Battle report on the use of the BTM (Battleship Torpedo Monitor)
Summary:
In a combined arms battle, including BTM, a superior enemy gun line was smashed. The reasons for it isn't what was expected. The BTM is very effective contributor to combined arms.
Conclusion:
BTM is valid. The BTM needs some torpedoes but doesn't necessarily benefit from having a huge number. With the destroyers going in alongisde and ahead of a BTM the destroyers are much more able to get onto target.
BTMs need to be used aggressively into the enemy fleet. They must also watch for their damage levels which will climb quickly. Disengage around 60% or more damage.
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Friendly Forces:
Germany (player controlled)
Scout Force
3 of BTM in the "cruiser" leading the sub-fleet, 30+ torps per BTM, these are the first design 25 knots "slow" BTM
(Thunderchlild, Thundercloud and Thunderclap)
~9 of DD of ~9-12 torps ea attached to them
Battle fleet
3 of BB good quality, conventional design
~15 of DD ~9-12 torps each
1 of CVL 20 TRB 14 Ftr
1 Cruiser (assiged to guard the CVL)
Carrier Fleet
1 CV 36 TRB 28 FTR
3 CVL each ~20 TRB 14 FTR
2 BC escort
2 CA escort
14 DD ~9-12 torps each
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Enemy Force
9 of BB/BC of conventional design and mixed progression. From 14 inch/22 knts to 16in/faster.
est 1 CVL
est 8 CL
est 20+ DDs
Other vessels suspected escorting the CVL in a detached group
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Theatre:
English channel, east side, starting in the North Sea
Objective:
Shore bombardment near Harwich
Winds:
(Important as carriers would have to turn this way into the wind.)
From the SE.
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Sequence of events:
In the opening the planes the floatplanes from BC, BB, BTM and CA were sent out. Carrier attack groups where readied.
On an aerial sighting the enemy approximate strength and disposition was known. Their gun line was coming up the mid channel while the carrier was in the east near the coast of France.
The carrier attack groups were sent to several points. ~16 TRB squadron with a 2-4 fighters each team. Multiple positons were selected to catch the enem formation which might still maneuver. Each position getting 1 or 2 attack teams.
The Scouting BTM and Main gun BB gun had been sailing toward the bombardment target. There was a risk the enemy carrier might slip around behind our lines to engage our carriers which would have to keep turning SE into the wind. The BTM and BB were turned east-southeast.
Ship to ship sighting occured of the main nemy force as they were coming out the middle of east side of the channel.
As per the experimental doctrine the 3 BTMs were steered at max 25 knots toward an intercept with the enemy 9 BB/BC gun line. Accompanying them were the destroyers put on 33 knots and likewise steered for the enemy. Flotilla attack command was given.
Meanwhle our 3 BB battle line went for an oblique approach so that their aft turrets would fire. Their DDs were kept with them for now.
The enemy response was steering ESE. They really wanted to keep both for and aft turrets firing at the BTM, which quickly had become the closest major warship. This near perpinicular sailing meant the time for the BTM and their DDs was reduced.
An air attack group engaged with it is believed one of the ~16 TRB squadrons. An aerial torp hit was given to the enemy but nothing devastating. The enemy formtion was disrupted briefly by the steering to avoid. This disruption also added to the rate of closure of the DDs from the BTM group.
Normally the enemy ships turn tail toward rushing DDs but they didn't. By now the BTM and enemy gun lines were scoring hits on each other at moderate range. On the enemy's port bow was our 3 BB gun line also scoring long range hits.
The next few minutes was a burst of deadly activity.
Our destroyers were in among the enemy perpindicular 9 BB/BC gun line. 1 was slowed by that aerial torp hit. A huge slew of DD torps swarmed the area scoring multiple hits on multiple enemy capital ships.
The BTM team was examined with two (2) roughly 60% damage in both superstructure and flotation damage. One BTM even took a torp hit, likely from a friendly. The BTMs had so far not fired torpedoes. The damaged two would soon be detached to fall out while the third pressed on as per its designed battle plan.
There was suddenly two or three flash fires exploding enemy battleships.
It is suspected that the BTMs with their heavy 15 in guns at minimal ranges were puncturing enemy turret armor. It could also be that in the now chaotic battle turrets were being hit in the sides or rear where the armor is thinner.
The BTM Thunderclap was steered toward various slowed or stopped enemy battleships. Now it was firing its torpedoes in singles (possibly the side submerged tubes) and only rarely a spread of four (likely from the deck tubes).
It was important to note that the BTM that did get in was continuely used aggressively. It sought out close action for torpedo exchanges risking being hit by enemy torps.
The enemy escorting DD and CL did not stay close to their BB/BC. Likely they were terrified of the BTM.
Occasionaly shifting air groups would join in and make aerial torpedo runs.
In one of the quickest slaughters I have ever seen the nine BB/BC of the enemy where annihalated.
2 of 3 BTM suffered heavy damage. Several of our destroyers were lost, as often happens. Minimal damage elsewhere in the fleet.
In an estimated 2 hours my fleets where now in mop up hunting down DD and CL while the surviving BTM was chugging off to the bombardment target.
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Lessons learned:
BTM can work.
BTM does need speed to close on the enem force. 25 knots is a minimum as damage will soon lower that to only catching wounded enemies. 27+ knot BTM would be useful.
BTM don't need huge amounts of torpedoes. Only a few were fired. Having the torpedoes though did scare the enemy and did mean it was worth bringing the BTM in close. 5 submerged with 8+ deck tubes would be the minimum.
BTM does need a heavy turret. At close ranges it will cause flash fires on enemy ships. Also it is believed to have been what scared off the enemy DD/CL escort.
Other combined arms element are still good to have. Slower and stronger BB, swarms of torpedo DDs and carrier aviation. The BTM adds another tool with complementary strengths and weaknesses that makes it even harder for the enemy to survive.
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PS.
I saved the BTM battle at the start. IIRC the game files are two large to append but if someone messages me I can send it to them for their own tactics test.