prm@aquarium.ecn.purdue.edu (Phil Moyer) (03/25/89)
From: prm@aquarium.ecn.purdue.edu (Phil Moyer)
I am writing a World War II submarine simulation and need to find
some techinical information about naval vessels from that time period.
I would appreciate any pointers to reference documents.
The simulation allows the use of ships from Japan, the United States,
Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Germany and France.
Here are some examples of information that I need:
"Blueprints" and construction details of major classes of capital
ships. I need this information to calculate torpedo hits, damage,
and the effects of that damage on performance. For example, a
torpedo that explodes against a battleship's armor belt will probably
do less damage than one that explodes under the keel. I also need to
know what kind of flooding to expect for damage in different portions
of the ship.
Performance information for major classes of ships. Maximum speed,
normal draft, turning radii, fuel consumption, theoretical and
practical rate of fire for different kinds of gun mounts, etc.
Similar construction and performance data for submarines.
Performance information for various torpedos. Speed, maximum range,
probability of detection under various weather conditions,
releoad rate (this depends on crew experience, I know), year of
availability, and, possibly most important, probability of detonation
through a range of impact angles. I may have to calculate this last
item from actual combat reports if it isn't available anywhere.
Effectiveness of various weapons. For example, how good was ASDIC and
how did the performance vary under different water and weather conditions?
Could radar spot a periscope in calm conditions? Could radar spot a
surfaced submarine under stormy conditions? How close does a depth
charge need to be to cause damage? Do depth charges become more or less
effective as depth increases? How accurate were Hedgehogs?
I also have some tactical questions...
How do you, as a submarine commander, calculate an attack solution on
a target? How many observations do you need to make to carry out
an attack? Do you try to run out far enough ahead of your target that
you can turn perpendicular to the target's course and have the torpedo
hit at a 90 degree angle, or do you have to make do with imperfect
shots most of the time? What are the maximum and minimum ranges that
are practical for a surface or submerged torpedo attack?
>From the other side, what is the most effective use of screening vessels?
What sort of depth charge patterns are most effective? How do you
know where an attack is coming from if your first warning is an exploding
torpedo?
I've been reading a lot of the popular press war stories, but most of
them just say things like, "We surfaced and proceded at flank speed
to an good firing position, where we submerged and waited for our target.
The target arrived and the captain made two periscope observations.
We fired four torpedos; two missed, one hit and exploded, and the last
was a dud. Afterwards, we survived a terrible depth charging." They
don't give many details.
I know I'm asking a lot; any help would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil Moyer
prm@aquarium.ecn.purdue.edu
[mod. note: Sheesh ! Okay, tip #1: Join the US Naval Institute. It's
about $25 per year, and gets you a 20% discount on their excellent library
of nautical books. I don't have the address handy; they're in Annapolis,
so you should be able to get directory information and call them. Another
good organization is the International Naval Research Organization (INRO),
in Toledo, Ohio. They publish "Warship International," and have a book
service of their own.
That said, I'd recommend the following references:
Sigfried Breyer, "Battleships and Battlecruisers, 1905-1970"
This covers every battleship/battlecruiser, plus carriers derived
therefrom, in that period. Lots of data; armor values, torpedo
void thicknesses, and compartmentation and construction diagrams,
along with performance data.
Garzke, Dulin, and Sumrall, "Battleships", in 3 volumes (US, Allied, and
Axis & Neutral)
Excellent detail for WWII battleships (basically, anything
constructed after about 1936). Still more diagrams, plus excellent
analysis of construction and performance. Detailed info on
damage sustained, including diagrams of flooding. Service
histories and comments.
Norman Friedman (?) "Naval Weapons of WWII"
This has everything you want to know about any weapon; guns,
torpedoes, mines, depth charges, etc. Also discussion of gunnery
techniques. Includes range tables, mounting data, ROF's.
Jentsura, Jung, and Mickel, "Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy"
Not much detail, but performance data for all IJN ships, including
armament.
Chesneau, "Aircraft Carriers of the World, 1914 to the Present"
Again, short on detail, but performance and armament for all
aircraft carriers.
Raven and Roberti, "British Cruisers of WWII" and "British Battleships of
WWII"
Excellent detail, design studies, and service histories.
Friedman, "US Cruisers"
Again, superb in-depth study of the design of these ships.
Whitley, "German Cruisers of WWII"
Another excellently detailed work.
Reilly, "United States Navy Destroyers of World War Two"
Lacking on detail, but it does provide performance/armament
info.
Bagnasco, "Submarines of WWII"
Not much by way of design info, but performance/armament data
for all WWII subs.
USNI has still further books available.
Finally, you may want to look at some WWII naval wargames. I suspect
that you really don't need the kind of detail you're considering,
especially if your game is from the submariner's point of view.
Many of these games are quite accurate, and have already digested the
information into a compact form. Of course, copyrights could get in
your way here.
I'd be glad to address any specific information by email.
- Bill ]malloy@nprdc.navy.mil (Sean Malloy) (03/29/89)
From: malloy@nprdc.navy.mil (Sean Malloy) Friedman, Norman: Battleship Design and Development, 1905-1945 U.S. Aircraft Carriers - An Illustrated Design History U.S. Destroyers - An Illustrated Design History If you can get your hands on a copy of one of the first two editions of the modern naval wargame Harpoon (the ones before it was sold to GDW), there are a number of references cited (I'm working from memory, since I can't find my copies at the moment) covering battle damage during WWII -- I think the title of one of them was something like "A Summary of Battle Damage to US Cruisers, Destroyers, and Battleships, 1941-1945". When I find the copies, I will repost with the titles. Sean Malloy Navy Personnel Research & Development Center San Diego, CA 92152-6800 malloy@nprdc.navy.mil