String Bags Help Sink The Bismarck
by The Fairey Sworfish torpedo Bombers helped in the sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck in WWII.
The String-bags help sink the Bismarck!
On May 27th 1941 “Fairey Swordfish” Torpedo bombers attacked the pride of the German naval fleet the “Bismarck” the Bismarck was the Germans biggest and most heavily armed war ship ever built for WWII. Adolf Hitler Germany’s leader ordered the newly commissioned warship to disrupt and sink as many English convoy ships as possible!
The ancient looking Fairey Swordfish circa 1940
Flt Sgt Smith put his forearms on the guard rail and stood next to Captain Eve and said,
“Eve you ok? You look worried talk to me, maybe I can help?”
Capt. Eve drew in a large breath then spoke,
“Its just the odds Serg, those Swordfishes are ancient, hell they don’t even break 150knots flat out! How are we supposed to hit the pride of Germany’s fleet the mighty Bismarck with err a “String bag”
Sergeant Smith shook his head from side to side then spoke,
“Now listen Eve, the Fairey Swordfish is old, its even a biplane still but that could be your advantage Capt your so slow the Germans wont be able to hit you!”
Serg Eve slapped the young pilot on the back and wondered off towards the engineering bays.
HMS Ark Royal had been despatched to intercept the Bismarck before she could enter the French port of “Brest” where its hardened bunkers and anti-aircraft batteries could shield the Bismarck. Previously the Bismarck had sunk the pride of the British Navy “HMS Hood” with over a thousand crew dead. Winston Churchill had ordered the sinking of the Bismarck as priority over all other naval tasks.
The pride of the German Navy “Bismarck”
Capt Eve checked his straps in the cockpit of his Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber. The gunner who sat behind the pilot gave the thumbs up. A deck engineer swung the propeller through 360degrees then the Bristol Pegasus IIM.3 Radial engine coughed into life. The oil pressure rose nicely and the deck controller dropped the flag which signalled the departure of 15 Fairey Swordfishes from HMS Ark Royal.
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Post CommentIdlepen
On July 4, 2010 at 10:05 am
Highly informative post. Carry on my friend…
Anuradha Ramkumar
On July 4, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Wow is what I have to say when I read this article. Very informative. I really learnt something new today.
drelayaraja
On July 4, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Wonderful write.. Nice info
Snooky
On July 4, 2010 at 1:44 pm
It took me a minute to figure out why they were being ccalled string bags until the torpedo went through the wing with little damage-then it hit me. More excitement from you-I love it.
mo hoyal
On July 4, 2010 at 2:42 pm
This was incredibly good. Not always is big the best, my dear Lord B!
papaleng
On July 5, 2010 at 4:06 am
So hard to believe that a biplane sunk Hitler’s top-of-the-line then warship. somewhat a David-Goliath affair. Thanks pal for sharing this very interesting post
write4money
On July 6, 2010 at 7:59 am
In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.
Sceptical Thinker
On July 8, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Yes even the most up to date technology has its Achilles Heel …which is one of the reasons why a modern army can be thwarted by a determined group with the crudest of weapons. Informative read !