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I too, thought Atlanta might do well. She's well built, and should last at least as long as Sydney. And she has an advantage that nothing her size, or even close, can claim--7 gun turrets on the broadside. At this range, I think the number of turrets left operating after the first minute is more important than the caliber. Let's say the torp hit takes out turrets 1-3. That leaves 4 more (double what Sydney had, post torp) that have to be silenced by Kormoran before they can knock out K's 5.9". We know that Sydney's 2 remaining turrets weren't enough to save her, although they were enough to ensure K's destruction. Atlanta has another advantage that most cruisers of the time don't--she has no aircraft and none of the flammables associated. Not sure if Sydney's were part of the fire problem, but it's a good bet they were. In this fight, I think an Atlanta can do better than a 10,000 ton heavy. However, she has a big problem--she doesn't exist at the time of the fight, so is outside the rules of the scenario. Damn.


This talk of a battleship not being enough in this situation seems to count on the BB just sitting there and taking it. From what we know, Sydney was able to wake up and fire back within a few minutes. Even with only one turret operational, she was able to fatally damage Kormoran. It's unreasonable to expect a BB, with far more turrets to silence than Sydney, and some turrets (the most dangerous ones!) being very well armored against 5.9", would not put a hastier end to Kormoran's gunfire. I think it's likely any BB would take LESS damage than Sydney. There are other factors: armored command centers, main turrets that remain operational (at least over the short term) after a torpedo hit, more redundant systems, more DC. A BB can easily survive this fight.

Dave Bender wrote:

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I don't think so. A single 15cm shell hit will likely make the submarine unable to submerge. With a gun range of 1,000 yards someone is going to score that hit. After that the submarine is dead meat.

Launching a seaplane to look at the suspicious ship is the proper solution.

I just saw the underwater pics of Sydney last night. I agree, the accuracy was good enough that the induction valve will be hit within the first minute, IMO. Kintner, your dang sub is toast. Come up with a real ship, not some sneaky metal tube that's designed to sink repeatedly. And give me back the prize.