torpedo alarm from Prinz Eugen caused a break, before POW got away. In 13 minutes of action she fired 93 rounds.

[Klemeq]

I think another great gun specific comparison would be the US 45 and US 50 cal 16" along with the Japanese 16.1" of Nagato and the UK's 16" on NelRod.

And all of your metrics were great. Please add, if available, concrete penetration against hardened targets as well as the angle of impact at any given compared range.

Thanks again for another great video!!!

[kenstahler]

I always wondered what caliber the Bismarck's guns were because in pictures they always seemed longer than other battleships guns. Wasn't sure if it was just the angle of the pics or they really were longer. Thanks for the info. Keep up the good work

[dhalz]

Ryan, do you ever take a second and enjoy the fact that you have the coolest job in the world?