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Post by edrotondaro on Apr 30, 2018 12:52:14 GMT -6
Hi:
I just thought I would start a little discussion on the use of the Proximity fuse in WWII, specifically by the USN in the Pacific campaign. I am pretty familiar with the development of the technology and the fact that it was first used successfully by the USS Helena in mid 1943 against a IJN night intruder. What I am curious about is the distribution of said ammunition. Obviously such AA shells were more expensive than a standard fused shell. How were they distributed to ships? Did they get them after a refit? Were they earmarked for the newest construction? Was there a quota per ship? Were there guidelines for when to use them such perhaps only at night or against massed attacks such as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot? Does anyone have any info on this? Thanks.
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Post by oldpop2000 on Apr 30, 2018 18:42:44 GMT -6
Hi: I just thought I would start a little discussion on the use of the Proximity fuse in WWII, specifically by the USN in the Pacific campaign. I am pretty familiar with the development of the technology and the fact that it was first used successfully by the USS Helena in mid 1943 against a IJN night intruder. What I am curious about is the distribution of said ammunition. Obviously such AA shells were more expensive than a standard fused shell. How were they distributed to ships? Did they get them after a refit? Were they earmarked for the newest construction? Was there a quota per ship? Were there guidelines for when to use them such perhaps only at night or against massed attacks such as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot? Does anyone have any info on this? Thanks. Hi Mate: By 1943, only 25 percent of AA ammunition issued to the fleet was proximity fused but it accounted for fifty percent of the IJN aircraft shot down. This was 300 % more effective and by the end of the war, this figure had risen to 600% percent. The first amount of VT fuses was about 5000, issue to three ships. They were shipped and issued during UNREP's but generally they were issued during regular supply replenishments at forward supply bases as the war progress, it was safer. There was no real quota, but my guess is the escorts would have gotten the bulk of them. As to guidelines, my guess is that it depended on the severity of the attack. At night your radar would have to have a good fix on the incoming raid and as it got closer, only flares and visual would be available. Hope this is a good start
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Post by Airy W on May 25, 2018 10:03:30 GMT -6
There was no real quota, but my guess is the escorts would have gotten the bulk of them. When you say escorts do you mean just the DDs or everything up to the Iowas?
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Post by oldpop2000 on May 25, 2018 10:31:06 GMT -6
There was no real quota, but my guess is the escorts would have gotten the bulk of them. When you say escorts do you mean just the DDs or everything up to the Iowas? My definition is destroyers and destroyer escort plus destroyer leaders along with the light cruisers that would be considered destroyer leaders. However, battleships escorting carriers and heavy cruisers could be included. I have never seen any real ammunition loadouts for any of the ships. That might be something to explore for me.
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Post by Airy W on May 25, 2018 11:42:32 GMT -6
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Post by oldpop2000 on May 25, 2018 11:48:38 GMT -6
Excellent, I always appreciate good articles. I printed it to a PDF file and placed it on my desktop.
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Post by oldpop2000 on May 25, 2018 15:31:39 GMT -6
Most ships carried about 2000 rounds of 40 mm ammunition per gun per ship. Here is the information on the 5" 38. VT rounds, by 1944, were supplied in a ratio of three round of VT for every common round of AA ordnance. Source: Navweaps
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