HMS Hood vs Bismarck : How Much Further Could Bismarck Fire Than Hood?

HMS Hood vs Bismarck : How Much Further Could Bismarck Fire Than Hood?

Battleships

The HMS Hood and the Bismarck were both renowned battleships during World War II, representing the best of the best of the British Royal Navy and the German Kriegsmarine, respectively. Although, the best battleship from a career standpoint would definitely fall to Warspite. Anyway, both Bismarck & Hood were equipped with powerful main guns capable of firing at significant ranges. In many historian’s minds either ship could have won.

More details. Partial restoration (spots removed, but no levels adjustment) of a 1924 photo by Allan C. Green of HMS Hood (pennant number 51), the last battlecruiser built for the Royal Navy.

In fact USS New Jersey curator Ryan Szimanski told Rebellion Research that he believes Hood sank due to Bismarck scoring a “magic bullet” hit on her. However, many other historians simply point to a much more modern warship taking on a ship that was decades old. Cambridge Professor Julian Lindley French believes that Hood represents a lack of investment on the part of the government in the Royal Navy at the time. While others point to Hood’s recent refitting as evidence she was ready to fight Bismarck.

More details. Explosion of HMS Hood – eyewitness sketch

Hood was armed with eight 15-inch (381 mm) Mark I guns that had a maximum range of approximately 29,000 yards (26.5 kilometers) when using super-charged ammunition and firing at an elevation of 30 degrees. This was the maximum elevation for Hood’s guns.

The Bismarck, on the other hand, was outfitted with eight 15-inch (380 mm) SK C/34 guns. These could reach a maximum range of around 36,520 yards (33.4 kilometers) when firing at an elevation of up to 30 degrees.

More details. Stapellauf 14.2.1939 Blohm & Voss in Hamburg. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. – http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-fornv/germany/gersh-b/bismk-v.htm

Theoretically, the Bismarck could outshoot the HMS Hood by a margin of about 7,000 yards (6.4 kilometers), assuming both ships were using their guns at maximum elevation and with the appropriate charges. However, it’s important to note that the effective range during actual combat conditions would likely be less for both ships. Due to factors such as the need for accurate fire control, which becomes increasingly challenging at extreme ranges.

Propulsion

• HMS Hood: Powered by 24 Yarrow boilers driving four turbo-generators and four propellers, Hood could reach speeds up to 32 knots (59 km/h). Her power output was approximately 144,000 shaft horsepower.
• Bismarck: Bismarck’s propulsion system comprised 12 high-pressure Wagner boilers, which powered three geared turbines. She could achieve a top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h) with a power output of 138,000 shaft horsepower.

Armor

• HMS Hood: Hood had a belt armor thickness of up to 12 inches (305 mm) and deck armor up to 3 inches (76 mm). However, her deck protection was notably thinner than contemporary battleships, which later proved to be a critical vulnerability.
• Bismarck: Bismarck featured belt armor up to 12.6 inches (320 mm) and deck armor up to 4.7 inches (120 mm). She was considered one of the best-protected ships of her time, with a comprehensive armor scheme that covered vital areas.

Design and Construction

• HMS Hood: Launched in 1918, HMS Hood was the last battlecruiser built for the Royal Navy. She was designed during World War I, which influenced her design ethos to favor speed over armor. Hood was the lead ship of her class and was intended to counter the German battlecruiser threat.
• Bismarck: Launched in 1939, Bismarck was one of the two Bismarck-class battleships designed in the interwar period. She was built with a more modern design philosophy that emphasized both firepower and armor protection, reflecting the lessons learned from World War I.

Dimensions

• HMS Hood: Hood had a length of 860 feet (262 meters), a beam of 104 feet (31.8 meters), and a draught of 32 feet (9.8 meters). Her standard displacement was approximately 42,100 tons.
• Bismarck: Bismarck measured 823 feet (251 meters) in length, had a beam of 118 feet (36 meters), and a draught of 30 feet (9.3 meters). Her standard displacement was around 41,700 tons.

Armament

• HMS Hood: The main battery consisted of eight 15-inch (381 mm) Mk I guns in four twin turrets, complemented by a secondary armament of twelve 5.5-inch (140 mm) guns, eight 4-inch (102 mm) anti-aircraft guns, and 24 smaller-caliber guns for close-range defense.
• Bismarck: Her main battery included eight 15-inch (380 mm) SK C/34 guns in four twin turrets. Bismarck’s secondary armament, composed of twelve 5.9-inch (150 mm) guns, sixteen 4.1-inch (105 mm) anti-aircraft guns, and various smaller anti-aircraft artillery.

1941. Bundesarchiv, Bild 193-24-2-11 / CC-BY-SA 3.0

HMS Hood vs Bismarck