Exploring the Armament of KMS Bismarck: Size and Specifications

The KMS Bismarck, a renowned German battleship during World War II, was equipped with an impressive range of guns, each designed for specific combat roles. This article delves into details about the various sizes and specifications of the guns on the Bismarck, providing a comprehensive overview of its armament capabilities.

Main Guns: The Mighty 8-inch 38 cm Guns

The KMS Bismarck's primary armament consisted of 8 8-inch (38 cm) 48-caliber guns. These behemoth weapons, each weighing a staggering 111,000 kilograms (109.2 tons), were capable of firing armor-piercing (AP) shells weighing 800 kilograms (1764 pounds) with a maximum range of 35,550 meters (38,880 yards) when elevated to 30 degrees. These guns were incredibly powerful, making them a formidable threat to any enemy ship.

Secondary Guns: The 5.9-inch 15 cm Guns

In addition to the main armament, the Bismarck was fitted with 12 5.9-inch (15 cm) guns, mounted in six twin turrets on either side of the ship. These secondary guns, weighing 9080 kilograms (8.94 tons) each, fired a 45.3 kg (100 lb) shell to a range of 22,000 meters (24,060 yards) at an elevation of 35 degrees. The 5.9-inch guns provided a secondary line of defense and were essential for engaging smaller targets or ships unable to withstand the main armament's devastating power.

Anti-Aircraft Guns: The 10.5 cm Guns

To protect the KMS Bismarck from aerial threats, it carried 16 10.5 cm (4.1-inch) anti-aircraft guns mounted in eight twin mounts, four on each side of the ship. Each of these anti-aircraft guns weighed 4560 kilograms (4.5 tons) and could fire a 15.1 kg (33.3 lb) shell to a range of 12,500 meters (19,360 yards), providing a high ceiling of 41,000 feet (12,500 meters) in the anti-aircraft role. These guns were crucial for keeping enemy aircraft at bay and ensuring the battleship's survival during air attacks.

Conclusion

The armament of KMS Bismarck was a testament to the engineering prowess of the German Navy during World War II. The 8-inch 38 cm guns, 5.9-inch 15 cm secondary guns, and 10.5 cm anti-aircraft guns each served vital roles in maintaining the ship's effectiveness on the battlefield. Understanding the specifications of these weapons sheds light on why the Bismarck was such a formidable adversary in naval engagements.

Key Takeaways:

The 8-inch 38 cm guns were the primary armament, each weighing 111,000 kg and firing 800 kg AP shells. The 5.9-inch 15 cm secondary guns were 9080 kg, firing 45.3 kg shells to a range of 22,000 meters. The 10.5 cm anti-aircraft guns, at 4560 kg each, could fire 15.1 kg shells to 12,500 meters.

For further reading on the technical specifications and impact of the guns on the KMS Bismarck, we recommend diving into historical naval studies and books dedicated to the German fleet during World War II.