The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare 02

The

Illustrated

Encyclopedia of 20th Century

The

Illustrated

Encyclopedia of 20th Century

EAPONS ARFARE AND

VOLUME 2 Anab/Aviocar

The

Illustrated

Encyclopedia of 20th Century

EAPONS A R FA RE AND

8 COLUMBIA HOUSF./Xew

York

Editor: Bernard Fitzsimons

Designer: David Harper Editorial Assistants: Suzanne Pearce

Robin Cross Sarie Forster

Will Fowler Production:

Tony Holdsworth

Picture Research: Diane Rich Editorial Director:

Graham Donaldson

BERNARD FITZSIMONS, General Editor ANTONY PRESTON. Naval Consultant BILL GUNSTON, Aviation Consultant IAN V. HOGG, Land Weapons Consultant

JOHN BATCHELOR,

Illustrator

Cover Design: Harry \V. Fasi Production Manager: Stephen Charkow •

HiuikII

x.

Sons Ltd

1967

( l

*>''

Phoebus Publishing Company/ BPC Publishing Ltd. Distributed bv Columbia House, \\c-i 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019 Printed in the United States of America i

.">

I

1971

"...before these

have seen

how

weapons

of the gods

the proudest palaces

loftiest trees fall

you must and the

and perish." Polymnia, Book

HERODOTUS:

7,

Chapter 10

INTRODUCTION This volume continues

modern

lar array of

to present a spectacu-

military hardware, cover-

and the projected A -9 'A-10 two-stage

V-2)

missile designed to

bombard the Eastern SeaStates. Volume Two fea-

ing the whole spectrum and the entire span of

board of the United

20th Century development.

tures the Atlas, the

first

become operational

in the

One

most fascinating aspects of

of the

work

is

way

the

ally build

tip

the individual entries gradu-

into an interrelated pattern.

around which the A-10 was designed. As well as a photograph of the gun and diagrams of the there

is

a spectacular

sequence of pho-

tographs showing the weapon's formidable tank-bursting power as an

M4 5

is

reduced

to

rubble.

As the Encyclopedia builds up. the pattern will gradually

become complete,

so that the

weapons carried by any ship or aircraft will be discussed in greater detail under their own headings.

way

Another part of the pattern which the development of particular classes of weapon can be traced. In Volume One. for example, we saw the German wartime A-4 for the

States,

to

and

future entries will bring the story right up to date.

Occasionally, entries: In

in

too.

we

will

present general

Volume Two we have one on arm-

ored personnel carriers fAPCs). This entry follows the development of the

German and American

War

APC

from the

half-tracks of

World

and highly sophisticated APCs and MICT's (mechanized infantry combat vehicles) of todav— including a cutaway drawing of the standard Soviet BTR-60. II to

the widely used

In addition, the Artillery Review continues

with German field

and

light

medium The medium

antitank,

recoilless guns.

flak,

flak

section should be of particular interest, since it

is

United

ICBM

this

Anyone intrigued bv the Air Force's neve A-10, featured in Volume One. will find here a detailed analysis of the GAU-8 Avenger Cannon

shells,

multistage

features the

'881

The

since the

the

flak

guns—the famed noteworthy,

German weapons of this type were be used in World War II. during German paratroop attack on Crete.

first to

the great

8.8-CM

recoilless guns, too, are

Andrea Doria An-12 Soviet

aircraft

See Cub

An-22 Soviet

aircraft

See Cock

Anab

(AA-3)

Soviet air-to-air missile. This medium-range missile, first seen on the Yak-28P Firebar interceptor in 1961, has been built in large numbers. Of the two versions produced one has infrared guidance and the other semiactive radar homing. The basic missile has a cylindrical body with a bullet-like nose containing the homing head, proximity fuze and high-explosive warhead. Control is achieved by steerable foreplanes which act in conjunction with cruciform delta wings. The nozzle of the solid-fuel rocket motor is concealed by a tail cap which streamlines the missile before release. Effective range is probably about 8-10 km (5-6 miles). Advanced versions of Anab have improved guidance systems but it is not clear if the rocket motor has been uprated. Aircraft operating the weapon include the Su-11 Fishpot C (two missiles) and Su-15 Flagon (two missiles). In the case of the Su15 missiles operate in conjunction with Skip Spin X-band radar which acquires a target at distances of about 40 km (25 miles). A similar

system was used

in the

Yak-28P which

is

no

longer operational.

Sometimes missiles, eg

Advanced

aircraft carry a mix of different two Advanced Anabs and two

Atolls.

Length: 360-400

cm

(11

in)

cm

(142-157

Span: 130

cm

(51

in)

Diameter: 28

in)

Anatra Russian reconnaissance

aircraft.

During the

World War one of the largest aircraft firms in Russia was the A. A. (Zavod) Anatra, with plants at Odessa and Simferopol. It began by producing French Voisin bombers and Nieuport scouts, and in 1915 went into production with the Anatra VI (VoisinIvanov), a development of the Voisin Type 5 managed by Lt V Ivanov. These machines often crashed, usually owing to inferior materials or workmanship rather than to First

/

eventually some survivors managed to fight their way past the Reds, right across Siberia and to freedom, several making it back to the new state of Czechoslovakia. (Anatra DS) Span: 12.37 m (40 ft 7 in) Length.BA (26 ft 7 in) Gross weight: 1164 kg (2566 lb)

m

Maximum

speed: 144 km/h (89.5 mph).

Andrea Doria

giving a maximum speed of 22 knots; her length was 176 metres, her beam was 28 metres, and her draught 8.9 metres. Her normal displacement was 23 000 tons, and her full load displacement was 24000 tons. In 1915 Andrea Doria joined the 2nd Battleship Division of the Battle Squadron at Taranto and she remained there, except for occasional short sorties, for the rest of the war. By November 1918 she was the flagship of the Italian Naval C-in-C, Vice-Admiral

In the years immediately preceding the First World War, the Italians conducted their own naval race against the Austro-Hungarian navy, and built up a large fleet of new ships. These included six Dreadnought battleships, of which the last two to be completed were Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio. Andrea Doria was built at the Royal Naval yard, La Spezia. Laid down in August 1910 and launched in August 1911, she was

Ernesto Solari.

completed

calibre

Italian battleship.

in April

1915.

As with all Italian Dreadnought battleships of this period, most of the guns, turrets and armour were made in Britain and shipped out to Italy, where they were fitted in the ships. The guns and turrets were designed by the British firm of Vickers, although the overall design was an Italian responsibility. Andrea Doria' s main armament of 13 12-in main guns was carried in three triple and two twin turrets. The foremast, centre, and aftermast turrets were triple, and the superfiring turrets fore and aft were twin, to save weight. She had a secondary armament of 16 6-in guns in casemates, six 3-in antiaircraft guns and three 17.7-in torpedo tubes. The main difference between her and the preceding Ca vour Class was that Andrea Dona carried her centre turret one deck lower, and her 6-in secondary armament was in two separate groups fore and aft, whereas Cavour's 4.7-in guns were in one group amidships. Andrea Doria was fitted with 4-shaft geared steam turbines, developing 34000 shp,

With her sister ship Caio Duilio she was completely rebuilt between April 1937 and October 1940.

A new bow

fitted, the original

and stern were

engines and boilers and the

centre main turret were removed and the space used for new boilers and engines, and a completely new superstructure was fitted

above them.

Her

guns were bored-out to 12. 6-in and their maximum elevation was increased from 20° to 27°. They could now fire

12-in

a 525-kg (1157-lb) armour-piercing shell

28600 m, compared with the original guns which could fire a 417-kg (919-lb) armourpiercing shell 18 000 m (19685 yds), and they now outranged most British and French battleships. A completely new secondary armament of 12 5. 3-in guns in twin turrets amidships was provided, and 10 3.5-in antiaircraft guns were also fitted. She was also given antitorpedo Pugliese protection, but the main armour was not altered. This was the weakest feature of what was now virtually a new fast battleship.

She had a relatively uneventful war. During the British raid on Taranto in November 1940 she was lucky to be missed by two torpedoes, both of which exploded beyond her. She did not take part in any of the fleet actions, and sailed to surrender at Malta in

September 1943. Andrea Doria did not form part of the Italian reparations payments, and with Caio

The Italian Dreadnought Andrea Doria shortly after the Armistice. Note the AA guns on crown of No 4 turret, and the tripod masts arranged in front of the tall funnels

the

inherent faults, and gave Anatra a bad reputation that hurt its later machines. During 1917 the main production type was the quite different Anatra D (D for Dekar, the designer) or Ana-De, a tractor biplane based on the German Albatros B-series. Powered by a 100-hp Gnome Monosoupape, the D did not deserve the bad name it inherited from the VI, though there was a run of crashes in mid-1917 when, because of severe shortages of good wood, Anatra were allowed to make their main spars in sections, glued over a 12in length and wrapped with glued fabric. About 205 were delivered, mostly armed with a 7.62-mm machine-gun fired by the observer in the rear cockpit. By mid- 19 17 the company was producing the final version, the Anatra DS or Ana-Sal, with 150-hp Salmson (Canton-Unne) watercooled radial engine. About 80 were completed by the 1917 revolution, armed with one

and one movable machine-gun. A number of DS served with the Czechoslovak

fixed

legions

fighting

with the White Russians;

113

Andrea Doha Duilio remained part of the Italian navy, where she was used as a training ship, until she was discarded in November 1956. (As rebuilt 1937-1940) Displacement: 26000 tons (standard), 28900 tons (full load) Length: 186.9 m (613 ft 2in) Beam: 28 m (91 ft 10 in) Draught: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in) Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines, 75000 shp=27 knots Protection: 254 (10 in) side; 138 (51 in deck; 280 (1 1 in) main turrets Armament: 10 12.6-in (320-mm); 12 5.3-in (135-mm); 10 3.5-in (89-mm); 19 37-mm; 12 20-mm Crew: 1485

mm

mm

mm

I

ANDREA DORIA

Andrea Doria was the smallest ship that the Harrier had operated from.

Andrea Doria Italian cruiser class. After the

Second World

War

the Italians were faced with the problem of rebuilding their navy. At first they concentrated on destroyers and light escorts, and produced some very innovative designs. Then, in the mid-1950s, they turned their attention to the use of shipborne antisubmarine helicopters. Destroyers and frigates fitted to carry one or at most two small helicopters, but it would be much more effective to carry larger numbers, so that a greater area could be searched at one time and to allow for unserviceabiJity. The result was the two ships of the Andrea Doria Class {Andrea Doria was originally to

could be

The Andrea Dorias

also have

two

Landing the Hawker Siddeley Harrier on the helicopter deck of the Andrea Doria

triple

12.75-in torpedo tubes as close-range antisub-

marine armament. They are both very beamy in relation to their length, which gives them a large landing pad for their size, and they are

with Gyrofin-Salmorraghi stabilizers. are a very sensible design for Mediterranean warfare, and the idea was soon copied by other countries. The one problem is the limited number of helicopters that can be carried, and other vessels of this type are considerably larger. The Italians fitted

They

have also built a larger version, Vittorio Veneto, which operates nine helicopters from a hull of 2000 tons greater displacement.

named Enrico Dandolo):

be

Displacement: 6000 tons (standard), 7500 tons load) Length: 149.3 m (489 ft 10 in) Beam: 17.2 m (56 ft 4 in) Draught: 5 m (16 ft 5 in) Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines, 60000 shp=30 knots Armament: 1 twin AA missile launcher; 8 3-in (76-mm) AA guns; 6 12.75-in (32.4-cm) torpedo tubes (two triple) Aircraft: 4 helicopters Crew: 478

designed by Cesare Laurenti and built by

Andrea Provana

FIAT-San Giorgio. None of them was completed in time to take an effective part in the war. The transfer

(full

Name

laid

down

launched

completed

Andrea Doria

5/1958

2/1963

2/1964

Caio Duilio

5/1958

12/1962

11/1964

These were a completely new type of warship, and were designed to protect a convoy against both air and submarine attack. They were given a twin Terrier medium-range antiaircraft missile launcher forward, and eight 3-in fully automatic guns in single turrets arranged four on each side of the superstructure amidantiaircraft

ships.

The superstructure

aft of the second funnel a hangar for the four helicopters, which operate from a 30 m x 16 landing pad right aft. The helicopters are two pairs of AgustaBell 204B antisubmarine helicopters. These work in tandem, one of each pair carrying sonar and the other carrying two Mk 44 antisubmarine torpedoes. They are to be replaced by more modern helicopters, each of which can carry sonar and torpedoes, thereby doubling the ships' striking force. The landing pad on Andrea Doria was also used in 1969 for landing trials by the British VTOL Harrier aircraft. At that time the is

m

114

Italian

submarine

class.

Italian

submarine

years immediately before the First World War was amongst the best in the world. The British Admiralty ordered four submarines (the 'S' Class) designed by the Italian Cesare Laurenti from the Clydeside firm of Scotts as part of an attempt to

design

in the

improve

their

own

boats.

However, the Italian shipbuilding industry was relatively small, and when Italy declared war in May 1915 she still had very few submarines in service. There was an urgent need for medium and small submarines operate

to

Adriatic against Italy's principal enemy, Austria-Hungary. Italy therefore immediately commenced construction of the small 'F' and 'N' Classes, midget 'A' Class

and

in the

medium-sized

Andrea Provana Class

submarines.

There

were

four

Andrea

Provanas,

of the British

some way

'S'

and 'W' classes had gone

make good

Italy's shortage of submarines, but the major reason for their long construction times was steel shortage.

to

laid

down

launched

completed

Agostino Barbarigo

10/1915

11/1917

9/1918

Andrea Provana

10/1915

1/1918

9/1918

10/1915

9/1918

8/1919

10/1915

7/1918

Name

Giacomo Nani Sebastiano Veniero

c.

1919

Andrea Provana

The

battleship Andrea Doria'm 1941. Between April 1937 and October 940 she was completely rebuilt: a new stern and bow were fitted, the old boilers and machinery replaced, and a new superstructure added. Her main armament was greatly improved, the 12-in guns being bored out to 12.7-in, giving them greater range with a heavier shell. The secondary 6-in guns were replaced by 12 5.3-in in twin turrets amidships, and ten 3.5-in AA guns were fitted, though the armour protection was not increased. Although now virtually a new battleship she saw little action in the Second World War, and afterwards was used as a training ship until 1956 1

The

cruiser Caio Duilio, sister ship of the Andrea Doria, under way. Antiaircraft armament consists of a twin Terrier and eight automatic guns, while two triple A/S torpedo tubes and four Agusta Bell 204B helicopters are provided for antisubmarine work

76-mm

115

Andrei Pervozvanni Italy produced very little steel herself, and imported most of it from Britain. By 1917 Britain herself was desperately short of steel, and could spare very little for Italy, and all the Italian wartime shipbuilding programmes were seriously delayed. The Andrea Provanas were not a success. Although they compared very favourably with their foreign contemporaries in most respects their speed and endurance, both surfaced and submerged, were good, they had a reasonably heavy armament and were highly manoeuvrable they could only dive to 38 m (125 ft), less than half the depth achieved by their British and German equivalents, and this made them potentially much more vulnerable to enemy antisubmarine

—

—

vessels.

They had relatively short service careers. Sebastiano Veniero was accidentally rammed and sunk by the Italian merchant ship Capena in August 1925. Agostino Barbarigo and Andrea Provanawere both discarded in 1928. The middle section of Andrea Provana was used in the Turin Exhibition marking the tenth anniversary of the end of the First World War. Only Giacomo Nani was left in service. She was not finally discarded until August 1935. Displacement: 748 tons (surfaced), 907 tons (submerged) Length: 67.0 m (219 ft 8 in) Beam: 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) Draught: 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in) Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 2600 bhp=16 knots (surface); electric 1400 shp=9.8 knots (submerged) Armament: 2 3-in (76-mm); 6 17.7-in (45-cm) torpedo tubes Crew: 40

Andrei Pervozvanni Russian battleship class. These two ships, Andrei Pervozvanni and Imperator Pavel I, were laid down in 1903 for the Russian Baltic Fleet. At the time they compared favourably with pre-Dreadnought battleships in other navies, with their heavy secondary armament of twin and single 8-in guns, but by the time they were completed in 1910 they were completely outclassed. After the dreadful

punishment taken by the newest Russian battleships at the Battle of Tsushima the Russian Admiralty made several changes to the design of the two ships under construction at Saint Petersburg. Many

The

Russian pre-Dreadnought battleship Andrei Pervozvanni in 1914, with the un-

usually

large

masts originally

fitted

ships had foundered at Tsushima through water entering small splinter-holes and gunports, so the entire length of the waterline was armoured, but the Russian constructors went too far in deleting all openings including scuttles (portholes). This made them very unpleasant and unhealthy ships. The two ships were unusual in having lattice masts, and in carrying the after 12-in gun turret very far aft of the superstructure. During the winter of 1916-17 both ships had their masts cut down, those of the Imperator Pavel I being level with the funnel-tops, whereas Andrei Pervozvanni had hers cut

down

lower.

The Andrei Pervozvanni was undergoing repairs at Kronstadt in

August 1914

after

running aground. After some excursions on patrol and convoy duties the morale of her to deteriorate and several acts of insubordination occurred. She was taken over by the Soviets in October 1917 at Helsingfors (now Helsinki) and was moved to Kronstadt in April 1918. During the Sailors' Uprising she fired on Krasnaya Gorka and Sevaya Loda forts, and on August 18, 1919

crew began

Andrei Pervozvanni in her final form, after the masts were cut down the winter of 1916/17. Note the absence of portholes in the ship, deleted by the builders after the experience of Tsushima, and the extreme aft position of the after 12-in gun

116

lattice

in

she was torpedoed by British CMBs. She sank in shallow water and so the Russians were able to raise her in 1920, but she was beyond repair and had to be scrapped at

Leningrad in 1922. The Imperator Pavel /was at Kronstadt in August 1914 and carried out several patrols in the Baltic without incident. In October 1915 there was mutinous behaviour among her crew and outright mutiny when the Czar

Animoso abdicated, with the death of five officers. She

Kerensky RevoluFebruary 1917 and was laid up at Kronstadt. Although renamed Respublikaby the Soviets she was not recommissioned and was broken up after the Civil War. fell

into disrepair after the

tion in

Displacement: 17 400 tons (normal), 18 580 tons load) Length: 138.4 m (454 ft) pp Beam:2AA m (80 ft) Draught: 8.2 m (27 ft) Machinery: 2shaft vertical triple-expansion, 17 000 ihp=18 knots Protection :8h-3i in belt; 2J-1S in decks, 8 in main turrets, 6 in secondary turrets Armament: 4 12-in (305-mm)/40 cal (2x2); 14 8-in (203-mm)/50 cal (4x2,6x1); 12 4.7-in (120-mm) (12x1); 4 47-mm (4x1); 8 machine-guns; 3 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (submerged, 1 stern, 2 beam) Crew: 933 (full

ANF

113 series, Les Mureaux

French reconnaissance, fighter and bomber aircraft. Though little known, the Mureaux family of aircraft played a significant role in the first nine months of the Second World War. and it was the first type of Allied aircraft to be shot down. The Ateliers de Construction du Nord de la France (ANF) et des Mureaux, shortened to Les Mureaux, flew a parasol-winged prototype in 1930 designated 110. This reconnaissance aircraft exceeded 10 000 (33 000 ft) with

ANF

m

full

military load.

The developed

ANF

1

13

went

into produc-

The

ANF

Les Mureaux 117R2 French reconnaissance aircraft were similar

tion in 1934, about 52 being supplied to the

ANF

Armee de

FAir, together with four 114 night fighters with landing lights and other special equipment. Standard engine for nearly all versions was the 860-hp HS 12YCrs water-cooled V-12. By 1938 most of the 113 units were serving as two-seat fighter forces, typically armed with five 7.51934 machine-guns. A further 120 aircraft were delivered as 115R2 or 1 15R2B2 reconnaissance bombers, with bluff frontal radiator and often a 20-mm cannon firing through the propeller hub. Some had a twin-7.5-mm rear mounting, and all could carry 200-300 kg (440-660 lb) of bombs. The first Allied casualty of the war was a 1 15R2 of 553 shot down by a Bf 109E on September 8, 1939. Delivered prior to most 115s were the 114 117R2, with pointed nose and various arrangements of machine-guns, cameras and light bombs. About 150 Les Mureaux were in front-line service in 1940. and nearly all were destroyed.

ANF

ANF

mm MAC

ANF

GAO

ANF

to the original 113

(117R2B2) Span: 15.4m (50 ft 6^ in) LengthAO.O (32 ft 11 in) Gross weight: 2884 kg (6359 lb) Maximum speed: 327 km/h (203 mph)

m

Animoso Italian destroyer class. In the period before

the First World War Italian shipbuilders were heavily dependent on the British shipbuilding industry. Some Italian shipbuilders were owned by British firms, others used British designs. Most Pattison destroyers were based on designs by the British firm of Thornycroft. By 1912 the Italians were generally building destroyers to their own designs, but they were still greatly influenced by Britain. In February and March of that year, Orlando laid down two three-funnelled destroyers, the Ardito and Ardente, to their own design. These were followed in April and May by two oil-burning two-funnelled destroyers to a Pattison design, modified by Orlando, which had the same armament but a higher trials speed and lower endurance the Animoso Class.

—

Name

laid

down

launched

completed

Animoso

5/1912

"71913

5/1914

An dace

4/1912

5/1913

3/1914

With the Ardito and Ardente they formed Destroyer Division of the Battle at Taranto. By the time Italy declared war in May 1915 the Animoso and Audace still formed part of the 1st Destroyer Division, but now they were based at Brindisi together with the 2nd Battle Squadron. the

1st

Squadron

117

Animoso They both spent the first part of the war in the southern Adriatic and the Ionian Sea, escorting the Italian battleships on their rare ventures out to sea, and spending the rest of their time escorting merchant vessels. It was whilst performing the latter duty that Audace in a collision at night with the merchant ship Brasile in August 1916.

was sunk

By October

1917,

Animoso,

still

In 1936 Italy had laid down the four Orsa Class destroyer escorts. These were basically small destroyers, with a good antisubmarine armament and no torpedoes, and were somewhat similar to the British Kingfisher Class. This design was repeated, with slight

improvements, as the Animoso Class.

part of the

Destroyer Division, was based at Venice, where she spent the early part of 1918, finishing the war as part of the 4th Destroyer 1st

Division at Brindisi.

Animoso was refitted in 1918. Her original armament was replaced. She was fitted with a new main armament of five 4-in (102-mm) guns, and had a secondary armament of two 40-mm AA guns and two 6.5-mm machineguns. Her torpedo armament remained the same, and she was fitted to carry ten mines.

laid

Name

down

launched

completed

A liseo

9/1941

9/1942

2/1943

Animoso

4/1941

4/1942

8/1942

Ardente

4/1941

5/1942

9/1942

Ardimentoso

4/1941

6/1942

12/1942

Ardito

4/1941

3/1942

6/1942

and men and her effective sea speed had dropped to less than 27 knots. She did not last long in this new guise. She was discarded in April 1923.

Ciclone

5/1941

3/1942

5/1942

Fortunate

5/1941

3/1942

8/1942

Displacement .745 tons (standard) 830 tons

Ghibli

8/1941

2/1943

7/1943

Groppo

6/1941

4/1942

8/1942

Impavido

8/1941

2/1943

4/1943

Her crew went up

load) Length: 75.5 (24

ft

8

in)

to 81 officers

m

(247

Draught:2.63

ft

8

in)

(full

Beam: 7.52

m (8 ft 1\ in)

m

Machinery:

16 000 shp=36 knots Armament: 1 4.7-in (120-mm); 2 3-in (76-mm); 2 17.7-in (45-cm) torpedo tubes Crew: 69

2-shaft steam

Georgetown,

of the

Annapolis Class,

mid-1943.

in

turbines,

Animoso The

navy's major warships and submarines performed very badly in the Second World War, mainly due to the failings of Italian politicians and naval Italian escort class.

Impetuoso

8/1941

4/1943

6/1943

Indomito

1/1942

7/1943

8/1943

Intrepido

1/1942

9/1943

1/1944

Monsone

6/1941

6/1942

11/1942

Tifone

6/1941

3/1942

9/1942

Uragano

6/1941

5/1942

9/1942

Italian

commanders. However, Italian convoy escorts and light craft were very successful. Unfortunately, prewar Italian shipbuilding programmes had concentrated on major warships, with the result that when war came there was a great shortage of convoy escorts, indeed of all types of antisubmarine vessels. The success of British aircraft and naval units, mainly operating from Malta, meant that escorts were urgently needed to protect the North African supply routes.

The ex-US destroyer

all Italian warships, they were carry mines, and unlike the Orsas they were fitted with torpedo tubes so that they had some chance of defending themselves against enemy surface ships. They had short careers in the Italian navy. Six were sunk before the Italian surrender of September 1943: Ciclone and Uragano by mines, Ardente by collision with the Italian destroyer Grecale, Groppo and Monsone by Allied bombing, and Tifone was scuttled in Tunisia during the evacuation in May 1943. She had been hit and disabled so badly that she could not sail for Italy. Two Ghibli and Impetuoso were scuttled in September 1943. Ghibli was salvaged by the Germans and towed to Genoa for

Like almost

fitted to

HMS

Charlestown

—

There were a number of variations from the basic design. Animoso, Ghibli, Impavido, Indomito, Intrepido and Monsone had three instead of two 3.9-in guns, and the standard displacement varied from 1100 to 1200 tons.

(1.21) in July 1943.

The

after funnels

These were never completed, and she was scuttled again by the Germans in

repairs.

April 1945.

were cut down

to

reduce weight and the mainmasts removed i

y I

T

l?tf\x^

1

_-^tifnj£n*

118

jEs |H^t

m ^

"*"

tfU*

Jp*"^

^^^

'%-**'

—

aStSfe*

- -*

—

--_

...-

.

Annapolis forecastle 4-in and one bank of torpedo tubes (moved to the centre line) remained of the original

armament. The A/S armament

finally

consisted of two racks and four depth-charge

on

throwers

quarterdeck

the

and

one

Hedgehog on the forecastle. In addition a number of close-range AA guns were fitted and the US 3-in gun was replaced by a British gun of the same calibre. Annapolis was converted to a long-range escort by the removal of her after boiler and funnel to provide space for additional oil fuel stowage. Annapolis. Columbia, Niagara and St Clair were commissioned in the Canadian in September 1940 and the remainder in the Royal Navy between September and

5#'

navy

December

1940.

in collision

with the Georgetown shortly after

commissioning repaired '

140

but

The Hamilton was damaged in

Ardito, Impavido and Intrepido were all sunk in 1944 whilst being operated by the Germans. Ardito was sunk by British MTBs, Impavido by a mine, and Intrepido by a British submarine. The survivors were all transferred to Yugoslavia or the USSR after the war. Aliseo and Indomito went to Yugoslavia, and were renamed Biokovo and Triglav respectively: they remained in service in the 1970s. Animoso. Ardimentoso, and Fortunale went to Russia and were all discarded by 1960.

ran

RCN

for short periods.

targets, although Newport returned to escort duties for the first three months of 1943. Most of the others of the class either became training ships or were placed in reserve during 1943-45. In July/August 1944 the

Displacement: 1200 tons (standard), 1700 tons load) Length: 89.5 m (293 ft 1\ in) Beam: 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in) Draught: 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines, 16 000 shp=26 knots Armament: 2 3.9-in (99.05mm); 12 20-mm; 6 depth-charge throwers; 20 mines; 4 17.7-in (45-cm) torpedo tubes Crew: 180 (full

bomber

She was

Three of the RN ships were manned by the Norwegians; St Albans (until 1943). Newport (until 1942) and Bath. The latter ship was torpedoed and sunk by U 204 southwest of Ireland on August 19, 1941. The only other vessel of the class to be lost was the Brighton which was torpedoed and sunk by U 101 south of Ireland on October 18, 1941. As new escort vessels were commissioned the Annapolis Class were gradually phased out of active service, partly because their crews were required for new ships. In 1942 Newport and Newmarket and in 1944 Annapolis and Newark became aircraft

with a 4-in gun and Hedgehog on the forecastle

light

1940.

aground and was again badly damaged. At this point the RN handed the ship over to the Canadian authorities and after further repairs she joined the RCN in June 1941. At later dates Georgetown, Roxburgh and St Albans

'

also served in the

Ann Japanese

October

when being undocked

Georgetown, Roxburgh and St Albans were renamed Zhostky, Doblestni and Dostoyni respectively. The first vessel was returned in 1952 and the other two in 1949, and all were scrapped soon afterwards. Their sister ships had been sold for scrap between 1945 and 1947, although nomlent to Russia, being

SeeKi30

inally returned to the

USN

Annapolis (ex-USS Mackenzie), Newark(exRinggold). Newmarket (ex-USS Robinson). St Clair (ex-USS Williams) built by Union Iron Works, San Francisco. Bath (ex-USS Hopewell). Charlestown (exUSS Abbot). Columbia (ex-USS Haraden). St Albans (ex-USS Thomas), St Mary's (exUSS Doran, ex-Bagley) Newport News. Brighton (ex-USS Cowell), Georgetown (exUSS Maddox). Hamilton (ex-USS Kalk. ex-Rodgers). Newport (ex-USS Sigourney), Niagara (ex-USS Thatcher). Roxburgh (exUSS Foote) Fore River Yard, Quincy. See also Wickes Class.

Annapolis

USS

British destroyer class. These 15 ships were part of the group of 50 destroyers given to Britain by the under the Lend/Lease agreement. They were old, having originally been commissioned in the US Navy during 1918-19, but were perfectly adequate for the

USA

convoy work on which they were employed. When taken over they were armed as fleet destroyers but were quickly modified to make them suitable for Atlantic escort duty. To reduce topweight and allow for additional antisubmarine armament the three aftermost funnels were cut down and the mainmast and the two after triple torpedo tubes were removed. To make more room for the depth-charge armament the 3-in AA gun on the quarterdeck was moved to the after superstructure where it replaced the after 4in gun. Later the armament was further altered to allow for still more additions to the antisubmarine weapons. Eventually only the

first.

—

—

—

Displacement: 1200 tons (full load) Length :95.8 (314 ft 3 in) oa Beam: 9.8 m (31 ft 9 in) Draught: 2.95 m (9 ft 9 in) normal Machinery: 2shaft geared turbines, 27 000 shp (26 000 in Newport News ships)=35 knots Armament (when transferred): 4 4-in (102-mm) (4x1); 1 3-in (76-mm) AA; 3 0.5-in machine-guns; 12 21-in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (4x3) Crew: 145

m

HMS Georgetown. Note the depth-charge mortars and racks on the quarterdeck replacing the after torpedo tubes, and the British 12pdr aft replacing the original American 3-in

119

Annapolis Annapolis Canadian destroyer escort class. The success of the original 5/ Laurent Class destroyer escorts (DDEs) built between 1950 to 1957 led to the building of seven Restigouche Class, four Mackenzie Class and finally two Annapolis Class. All have the same basic hull as the original 5/ Laurent but each represents an important change in armament and role. The most important difference in the Annapolis Class is the provision of a hangar for a CHSS-2 Sikorsky Sea King antisubmarine helicopter, the first time this large machine was taken to sea in a ship of frigate size. This necessitated a split funnel and the sacrifice of one 'Limbo' depth-charge mortar. As a further compensation for topweight the lighter US-pattern 3-in/50 cal Mk 22 gun mounting was chosen instead of the Britishpattern 3-in/70 cal Mk 6 turret used in the Mackenzie^ and Restigouches. To distinguish them they were rerated as DDH instead of

DDE. The

secret of the Annapolis Class' ability Sea King is the 'Beartrap'

to handle the big

device. This automatic hauldown device tethers the helicopter and winches it down to the deck, with self-tensioning to compensate for the roll of the ship. The Beartrap also manoeuvres the Sea King into the hangar. Between 1960 and 1966 the remaining six St Laurent Class were rebuilt along similar lines and were also rerated as DDHs.

laid

Name

down

launched

completed

7/1960

4/1963

12/1964

4/1960

12/1961

5/1964

Annapolis

(DDH.265) Sipigon

(DDH. 266)

Three radar sets are carried, the USNpattern Sylvania SPS-10 for surface search at the masthead, and the SPS-12 air warning, with its parabolic aerial on a lower platform.

The

3-in

The Annapolis Canadian antisubmarine escort carries a 3-in mortar aft, and a pair of CHSS-2 (Sikorsky S-61) Sea King In March she joined the naval force blockading Smyrna and on the night of 11/12 of that month she was torpedoed by the Turkish torpedo boat Demir Hissar while anchored off Chustan Island. Fortunately, the torpedo hit her in the forward hold, which was full of timber, and she remained afloat. She was taken to Mudros and beached on April 6, repaired by the crew of the maintenance ship Reliance and refloated on May 12. The repairs were completed at Alexandria between May and June 1915. In August 1915 she was commissioned in the Royal Navy and her name was changed to Anne; at the same time she was fitted with an

X-Band Mk 63 gunfire control system. Three sonars are carried, one hullmounted, one 'dunking' set in the helicopter and a variable depth set (VDS) carried at the stern.

Displacement: 2400 tons (standard), 3000 (full m (371 ft0in)oa Beam: 12.8 in) Draught: 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in) m (42 ft Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines, 30000 shp=28 knots Armament: 2 3-in (76mm)/50 cal (1x2); 1 Limbo triple depth-charge mortar; 6 Mk 32 12.75-in (32.4-cm) torpedo tubes (2x3) Crew: 246 men load) Length: 113.1

The CV/33 was used

of one 12-pdr gun and one machine-gun. She operated out of Port Said and in the Red Sea until August 1917 when she was paid off. She rehoisted the red ensign and served as a store ship until January 1918 and then as a fleet collier until January 1919. She was sold in 1922 and continued her

career as a merchant vessel until she

broken up

in

was

1958.

Displacement: 7000 tons (367

ft)

Beam:

14.47

m

(47

ft

Length: 111.86 m 6 in) Draught: 4.18

m

(13 ft 9 in) Machinery: Single-shaft, tripleexpansion steam engine=10 knots Armament: 1 12-pdr; 1 Maxim machine-gun Aircraft: 2 sea-

Ansaldo

was origiAenne Rick-

British seaplane carrier. This ship

German cargo

vessel

Bremerhaven and launched in August 1914 she was at Port Said and was seized by the British shortly after the outbreak of war. She was subsequently fitted out to carry two seaplanes, and in January 1915 hoisted the red ensign and began operating in the eastern Mediterranean with a mixed mers

built at

191

In

Allied crew.

Italian

aircraft

See

Balilla,

Primo

Ansaldo Italian

tank series. The Ansaldo company of began developing tanks for the Italian

Genoa army in

Anne

120

Hungary. Bulgaria and San Salvador. in Ethiopia and in the Spanish Civil War. In the Ethiopian campaign they had no opposition and proved useful, but in Spain they were no match for Brazil,

armament

planes

1.

gun, a Limbo depth-charge

helicopters

guns have an on-mounting scanner

as well, for the

nally the

AA

the early 1930s. The first model to enter service was approved in 1933 as the Carro Veloce 33 or CV/33. This owed a good deal to the British Carden-Loyd designs and was a lightweight turretless model armed with a single machine-gun and with a twoman crew. It was slightly improved in 1935 by the fitting of two machine-guns, and the chassis was also used for the construction of flame-throwing and bridge-laying tanks, though few of these were made. Numbers were sold to Austria, of the CV/33

the Soviet tanks used by the Republican forces, and their failures in action were responsible for a number of false conclusions about the value of armour in battle.

Meanwhile, development of a new tank had begun in 1935. The first design, more or less an enlarged CV/33, was turned down, but the second, which entered service in 1939 as the Carro Armata 11 (CA/11), was a considerable improvement insofar as it had a revolving turret, but for some unknown reason the designer elected to place the 37gun in the hull and occupied the turret only with a machine-gun. Moreover, the tank was underpowered and slow, and only about 70 were ever made. In 1941 a new design appeared, the CA/13,

mm

—

which moved the main armament a 47-mm high-velocity gun up to the turret, and placed a twin machine-gun mounting in the body. Otherwise it was no more than an improved CA/11. and although the engine had been increased in power, the weight of the tank had also gone up and the nett result

—

was still slow. In spite of formed the mainstay of the units in the desert in 1941

this,

the

Italian

CA/13

armoured

and 1942. though

Anson it

gained

a

reputation

for

unreliability.

The next design was the CA/42. This was little more than the CA/13 with heavier armour on the front, a modification which did nothing to improve the power-to-weight ratio and which thus resulted in an even slower tank than the CA/13. The last design to appear was the P/40, which appears to have been influenced by the German PzKpfw II and III models. This had begun in 1939, and was a good design mountg ing a 75-mm gun. but delays in design and d development were so long that production f models did not appear until 1943, by which time the Italian army no longer required it. Italian tank production was beset by shork tages of raw materials and limited production facilities; but even allowing for this, the quality of the tanks left a good deal to be desired. There seems to have been a fixation with quantity rather than quality in prewar days which led to large numbers of the relatively worthless CV/33 being produced at the expense of developing a really serviceable medium tank. Ansaldo did the best they

1

could within the guidelines laid down for them, and the blame would appear to attach to the Italian army planners for failing to appreciate the direction in which tank design

|

and

tactics

were moving.

s p

o c

Anson The Anson was one of the King George V Class constructed under the 1937 Programme. She was

British battleship. five ships of the

Ansaldo tank .

.

series: the

37-mm gun

machine-gun-armed CV/33

in the hull; the

CA/11 (below) with main armament in the turret; and which appeared too late to be of use

(top); the turreted

CA/13 (above) with

the final design, the P/40 (/e/f),

the

originally to

have been named Jellicoe after

World War admiral but the name was changed before she was launched. Laid down on July 20, 1937, at the Wallsend-onTyne shipyard of Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson, she was launched on February 24, 1940. Her construction was suspended for three months in May 1940 because of the need to concentrate shipbuilding facilities on more urgent requirements and as delays of the First

V*j

continued to affect her she did not complete until June 22, 1942. While under construction some improvements were incorporated in her hull structure and fittings as a result of war experience and the loss of her sister ship Prince of Wales. On completion she joined the Home Fleet and became the flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser (Second-in-Command. Home Fleet). In June 1943 she became the flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Moore who took over when Admiral Fraser became C-in-C less drastic nature fitting-out

| §

Home Fleet. Between September 1942 May 1944 she provided distant cover

COMPARATIVE DATA CA/11

CA/13

P/40

3.85

11.5

14.85

26

Tirpitz-

Armament

MG

37-mm

47-mm

75-mm

refitted at

Speed (km/h/mph)

40.2/25

32.1/20

29/18

37/23

Engine

40-bhp petrol

105-bhp diesel

125-bhp diesel

275-bhp diesel

Range (km/miles)

112.6/70

201.2/125

201.2/125

281.6/175

Armour (mm)

12

30

40

60

Crew

2

3

4

4

coast,

(tons)

for

Russian convoys and on several occasions covered carrier raids on the Norwegian

CV/33 Weight

and

principally

against

the

battleship

Between July 1944 and March 1945 she was Devonport preparatory to going to the Pacific. The more important modifications made during this refit were the removal

of the aircraft catapult amidships and its associated equipment, and the replacement of her Mk IV high-angle/low -angle directors by Mk VI (she was the only battleship to carry this model); the close-range was also increased substantially. She arrived in the Pacific in July 1945 where she became flagship of the 1st Battle

AA

121

Anson Squadron of the British Pacific Fleet but the war ended before she became involved in any major operations. She was present at the reoccupation of Hong Kong in August and the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay in September. At the end of the war she

mounted a close-range AA armament of 88 2pdr pom-poms. 8 40-mm and 65 20-mm guns as against 48 2-pdrs and 18 20-mm at the time of her completion. She served the remainder of her active career as a training ship for seamen before being placed in reserve in 1949 and was eventually sold for scrap in 1957. See King George V for specifications.

122

HMS

Anson, one of the first British battleship class to have quadruple main turrets, in 1946 (below) and 1948 (bottom) during her postwar career as flagship of the Training Squadron

Anzio Annie Anson Avro British multirole aircraft.

By

1945 'Faithful

Annie' was famed as the most gentle and harmless aeroplane in the world, used by almost every military service on the Allied side as a

communications

Unlike the oval-windowed airliner it had all along the roomy cabin, Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah VI engines driving twoblade fixed-pitch propellers, and much military equipment including a fixed Vickers machine-gun for the pilot and a Lewis

Antonov Soviet

aircraft

See Cock, Colt,

Cub

glazing

aircraft, trainer

and

maid-of -all-work. Yet when it entered service with RAF Coastal Command in 1936 it was regarded as a 'hot ship', and was not only the fastest twin but also the first retractable-undercarriage monoplane to reach the utility

RAF. The Avro 652M was

the military version of an established civil transport, built in early 1935 for coastal reconnaissance.

machine-gun

in a large

manual dorsal

turret.

Two

45-kg (100-lb) and eight 9-kg (20-lb) bombs could be carried in the centre section, and the crew of four was completed by a navigator/bomb-aimer and wireless operator. The simple airframe was of mixed construction, the thick (originally Hapless) wing being wooden and the rest being nearly all welded steel tube with fabric covering.

Avro Anson Mk

1,

Anzio Annie American nickname

Kanone

for

a

German 28-cm known as the

5 (E) railway gun; also

'Anzio Express'. 'Anzio Annie' was concealed in a railway tunnel near Colli Albani and only emerged briefly to fire a few rounds at a time before returning to its lair. As a it was never damaged by Allied counterbattery fire or air attacks, and the noise of its 563-lb shells passing overhead became a familiar sound to troops in the beachhead. It was later captured by the US Army near

result,

a military

development of the Avro 652 commercial transport. A total of 1 1 020 Ansons were produced

Production

Mk

I

aircraft

had the 350-hp

Cheetah IX, and in 1940 engaged in combat with extra even a 20-mm Hispano in outstanding encounter took

many Ansons beam guns and the floor.

'Anzio Annie', the German 28-cm rail gun used to bombard the Anzio beachhead in 1944

The

place in June 1940, when a formation of three was attacked by nine Bf 109Es. The Ansons shot down two Messerschmitts and drove off the others, several of them damaged. By 1941 most Ansons were being used as trainers and for many other duties. As a basic twin for the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, British-built airframes were engined with Jacobs or Wright radials to become the Canadian Mks III and IV. The Canadian-built

V

and VI had completely different structure and Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior engines, and by 1943 British production and Mk I conversions were producing Mks X, XI and XII with a roomier fuselage of different form with separate windows, smooth cowlings and hydraulic flaps and landing gear, replacing the earlier manual landing gear. Total produc020 when the Anson was finally tion was retired in June 1968. 1 1

Span: 17.22 m (56 ft 6 in) Length: 12.88 in) Gross weight: 3629 kg (8000 lb) Maximum speed: 303 km/h (188 mph)

(Anson

m

(42

ANT

I)

ft

3

Soviet aircraft See MDR-2, Pe-8, R-3, R-6, SB-2, TBI, TB-3, Tu-1-4

Antietam

US

aircraft carrier

See Essex

123

5

Aoba Civitavecchia, taken to America, and exhibited at the Aberdeen Proving Ground

Museum.

Aoba Japanese cruiser class. The Aoba and Kinugasa were among the eight cruisers of the 1923 Reinforcement Programme designed within the limits of the Washington Naval Treaty. Both were laid down in 1924, launched in 1926 and completed in 1927. They were improved versions of the Furutaka Class, of the same programme, and represented the smaller type of Treaty cruiser mounting only six 8-in guns compared with the usual eight or Their main improvement over the ten. Furutaka Class was the fitting of the main

armament in twin instead of single turrets. They also mounted 4.7-in instead of 3-in AA guns and the aircraft catapult was mounted abaft instead of forward of the mainmast. They were nevertheless very similar to the earlier class and when the Furutakas were rearmed with twin 8-in turrets there were virtually no important differences between them. Like the Furutakas they carried an unusual torpedo armament of 12 24-in fixed tubes mounted on the main deck. Between 1938 and 1940 they were taken in hand for a major refit. Bulges were fitted increasing the beam to 7.6 (57 ft 9 in) and the displacement to 9000 tons, resulting in a loss of speed of one knot. The armament was increased by the addition of four twin 25-mm and two twin 13-mm gun mountings and the fixed torpedo tubes were removed and replaced by two quadruple 24-in revolving mountings on the upper deck. The Aoba's armament was further increased during the war and eventually she carried around 40 25-mm guns. During the Second World War both ships formed part of the 6th Cruiser Squadron. Between December 1941 and May 1942 they provided cover for several landings on Pacific islands and in August 1942 became involved in the battle for Guadalcanal. On August 9, with four other cruisers and a destroyer, they took part in the Battle of Savo Island. During this action the US cruisers Quincy, Vincennes and Astoria and the Australian cruiser Canberra were sunk, while on the Japanese side the Kinugasa and one other cruiser were slightly damaged. On October 9 the Aoba and

m

Displacement: 8300 tons (standard) 184.48

m

(602

ft

4

in)

Kinugasa attempted to bombard Guadalcanal were intercepted by the US cruisers Helena and Salt Lake City. The Aoba was heavily damaged, being hit by over 40 shells and set on fire. She survived, however, and but

eventually

made her way home

for repairs.

Three days later, on October 14, the Kinugasa was sunk off Guadalcanal by aircraft from the island and the carrier Enterprise. The Aoba did not appear again until 1944 when, after a short raid on shipping in the Indian Ocean in March, she covered an attempted reinforcement of the island of Biak during May and June. On October 23, 1944 she was torpedoed by the US submarine

Bream while

escorting four fast transports

from Manila to Ormoc. She survived and returned to Japan for repairs. On July 28, 1945 she was bombed and sunk in harbour, by carrier aircraft of the US 3rd Fleet. Aoba, built by Mitsubishi at Nagasaki. Kinugasa, built by Kawasaki at Kobe.

124

of

the

Caen-Falaise

shadowed severe

road,

which forehope of

casualties. In the

Draught:7.76 m (18 ft 9 shaft geared steam turbines, 102 000 shp=34. knots Armament: 6 8-in (203-mm) (3x2); 4 4.7-in

reducing these, 76 M7 105-mm self-propelled guns, which had been withdrawn from the three field regiments of 3 Canadian Division

(120-mm) (4x1); 12 24-in (61-cm) torpedo tubes (12x1 fixed in pairs) Aircraft: 2 Crew: 604

of armour welded over the gap

artillery,

had their guns removed and a plate in the hull

The workshop unit who carried out this conversion were known by the code-name front.

APC

'Kangaroo' and by extension the vehicles

Armoured personnel carrier. The armoured personnel carrier came into being during the Second World War with the belated recognition of the fact that while tanks can take an objective, infantrymen on the ground are needed to keep it. To get these infantrymen into position, across bullet-swept ground and at the same speed as the tanks, the APC had to

be evolved.

The

idea of furnishing the infantry with protected transport was toyed with by various armies, but the first to take it seriously were the Germans, with their half-tracked carriers {Panzergrenadierwagen), though production limitations prevented sufficient numbers being built to transport all the infantry in a Panzer Division. In similar fashion the US

Army adopted

a half-track carrier in large

numbers, and by the end of the war each infantry battalion in a US Armoured Division had 62 half-tracks, sufficient to move the entire infantry strength. The fully-tracked APC began as a field expedient. In 1944 the 2 Canadian Corps was preparing for Operation Totalize, the clearing

AA

AA

Length:

Beam: 15.85 m (52 ft) in) mean Machinery: 4-

British

Bren gun-armed

M3A1

half-track

became 'Kangaroos'. They were used on August 7, 1944 to transport troops of 2 Canadian Division to their objectives, and they proved their worth to such good effect that by the year's end both the British and Canadian armies had formed Armoured Carrier Regiments. Having thus demonstrated the principle, the idea caught on and a variety of obsolescent tanks were cannibalized to make APCs of a sort. Their principal drawback was the lack of interior space, while other defects included the inability of the occupants to use their personal weapons while inside and the necessity for them to dismount by clambering over the sides, a move which made them very vulnerable at a critical moment. By the end of the war the US Army had evolved the M39 Utility Vehicle, which in turn fathered a number of similar 'troop taxis' culminating in the M59. The virtues of these vehicles were accented in 1959 when, during the nuclear tests in Nevada, it was shown that APCs could operate safely in a fallout and radiation environment. By that

APCs advancing through Northern France

in

1944

APC their first

APCs

BT

(the

series)

were simple

transporters, they soon moved to better armed vehicles from which the occupants

could

At

fight

without dismounting.

to reflect the

—

—

way to the MICV Mechanized InfanCombat Vehicle and at times the line

gives try

comes a change of title change of philosophy the APC

this point there

—

distinguishing the two becomes blurred. The 'pure' APC is typified by the American 1 13, the British FV432 and the Soviet BTR50PK. These are all armoured boxes on tracks, armed with a heavy machine-gun and capable of carrying up to 11 men in addition to the driver and commander. All have some degree of amphibious capability, though the Soviet vehicle is better than the others in this respect since it is derived from the chassis of the PT-76 amphibious tank and is equipped with specialist water-jet propulsion units. thick and the Armour is about 10-12 occupants are protected against (Nuclear, Bacteriological and Chemical) environment. But once inside the troops have no means of fighting; these are transporters only. The next stage in the progression to MICV came with the adoption of heavier armament for the carrier itself and the provision of means to allow the occupants to fight. The

M

The Sdkfz 251/1 Schutzenpanzerwagen medium APC, a basic German half-track in the Second World War, was armed with two 7.92-mm MG 34s and carried a section of ten infantrymen time the APC had evolved into a fullycovered vehicle with entrance and exit via a ramp door at the rear of the body. The Germans, and Europeans in general, have different views on the task of an APC, largely derived from their experiences on the Eastern Front in 1942-45. In their view, mere

is not enough; the troops in the must be able to fight from the vehicle, utilizing its protection and mobility to complement their firepower. As a result of this reasoning the Bundeswehr moved in the direction of a more offensive type of vehicle. The Soviets also took this view, and although

transport

APC

mm

NBC

American M9 Personnel Carrier, as used in Israeli service in 1949, armed with a German MG 42 machine-gun. The M9 was one of a series of US half-track APCs produced by Autocar, Diamond T, White and International Harvester. Designs were basically similar, seating from six to 13 infantrymen and, like the

German

half-

tracks which inspired their development, equipped with a variety of light and medium

guns, mortars and machine-guns

125

APC Ml 13A1 is a good examapproach a remote-controlled 20mm cannon is mounted on the roof of the vehicle, where it can be fired from inside by means of special sighting arrangements, the contours of the vehicle have been altered so 'Product Improved'

ple of this

w

—

'

as to present sloping faces to attack instead >* of vertical ones, and ports have been pro- % vided in the body so that the troops inside can fire

A

s

to the flanks.

vehicle is the West German 'Marder' which carries a 20-mm Rheinmetall similar

Rh202 remote-controlled cannon in an armoured capsule on top of the turret, together with a similarly controlled 7.92-mm machine-gun. Both of these can be used against ground or air targets. The crew consists of a commander, a driver and two gunners, while six combat troops ride in the body of the vehicle and can fire their personal

weapons through ports

in the side,

3%

W.

aimed by

periscopes.

tiPi

improved firepower, however, APCs. The additional armament merely ensures their survival en route to the objective. But when the armament is increased to the point at which the APC can go looking for trouble and have a reasonable chance of survival, then we are into the

For

their

all

these are

MICV

still

\

1

-

\-

area.

of this class to appear was the which was revealed in November 1967. Fully- tracked, amphibious, carrying a 76-mm gun and a Sagger antitank guided-missile launcher on a rotatable turret, and with space for an eight-man infantry

The

Soviet

first

BMP,

.V *****

%\

J* v*-

V<*

•-

m

f*J -

>*

*****

fca

- x_

CHUZNEE

•}

9W 1M* I3EAGI \

>B

1 The

126

British

FV

432, shown here with a 7.62-mm machine-gun,

is

a versatile

armoured

*

vehicle providing protection to infantry detachments

APC

Soviet

BTR-50P

of a

motorized infantry unit on manoeuvres in 1966

COMPARATIVE DATA

Crew + squad

Armament

Combat weight

(tonnes)

Road speed (km/h/mph) Range (km/miles)

Width

(m/ft)

USA M113AKPI)

2+10

2+10

7.62-mm

Engine

Length (m/ft)

UK FV432

mg

15

20-mm

12.7

W

Germany Marder 3

+7

20-mm;

2

mg

28.2

France

USSR

USSR

AMX-10P

BTR-50PK

BMP

2+9

3+11

3+8

20-mm

13.8

12.7-mm

mg

14.5

73-mm;ATGW; 7.62-mm mg 12

Multi-fuel,

Diesel,

Diesel,

Diesel,

Diesel,

Diesel.

240 bhp

264 bhp

600 bhp

280 bhp

240 bhp

280 bhp

51/32

64/40

75/47

64/40

48/30

56/35

480/300

480/300

520/325

600/375

300/185

400/250

5.11/16.75

5.27/17.28

6.79/22.27

5.85/19.20

6.71/22.0

6.84/22.45

2.97/9.75

2.85/9.34

3.24/10.62

2.78/9.11

3.08/10.1

2.97/9.75

127

Apex squad,

all

of

whom

could

fire their

personal

BMP

weapons through

ports in the side, the had the mobility to keep up with the main battle tanks and the firepower to provide close support for its occupants as they dismounted and even to act as an efficient tank hunter if required. there Since the appearance of the have been a number of proposals for vehicles

BMP

of a similar sort to be adopted by Western armies, but by 1976 none had been adopted. The US Army have carried out tests with the XM723, which is to be armed with a 25-mm cannon and carTy 12 men, and this seems to be the general pattern. The all-purpose has not been copied, character of the since most Western experts are inclined to believe in using distinct vehicles for distinct tasks. Thus, the British development of the Scorpion family of vehicles includes Spartan, a simple transporter-type APC, backed up by Striker, the same vehicle carrying a number of Swingfire antitank missiles, and Scimitar, carrying a 30-mm gun but with no ability to transport troops. While this policy appears logical, it nevertheless means that there is not in the West any vehicle with the all-round capability of the BMP, and it seems that, for some years at least, a powerfully-armed MICV will be the prerogative of the Soviets.

BMP

Apex (AA-7) Soviet air-to-air missile. This large missile represents an attempt to develop a long-range missile effective at low and medium altitudes. versions are available, one employing

Two

semi-active

radar

homing and

the

other

infrared.

Apex is standard armament on the MiG23S Flogger which carries one of each type on underwing glove pylons. Few technical details of the weapon are known beyond the fact that it employs a solid-fuel rocket motor and control is applied by steerable rear fins. The estimated range is about 30 km (19 miles).

Length: 430 cm (169 Span: 105 cm (41.3

in)

Diameter: 24

cm

(9.4 in)

in)

Aphid (AA-8)

cm

(82

The

mm

.'*<"**<*

Soviet

in)

approx

BMP-76 MICV,

gunboat class. The 12 vessels of were ordered from mercantile ship-

British river

128

:«CT

g

*r

;

a formidable fighting vehicle, carries a 76-mm gun with coaxial 7.62missile launcher above the gun barrel and eight infantrymen

mg, Sagger wire-guided

builders in February 1915. The design was, however, produced by the naval shipbuilding company of Yarrow, which supervised their construction. When completed it was

intended that they should sail to Salonika, be dismantled, transported by rail to Belgrade, reassembled and refloated on the River Danube, where they were to counter the

Austro-Hungarian gunboat flotilla. All this entailed several design problems as they had to be well armed, of very shallow draught and capable of prefabrication. Yarrow nevertheless quickly

produced a successful design.

They were much larger than most river gunboats and also mounted a heavier armament but drew only a few feet of water. To obtain the necessary speed on this shallow draught the propellers were fitted in tunnels, into which water was sucked, and to ensure a high level of manoeuvrability in strong river currents they were fitted with triple rudders. All were constructed between 1915 and 1916. The armament of Bee and Tarantula were all

eventually had their two 3-in replaced by a single A A weapon of the same calibre.

The planned deployment on the Danube had to be abandoned when advances by the armies of the Central Powers rendered the operation impossible. However, the Aphis Class saw service in several war theatres and trouble spots between 1916 and 1920, including the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, the North Sea coast, the Black Sea and the White Sea. In 1921 the Aphis was placed in reserve in Malta and remained there until the Second World War. The Glowworm also stayed in the Mediterranean and was sold for scrap at Malta in 1928. The rest of the class were sent out to the China Station between 1918 and 1920 and remained there throughout their peacetime careers. The Bee was sold for

scrap at Shanghai

Aphis this class

~l~*'+' ~ *»»

subsequently reduced to one 6-in gun and

Soviet air-to-air missile. Little information is available on this short-range air-to-air dogfight missile, two of which are carried under the belly of the MiG-23S Flogger. Such details as can be discerned from photographs suggest that control is achieved by steerable canard foreplanes. It seems likely that an attempt has been made to produce a semi-active radar guidance system based on experience with the Advanced Atoll with the HE warhead detonating under the action of a proximity/impact fuze. As with all other current Soviet air-toair missiles, an infrared guided version has also been produced. The effective range is probably about 8 km (5 miles). Length: 210

'oZ.

in

March

1939.

During the Second World War they served in the Mediterranean, East Indies and Pacific areas and suffered several casualties. The Cicala and Moth remained on the China

Station and were at Hong Kong in the final stages of the battle for the island. On December 21, 1941 the Cicala was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft and the Moth was scuttled. The latter ship was salvaged by the Japanese and commissioned as the Suma in July 1942; she was mined and sunk in the Yangtse River in March 1945. All other casualties were in the Mediterranean. The first was the Ladybird which, on May 12, 1941, was bombed and sunk in Tobruk harbour, but, as her superstructure remained above water, the army used her as an gun platform. On June 30, 1941 the Cricket was mined off Tobruk and declared a constructive total loss; she was later scrapped at Alexandria. On October 21, 1941 the Gnat was 79 torpedoed by the German submarine and beached at Bardia. The hulk was used as an platform and was finally salvaged and broken up in 1945. The Mantis was sold for scrap in 1946 and the Aphis and Cockchafer were sold at Singapore in the following year. The Tarantula was employed as a target and was sunk by gunfire off Ceylon on May 1,

AA

U

AA

1946.

Displacement: 645 tons Length: 72.38 m (237 ft in) Beam: 10.97 m (36 ft) Draught: 1 .22 m (4 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft. triple-expansion steam engines, 2000 ihp= 14 knots Armament: 2 6-in (152-mm) (2x1); 2 3-in (76-mm) (2x1); 6 .303-in (7.7-mm) machine-guns Crew: 53 6

Aphrodite US

radio-controlled air-to-ground missile. In summer of 1944 some 27 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers of the US Army 8th Air Force and a smaller number of Consolidated PB4Y Liberator bombers of the US Navy were converted into radio-controlled missiles for use against V-weapon sites in northern France. Nearly all were old and in poor condition after many combat missions. the

They were gutted of equipment, special radio

command

fitted

with

receivers linked to

Apollo

flight-control system and autopilot, given an open cockpit for a single human pilot and crudely sprayed white. They were then filled with 9072 kg (20000 lb) of Torpex high explosive, with multiple fuzes to detonate on impact. Only by such an extreme explosion did it seem possible to destroy the huge

Above: HMS Brilliant, one of the Apollo Class of protected cruisers sheathed with wood and copper for tropical service. HMS Apollo herself (below) and Scylla (bottom) did not have the sheathing. Apollo was converted to a minelayer between 1905 and 1910; Scylla was stricken before the start of the First

World War

concrete structures in the Pas de Calais discovered by reconnaissance but seemingly immune to conventional bombing. Project Aphrodite was assigned to the 388th Bomb Group, which as well as carrying on with its main missions detached the 562nd

Bomb Squadron

remote Norfolk field and Aphrodite missions. At least eight live missions were flown, the BQ-7 (Fortress) taking off manually and the pilot then handing control to a mother aircraft and baling out. One of the Navy PB4Y missions ended in tragedy: at 4600 m (15 000 ft) over the Blyth estuary the aircraft exploded, causing blast damage on the ground over a diameter of about 10 km (6 miles). The pilot, who was about to bale out, was Lt Joseph Kennedy, brother of the late president John F Kennedy. A BQ-7 also went out of control and exploded in a Suffolk wood causing massive devastation. Aphrodite did not accomplish its purpose, and by September the target sites had been captured by to a

(Fersfield) for trails

the British Army. BQ-7 data are essentially as for B-17F or B-17G (both sub-types were used): see Flying Fortress.

Apollo British cruiser class. In the late 1880s public agitation for improvements in the Royal

Navy

led to the passing of the

Naval Defence

This Act provided for the construction of 70 warships which included the 21 2nd Class cruisers of the Apollo Class. Constructed between 1890 and 1895 they were ships of typical late Victorian elegance. Their design was based on the Medea Class of 1888, of which they were somewhat larger

Act of

1889.

and improved versions. About half the class

129

Aquila had their hulls sheathed in wood and copper an antifouling measure for service in tropical waters. This addition increased the displacement by 200 tons and reduced the speed by \ knot. Between 1905 and 1910 the as

Andromache. Apollo. Iphigenia, Intrepid, Latona. Naiad and Thetis were converted to minelayers at Chatham and Portsmouth

heavy fire from the shore missed the harbour entrance, and ran aground to the east. The survivors of the class were sold for scrap during 1920-22 with on., exception the Spartan, which had become an accommodation ship at Devonport before the war, was not sold until 1931.

—

Lamberts Bay, Cape Colony, on January 16, 1901. The Rainbow joined the Royal Canain 1910 and, like the other unmodships of the class to survive until 1914, served in minor or auxiliary roles during the

Displacement: 3600 tons (3400 tons unsheathed vessels) Length: 95.84 m (314

Melpomene,

Scylla, Retribution, Pique, Terpsichore and Tribune were sold for scrap. In addition one, the Sybille, was wrecked in

dian

Aeolus*,

by

built

Navy

ified

World War. The minelayers initially had more active careers and between them laid nearly 8000 mines between 1914 and 1916 while operating out of Sheerness and Dover

First

before

joining

their

sisters

in

subsidiary

Aquila Italian scout class.

Devonport Dockyard. Andromache, Apollo, built by Chatham Dockyard. Brilliant*, built by Sheerness Dockyard. Iphigenia*, Intrepid*, built by London and Glasgow. Latona, Melampus, Naiad, built by Vickers. Melpomene* (exIndefatigable, renamed 1911), built by Portsmouth Dockyard. Pique*, Rainbow*, Retribution*, built by Palmer. Sappho, Scylla. built by Samuda. Sirius*, Spartan*, built by Armstrong Whitworth. Sybille, built by Stephenson. Terpsichore, Thetis, Tribune, built by John Brown. (* Sheathed vessel)

dockyards. This entailed the reduction of the armament to four 4.7-in guns and the fitting of mine rails on the upper deck from which 100 mines (140 in Iphigenia) could be laid through two doors in the stern. Before the First World War the remainder of the class had become obsolete and between 1910 and 1914 the Aeolus, Melampus,

in (25 mm) protective deck Armament: 1 2 6-in (152-mm) (2x1); 6 4.7-in (120-mm) (6x1); 8 6-pdr (8x1); 4 14-in (35.5-cm) torpedo tubes (above water) Crew: 273

and

in)

6

Beam:

in),

5.02

13.11

m

(16

m ft

(43

6

ft)

in)

Draught: 5.33

in ft

6

m

(17 ft in unsheathed vessels

Machinery: 2-shaft triple-expansion steam engines, 9000 iph = 19.75 knots (20 knots in unsheathed vessels) Protection: 2 in (50 mm)

These four scouts were

large fast destroyers equivalent to the British

Leader' category. They were originordered by Rumania from the Italian company of Pattison in 1913 and were to have been named Vifor. Viscol, Vartez and Vijelie. In June 1915, shortly after Italy's entry into the war, they were taken over by the Italian government and subsequently renamed Aquila, Falco, Nibbio and Spaniero respectively. All except Falco were laid down in 1914, launched in 1916-18 and completed in 1917-18. when they were formed into the 3rd Scouting Group. The Falco was not laid down until August 1916; she was launched in 1919 and completed in the following year. 'Flotilla

ally

The first three originally mounted a main armament of three old 6-in guns but in the 1920s they were refitted with five 4.7-in guns.

The Falco was actually completed with the latter armament and also carried two less 3-in guns.

All four

were equipped

to

serve as

however, the very obsolescence of the class that was to give them a lasting claim to fame. roles.

In

was,

It

1918

the

Thetis,

Intrepid,

Iphigenia,

were converted into blockships for the attacks on Zeebrugge and Brilliant

Ostend.

and

Sirius

The conversion

entailed

filling

a

above the protective deck with about 1500 tons of concrete and fitting scutlarge area

charges in the hold. They mounted an 6-in on the forecastle and a 4.7-in on each beam. The operation took place on April 23, 1918. The raid on Zeebrugge was reasonably successful, the canal being blocked temporarily at least. The Thetis sank just outside the canal but Intrepid and Iphigenia were scuttled right inside the entrance. The raid on Ostend was a complete tling

armament of one

failure

as

the

Brilliant

and

Sirius,

I

under

_

End of the Apollo Class. The most notable employment of these old cruisers came as a result of their obsolescence when five of them were chosen as blockships for the attacks on Zeebrugge and Ostend in April 1918. Carrying some 1500 tons of concrete above decks and with scuttling charges in their holds, the Intrepid, Iphigenia and Thetis were sunk in and just outside the canal mouth at Zeebrugge, temporarily blocking the entrance. At Ostend, however, the Brilliant and Sirius ran aground one m ile east of the canal. Opposite and above: Brilliant (Still

smoking) and Siriusin

their final

positions. Below: Brilliant being broken

the

Germans

up by

Aquila minelayers. When completed they were the ships in the Italian navy and the Sparxiero is reported to have made over 38 knots with 48000 shp when on trial. On January 7, 1920 the Nibbio and Sparviero were sold back to Rumania and renamed Marasesti and Marasti respectively. During the Second World War they served in the Black Sea as escorts for Axis convoys. They were eventually scrapped in the mid-1960s. The Aquila and Falco remained in Italian service until January 1939, when they were transferred to Spain and renamed Melilla and Ceut a respectively. The former vessel was discarded in 1950 and the latter in 1948. fastest

sinking her in a position to block the harbour. hull was sunk by the Germans before they abandoned Genoa but was salvaged in 1946 and eventually broken up between 1951

The

and 1952. Displacement: 23350 tons (standard), 27600 tons (full load) Length: 216.10 m (709 ft) Beam: 29.26 m (96 ft 6 in) Draught: 7.32 m (24 ft) Machinery: 4-shaft geared steam turbines, 140 000 shp = 30 knots Protection 3-in (76-mm) bulges and 23?-in (603-mm) concrete shield Armament:! 135-mm (5.1-in); 12 65-mm (2.6-in); 82 20-mm (1.7-in) Aircraft: 36-66 (2 lifts, 2 :

catapults)

Displacement: 1390 tons (standard), 1750 tons load) Length: 93.88 m (308 ft) Beam: 9.45 m (31 ft) Draught: 3.35 m (11 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft steam turbines, 40000 shp=36.5 knots Armament:36-\n (152-mm) (3x1) Falco 5 4.7-in (120 mm) [5x1]); 4 3-in (76-mm) (4x1) (Falco 2 3-in [2x1]); 2 machine-guns; 4 17.7-in (45-cm) torpedo tubes (2x2); 44 mines Crew: 146 (full

(

Aquila Italian aircraft carrier.

Second World War

Before entering the

Italy

showed

little

inter-

the building of an aircraft carrier because, theoretically, most fleet operations est

in

could

be

covered by land-based

aircraft.

However,

the actions with the British Fleet during 1940, in particular the Battle of Matapan in which the Italians lost three heavy cruisers and two destroyers and had a battleship damaged, led to a reconsideration of the position and late in 1940 it was decided to embark on the construction of an aircraft carrier. Insufficient time and materials were available to build a completely new vessel so the passenger liner Roma of 32 583 tons was taken over for conversion. Design work began in January 1941 and in July the ship was taken in hand at the

Ansaldo yard near Genoa. The conversion entailed removing the liner's superstructure and fitting a hangar, full-length flight deck and island superstructure. Machinery intended for two light cruisers replaced the

The subdivision of the was improved by fitting additional watertight bulkheads and bulges were fitted on each side of the hull. The underwater protection provided by the latter was strengthened by adding a concrete casing, 235 in thick, to

original installation. hull

the outside of bulge. Stowage

the original hull inside the

was provided for 36 Reggiane Re 2001 aircraft, but this number could be increased to 51 by an unusual system of suspending aircraft from the roof of the hangar. The use of a folding-wing version of the Re 2001. which was under development, would have increased the aircraft comple-

ment

to 66.

February 1942 the Roma was renamed The conversion was delayed by bomb damage received during an air raid in November 1942, but by September 1943 she was almost complete. After the Italian surrender she was sabotaged by her crew and was subsequently captured by the Germans. On June 16, 1944 she was damaged during an air raid and on April 19, 1945 she was damaged again by a force of Anglo-Italian In

Aquila.

human torpedoes 132

to

prevent the Germans

Aquilon

SNCASE

Anglo-French naval

hinged canopy. The Mk 202 had a new tail, as developed for later Sea Venoms, a sliding canopy, deck-landing undercarriage and nose filled with the Westinghouse APQ-65 radar fire-control. Armament remained four 20-mm Hispano cannon. After delivering 25 Mk 202, production switched in 1955 to the single-seat Aquilon 203, of which 40 were built. These were the first European fighters in service with an airto-air guided missile; the weapon was the

fighter. In the early 1950s the air forces of the recently formed alliance were desperate to increase their strength and build up home industry to gain experience and back up the front line with manufacturing potential destroyed in the Second World War. Nearly all the types adopted were American or British, and one of the most important fighters was the de Havilland Venom. The Aeronavale urgently picked on the carrier-based Sea Venom as its night fighter to first jet all-weather and replace the F4U-7 Corsair. It elected to have

radio-command Nord 5103, later called AA 20, two of which were carried under the wings. The final variant, of which 19 were delivered in 1956, was the Mk 204 trainer.

the aircraft built by SNCASE (later SudAviation and now Aerospatiale), and in 1951 requested so many changes the aircraft

Units equipped with the popular Aquilon included IF, 16F, 17F, 2S, 10S, 54S and 59S. The Aquilons were replaced by the

emerged as substantially a new type, the SE

Etendard and Crusader from 1962-64.

NATO

Aquilon (Sea Eagle). One feature noticeably lacking from British Sea Venoms at that time was an ejection seat, and SNCASO ejection seats were fitted. The engine was a Ghost 48/1 of 2200-kg (4850-lb) thrust, with later versions having the Fiat Ghost 105 of 2405-kg (5300-lb) thrust.

The prototype Aquilon

flew

in

October

1952, and like all Aquilons was painted midnight blue (as were US Navy aircraft at that time). There followed four pre-production 20 production aircraft with naval and 25 equipment but intended for airfield use, with

Mk

pilot

and navigator seated under an upward-

1

(Aquilon 202) Span: 13.07 m (42 ft 10 in) Length: 11.15 m (36 ft 7 in) Gross weight. (203) 7167kg

(15800

lb)

Maximum speed 933 km/h

(580 mph)

Ar-2 Arkangelski Soviet tactical attack- and dive-bomber. In the second half of the 1930s the chief Soviet bomber, in terms of numbers, was the SB-2, designed by the Tupolev bureau as the ANT40 in 1933-34. This outstanding twin-engined monoplane, which had a performance in excess of any contemporary aircraft in any

Ar-2 Arkangelski

The Aquilon

Mk

20 was intended for land operations and had an upward-opening cockpit and Vampire-type undercarriage

133

Ar 68 Arado other country (in speed and rate of climb it was better than such fighters as the Fiat C.R.32. Bf 109B and Boeing P-26), was supplemented in 1939 by a revised variant at first known outside the USSR as the SB-RK, and described as an SB-2bis with dive brakes. In fact the SB-RK was the product of a different bureau headed by A A Arkangelski, and under the 1940 redesignation the new bomber became the Ar-2. Compared with the SB-2bis it had a smaller wing but more powerful engines, a completely different cooling radiator system, dive brakes under the wings for 80° dive-bombing, provision for carrying an external overload of bombs, a new hemispherical nose with a single 7.62-mm ShKAS machine-gun with much better field of fire than the twin guns of the SB-2bis, and manually aimed ShKAS in dorsal and ventral positions (no turret). Structure and systems differed from the SB2bis and with the normal internal bomb load of six 100-kg (221-lb) bombs the gross weight was much less. The engines were two Klimov M-105R (Hispano), each rated at 1100hp;the oil coolers were in the streamlined nacelles but the coolant radiators were in the wings, with slot inlets in the leading edge outboard of the engines. Maximum bomb load comprised 600 kg (1320 lb) internally and 500 kg (1 100 lb) externally. Production numbers and dates are not known, but several hundred Ar2s were in service when the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa against Russia in

The Ar 68E Arado was service in 1935 radial, raising

the first major production version of the Ar 68. and fought with the Legion Kondor in Spain

maximum

speed to 379 km/h

despite having two extra MG17s in the upper wing (it also had a sliding canopy). By 1939 all Ar 68s were serving either as night fighters or as trainers and squadron hacks. The very similar but heavier and much

scuttled in 1945.

Span: 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in) Length: 9.5 m in) Gross weight: 2020 kg (4454 lb) Maximum speed: 306 km/h (190 mph)

(Ar 68E) (31

ft

Span: 18.0m (59 ft 0i in) Length: 12.4m(40ft8 Gross weight: 7200 kg (15873 lb) Maximum speed: 475 km/h (296 mph)

in)

Ar 68 Arado German fighter. The Luftwaffe's first fighter was the Ar 65 Arado biplane, soon replaced by the Heinkel He 51. Arado's design team under Walter Rethel fought back with the Ar 68, the prototype of which flew on a 750-hp VI in 1934. It was actually ordered as a replacement for the He 51, but though superior it suffered from being later in timing, and the Luftwaffe and RLM (Air Ministry) were reluctant to buy another biplane. Production began with the Ar 68F, powered by the 675-hp VI, which entered service in September 1936 with I/JG134

BMW

BMW

Horst-Wessel.

Ar 68 had

Legion Kondor. About 680 were delivered, most having provision for six 10-kg (22-lb) bombs under

The Ar 68G was not built (it was intended to have higher ceiling but no engine the fuselage.

was

available) and the final

68H prototype 134

model was the Ar 132Da

with an 850-hp

BMW

entered Luftwaffe

more powerful (800-hp BMW 132J) Ar 197 fighter-bomber was intended to be the main carrier-based type aboard the Graf Zeppelin, which was never commissioned and was

June 1941.

A trim N-strutted biplane, the cantilever landing gear (spatted until 1938), wooden wings with large ailerons on the upper wings, steel-tube fuselage, typical Arado tail with one-piece elevator, and armament of two 7.92-mm MG17 machineguns above the engine. In 1937 the 690-hp Junkers Jumo 210 became available, giving better pilot view because of its inverted-V layout and improving performance in manoeuvres and at altitude. The new engine resulted in the Ar 68E, the main production type, which increased the margin of superiority over the He 51 and did much better in Spain with the

It first

The Arado Ar 1 96A-3 carried by the Prinz Eugen. Most of Germany's major warships carried two Ar 196s, and the type was used throughout the sea areas of the European theatre during the Second World War

2

Ar 196 Arado The Ar 96B was standard equipment

Ar 96 Arado German

trainer

and

utility aircraft.

Through-

out the Second World War the Luftwaffe's standard advanced trainer was the Ar 96B. It

was an extremely

attractive

and advanced

of cantilever low-wing monoplane layout and all-metal stressed-skin construction. Instructor and pupil were seated in the rear and front cockpits respectively, under sliding canopies. The landing gear retracted inwards. The Ar 96A batch ordered in 1940 had the 240-hp Argus As IOC inverted-V-8 air-cooled engine, but the main sub-types were all versions of the Ar 96B with longer fuselage, greater fuel capacity, and a 465-hp As 410A inverted-V-12 engine driving a two-blade metal propeller with distinctive freely rotating multi-vaned spinner giving automatic constant-speeding. These aircraft were built in great numbers by Ago. by the Czech Avia and Letov companies and. originally, by Arado. Total output amounted to 1 1 546. Most were 96B-2 sub-types with dual controls, a fixed MG17 machine-gun on the right side above the engine, and full night- and blind-flying equipment. Some versions carried two-stage blindflying canopies, many carried light bomb racks for ground attack and dive-bombing training, and a manually aimed MG15 could be mounted in the rear cockpit with the rear seat reversed. aircraft,

at all

wings, replacement fighter units and cadet schools. The completely redesigned Ar 396 replacement was produced too late for the war by SIPA in France, but went into production in 1947 as the SIPA S. 10 fighter-trainer

and S.ll. (Ar

(29

1 1 .0 m (36 ft 1 in) Length: 9.13 m Gross weight: 1695 kg (3747 lb) speed: 330 km/h (205 mph)

96B) Span: ft

113

Maximum

in)

Ar 196 Arado German reconnaissance

floatplane.

Between

1940 the Arado Flugzeugwerke failed to sell its excellent Ar 95 biplane reconnaissance and torpedo-carrying seaplanes and landplanes to the Luftwaffe or Kriegsmarine. though the Ar 195 landplane 1936

and

was adopted

for the latter's aircraft carriers. the other hand the monoplane Ar 196, first flown in 1936. was the standard catapult

On

warplane of German surface warships from August 1939. and also served at shore bases from northern Norway and the Baltic round the Atlantic coast to Egypt.

Of all-metal construction, with stressedskin wings and a welded-steel-tube fuselage covered with fabric or detachable metal panels, the 196A was powered by the 970-hp 132K radial in a cowling blistered over the valve gear and driving a three-blade propeller. The roomy cockpits had sliding canopies and were normally arranged for a pilot, with an excellent view almost straight down across the leading edge, and an observer facing to the rear with extensive communications radio. After flying a prototype with a central float and outriggers the decision was taken to standardize on twin

BMW

VDM

floats.

The Ar 196A-1, of which 26 were delivered in 1938-40, carried

an

MG17

machine-gun in and a

the right side of the forward fuselage

135

Ar 234

Blitz

Arado

manually aimed MG15 in the rear cockpit, while a 50-kg (1 10-lb) bomb could be carried under each wing. The A-l served aboard the

planned a slim and beautifully streamlined high-wing aircraft with a single occupant in a pressurized cockpit in the extreme nose.

three pocket battleships, the battlecruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst, the heavy cruisers Liitzow and Prinz Eugen (and possibly Hipper) and the capital ships Bismarck and

Curiously, the wing was mounted above the fuselage, with a turbojet underslung on each side, and there was nowhere to put conventional landing gear (without seriously cutting into the fuselage tankage). After studying use of multiple small wheels along the belly, as in the Ar 232 assault transport, the bold decision was taken to fit no conventional landing gear at all. The first prototype flew at Rheine on June 15, 1943, taking off from a tricycle trolley, which was cleanly released at 60 (200 ft) altitude (the five braking chutes failed to open and the trolley was destroyed on impact), and landing on skids under the belly and. the engine nacelles housing the early Jumo 004B-

Tirpitz.

1940 quantity production began on a version, the Ar 196A-3, which with 23 aircraft built by SNCAO at Bougennais (St Nazaire) and another small batch of the similar A-5 from Fokker at Amsterdam brought total Ar 196 deliveries to 593 by early 1943. The A-3 had twin MG17or MG81 machine-guns in the rear cockpit and a 20-mm FF cannon in each wing, and a load of up to 500 kg (1 102 lb) of bombs, depth charges or other stores. The first action by an A-3 was the capture Seal, the only RN submarine to of surrender to the Axis. Damaged by a mine in In

more aggressive

m

MG

turbojets. Extensive

HMS

development led first was left on the

to a self-braked trolley that

ground and

finally to a conventional tricycle landing gear retracting into the fuselage. By

d o

.£====

o June 1944 the pre-production 234B-0 Blitz the Kattegat in early May 1940, she was unable to dive and capitulated on the 5th

(Lightning)

when attacked by Lt Mehrens of KuFGr 706 with bombs and cannon fire (Mehrens alighted, picked up Seal's captain and flew him to Aalborg). The nimble and formidable Ar 1% was a nuisance especially in the Mediterranean and Bay of Biscay, but could never really achieve command of the maritime airspace.

Span: 12.4 m (40 ft 8i in) Length: 1 in) Gross weight: 3730 kg (8225 Maximum speed: 310 km/h (193 mph)

(Ar 196A-3)

11.0 lb)

m

(36

Ar 234

ft

Blitz

Arado

A unirespects, the Ar 234 not only flew as a wide range of dramatically advanced prototypes during the Second World War but also entered service in large numbers as the world's first jet reconnaisGerman que

jet

reconnaissance bomber.

aircraft in

many

sance and bombing aircraft. It was planned to meet a November 1940 RLM requirement for a jet-propelled reconnaissance machine, and the Arado design team under Walter Blume

136

a

was

rolling off the line at Alt-

Lonnewitz, with two 900-kg (1980-lb) thrust Jumo 004B-1 turbojets, rocket takeoff boost, and systems and equipment outstandingly advanced and often unlike anything previously used. The B-l reconnaissance aircraft introduced pressurization, and ejection seat and various combinations of Rb 20/30, 50/30 or 75/30 cameras. Following operations with prototypes from Juvincourt, begun on July 20, 1944, the B-0 and B-l maintained continual surveillance at high altitude throughout the battlefronts and even over Britain, where aircraft had seldom dared fly in daylight since 1940 (except fighters bombing towns on the coast). Main production centred on the fully equipped B-2, built in several bomber, reconnaissancebomber and pathfinder/marker versions. This had two nacelle attachments for up to 2000 kg (4410 lb) of bombs, and was equipped with BZA attack computer, PDS autopilot and Lotfe 7K tachymetric bomb sight. Two 20mm MG151 cannon were fixed in the rear fuselage firing aft, with periscopic sighting. During the Ardennes 'Battle of the Bulge' the Stabsstaffel of KG76, under the great ace

Ar 234

Blitz

Arado

and front elevation of the Ar 1 96A-3, plus detail of the wing-folding mechanism. The markings on these drawings are those borne by the aircraft when it was unloaded from the Prinz Plan, side

Eugen in 1945. Armament of the A-3 was one 7.92-mm MG17 on the starboard side of the fuselage, twin MG17s in the rear cockpit and a 20-mm MG FF cannon in each leading edge

The Ar 196's wings had two all-metal main spars. When folded for stowage aboard ships the struts from the wings to the floats were unfastened and folded back and the wing hinged backwards at the rear spar

137

Arabe

The Arado Ar 234C-3 four-engined production version of the Blitz retained the 789-kg (1760-lb) 003A-1 axial-flow turbojets

thrust

BMW

introduced on the C-1 Unlike the C-1 a purely reconnaissance type, the C-3 was suitable for use as a bomber, night fighter or ground attack aircraft. Four MG 151 cannon were carried in a ventral pack, two firing forward and two aft. Up to 1500 kg (3300 lb) of bombs could be carried .

,

became

Robert

Kowaleski,

bomber

unit in history.

the

first

jet-

Other units of KG76 whenever they had fuel, their

fought bitterly climax being the ten-day non-stop (and often suicidal) low-level attacks

on

the

Remagen

1000-kg bombs which finally succeeded in destroying the bridge on March 1945. There were many other semi17, experimental Ar 234B units, and numerous four-engined Ar 234C and other developments.

with

bridge

Span: 14.44 m (46 ft 3^ in) Length: ft 5^ in) Gross weight: 9800 kg Maximum speed :742 km/h (461 mph)

(Ar 234B-2)

12.64

m

715

(21

(41

lb)

Arabe French destroyer class. In 1917 the French navy was seriously short of destroyers for fleet escort work, but as most of the shipyard workers had been conscripted into the army it

was

virtually

impossible

to

build

new

tonnage. Therefore Japanese shipyards were asked to build 12 destroyers. Known as the

'Type Japonais', they were similar to the Japanese navy's Kaba Class and were built in the record time of four to six months.

138

Ar 234B-1 /b (the suffix indicates a variation

in

camera equipment) reconnaissance aircraft. The B-series, the first to bear the name Blitz, entered service in late 1944, flying reconnaissance missions over the east coast of Great Britain, and in the spring of 1945 over northern Italy

Arabe

The Japanese-built French destroyer Hova of the Arabe Class at Istanbul after the signing of the Armistice in 1918

The class consisted of Algerien and Annamite (built by Yokosuka dockyard), Arabe and Bambara (built by Kure dockyard), Hova and Kabyle (built by Sasebo dockyard), Marocain and Sakalave (built by Maizuru dockyard), Senegalais and Somali (built by Kawasaki at Kobe), and Tonkinois and Touareg (built by Mitsubishi at Nagasaki). All were ordered in March 1917, launched in May-July and completed in July-September the same year, an average building time of five months. From 1930 the 4.7-in gun was replaced by a 3.9-in, although it is not certain if all had been rearmed by the time they were scrapped. Towards the end of their lives their speed was only 25-26 knots. The class proved to be good seaboats, although the French navy reported trouble with the unfamiliar gun-mountings, and they rendered useful service during the last year of the war. Seven served in the 11th Flotilla and escorted troop convoys between Taranto and Itea, while the remaining five joined the

5th Division at Mudros. After the war most were sent to the Northern Squadron based on Brest, but during the Riff campaign of 192425 some operated off the coast of Morocco. The Annamite and Bambara were stricken in 1933, Marocain, Somali and Touareg in 1935, and the rest in 1936.

Displacement: 690 tons (normal), 750 tons (full m (272 ft 2 in) oa Beam :7. 33 m (24 ft 0i in) Draught: 2.93 m (9 ft 7 in) mean Machinery: 3-shaft triple-expansion, 10 000 ihp=29 knots Armament: 1 4.7-in (120-mm); 4 76-mm (3-in) (4x1); 4 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (2x2) Crew: 86 load) Length: 82.96

139

Aragua

Venezuelan destroyer class. In 1950 the Armada Republica Venezuela ordered two destroyers from the British firm of Vickers, followed by a third ship two years later. The design was basically an enlargement of the contemporary British 'Battle' Class, but with improvements suggested by the Daring Class. When completed they were among the biggest and most powerful destroyers afloat. The gun armament comprised six 4.5-in (114-mm) Mark 3 guns in dual-purpose BD Mk 4 mountings. This mounting had 80° elevation w ith remote power control (RPC) to allow it to follow the training and elevation of the

Mk

6 fire-control director. In addition a

set of triple 21 -in (53-cm) torpedo tubes

mounted amidships, and

Mk

eight twin

was

40-mm

5 Bofors guns. ships entered service between 1953 and 1956. at a reported cost of £2.5 million

The

Nueva Esparta and Zulia were refitted in Britain, and further improvements were made at New York Navy Yard each. In 1959 the

Aragua

the following year. A similar refit was given to the Aragua between 1964 and 1965. The Nueva Esparta was given a much bigger modernization between 1968 and 1969 by the British firms Plessey Radar and Cammell Laird. When she emerged in 1969 she had lost

her torpedo tubes and six twin Bofors mountTo improve her antiaircraft capability two Short Seacat short-range missile launchers were added amidships and Plessey AWS-1 and AWS-2 radars were installed. Other equipment fitted by Plessey's included operations room and bridge displays. The three ships consequently became different in detail. The most noticeable external change was the removal of the original latticework aerial spreader mounted on the after side of the funnel, but in most other respects ings.

their

appearance remained the same. The

antisubmarine equipment varies. Hedgehog spigot mortars being fitted in Aragua and Squid triple depth-charge mortars in the other two. The two ships refitted at New York Navy Yard were given the Westinghouse/Bendix SPS-6 surveillance radar, but all three retained the venerable Type 275 firecontrol tracker radar.

Displacement: 2600 tons (standard). 3670 tons load) Length: 122.5 m (402 ft) oa Beam;13.1 m (43 ft) Draught: 5.8 m (19 ft) max Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines 50000 shp=34 knots (max). 31 knots sea speed Armament: 6 4.5-in (114-mm) DP (3x2); 16 40-mm AA (8x2) (reduced to 4 40-mm (2x2) in Nueva Esparta); 2 quadruple Seacat SAM-launchers (Nueva Esparta only); 3 21 -in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (removed from Nueva Esparta); 2 depth-charge throwers and racks (replaced by Squid in Nueva Esparta and Zulia. and by Hedgehog in Aragua) Crew: 256 (full

The Aragua Class Venezuelan destroyer Nueva Esparta after her refit in 1968-69. Twelve 40-mm Bofors AA guns have been deleted, along with the torpedo tubes, and two twin Seacat launchers added amidships. New radar, fire control and communications equipment have been added

140

Arava

stricken

Swedish coast defence battleship class. Four coast defence ships were built for the Royal Swedish Navy between 1899 and 1904: Aran launched August 14, 1901 by Lindholmens: Wasa launched May 29, 1901 by FinnTapperheten launched November 7, 1901 by Kockums; and Manligheten launched

boda:

December

1,

1903 by

Kockums. The

first

three were completed in 1902 but the Manv, " u eten was not finished until 1904. Their careers were undistinguished and uneventful. The Wasa was stricken from the Effective List in 1940 and converted to a training hulk. Between 1952 and 1961 she was used for damage-control training at the Berga

Naval School, after which she was scrapped. The other three coast defence ships were rearmed when the Swedish navy began its preparations to avoid involvement in the Second World War. The Aran was rebuilt in 1939 and rearmed with four 57-mm and two 25-mm guns. Her torpedo tubes were

The

this refit. The ship was 1947 and scrapped four years

removed during

Aran

in

Arava IAI-201

later.

Israeli tactical aircraft.

The Tapperheten was modernized in 1941 on similar lines to the Aran, and was stricken in 1947 and scrapped in 1952. The Manligheten was rebuilt in 1941, stricken in 1950 and

to

scrapped

As

in

1952.

built the ships

had two funnels and two

masts, but during their

1939-41

refits

the

mainmast was removed and the bridgework was enlarged. The Manligheten was more extensively modernized than the others, with a new bow and capped funnels giving her a rakish look.

Displacement: 3650 tons (normal), 3415-3450 tons (as rebuilt) Length: 87 .48 m (287 ft) Beam: 15.01 m (49 ft 3 in) Draught: 5.41 m (17 ft 9 in) Machinery: 2-shaft triple-expansion, 6500 ihp=17.2 knots Armament: 2 8.3-in (211-mm) (2x1); 6 6-in (152-mm) (6x1); 10 57-mm (10x1); 2 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (submerged)

Crew: 280

The

aircraft ever

first

be designed and developed

in Israel, the

Israel Aircraft Industries IAI-101

produced as a

civil

multi-role

Arava was and utility

STOL (short takeoff and landing) transport with a large unpressurized cabin for passengers or freight and with the ability to use rough airstrips. The first IAI-101 flew in 1969. From this was developed the IAI-201 for military use, the prototype flying for the first time in March 1972. The IAI-201 is basically the same as a 101, with all-metal airframe, tail carried on twin booms, fixed tricycle landing gear, and two 750-hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop engines. The cockpit seats two side-by-side, and folding seats along the walls of the short circular-section fuselage accommodate up to 24 troops. The door is at the rear on the left, with an emergency exit opposite. For loading freight, such as a Jeep and recoilless rifle, the whole rear end of the

Arava light tactical transport aircraft can accommodate 24 troops, 16 paratroops and two dispatchers, 12 Jeep-mounted recoilless rifle. It has STOL performance and can be flown from rough airstrips

Israel Aircraft Industries IAI-201

stretchers or loads such as a

141

Archer fuselage can be swung open. Alternative loads include 12 stretchers and two attendants, or 16 paratroops and two dispatchers, jumping from the side door. Armament options include a 12.7-mm gun pod on each side, firing ahead, a rear-mounted manuallyaimed machine-gun. and two forward-firing 68-mm (2.75-in) rocket pods. During the October 1973 Middle East war three IAI-201 Aravas for export were released by the Israeli Air Force. The Israeli Defence Forces have since ordered an unstated number. All early production was for export, including machines built for Bolivia (6), Ecuador (10+), Guatemala (2+), Mexico (10+), Nicaragua (1 + ) and Salvador (4+).

Span: 20.88 m (68 ft 6 in) Length: 1 2.95 m (42 ft 6 Gross weight: 6803 kg (15000 lb) Maximum speed (max cruising speed) :320 km/h (199 mph)

in)

Arbiter British escort carrier

See Tracker

Archer British escort carrier class. carrier, the British

a

The

first

escort

A udacity converted

German merchant

vessel,

was used

from

as the Island.

model for the US prototype Long completed in 1941. However, this American mercantile conversion was much superior to the British original. A sister ship of the Long Island was transferred to the Royal Navy under the Lend-Lease agreement and named Archer, and to meet the Admiralty's order for five such vessels the American authorities

acquired four more mercantile hulls for conversion. All five were buiJt by the Sun Shipbuilding company, Chester. They were fitted with a large hangar served by a single lift to a full-length, wooden flight deck. Archer differed slightly

from the

later ships

and was

with four, instead of two. diesel engines driving a single shaft. This arrangement was not entirely satisfactory and machinery troubles led to her early retirement. fitted

The Avenger was the first to see action when during September 1942 she escorted the Russian convoy PQ18. Her aircraft proved invaluable in defence against air attack and on the 14th they assisted in the sinking of the submarine U 589. In November she joined the Biter and Dasher in support of the North African landings but on November 15 was torpedoed by U 155 west of Gibraltar. The torpedo caused a petrol explosion and fire. The Dasher was also lost due to a petrol explosion and fire, but in this case by accident, in the River Clyde on March 27, 1943.

These two events cast considerable doubt on the arrangements for working and stowing of the aviation spirit, and the Archer and Biter were taken out of service to have their petrol systems modified. The Archer served as an Atlantic escort in mid- 1943 and on May 23 her aircraft sank the submarine U 752. She was laid up in October 1943 and returned to the US Navy after the war, only to be sold into merchant service in 1946 and scrapped in 1962. The Biter served as an Atlantic escort from April 1943 until August 1944 and during that time her aircraft assisted in the sinking of the 203. on April 25. 1943, and 89, on May 12, 1943. In 1945 she was transferred to the French navy and renamed Dixmude.

U

142

U

Gun and rocket installation on an Arava. Two forward -firing 12.7-mm machine-gun pods with 250 rounds per gun and two 2.75-in rocket pods holding six rockets each are fitted on the forward fuselage, while an aft-firing 12.7-mm machine-gun can be mounted in the fuselage tail serving off Indo-China and in the Mediterranean before being returned to the US Navy in 1966 and subsequently sold for scrapping. The fifth unit of the class. Charger, was retained in the United States and served as a Fleet Air Arm air crew training ship until the end of the war. In 1949 she was sold into mercantile service.

Displacement: 8200 tons (Archer 9000 tons) standard Length: 149.96 m (492 ft) oa, 134.72 m (442

ft)

flight

deck Beam: 21.18

m

(69

ft

6

in)

Draught: 7.01 m (23 ft), Archer 9.75 m (23 ft) Machinery: single-shaft diesel engines, 8500 bhp=17 knots Armament: 3 4-in (102-mm) (3x1); 15 20-mm (4x2, 7x1) Crew: 555

Archer Class escort carrier

HMS

escort duties in the Atlantic.

Her

Biter at anchor in mid- 1943, shortly after taking up convoy sank two U-Boats in her first month of escort work

aircraft

,

Archimede Archer British self-propelled tank destroyer.

Archer

was based on the chassis of the Valentine antitank tank and mounted the 17-pdr Mk gun. The Valentine turret was removed and replaced by a fixed armoured superstructure, 1

with the gun pointing to the rear of the vehicle. This meant that it had to be reversed into the firing position. It also meant that the driver had to be quick to get out of his seat

before the gun could be used, since he sat on the centre-line of the vehicle and the gun breech recoiled across the top of his seat. The gun had 11° of traverse either side of centre. 15° of elevation and 75° depression, and 39 rounds of ammunition could be

stowed inside the fighting compartment. Archer was a low-silhouette, compact vehicle, which performed well in the Italian and northwest Europe campaigns. The first production models were issued in March 1944 and a total of 665 were built. They remained in service for

some years

'' *

1

,

*

fir -*

* *- f-^-'-

,

•

•

^_

Archer SP gun, based on the Valentine tank chassis and mounting 17-pdr in) Speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) Range: 225 km (140 miles) Armour: 60-80 Armaments 17-

after the war. ft

m

1 1

(7

ft

in)

A\

1

antitank gun

Archimede

mm

Weight: 16 tons Length: 6.68 m (21 Width: 2.75 m (9 ft 04 in) Height: 2.24

Mk

pdr (76-mm); 1 Browning mg (unmounted) Engine: GM diesel, 192 hp Crew: A

French submarine. The Archimede was laid doun under the 1906 Programme as an improved edition of the Pluviose Class, and had steam machinery like the Pluviose Class but superior performance and reliability. The double-hulled design was drawn up by Monsieur Hutter and built by Cherbourg dockyard. She was laid down on January 2. 1908. launched on August 4. 1909 and completed in September 1911. Despite the delay in completing her. the boat was a success and reached 15.2 knots on the surface. She resembled other steam-driven French submarines in having a single funnel in a low superstructure on the casing (few French submarines of this period had proper conning towers). Before diving the funnel folded backwards into a well and the uptake was sealed with a watertight hatch.

Above: HMS Biter's single hangar and wooden deck were built on a merchant hull

flight

The Archer's rearward-facing gun mounting had several disadvantages, including limited traverse and the fact that the driver had to be removed before the gun could be fired

J i.

~ A m

1

X

SH^V

rr

'

MB

^MM

B*

^i

-

<

\

VA

M

r I^^^B-

.* I

J-4.

1

-

.

-m ,.-

*-*"-#-

*^A "-*

vto*\

*>-.4*r

*9VpH

m^/f—tf^k

-

• •

^^^T^^^^W muiL&.^t'*'..

.

——

'

-

1

143

Archimede During the First World War she sank the Austrian transports Dubrovnik and Albanien in

May

ken

1916.

and two others. She was stric1919 and later scrapped.

November

in

Displacement: 598/810.5 tons (surfaced/subm (198 ft 7 in) oa Beam: 5.63 m (18 ft 6 in) Draught: 4.17 m (13 ft 8 in) surfaced Machinery: (surfaced) 2-shaft reciprocating engines, 850 ihp=15 knots; (submerged) 2-shaft electric motors, 615 shp=11 knots Armament: 1 internal torpedo tube; 2 external cradles; 4 Drzewiecki drop-collars Crew: 26

merged) Length: 60.54

Archimede Italian submarine class. In October 1931 four submarines were laid down for the Italian navy at the Tosi yard, Taranto. The design was a Cavallini-type partial double hull, and was an enlargement of the Luigi Settembrini type. They were completed between May 1934 and January 1935: Archimede launched December 10, 1933 Galilei launched March 19, 1934 Torricelli launched May 27, 1934 Ferraris launched August 11, 1934 In April 1937 the Archimede and Torricelli were transferred to Nationalist Spain and renamed General Sanjurjo and General Mola. The Ferraris and Galilei operated in the Red Sea from the Eritrean base of Massowa, and

shaft Marelli electric motors,

Armament: 2 100-mm

(4-in)

1300ehp=8j knots (2x1); 2 13.2-mm

(0.5-in) (2x1); 8 21-in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (16 torpedoes carried) Crew: 55

which would drive the battleship from the

Ardito Italian destroyer class.

were

The two

by Orlando

ships of this

Leghorn, being laid down and launched in 1912. The Ardito was completed in 1913 and the Ardente in 1914. Their design was virtually identical to that of the Indomito Class constructed by Pattison at Naples during 1910-14. They were comparatively small destroyers but were remarkable for their heavy gun armament which was achieved at the expense of the torpedo armament. This was improved in 1915 when they were fitted with two more single 18-in torpedo tubes and rails for the stowage of ten mines. On completion they joined the 1st Destroyer Division and remained with this force throughout the First World War, operating mainly in the Adriatic. After the war they were rearmed with five 4-in and one 2-pdr AA guns and in October 1929 they were reclassified as torpedo boats. The Ardito was discarded in October 1931 and the Ardente in class

March

built

at

1937.

disaster. On October 19, 1940 she was surprised on the surface by the armed trawler

Displacement .686 tons Length: 72.54 m (238 ft) oa Beam: 7.32 m (24 ft) Draught: 2.7'4 m (9 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft steam turbines, 16 000 shp=33 knots Armament: 1 4.7-in (120-mm) 4 3in (75-mm) (4x1); 2 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes

HMS

(2x1) Creiv:69

it

was

in

that theatre that the Galilei

Moonstone,

which

caused

met

heavy

with her 4-in shells and closequarter machine-gun fire. With nearly all the Galilei' s officers killed and the survivors inside the boat nearly asphyxiated by chlorine gas there was little choice but to surrender. She was taken into the Royal Navy as X2and scrapped in 1946 after being casualties 1

used for training.

The Ferraris was hardly more fortunate. She escaped the British blockade of Massowa in March 1941 and circumnavigated Africa to get to the Atlantic base at Bordeaux in May. On October 25, 1941 she attacked a heavily escorted convoy off Gibraltar. After a brisk gun action by the British destroyer Lamerton the Italian submarine was scuttled

were driven at speeds of up to 21 knots, a considerable achievement for their day, but this figure was only obtained in the calmest weather. Nor did the 14-in Whitehead torpedo live up to its reputation as the weapon

Ardjoeno Dutch torpedo boat

class. During the 1880s the Koninglijke Nederlandse Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy) followed the example of

other European navies and bought torpedo boats for coast defence. The three Ardjoeno Class, built between 1886 and 1888, were typical of the torpedo boats built by the Clydeside firm of Yarrow for the Royal Navy and many foreign powers. They were 38-m (125-ft) craft with two funnels side-by-side. Their slim steel hulls

oceans. Although mechanically reliable the Whiteheads used in the 1880s were wildly inaccurate and too slow to achieve anything but a lucky hit in battle, assuming that the torpedo boat would have been able to find its target.

All the theorists of the day underestimated the hardship and physical hazards involved in taking small, lightly-built and unstable craft to sea in rough weather. Not until the torpedo boat grew much bigger and became the destroyer did such risks diminish, and even then destroyers found difficulty in locating their targets.

The three torpedo boats, Ardjoeno, Cerberus and Cicloop, were still nominally serviceable in 1914, although it is doubtful if they could get near their original speed. They were scrapped after the

HMS

Displacement:83 tons Length: approx 38 m (125 pp Beam: 3.96 m (13 ft) Draught:2AZ m (7 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft triple-expansion, 800 ihp=21 knots. Armament:2 1-pdr (25-mm) (2x1); 3 14-in (35-cm) torpedo tubes (2 deck, 1 bow) Crew: 16

Arethusa British light cruiser class. The Arethusa Class were introduced to meet a requirement for small cruisers which were faster than the scout cruisers constructed between 1904 and 1912. Their design was based on that of the Active Class, the most recent of the scout cruisers, but with the speed increased from 25.5 to 29 knots and the armament from ten 4in to two 6-in and six 4-in guns. They were also better protected for, whereas the Actives had only a 2-in or 1-in protective deck, the Arethusas were also provided with 3-in side armour. Under normal circumstances this addition would have increased the displacement excessively but, instead of using the usual system of bolting armour plates to the hull, protective 2-in (50-mm) thick high-

Arethusa. The Arethusa Class light

cruisers

were

more

heavily

armed and

better protected than the /4cf/VeClass scout

cruisers on which their design was based. The Arethusawas damaged in the Heligoland Bight action on August 28, 1914, the first full-scale naval engagement of the First

World War

T-

144

faster,

«

World War.

ft)

to avoid capture.

Displacement: 880 tons (standard), 985/1259 tons (surfaced/submerged) Length:70.5 m (231 ft 4 in) oa Beam :6.87 m (22 ft 6 in) Draught :4.12 m (13 ft 6 in) Machinery: (surfaced) 2-shaft Tosi diesels, 3000 bhp=17 knots; (submerged) 2-

First

—

Arethusa were riveted to the 1-in shell the plates actually contributed to the hull strength and allowed for a reduction in the remaining hull weight. Weight was also saved by the introduction of fast-running tensile plates

plating.

Thus

destroyer-type turbines and completely

oil-

fired boilers.

The

eight

ships

of the class

Arethusa

by Chatham dockyard), Aurora (built by Devonport dockyard), Galatea, Inconstant, Royalist (built by Beardmore), Penelope, Phaeton (built by Vickers) and Undaunted (built by Fairfield) were ordered in September 1912 under the 1912 Estimates and completed during 1914 and 1915. The Arethusa, Aurora, Penelope and Undaunted joined the Harwich Force on completion, Arethusa becoming the flagship of Commodore R Y Tyrwhitt. The Galatea also joined this group but was transferred to the Grand (built

—

Fleet early in 1915. The remaining three joined the Grand Fleet on completion, although Phaeton served in the eastern

HMS

Royalist was the last Arethusa Class light cruiser to be launched, in January 1915

Mediterranean until September 1915. The Arethusa was the first to distinguish herself when, on August 28, 1914, only a few days after completion, she took part in the Heligoland Bight action. Two months later the Undaunted, with four destroyers, sank four German torpedo boats off Terschelling. Arethusa and Undaunted, together with the Aurora, also took part in the Battle of the Dogger Bank in January 1915 and assisted in the sinking of the German minelayer Meteor in August 1915. On February 11, 1916 the Arethusa became the only war loss of the

when she struck a mine laid by the submarine UC 7 off Felixstowe. Heavily damaged, she ran aground on the Cutler Shoal, Harwich, and broke her back. The Penelope was torpedoed on April 25, 1916 by the submarine UB 29 but survived and was towed to Chatham and repaired. The Grand Fleet ships had less active careers but on May 4, 1916 the Galatea and Phaeton had the distinction of shooting down class

the Zeppelin L 7, a rare feat given the rudimentary A A system of the time. All four of the Grand Fleet ships took part in the Battle of Jutland, the Galatea and Phaeton being the first ships to sight the enemy fleet and open fire. In 1918 the Harwich ships

joined the Grand Fleet and all were present at the surrender of the German Fleet. A number of alterations and additions were made to the class during the war. For a short time in 1915 the Harwich ships carried seaplanes as an anti-Zeppelin measure and in 1918 all the class were fitted with aircraft platforms over the forward 6-in gun. In

145

Arethusa

HMS

Aurora (above) was the last of the Arethusa Class to be completed, and differed from her sisters in not being fitted with an aircraft catapult. She was part of the Malta-based Force K in 1941-42, and was badly damaged by air attacks on Malta harbour. The photograph, issued in April 1942, shows that she has been fitted with gunnery and air warning radar, and 20-mm Oerlikon antiaircraft guns. Below : L'SS Argonaut (SM. I) putting out to sea on July 18, 1942, following a refit at Mare Island navy yard

146

Argonaut 1916 and

1917 they were both fitted with

tripod masts and an additional twin bank of torpedo tubes on each side of the upper deck. In 1917 all were fitted out to serve as minelayers capable of carrying 80 mines. The first ships to complete carried two 3-pdr

AA

with first one and then two 3-in AA guns. In 1918 the Aurora and Undaunted had their 3-in replaced by a single 4-in AA weapon while the remainder of the class had an additional single 6-in gun fitted on the quarterdeck at the expense of the two aftermost 4-in guns. Most of the class were placed in reserve within a few years of the war and were sold for scrap between 1921 and 1927.

guns but

all

were

later fitted

ten

enemy

when Force

and two warships. both ships were damaged

transports

On December

18

K

ran into a minefield. Aurora was badly damaged, but after repairs at Malta sailed for Gibraltar in March 1942. Penelope was only slightly damaged on this occasion but in April 1942 she was under repair in Malta dockyard when the area was being subjected to very heavy air attack. Her sides were riddled with holes from near-miss bombs which earned her the nickname 'Pepperpot". The ship fired 6500 4-in rounds during these attacks but she eventually sailed from Malta on the night of April 8 with her numerous splinter holes filled with wooden plugs. The Penelope was eventually sunk on February 8. 1944. being torpedoed by the 4 10 while covering the Anzio beachhead. The Aurora was given to Nationalist China in 1948 but was captured by Communist forces in 1949. She was hulked'in 1955. The Arethusa was sold for scrap in 1950.

U

Displacement: 3945 tons (normal) 4410 (full load) Length: 132.89 m (436 ft) Beam: 11.88 m (39 ft) Draught: 4.72 m (15 ft 6 in) max Machinery:

4-shaft

direct-drive

steam

turbines.

mm

40 000 shp=29 knots Protection: 76 sides; 25 mm deck Armament: 2 6-in (152-mm) (2x1); 6 4-in (101-mm) (6x1); 1 3-in (76-mm) (1x1); 4 21in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (2x2) Crew: 280

Arethusa British light cruiser class. this class

The four

ships of

were small versions of the modified

Leander (or Sydney) Class cruisers. They were designed to defend trade routes against armed merchant raiders and for general fleet work. For reasons of economy, and in order to obtain numbers of cruisers without exceeding the

total cruiser

tonnage allotted to

by international treaty limitations, it was necessary to keep the displacement to the absolute minimum. This was mainly achieved by mounting one less 6-in turret Britain

than in the length,

Sydney, thereby reducing the

and by the extensive use of welding

to

reduce the weight of the hull structure. One ship was built under the Estimates of the four successive years from 1931 to 1934 and a further two projected vessels of the 1933 Estimates were cancelled. The first pair. Arethusa and Galatea, were launched in 1934 and completed in 1935. the

second pair. Penelope and Aurora, were launched in 1935 and 1936 and completed in 1936 and 1937 respectively. These latter two were completed with four twin 4-in AA guns instead of singles and the earlier group was similarly modified shortly before the outbreak of war. The Aurora was completed without an aircraft catapult and the other vessels had this equipment removed during 1941-42. War modifications included the addition of two quadruple pom-pom mountings and several 20-mm AA guns, the former weapons being replaced by quadruple 40-mm mountings in the Arethusa in 1943. By the end of the war the displacement of the surviving units had risen to approximately 6000 tons. Despite their small size the ships of the class served with distinction in the Second World War first with the Home Fleet and, from 1941 onwards, in the Mediterranean. The first ship of the class to be lost was the Galatea, torpedoed off Alexandria by the submarine U 557 on December 15. 1941. In October 1941 the Aurora and Penelope joined a small group of destroyers at Malta known as Force K. In operations against enemy convovs during Nobember this force sank

(12

ft

10

in)

Machinery: (surfaced) single-shaft

12-cylinder diesel, 1060

merged)

Armament: 4 55-cm (21.7-in) torpedo tubes torpedoes carried) Crew: 40

Arethuse French submarine class. The French navy, or Marine Nationale. took energetic steps to rebuild its submarine fleet after the Second World War. but this took time as French heavy industry also had to be rebuilt. Under the 1953 Programme two small submarines, Arethuse and Argonaute. were ordered, followed by another pair in 1954, the Amazone and Ariane. the minimum consistent with efficiency, and the class is useful mainly for coast defence, but the boats are reported

The design was

to

be manoeuvrable and handy. The number

of ballast tanks is small, for simplicity, but the hull is fully streamlined and capable of submerging to 200 metres. .All four torpedo tubes are mounted in the bow and four reloads are carried. The four boats were built in the Arsenal at Cherbourg between 1955 and 1960, and remained in service in the mid-1970s though probably scheduled for replacement by the new 1200-tonne Agosta Class, being rather too small to receive the latest sonar and

weaponry.

The class is distinguished by its small but high conning tower 'fin' and a prominent sonar dome on the bow. faired into the hull. No details have been released about the sensors or type of torpedoes carried by this class, but it can be assumed that neither are the latest examples of their type. Similarly, nothing has been published about the deployment of the class, but it is believed that they are used in the Mediterranean, where conditions are better suited to small submarines. Displacement: 400 tons (standard); 543 tons (surfaced): 669 tons (submerged) Length: 50

(164

ft)

Beam:

5.8

m

(19

ft)

Draught: 3.9

m m

(8

Argo submarine class. In 1931 the Portuguese navy ordered two submarines from the Italian yard Cantieri Riuniti dell"Adriatico (CRDA). Monfalcone. When the Portuguese ran out of money they cancelled the contract and the Italian government was forced to take the two submarines over. The boats appear to have lain on the stocks for some time during negotiations, with the result that although laid down in October 1931 they were not launched until late 1936. being completed in 1937. The Italian navy did not take them over until September 1935. Argo was launched on November 26. 1936. and Velella Italian

on December Displacement: 5220 tons (standard), (Aurora & Penelope 5270 tons); 6665 tons (full load), (Aurora & Penelope 6715 tons) Length: 154.29 m (506 ft) oa Seam: 15.54 m (51 ft) Draught: 4.7 m (14 ft) Machinery: 4-shaft geared steam turbines. 64 000 shp=32j knots Protection :70 mm (21 in) belt; 25 mm (1 in) deck; 25 mm turrets; 6489 mm (2j-35 in) magazines. Armament: 6 6-in (152-mm) (3x2); 44-in (101-mm) AA (4x1); 8 0.5in (13-mm) (2x4); 6 21-in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (2x3) Aircraft: one, one catapult Crew: 500

bhp=12i knots; (sub1300 shp=16 knots

electric motors.

18.

1936.

The design was a partial double-hull type, based on the Cavallini design but modified by CRDA. Both boats were in the Red Sea at the start of the Second World War. but in the autumn of 1940 they were sent to join the Italian

BETASOM command

at

Bordeaux.

Argo sank 5000 tons of shipping and damaged the Canadian destroyer Saguenay with a torpedo: Velella sank an estimated total of 3000 tons of shipping and damaged a further 7000 tons. Later the Argo operated successfully off the "Torch" landing beaches but she was under repair in her original builders" yard at Monfalcone at the time of Italy's surrender

September

in

1943.

She

was

scutt-

yard to avoid capture by the Germans, who refused to allow Italy to opt out of the war. The Velella was sunk on September 7, 1943 when she was torpedoed Submarine Shake speare in the Gulf of by led

in

the

HM

Salerno.

Displacement: 689 tons (standard). 794/1018 tons (surfaced/submerged) Length: 63.15 m (207 ft 2 in) oa Beam. 6. 93 m (22 ft 9 in) Draught: 4.46 m (14 ft 7 in) Machinery: (surfaced) 2-shaft Fiatdiesels, 1500 bhp=14 knots; (submerged) 2shaft CRDA electric motors, 800 ehp=8 knots Armament:! 100-mm (4-in); 4 13.2-mm (0.5-in) MGs (4x1); 6 21-in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (10 torpedoes carried) Crew: 46

Argonaut US

submarine. Immediately after the First in an expan-

World War the US Navy was sionist mood. Hitherto nearly

all

US

sub-

marines had been suitable only for coast defence, but in 1919 a series of submarines was designed, based on the German Ucruisers. for operations in the Pacific. Hull No SS.166 was ordered as V.4,

was

given

the

designation

and SF.7 (SF=

Submarine. Fleet). She was also known for a while as A. I but this name was not official; the designation SM.l (SM = Submarine Minelayer) was also used, to further complicate matters. The muddle was finally sorted out early in 1931. when names were introduced for all submarines, and SS.166 dropped all previous designations and became

USS

Argonaut.

The new submarine was even larger than the previous Barracuda Class, with enlarged 147

Argonauts and fuel bunkerage to increase She carried three sets of reloads for

which surrendered to the British at Malta. After a long sojourn in various British bases she deteriorated beyond repair and was discarded in February 1948.

batteries radius.

her four torpedo tubes,

in

addition to 6-in

deck guns and 60 mines. She was admirably equipped to act as a commerce raider in distant waters, but her great size

clumsy and hard site diesel

drive

was only a

to

made

her

Displacement: 611 tons (standard); tons approx (surfaced/submerged)

manoeuvre. The compo-

was

The plan

to

MAN

replace her original German diesels with General Motors type in 1940-41 was shelved on the outbreak of war. The Argonaut was launched on November 10. 1927 at Portsmouth navy yard and commissioned on April 2, 1928. On September 22, 1942 she underwent a final change of designation, to a supply submarine with the number APS. I. having been converted immediately after Pearl Harbor. Her machinery troubles had a lot to do with the decision, but she was still capable of useful work. On her third patrol she was sunk after being depthcharged by Japanese destroyers on January 10. 1943 between Lae and New Guinea.

61.5

m

18

8

ft 9 in) Beam. 5.65-5.7 m (18 ft 6 inDraught: 4.64-4.77 m (15 ft 3 in-15 ft 8 in) Machinery: (surfaced) 2-shaft diesels. 1200 bhp= 15.38 knots; (submerged) 2-shaft electric motors. 8000 ehp=7.65 knots Armament: 1 102mm (4-in); 2 13.2-mm (0.5-in) (2x1); 6 21-in (53cm) torpedo tubes (12 torpedoes) Crew: 44

also unreliable, so she

qualified success.

665/810 Length:

ft

(201

in)

Argonaute USS Argonaut in

July 1942 during conversion, with the alterations ringed

The seven

units of the class were laid 1929-30 and completed in 1932-33:

in

Argonauta launched Monfalcone

January

French submarine. In 1902 the French navy was busily expanding its force of submarines, while at the same time encouraging the development of new types for experimental work.

down

19.

1931

CRD A. Displacement: 2710/4164 tons (surfaced/submerged) Length: 116.13 m (381 ft) oa Beam:

m (33 ft 9 in) Draught: 4.65 m (15 ft 3 in) Machinery: (surfaced) 2-shaft 6-cylinder diesels, 3175 bhp=15 knots; (submerged) 2-shaft electric motors, 2400 ehp=8 knots Armament:! 6-in (152-mm) (2x1); 2 0.3-in (7.62-mm) machineguns; 4 21 -in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (16 torpedoes carried) Crew: 89 10.29

Argonauta

Fisalia launched

May

2.

1931

CRDA, Mon-

falcone

Medusa launched December

10, 1931

CRDA,

Monfalcone Serpente launched February 28, 1932 Tosi, Taranto (ex-Nautilus) Salpa launched May 8. 1932 Tosi. Taranto Jantina launched May 16, 1932 Odero-TerniOrlando, La Spezia Jalea launched June 15, 1932 Odero-TerniOrlando. La Spezia

submarine. In 1912 the Russian navy ordered a submarine from the Fiat-San Giorgio shipyard at La Spezia, to be a prototype Italian

for their

on March

own "V 11.

Class. The keel was laid 1913 and she was launched as

the Sviatoi Georgi (St George) on July 5, 1914. However, the Italian government requisitioned her when she was completed in February 1915. as war with Austria was imminent, and she became the Argonauta. The Argonauta was similar to the Medusa Class of 1910, but with improvements, such as a second periscope, improved machinery

and more powerful pumps. There is a story about a fiercely patriotic young Italian officer taking her to sea in the hope of sinking an Austro-Hungarian ship and thus provoking a war, but he was unsuccessful. She was based at Ancona, Porto Corsini and Venice during the war and carried out a number of patrols. A 3-in (76-mm) deck gun was added in 1916, and in 1918 she made an unsuccessful attack on an Austrian destroyer of the Huszar Class.

On March

29. 1928 she

was discarded.

Displacement: 255/306 tons (surfaced/submerged) Length. 45.15 m (148 ft 1 in) oa Beam:

m (13 ft 9 in) Draught: 3 m (9 ft 10 in) Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels, 700 bhp=13j knots (surfaced); electric motors, 450 hp=8.8 knots (submerged) Armament: 2 45-cm (17.7-in) torpedo tubes. 4 torpedoes carried; 1 76-mm (3in) gun added 1916 Crew: 24

4.2

Four boats, the Fisalia, Jalea. Jantina and Serpente. saw active service during the Spanish Civil War. When Italy joined the Second World War the class was stationed in the central Mediterranean where they were exposed to a high degree of risk. The Argonauta was the first to be sunk, on June 28, 1940. in the central Mediterranean by British aircraft. On June 27. 1941 the submarine Triumph sank the Salpa off Mersa Matruh, and on September 28 the same year the corvette Hyacinth caught the Fisalia off Jaffa and sank her with depthcharges. The latter had been allocated to training with the Submarine School with the Medusa and Jalea since early 1941. The Jantina also fell victim to a submarine's torpedo, being sunk by Torhay, off Mykonos in the Aegean on Juh 5,

HMS

HMS

1941.

The Medusa was torpedoed by

HMS

Thorn on Januarv

Argonauta

Istrian coast

1942.

The Serpente joined her

submarine class. In 1928 General Gurio Bernardis designed a new class of 600ton coastal submarines, ultimately the Regia Navale's most numerous type.

sister

on training duties

Italian

148

off the

in

30, sole surviving

April that year but

had to be scuttled off Ancona on September 1943 after the Italian armistice. The Jalea escaped the debacle and was among the units 1

1

.

When

new Navy Minister. Monsieur came to power in May 1902 he

the

Pelletan.

cancelled an existing order for nine extra .4 igrette Class boats, and. to show his dislike for the recognized leader of French submarine design. Maxime Laubeuf. he chose instead a design put forward by the veteran naval architect Emile Benin. The new submarine was to be driven by a novel diesel system designed by a Monsieur Petithomme. capable of closed-cycle running when submerged. The closed-cycle system used a mixture of compressed air stored at a pressure of 150 kilos per cubic centimetre and exhaust gas stored during surface running at 12 kilos. If it had worked. Petit-

homme's diesel would have preceded the German ideas for Second World War UBoats by over 40 years but in practice it proved a total failure. The new submarine was also much larger than previous boats, being nearly as big as

contemporary destroyers. This allowed a heavy torpedo armament, two bow torpedo tubes (one above the other) and four dropcollars, two of which faced aft. Six Model

Argus Blanc after being depth-charged by

La

was

US

des-

by unknown cause off Casablanca; Iris was interned at Cartagena and Venus was scuttled off troyers;

Sybille

lost

Toulon.

The others were

all scrapped in 1946, with exception of the Free French Junon, which lasted until 1954, and the Minerve, which was wrecked off Portland in September 1945 on her way home to France.

the

Displacement: 558-662/787-856 tons (surfaced/

submerged) Length .63.40 m-68.12 m (208 ft-223 ft 6 in) pp Beam: 5.41 m-6.40 m (17 ft 9 in-21 ft)

HMS

Argus, the

first

Draught: 4.04 m-4.42 m (13 ft 3 in-14 ft 6 in) Machinery: (surfaced) 2-shaft diesels, 1300-1800 bhp=14 knots; (submerged) 2-shaft electric motors, 1000-1230 ehp=9 knots Armament: 1 5 75-mm (3-in) gun; 6 55-cm (24-in) torpedo tubes; § 2 40-cm (15.75-in) torpedo tubes (7 55-cm, 2 40operational flush-deck aircraft carrier, was completed in September 1918 cm torpedoes carried) Crew: 41

Argus British aircraft carrier. The Argus was originally laid down by Beardmore in 1914 as the

Conte Rosso, but on the outbreak World War work on her was suspended. In August 1916 she was purchased by the Admiralty for conversion into an aircraft carrier. She was launched in December 1917 and completed in September Italian liner

of the First

Argus'm the dazzle-painted camouflage she end of the First World War. Although launched in 1917 she provided invaluable service during the Second World War, flying off Spitfires to Malta and escorting convoys to the island carried at the

ehp=6.02 knots (submerged) Armament: 2 45cm (17.7-in) torpedo tubes (internal); 4 45-cm drop-collars

(external);

6

torpedoes

carried

Crew: 22

Argonaute class.

The French navy

'630-tonne' type 2nd Class submarines between 1926 and 1936. They were divided into distinct types according to the shipyard by which they were built; the last six were to a standard Admiralty design. Argonaute, Arethuse, Atalante, La Sultane and La Vestale were built by Schneider at Chalon-sur-Saone; Amphitrite, Diane, Med-

authorized 22

Omega (hull number

Q-40) at Toulon Arsenal in January 1903 and launched on November 28, 1905. However, the completion was delayed when it was realized that the trials of the submarine Y, which had the prototype Petithomme diesel, were a failure. The boat

was renamed Argonaute on September

27,

and before she entered service in January 1911 she had been re-engined. To avoid complications, the proven Laubeuf steam engine used in the successful Pluviose 1910

Class (actually only half the installation as she had one shaft) was installed together with a normal electric motor. In her new form the Argonaute was successful and served in the Adriatic in 1915 and 1916. She was condemned in 1919 and scrapped soon afterwards.

Orphee and La Psyche were built by Normand at Le Havre; Ondine and Orion were built at Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire; Amazone, Antiope, Oreade and La Sybille were built at Ch. de la Seine Maritime; Ceres, Iris, Junon, Minerve, Pallas and Venus were built to a standard Admiralty design and were use,

contracted to various yards. Most of the class remained under Vichy control after the collapse of France in June 1940. Ondine, Orion, Junon and Minerve escaped to England in 1940 and served with the Free French forces, although Ondine and Orion were merely cannibalized to provide spares for the other two. Most of the others were casualties of the 'Torch' landings in

November Displacement: 306/409 tons surfaced/submerged /_engfA):48.9m(160ft4in)oa 0eam:4.2 m (13 ft 9 in) Draught: 2.83 m (9 ft 2 in) mean Machinery: (as completed) 1-shaft diesel, 350 bhp=10.2 knots (surfaced); electric motors, 230

Her original design provided for a midships superstructure with a flying-on deck aft and a flying-off deck forward, but after the difficulties encountered in the Furious with this arrangement a full-length flight deck was substituted. She thus became the world's first flush-deck carrier and provided the model for all future ships of the type. The hangar, which was 106.68 (350 ft)

m

long,

French submarine

1904 45-cm (17.7-in) torpedoes were carried. The submarine was laid down as the

1918.

1942.

Argonaute was depth-charged by British destroyers off Oran; Amphitrite, La Psyche, Oreade were sunk by US Task Force 34 off Casablanca; Diane, Ceres and Pallas were scuttled at Oran; Meduse beached at Cap

was accommodated below

the flight

deck and could be divided into four sections by fireproof screens. The flight deck, which was 167.64 m (550 ft) x 20.72 m (68 ft), was served by two electrically powered lifts. The boiler uptakes were led aft and opened out at the stern, the funnel gases being drawn out by large fans A navigation position was fitted on each side of the ship and a retractable chart house was fitted in the centre of the .

flight

deck.

On

Sopwith Cuckoo

completion she carried 20 Had she been com-

aircraft.

pleted before the end of the First World War probable that 1918 would have seen the first torpedo attack by carrier aircraft on an

it is

enemy

fleet.

Argus served in the Grand Fleet in 1918-19 and the Atlantic Fleet until 1930 when she was placed in reserve. In 1925-26 antitorpedo bulges were fitted, increasing the beam to 75 ft 9 in. During 1936-38 she was refitted to operate Queen Bee target aircraft. The forward end of the flight deck was levelled, made wider and strengthened to accommodate two catapults. The 4-in guns were removed and the original cylindrical boilers were replaced by water-tube boilers taken from destroyers that were being scrapped. In the Second World War she served as a training carrier but was still used occasionally as a front-line ship. In 1941 she twice flew off aircraft reinforcements for Malta and in 1942 escorted the Malta convoys 'Harpoon' and 'Pedestal' and covered the North African

149

Argus Canadair CL-28

The CL-28 Argus maritime

patrol aircraft

was developed from the

landings. In 1944 she was reduced to accommodation ship at the Nore and was sold for scrap in 1946. During the war ten 20-mm

AA

guns were added to her armament. Displacement: 14 450 tons (standard); 17000 tons (full load) Length: 172.21 m (565 ft) oa

m

Draught:6A0 m (21 ft) Machinery: 4-shaft steam turbines, 20000 shp=20 knots Armament: 2 4-in (102-mm) (2x1); 4 4-in AA (4x1) Aircraft: 20 Crew: 401

Beam. 20.88

(68

ft

6

in)

(including air personnel)

Argus Canadair CL-28 Canadian maritime patrol aircraft. Largest aircraft of its kind, the Argus was produced by Canadair Ltd of Montreal to meet an

RCAF

1952 to replace the Lancaster and Catalina in the ocean surveillroles. Canadair, a member ance and of General Dynamics Corporation, was associated with Bristol Aircraft in developspecification of

ASW

150

Bristol Britannia airliner.

ments of the Britannia turboprop

The

airliner.

of these to come to fruition was the Argus. This matched the Britannia wing, landing gear and tail with different engines and fuselage. For maximum endurance at low level the engines were changed to four

The

first

Wright R-3350-TC18EA-1 Turbo-Compound piston engines, each rated at 3700 hp with water injection for takeoff, driving threepropellers. The fuselage is unpressurized, and incorporates a pair of 5.64-m (18-ft 6-in) weapon bays, one ahead of the wing box and the other behind. Under the nose is a search radar, and the fuselage contains the usual routine and tactical navigator stations, sonobuoy storage and dispensing systems, and consoles for a total crew of 15. A long (magnetic-anomaly detection) boom projects behind the tail. The prototype CL-28 Argus flew on March 28, 1957, and with the following 12 aircraft formed a batch designated Argus Mk 1. A further 20 designated Argus 2 were delivered

blade

MAD

Mk 2

(above) introduced

more advanced radar

by July 1960, and in 1976 most of these 33 machines were still serving with the Canadian armed forces (though since 1970 negotiations have been in progress for the AN

LRPA — long-range ment, which

patrol aircraft

— replace-

be the P-3C Orion). The Argus has established a good record in service. The Mk has the old APS-20 radar, while the Mk 2 introduced the E290A of later British design. Both marks have been completely refitted several times with ECM, computers and additional sensing and data systems. Originally the Julie echo-detection system was fitted, and pylons were provided under the outer wings each rated at 1724 kg (3800 lb) for a Fairchild Petrel missile (never available). Internal weapon load is 3629 kg (8000 lb). Replacement by the P-3C is expected in about 1980. will

1

Span: 43.37 m (142 ft 31 in) Length:39.1 m (128 3 in) Gross weight: 67133 kg (148000 lb) Maximum speed: 507 km/h (315 mph)

ft

Ariete 000 tons (standard) Length: in) oa Beam: 21.03 m (69 ft in) Draught:7.92 m (26 ft in) max Machinery: 2-shaft inverted triple-expansion, 18000 ihp= 201 knots Protection: 63-102 mm (2H in) deck; 154 mm (6 in) casemates; 114 mm (45 in) gun shields; 305 mm (12 in) conning tower Armament: 16 6-in (154-mm) (12x1); 12 12-pdr; 12 3pdr; 2 Maxim mg; 2 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes Crew: 677 Displacement:

Ariadne

140.77

British cruiser class. Over-reaction to the Russian ocean commerce raiders Rurik and Rossia in the late 1890s resulted in the huge 14400-ton 1st Class protected cruisers Powerful and Terrible. These were followed by the 11000-ton Diadem Class, ordered in 1895, and criticized for having only 6-in guns. Nevertheless, the following year the four similar ships of the Ariadne Class were ordered the last 1st Class protected cruisers built for the Royal Navy. The Ariadnes were slightly improved versions of the Diadems with 5 knot greater speed, but similar armament and protection. Except for Spartiate, they were ordered in 1896, laid down in 1896, launched in 1898 and completed in 1900. Spartiate was not laid down until May 1897, and due to an accident during the construction of her engines was not completed until 1902. Ariadne was built by J & G Thompson, Clydebank, Argonaut by Fairfields, Glasgow, Amphitrite by Vickers at Barrow, and Spartiate by the Royal

—

Dockyard at Pembroke. They were distinguished from the Diadems by being more built up under the after bridge and by having platforms for the after 6-in guns. The ships had a varied early career. Ariadne served in the North American and West Indian Squadron in 1902-05, serving as flagship of the Vice- Admiral in 1902-03 and joining the 4th Cruiser Squadron as flagship in 1904. In 1903 Spartiate made a 25 000-mile 'war cruise', suffering hardly any defects. But by 1905 they were becoming obsolete: Ariadne was placed in reserve until 1913 when she became a stokers' training ship, though Amphitrite and Argonaut remained with the 9th Cruiser Squadron until 1915 before being reduced to harbour service. In 1917 the Amphitrite and Ariadne were converted to minelayers with the capacity for 400 mines and armament reduced to four 6-in and one 4-in. The Amphitrite survived to be sold in 1920, but Ariadne was sunk on July 65 off 26, 1917 by a torpedo from the

UC

Beachy Head. Spartiate was used as a training ship at Portsmouth; she was renamed Fisgard in June 1915, and sold for scrap in 1932. The Andromeda was renamed Impregnable II in 1919 and Defiance in 1931; she was finally

m

(462

1 1

ft

6

The Ariete Class

Ariete Italian torpedo boat class. The Italians, as well as the Germans and the French, were firm believers in torpedo boats. These were basically very small destroyers, with a large torpedo armament and high speed. Between 1936 and 1938 they built 30 Spica Class and by 1942 they decided to build more of these ships. 42 ships of the consequent Ariete Class were projected, but only 16 were laid down.

Name

laid

British 1st Class protected cruiser Ariadne,

launched

completed

down

Alabarda

3/1943

5/1944

11/1944

Ariete

7/1942

3/1943

8/1943

Arturo

7/1942

3/1943

10/1943

Auriga

7/1942

4/1943

12/1943

Balestra

9/1942

1948

1949

Daga

1/1943

7/1943

3/1944

Dragone

7/1942

8/1943

4/1944

Germans

as

TA

Dragone, 30

These were very similar to the destroyer escorts of the Animoso Class except that they concentrated on torpedo rather than antisubmarine armament. Only Ariete was completed before the Italian surrender in September 1943, the rest were still building in north Italian yards, and when completed were used by the German navy except for Balestra, and Fionda. Balestra was finally completed by the Yugoslavs and named Ucka. Fionda was badly damaged by bombs in 1945, and although the Yugoslavs restarted construction as Velebit, they never completed her. Alabarda, Arturo, Auriga, Daga, Dragone, Eridano, Gladio, Lancia, Pugnale, Rigel, Spada, Spica, and Stella Polare were sunk during the war. Ariete was transferred to the Yugoslav navy under the terms of the Peace Treaty in April 1949, where she was renamed Dumitor.

Displacement: 797 tons (standard); 1120 tons load) Length: 82.3 m (270 ft) Beam: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in) Draught:2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) Machinery:2shaft geared steam turbines, 22000 shp=31.5 knots Armament: 2 100-mm (3.9-in); 10 20-mm; 6 45-cm (17.7-in) torpedo tubes (2x3); 28 mines Crew: 158 (full

Eridano

7/1942

7/1943

Fionda

8/1942

1948

Gladio

1/1943

6/1943

1/1944

Lancia

3/1943

5/1944

9/1944

Pugnale

1/1943

8/1943

7/1944

Rigel

7/1942

5/1943

1/1944

Spada

1/1943

7/1943

2/1944

Spica

1/1942

1/1944

9/1944

Stella Polare

3/1942

7/1943

1/1944

3/1944

—

Ariete

sold for scrap in 1956.

The

Italian torpedo boat

taken over by the

one

of the last of

Spanish torpedo boat class. In 1886 Spain ordered four steam torpedo boats from British yards. Two, Ariete and Rayo, were built at Thornycroft's Chiswick yard on the

Thames

in 1886; the other pair, Azor and Hale on, were built by Yarrow in 1887. Ariete and Rayo were constructed of steel, and

Ariete" s trial speed of 27 knots made her for a short while the fastest ship in the world.

such vessels built for the Royal Navy, in 1900, the year of her completion

151

Ariete Reggiane

Re 2002

Unlike the Yarrow pair, which had very similar dimensions, the Thornycroft boats had a short 'turtle deck' forecastle which

blended into the hull, giving a flush deck appearance from a distance, and they also had the characteristic cutaway Thornycroft stern.

Two

torpedo tubes were carried side by bow, and the four 42-mm 3-pdr Nordenfelt quick-firing guns were fitted in a lozenge pattern, with one on either side of the aft funnel and the other two arranged fore and aft. They also carried a small signal lamp on a pedestal between the two funnels. They had three masts, and carried a square yard on each of the fore and main masts. Engines and boilers took up most of the space below deck, and only 25 tons of coal was carried. The crew normally slept ashore. Their primary purpose was close-range defence against hostile major warships, and in this role they could have caused considerable damage to the US fleet during the Spanish-American war had they been based overseas. However, although American hostility was obvious, Spain did very little before the war to reinforce her fleets in the Philippines and Cuba, and when war broke out in 1898 both Arieteand Rayowere still in Spain. It was decided that they should be used to reinforce the Cuban Squadron, and they were hastily made ready for the Atlantic voyage. They sailed with A zor and the Ciudad de Cadiz, which carried spares and acted as escort. However, by the time they reached the Cape Verde islands it was obvious that the boats were completely unready for the transatlantic crossing, and they remained there until 1902 when the cruiser Infanta Isabel escorted them back to Cadiz. Both Arieteand Rayowere destroyed in a fire at La Carraca Arsenal in December 1905. side in the

Displacement: 128 tons Length: 45 m (147 ft 7\ Seam: 4.42 m (14 ft 6 in) Draught: 1 .40 m (4 ft 7 in) Machinery: 2-shaft steam triple-expansion, 1300 ihp=27 knots Armament: 4 3-pdrs; 3 14-in (35-cm) torpedo tubes Crew: 23 in)

Ariete Reggiane

Re 2002

During the Second World War the Italian Reggiane SA, a subsidiary of Caproni, developed a series of Italian

fighter

aircraft.

excellent single-seat fighters, but failed to build them in large numbers. The progenitor of the family was the Falco I radial-engined machine flown in 1938. Substitution of the liquid-cooled DB601 engine, or its Italian version, gave rise to the Falco II, the model built in large numbers. During 1941 further development led to the Re 2002 Ariete (Ram), again powered by an Italian radial, but with a refined and stronger airframe evolved specifically for the fighter-bomber role. The engine of the Ariete was the 1175-hp Piaggio P.XIXRC45 two-row 14-cylinder radial. The airframe retained the semielliptical wing with rearward-retracting main gears turning through 90°, but the fuselage aft of the firewall was slightly longer, the canopy was altered and there were small systems changes. Armament was merely a pair of 12.7-mm Breda-SAFAT guns above the engine and a 7.7-mm machine-gun in each wing (the Re 200 1CN had carried two Mauser cannon). On the other hand the Ariete could carry a bombload of up to 650 kg (1433 lb), and at least one flew with a torpedo. About 50 were built, serving with Nos 5 and 50 Stormi d'Assalto in tactical attack roles in the defence of Sicily in 1943. Very few survived to serve with the Fascist Aviazione della RSI after the Italian surrender in September 1943. The Re 2002bis had different landing gear, the Re 2003 was a two-seat reconnaissancebomber with a different engine, and the Re 2004 was to have had a 24-cylinder radial engine. The final Reggiane was the excellent

Re 2005

Sagittario.

the year of the monarch's reign in which they were introduced. The 'Meiji' (Enlightened Government) era was that of the reign of the Emperor Mutsuhutu, and the rifle was called the '30th Year' because 1897, the year of its introduction, was the 30th of Mutsuhutu's reign. The rifle is, in fact, based on Mauser design and used a bolt action and an internal box magazine holding five rounds. It was 127.5 cm (50.2 in) long, had a 79. 8-cm (31.25in) barrel and weighed 3.85 kg (8i lb). A '30th Year' carbine was also provided for use by cavalry; this used the same action but was smaller.

The Russo-Japanese war indicated some improvement was desirable, and

Span: 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in) Length: 8.17 in) Gross weight: 3240 kg (7143 lb) Maximum speed: 530 km/h (329

m

(26

ft

that

after

Q

mph)

trying a

minor modification (the 1902 model), of which few were made, a major redesign

was put in hand, resulting in the '38th Year' model of 1905. The design of the bolt was improved and a new safety catch,

Arisaka

The 6.5-mm Model 38 Arisaka rifle, based largely on Mauser features but with an improved bolt and safety catch, was the standard Japanese infantry weapon during two World Wars. It was also used for training by the British Army during the First World War, known as the 256-in Pattern 1907. The sword-type bayonet was also standard Japanese equipment

152

Japanese bolt-action rifle. Colonel Nariaki Arisaka was the president of a commission which, in 1897. recommended the adoption of a new rifle in 6.5-mm calibre for the Japanese army. Since then the rifle has been known by his name, though it is unlikely that he had much to do with the actual mechanics of designing either

it

or

its

cartridge.

which resulted from this recommendation was the 'Meiji 30th Year Pattern' in Japanese terminology; Japanese weapons were given their nomenclature according to

The

rifle

in the

form

of a large mushroom-headed striker at the back of the bolt, was introduced. The action

was much stronger,

resulting in the

weapon

now weighing

4.31 kg (9j lb); otherwise its dimensions were the same as the '30th Year' model. A '38th Year' carbine was also produced this weighed 3.52 kg (71b 12 oz), had a 48.3-cm ( 19-in) barrel and measured only 96.5 cm (38 in) overall. This was intended as the personal weapon for artillery and engineers. :

A new

cavalry carbine did not appear until as the 44th Year Type. This weighed 3.97 kg (8 lb 12 oz), had a 48.3-cm (19-in) barrel and was 97.8 cm (38^ in) long; 1911.

known

Arizona

battleship USS Arizona (BB. 39) in 1935 configuration. Launched 1915 she was extensively rebuilt in 1928-31 the main change to her appearance being the replacement of the original lattice masts with heavy tripods. The antiaircraft armament was increased, and provision made for three aircraft to be carried, with one catapult added to the roof of X turret and another on the quarterdeck

The in

the extra weight was due to the fitting of a permanently attached bayonet which could be folded beneath the fore-end of the rifle

when not

required.

These weapons remained in service until the end of the Second World War. Except for some made in 1944 and 1945, the quality is good and, in fact, the Arisaka is one of the strongest rifle actions ever made. Numbers of both the rifle and carbine were bought by Britain in 1914 for training purposes and for arming Home Defence battalions and more were

supplied to the Russian

government

in

1915-16.

The last 6.5-mm Arisaka to be produced was the 'Type 97 of 1937. By this time the nomenclature system had changed and was based on the last two figures of the year in the '

Japanese calendar, which differed from the Christian. 1937, in Japanese reckoning, was 2597, and hence 'Type 97'. This was no more than the '38th Year' rifle with a 2.5x telescope sight, a bent-down bolt handle and a flimsy bipod under the fore-end. Experience in China and Manchuria convinced the Japanese army that a heavier bullet was desirable, and in the 1930s a 7.7-

mm

was introduced. To fire it, the 7.7-mm Type 99 (1939) rifle was produced. This was basically the '38th Year' model strengthened and rechambered for the more powerful cartridge, but at the same time opportunity was taken to shorten the rifle and make it a rather more handy weapon. Overall length was 114.3 cm (45 in), with a 65.4-cm (.303-in) cartridge

(25.75-in) barrel,

2 oz) unloaded.

and

it

weighed 4.14 kg

(9 lb

,

In 1941 this rifle was modified to become the Parachutist's Rifle Type 99. The barrel could be separated from the action by unlocking an interrupted-screw joint, so that the weapon could be packed into a shorter space for carriage by airborne troops. It was not entirely satisfactory, and was replaced by the Parachutist's Rifle Type 2 (1942) which changed the method of jointing barrel and

action to a form of sliding wedge lock. This was more reliable and easier to use, but relatively few of either of these rifles were made, and they are comparatively uncommon today.

6.5-mm 38th Year

rifle

Length: 127.5 cm (50.25 in) Weight (unloaded): 4.26 kg (9 lb 8 oz) Barrel; 79.8 cm (31 .45 in) Magazine: 5-round internal box Muzzle velocity: 730 m/sec (2400 ft/sec)

7.7-mm Type 99 Length: 114.3 cm (45 in) Weight (unloaded): 4.19 kg (9 lb 2 oz) Barrel: 65.4 cm (25.75 in)

Magazine: 5-round internal box Muzzle 730 m/sec (2400 ft/sec)

velocity:

Arizona American battleship. The USS Arizona (BB.39) was laid down in March 1914 at New York navy yard, launched on June 19, 1915 and commissioned in October 1916. Although

one of the most powerful battleships in the world she did not join the US 6th Battle Squadron in European waters in 1917 because of the official decision to economize on oil by sending coal-burners.

However, the Arizona eventually joined the British Grand Fleet a week after the Armistice. While in European waters she escorted President Wilson to Brest for the Peace Conference, before returning to the United States in December with a number of US servicemen who were being repatriated. Between 1928 and 1931 the ship was rebuilt and had her cage masts replaced by heavy tripods. The original heavy secondary armament of 22 5-in guns was reduced to 14 guns after the First World War as the positions forward and aft were unusable in heavy weather. Three aircraft and two catapults were added and the AA armament was

strengthened.

On December 7, 1941 the Arizona was one of eight battleships of the US Pacific Fleet lying in 'Battleship Row' in Pearl Harbor. She was hit by bombs and torpedoes from Japanese carrier aircraft which had launched a surprise attack on the base. The stricken battleship blazed fiercely and then her magazines exploded, wrecking her completely.

Today the hull of the Arizona still lies on the bottom of Pearl Harbor, oozing a constant oil slick. She is an official war memorial as well as a tomb for the hundreds of sailors

153

Arkansas who

died in her during the Japanese attack. See also Pennsylvania Class.

Displacement: 31 400 tons (increased to 32 100 tons in 1932) Length: 185.32 m (608 ft) oa Beam: 29.56 m (97 ft) Draught: 8.76 m (28 ft 9 in)

Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 31 500 shp = 21 knots Protection: 355 mm (14 in) belt; 203 mm (8 in) deck; 230-460 mm (9-18 in) turrets; 406 mm (16 in) conning tower Armament as built: 12 14-in (355-mm) (4x3); 22 5-in (127-mm) (22x1) (reduced to 14 5-in in 1918); 4 3-in (76-mm) AA added 1918 (increased to 8 3-in 1924) Armament in December 1941A2 14-in (4x3); 10 5-in (10x1); 12 5-in AA (12x1); 8 .5-in

AA

mg

(8x1) Crew: 915

Arkansas US

monitor class. This group of four ships the last class of monitors to be built for the US Navy. They were ordered in October 1898, and were not only obsolescent in comparison with other navies' battleships but also an anachronism in the US Navy. The Spanish-American war marked the end of America's absorption in its internal development, and henceforward the need for oceangoing battleships became more and more

was

important.

Arkansas was

launched November

10,

Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock company, Connecticut on November 24, 1900 by Bath Ironworks, Florida on November 30, 1901 by Crescent Shipyard, NJ, and Wyoming on September 8. 1900 by Union Ironworks, San Francisco. In January 1901 the Connecticut was o renamed Nevada to release the name for a 1900 by

new

battleship,

and during 1908 and 1909 the

flying the flag of President Hoover in 1931, reconstructed with bulges, tripod masts and extra antiaircraft guns

The Arizona,

Arkansas

Arizona on her return to New York in December 1918 after joining the British

Grand Fleet in late 1918. The after ports below the quarterdeck have already been blanked off

5-in

gun

Arkansas Arkansas became Ozark, the Nevada (exConnecticut) became Tonopah; the Florida became Tallahassee and the Wyoming

became

the Cheyenne.

Under

the 1919 hull-

numbering scheme they were given numbers BM7-10. All four were found to be ideally suited for the humdrum job of submarine tenders, since submarines could berth alongside their low hulls with ease. A 3-in antiaircraft gun was added in 1918 but they were otherwise unaltered. The Ozark, Tonopah and Tallahassee were sold for scrapping in January 1922 but the Cheyenne survived as the hulk IX. 4 and

was not

sold until April 1939.

Displacement: 3225 tons (normal) Length: 77.80 (225 ft 1 in) oa Seam; 15.24 m (50 ft) Draught: 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in) mean Machinery: 2-shaft triple-expansion, 2400 ihp=12^ knots Protection: 254 mm (10 in) turret. 203 mm (8 in) side Armament: 2 12-in (305-mm) (1x2); 4 4-in (101mm) (4x1); 3 6-pdr (57-mm) (3x1) Crew: 220

m

Arkansas US

ship was the oldest American battleship to serve in the Second World War. She was laid down at the New York Shipbuilding company's yard in Camden, New Jersey, on January 25, 1910, launched on January 14, 1911 and commisbattleship.

This

sioned in September 1912.

Below: Sketch plan made by the the Arkansas Class monitors, a

The Arkansas (BB.33) was one of several ? major units sent to Vera Cruz in April 1914 ^ during a dispute between Mexico and the 3 United States. She relieved the Delaware in the 6th Squadron of the Grand Fleet in July 1918, having dodged a U-Boat attack en route. As a member of the 6th Battle Squadron she was present at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on November 20 and returned to America a month later.

Between 1925 and 1927 the ship was modernized, with four oil-fired boilers in place of her eight coal-burners. This resulted in one funnel instead of two, and the opportunity was taken to fit antitorpedo 'bulges' and to resite secondary guns. A tripod mast replaced the lattice 'cage' mainmast and a catapult was fitted on Q turret. During 194041 the elevation of the 12-in guns was increased by 10° to 30° to improve the range. Being such an elderly unit the Arkansas was relegated to second-line duties and served in the Atlantic from 1941 to 1944. She played an important role with the bombarding force at Normandy and later in the Pacific, bombarding Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During the war all the remaining 5-in guns on the main deck were removed and the AA guns were increased to 10 3-in (76-mm) (10x1), 32 (later 36) 40-mm Bofors guns (8/9x4) and 20/26 single 20-mm Oerlikons. The 'cage' foremast was replaced by a heavy tripod as in the later battleships and she was

US Navy Department's Bureau

of Construction

somewhat anachronistic addition

and Repair navy

to a 20th-century

*^r

WV

...

M

-

a

°°

° ^Ljj>

m

#3j£«£^

156

of

Top: The battleship Arkansas (BB.33), still largely unaltered except for the after mast, in dry dock in October 1926. Above: Arkansas'm November 1944. showing the rebuilt tripod masts and massive AA armament. Below: Arkansas bombarding the 'Atlantic Wall', Normandy, June 1944

157

Arkhangelsk given a comprehensive outfit of radar. Having survived two world wars the Arkansas was finally sunk as a target for the atom bomb at Bikini Atoll on July 25. 1946. See also Wyoming Class. ;ilso

Displacement: 26 100 tons (normal), 31 000 tons load) Length: 171.30 m (562 ft) oa Beam: 32.39 m (106 ft 3 in) over bulges Draught:9.75 m (32 ft) max Machinery: 4-shaft steam turbines, 28000 shp=202 knots Protection: 130 mm (5 in) belt. 76 mm (3 in) deck; 305 mm (12 in) turret faces: 305 (12 in) conning tower Armament: 12 (full

(305-mm) (6x2); 16 5-in (127-mm) (16x1); (76-mm) AA (8x1); 8 0.5-in (13-mm) machine-guns Crew: 1330 (1650 wartime) 12-in

8 3-in

Arkhangelsk Russian battleship. in

When

Italy

surrendered

September 1943 the Soviet government

immediately

claim to one-third of the reparations for the damage done by Italian units in the Black Sea. Although the Allies had little choice and no willingness to make this settlement, they compromised by transferring a number of their own ships on loan, until such time as the surrendered Italian fleet could be apporItalian

laid

fleet as

tioned.

As part of this deal the Royal Navy made available the old battleship Royal Sovereign. which had been launched in 1915, together with four submarines and nine ex-US destroyers. The Royal Sovereign had recently been equipped with new radar and

antiair-

but she was surplus to Royal Navy requirements except for shore bombardment tasks. A Soviet crew arrived in England early in 1944 and commissioned the ship formally as the Arkhangelsk on May 30, 1944. She left for the Kola Inlet with convoy JW59 in August 1944 and remained in the Arctic without firing a shot for the rest of the war. As a bizarre sidelight on the Russian character, when she was returned in February 1949 it was found that every gun on board was still loaded, from 15-in down to 2pdr pom-poms. In addition the mess decks craft guns,

were covered in human excrement. See also Royal Sovereign Class, Royal Oak. Displacement: 29 1 50 tons (normal), 32 500 tons load) Length: 190.95 m (620 ft 6 in) oa Seam: 30.94 m (101 ft 6 in) over bulges Draught: 9.76 m (28 ft 6 in) max Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons turbines, 40000 shp=23 knots Protection: 330-102 mm (13.4 in) belt; 20-64 mm (i-2\ in) decks; 330-280 mm (13-11 in) turrets; 280152 mm (11-6 in) conning towers Armament: 8 15-in (381 -mm) (4x2); 12 6-in (152-mm) (12x1); 8 4-in (102-mm) AA (4x2); 32 2-pdr (40-mm) AA (4x8); 17 20-mm AA (17x1) Crew: 1146

battleship Arkhangelsk (ex-HMS Royal Sovereign) in June 1944, shortly after commissioning in the Soviet navy. She was returned to the Royal Navy in February 1949

The

amidships, and holds fore and aft. As redesigned a large hold was placed amidships, for the stowage of aircraft, and the machinery and superstructure were moved aft, as in a tanker. This left the forecastle deck for twothirds the length of the ship clear of major obstruction for the operation and handling of aircraft. The hold was covered by a large hatch and two steam cranes were provided for working the aircraft. Although designed

to carry seaplanes which would take off and land on the sea. the ship's forecastle was arranged so that aircraft could, if required, take off (but not land) from the ship itself. The ship was launched as the Ark Royal on September 5. 1914 and completed in December of the same year. In 1915 she went to the eastern Mediterranean and provided air reconnaissance and air spotting during the

Dardanelles campaign and the Gallipoli land-

(full

Ark Royal British seaplane carrier.

The 1914/15 Naval

Estimates provided for the acquisition of a vessel for service as a seaplane carrier. The vessel chosen was a tramp steamer laid down on November 7, 1913 by the Blyth Shipbuilding company, and then still under construction. After being purchased by the Admiralty in May 1914 the design of the vessel was completely recast. The original ship was of standard mercantile form with superstructure and machinery

158

A

Short Type 166 seaplane

is

hoisted out

from

HMS

Ark Royal

off the

Dardanelles, 1915

Ark Royal In 1916, being rather slow, she was relegated to depot and repair ship at Mudros and remained there until the end of the war. Between 1918 and 1923 she served as an aircraft transport and maintenance ship in various trouble spots in the Middle East and Black Sea areas and was then converted to a ings.

minesweeper depot

ship.

role at Sheerness until fitted

out as an aircraft

aircraft launching

HMS

Ark Royal, probably the Royal Navy's most famous aircraft carrier, had a brief but glorious career, escorting convoys to Malta and taking part in the destruction of the Bismarck. Below: A Fairey Swordfish prepares to land aboard the carrier. Above: The Ark Royal after being torpedoed in November 1941, 48 km (30 miles) from Gibraltar

She operated 1930

when

trials ship,

in this

she was

for testing

and recovery methods.

In December 1934 she was renamed Pegasus, her original name being required for a new aircraft carrier. In December 1939 she was attached to the Home Fleet as a seaplane-pilot training ship at Scapa Flow. Between 1940 and 1941 she was converted into a fighter catapult ship for convoy escort, being equipped to carry three Fairey Fulmar aircraft. She also had her superstructure slightly remodelled, her pole mast replaced by a

and two single 20-mm guns fitted. In was reduced to the role of accommodation ship and on October 18, 1946 was sold into merchant service, being renamed Anita I. She served as a cargo vessel until 1948 and was sold in the following year, being broken up in 1950. tripod

1944 she

Displacement: 7080 tons Length: 1 1 1 .56 m (366 oa Beam: 15.54 m (51 ft) Draught: 5.33 m (17 ft 6 in) Machinery: Single-shaft triple-expansion steam piston engines, 3000 ihp= 1 1 knots Armament: 4 12-pdr (4x1); 2 mg Aircraft (1915): 6 ft)

seaplanes, 4 land planes. (Numbers of aircraft varied according to operational requirements

and types

carried.)

Crew: 180 (including

air

personnel)

Ark Royal British aircraft carrier.

The Ark Royal can

easily lay claim to being the Royal Navy's most famous aircraft carrier for, in a very brief career, she achieved more than the

majority

The seaplane

carrier

Ark Royal was

the

first

ship fully converted for aircraft handling

of

ships

achieve

in

a

lifetime.

Ordered on April 17, 1935 under the 1934 Naval Estimates, she was laid down by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead on September 9, 1935 and launched on April 13, 1937. Her design benefited from the vast amount of experience gained from the six carriers, all but one converted vessels, commissioned between 1918 and 1930. For this reason, and because she had been designed as a Fleet Carrier from the start, she showed a considerable amount of improvement over these earlier vessels.

The flight deck, instead of being carried by the hull, was incorporated as part of its structure, the side plating being continued up to this deck, resulting in the fully enclosed bow that was to become a distinctive feature of later British carriers. This, together with the extensive use of welding, provided a light but very strong hull. The hangars were built on two levels and were intended to accommodate six squadrons (72 aircraft) but in practice this was found to be too large a number for efficient operation and in service she carried only five squadrons (60 aircraft). However, this was more aircraft than any of the other carriers could accommodate, the largest number otherwise being 48 in the Courageous and Glorious. By providing a considerable overhang at the

stern

the flight

deck was made much

159

5

Ark Royal in previous British carriers and allowed aircraft to land on from the stern while others were being launched from the catapults fitted at the forward end of the deck. The aircraft arrester gear was of an improved type and three lifts were provided to ensure the rapid transfer of aircraft from the hangar to the flight deck.

longer than this

Ark Royal was commissioned on 16, 1938 and in January of the following year embarked her first aircraft. She worked up in the Mediterranean and then

The

November

returned to Britain to join the

Home

Fleet.

Within a month of the outbreak of the Second World War she was narrowly missed by two torpedoes from the submarine U 39 (which was later sunk by the Ark's escort) and by a 910-kg (2000-lb) bomb from a German aircraft. This last event was the first of many occasions on which the enemy claimed to have sunk the Ark Royal. Between October 1939 and February 1940

HMS

Eagle as Right: The aircraft carrier in 1951. Below: Eagle at sea in July 1969. Several extensive refits have resulted in an 8 angled flight deck, lattice masts with new radar, the removal of several of the guns and the fitting of Seacat missile launchers

completed

she operated in the South Atlantic, and on her return home was refitted at Portsmouth. After taking part in the Norwegian campaign in April and May 1940, she sailed to Gibraltar where she joined Force H on June 23. During 1940 and 1941 she was constantly in action, mainly escorting Malta convoys and carrying out air strikes against the Italian mainland. In May 1941 she took part in the Bismarck action, her aircraft being responsible for two torpedo hits on the German battleship. One of these torpedoes damaged the Bismarck's steering gear, prevented her escape, and ensured her ultimate destruction by the main units of the Home Fleet. During the latter half of 1941 the Ark Royal escorted two Malta convoys and on four occasions flew off air reinforcements for the island. While returning from one of the latter operations of November 13, 1941 she was torpedoed by the submarine 81 when about 48 km (30 miles) from Gibraltar. She was hit

U

on the starboard

side

almost immediately

below the bridge and over 10°. All power

listed

failed but, after several hours, she

was got

under way with the aid of two tugs from Gibraltar. Progress was extremely slow and by 0400 on the morning of November 14 she was still 25 miles from Gibraltar, there was a fire in the boiler rooms and the list had increased to 27°. At 0613, nearly 13 hours after being torpedoed, she rolled over and sank. Only one of her crew was lost. Displacement: 22 000 tons (standard) 27 840 tons (full load) Length: 219.91 m (721 ft 6 in) water line; 242.93 m (797 ft) flight deck Beam: 28.88 m (94 ft 9 in) Draught: 6.96 m (22 ft 10 in)

Machinery: 3-shaft geared steam turbines, 102000 shp=30.75 knots Protection: 115 mm in) belt, 76 mm (3 in) deck, 64 mm (2j in) bulkheads Armament: 16 4.5-in (115-mm) (8x2); 48 2-pdr (6x8); 32 0.5-in (8x4) Aircraft: 60, 2 catapults Crew: 1860 (including air crew)

(Q

Ark Royal/Eagle Ark Royal/Eagle British aircraft carrier class. As early as 1940 the British Admiralty drafted plans for a new class of aircraft carriers to follow the six

authorized under the 1936-39 rearmament programmes. However, little could be done until 1942, by which time valuable knowledge had been gained from the war experience of the Ark Royal and the Illustrious Class. The new carrier class was to be an expansion of the Implacable design, with a doublestoried hangar with 14 ft 6 in headroom, thicker armour and high speed. But the growing size of aircraft, particularly the new US types being used by the Fleet Air Arm, made it necessary to increase the hangar height to 17 ft 6 in, resulting in a jump in displacement from 30000 to 36000 tons. The increase also allowed aircraft capacity to be increased from 78 to 100. The internal layout in other respects followed the Implacable

with separate boiler rooms and engine rooms on the unit system to minimize the risk of a single torpedo-hit knocking out the machinery. One important change was that the aviation fuel (avgas) was now stowed as in US carriers, in structural tanks surrounded by seawater. The heavy armament typical of earlier British carriers was repeated, eight twin 4.5in high-angle mountings disposed in four quadrants at the edge of the flight deck closely,

forward and provided.

aft,

and lavish

Two Mk

fire-control

was

5 fire-control directors

were mounted on the port side at deck-edge and one ahead and one abaft the island superstructure. Eight of the massive Mk 6 six-barrelled 40-mm Bofors mountings were provided, one at either end of the island, two on the starboard side aft and four on the port side. Each of these had its own Mk 37 USpattern director with radar control, and there were a further nine single Bofors guns with level,

(six on the island and three on the port side). This meant that 64 guns controlled by 12 radar directors provided long-range and short-range defence, with a further nine guns in local control. Later two pairs of Bofors guns on 5 mountings were provided under the overhang of the flight deck at the stern, with their own Simple Tachymetric Director (STD) control. Four ships were laid down between 1942 and 1943, but in 1945, with the end of the Second World War, the Africa and Eagle were cancelled. On January 21, 1946 the

gyro gunsights

Mk

former Audacious was renamed Eagle to

commemorate name sunk in

the famous carrier of that 1942. Although many references quote Irresistible as the original name for the Ark Royal there is no evidence that this name had been allocated to the hull; in any case the previous Ark Royal was sunk in 1941, a year-and-a-half before the new ship was begun, and it was unlikely that a chance

Eagle was laid up at Devonport after being paid off in January 1972 as aircraft carriers were phased out of the Royal Navy. Although officially remaining in reserve, she was cannibalized to keep the Ark Royal running. She is shown here in 1974, partially stripped

****.,

Ark Royal/Eagle would be missed

to revive her great

name.

Eagle (Pendant No 94) was ordered from Swan Hunter. Wallsend-onTyne. in August 1942 but the order was Vickers-Armstrong in transferred to December. The Africa (Pendant No D.06) was ordered from Fairfield, Govan, in July 1943. The orders for both ships were subsequently cancelled. The Eagle (ex- Audacious Pendant No D.29) was ordered from Harland and Wolff. Belfast, was laid down in October 1942. launched on March 19. 1946 and completed in October 1951. The Ark Royal (Pendant No

The

original

—

was ordered from Cammell Laird, Birkenhead; was laid down in May 1943, launched on May 3, 1950 and completed in February 1955. The renamed Eagle was formally accepted by the Royal Navy on March 1. 1952, with the new Pendant number R. 05. She was fitted with an interim angJed deck and mirror land-

91)

was taken Devonport for a full

ing sight in 1956-57, but in 1959 she in

hand once more

at

Although there were differences between the Ark Royaland the Eagleon completion, successive refits to both ships left them even less similar. In 1969 the flight deck of the Ark Royal was fully angled as part of a conversion to enable the ship to carry F-4K Phantom and Buccaneer Mk 2 aircraft. Ark floya/isseen below in 1973 with a Sea King helicopter about to land

modernization along the lines of the reconstructed Victorious. This time she was given a proper 8^° angled deck, steam catapults and the Type 984 Comprehensive Radar Display

!

411 44

>^* *t,

Ark Royal/Eagle system

(CDS).

This

'searchlight' aerial

radar

had

mounted above

a huge the island.

Other alterations included the replacement of the tripod masts with lattice masts, the forward one carrying a 'double bedstead' radar array. The two groups of Type 965

M

guns forward were removed and a quadruple Seacat guided missile launcher and

4.5-in

director

its

(GWS22) were

installed

on

either

side, with another in place of the starboard

40-mm guns and one on

the stern.

Devonport the Eagle was given more powerful catapults and arrester In another

refit at

wires to allow her to operate the F-4

Phantom

She recommissioned in April 1967 but her future was uncertain as the British government had announced the year before that aircraft carriers were to be phased out. She was paid off at Portsmouth in January 1972 and de-stored; on August 9 the same year she was towed to Devonport to be laid up. By the end of 1976 she remained officially in reserve, but had been partially 'cannibalized' to keep her sister Ark Royal running. Ark Royal began her contractor's sea trials on June 4, 1954, after her lengthy time of building had become a national joke Liveraircraft.

—

pudlians began to think that her vast hull was part of the landscape. She was different in many ways from the Eagle, having a 53° angled deck, a lattice foremast and a side lift giving access to the upper hangar the first British carrier fitted with this American device. To enlarge the forward end of the angled deck the two port forward 4.5-in gun

—

mountings had been blanked off, and were completely removed in 1956. The two starboard forward turrets were removed in 1959 and then in 1964 the foremost of the two pairs of after turrets were also suppressed. The Ark has been constantly altered and o o s

Armalite AR-10 modified to suit changing needs.

By

1959

it

was

clear that the deck edge lift was of limited use, and it was removed to allow the hangar to be enlarged. In 1961 the ship was

given a mirror landing sight, more powerful steam catapults and the 'Hilo' long-range guidance system. Her biggest reconstruction started in March 1967, when she was converted to operate Phantom and Buccaneer Mk 2 aircraft. When she emerged in February 1970 she had a full 8^° angled deck, a bigger island and two 'double bedstead Type 965M radar arrays on lattice masts forward and aft. 1

The

last

40-mm guns were

also

removed and

replaced by four quadruple Seacat closerange missiles disposed one on either side aft,

one on the island and one at the stern. Both ships were fully employed throughout their active lives, Eagle in particular playing an important role in the Mediterranean during the Suez landings in 1956 and again during the confrontation with Indonesia in 1964, with Ark Royal. Eagle established a peacetime record by remaining at sea for 78 days during the early days of the Beira patrol

HMS

Above: HMS Ark Royal passing her sister Eagleat Plymouth in October 1975, and (below) on the exercise 'Ocean Safari 1975' the following month. A US Navy A-7 Corsair U and an F-4 Phantom from USS Independence are on deck, along with RN Buccaneers and Phantoms

NATO

and also made history by embarking the Royal Navy's first operational squadron of jet fighters (Attackers) early in her career. In 1976 the Ark Royal achieved stardom when a complete commission was filmed to make a series called Sailor. During the course of a routine helicopter operation the in 1965,

TV

TV

cameras recorded an heroic rescue of a

crewman from

a

US

nuclear submarine.

—

(Both ships as designed) Displacement: 36 800 tons (normal), 45720 tons (full load) Length: 244.96 m (803 ft 9 in) oa Beam: 34.21 m (11 2 ft 9 in) Draught: 10.97 m (36 ft in) max Armament: 16 4.5-in (1 14-mm) Mk 6 DP (8x2); 61 40-mm AA Mk 6, Mk 5 & Mk 9 (8x6, 2x2, 9x1); 100 aircraft

(Eagle— as redesigned) Displacement: 43060 tons (normal), 53390 tons (full load) Dimensions: As designed, but 51.81 m (171 ft in) across flight deck Machinery: 4-shaft geared steam turbines, 152000 shp=31j knots (deep load) Protection: 114 (4^ in) main belt, 38 (4-1 \ in) (1j in) hangar side, 102-38 flight deck, 64-25 (2j-1 in) hangar deck Armament: 16 4.5-in (1 14-mm) DP (8x2), reduced to 8 between 1959 and 1964; 58 40-mm AA (8x6, 2x2, 6x1), replaced by 6 Seacat GWS22 (6x4); 4 3-pdr saluting guns (4x1); 34 aircraft, 10 helicopters (in 1966) Crew: 2637 (including embarked air groups)

mm

mm

mm

mm

(Ark Royal— as redesigned) Displacement: 43340 tons (normal) 53340 tons (full load)

Dimensions: As designed, but 49.98 m (164 ft 6 across flight deck Protection: As Eagle Machinery: As Eagle Armament: 12 4.5-in DP (6x2), reduced to 8 in 1959, 4 in 1964, removed altogether in 1969; 40 40-mm AA (5x6, 2x2, 6x1) reduced to 34 in 1956, 14 by 1965, all removed by 1970; 2 3-pdr saluting guns; 40 aircraft, 8 helicopters (1966), 30 aircraft, 6 helicopters (1972) according to types embarked Crew: 2640 (including air staff) while acting as in)

flagship

Armalite AR-10 US assault rifle. The AR-10 was

assault

rifle

developed by the Armalite Division of Fairchild Industries in about 1954.

164

originally

A

lightweight

weapon

of 'straight-line'

configuration, it was unusual in that instead of tapping gas from the barrel to drive a piston and rod to operate the bolt, it piped gas back to impinge directly on the bolt carrier. This system had been used before, by Madsen, but it was still relatively uncommon. The US Army did not show very much interest in the rifle and in 1957 ArtillerieInrichtingen of Holland agreed to produce it. Unfortunately, the Netherlands army were no more enthusiastic about it than the Americans had been, and the process of setting up production proceeded very slowly. As a result of extensive advertising by the Fairchild Corporation several countries expressed interest in the rifle, but due to the delays in production they eventually went elsewhere for their rifles, and in the long run

the sales which might have gone to the AR-10 were taken by the extremely successful and widely-used AR-15. The AR-10 was an extremely sound design; much of the receiver was of aluminium alloy, while the furniture was of glass fibre, and it performed well on tests. ArtillerieInrichtingen also produced a light machinegun version which showed considerable promise. Unfortunately the design appeared at the wrong time. Those people who needed 7.62-mm automatic rifles had already made their choice, while the appearance of the 5.56-mm calibre as the potential next generation put paid to the AR-10's chances of

replacing older rifles when replacement due. Production ceased in 1961.

no more than about 5000 were made. One drawback was that by this time Armalite had perfected the 5.56-mm AR-15; this had a

Calibre:

much

Cyclic rate of

better reception and doubtless

many of

came

7.62-mm (,303-in)x51 (7.62-mm NATO)

Length: 102.9 Barrel: 50.8

cm (40.5 cm (20.0 fire:

4.1 kg (9.0 lb) Magazine: 20 rounds 700 rds/min in)

in)

Weight:

Armalite AR-18

nOflD

Colt

M16A1 version

US Army

rifle

of the standard M16 developed from the

Armalite AR-1 5. The only drawback to this otherwise reliable and efficient design is the liability of the gas-operated action to foul up if not kept clean

Armalite AR-15 (M16; M16A1) US rifle. The Armalite rifle is one of the success stories of the mid-twentieth century. Developed as a private venture by a small and unknown company employing only one designer, it has become one of the best

known

infantry

weapons

in

world, equipping the entire rivalling the

AK-47

the

Western and

US Army

in reputation.

Originally designed in the mid-1950s by Eugene Stoner, the Armalite was intended from the beginning to utilize modern manufacturing techniques and modern materials. Steel stampings, pressings and forgings replaced the older methods of machining and casting, while plastics were employed instead of wood for the furniture. Stoner retained the conventional butt, for he realized that an extreme "bullpup* layout would probably not appeal to the military market he was aiming for. but the rifle is very much a straight-line design w ith the intention of reducing the kick from the recoil. In fact the use of sophisticated materials and methods has meant that manufacture requires a good deal of expensive machinery and large-volume orders to pay for it, which ensures that it remains in the hands of one or two large plants. The system of operation is by gas, but there is no piston as in the conventional gas operation. The gas is led through a tube straight into the bolt carrier, to which it gives a sharp push and then escapes through small vents into the body. The bolt carrier moves backwards a short distance and then cams the bolt round to unlock it. The bolt is locked into the barrel by seven small radial lugs and only a very small angular movement is needed to lock or unlock it. Once unlocked, the bolt action is much the same as with any other automatic rifle. The drawback to this use of gas action is that it can lead to the action fouling up, and this happened frequently in Vietnam, aggravated by lack of cleaning by the soldiers. Another snag is that there is hardly any primary extraction of the empty cases, and with a dirty breech this soon leads to jams. But if kept clean the rifle is most reliable and

from vices. The ammunition was designed

whose penetration

beyond

The

recoil of this

aid or put into production by countries not possessing specialized armament factories.

culty.

in outline, its

The rifle was originally accepted by the US Air Force and the Vietnamese army, who quickly appreciated its value in jungle fighting. The US Army adopted it as a standard infantry rifle in 1967. much to the consternation of NATO. By that time Stoner had left

The receiver

falls off

that.

round is remarkably low, and training nervous soldiers is no longer a diffi-

the company, and the manufacture was in the hands of the Colt company, who had already made about 500 000. The M16A differs from the original in having the cocking handle at the right-hand side, and a plunger in the body which can be used to force a sticking round into the chamber. Several million AR-15s and M16s have now been made, and there is a wide sale throughout the world. It is popular in those armies who fight mainly in close country such as jungle, and the British Army holds a small stock for this purpose. It can fire grenades from the muzzle, and the US Army has a version with a tube-launcher for grenades slung under the barrel. Although not the ultimate in design philosophy by today's standards, the Armalite has demonstrated that it is a sound, reliable and rugged weapon of proven ability.

Weight unloaded: 2.90 kg

mm

(39

Calibre:

in)

(6 lb 5 oz)

Operation:

5.56-mm

Gas,

Length :990

direct

action

Magazine: 20-round 800 rds/min (automatic) Muzzle (.223-in)

box Rate of fire: velocity: 988 m/sec (3250

ft/sec)

Armalite AR-18 US assault rifle. The AR-18 was

produced by the Armalite Corporation after it had left the Fairchild organization, and it was intended as a simple and reliable weapon capable of being produced easily and cheaply so that it could be supplied to countries in need of military

Although

it

resembles other Armalite designs construction is very different. is

formed from a

single sheet of

stamped, bent and welded into shape. Plastics and glass fibre are extensively used, while almost all the fittings are welded into steel,

The various components of the firing mechanism are stamped from sheet metal and formed to shape, with their operating surfaces selectively hardened. The buttstock place.

can be folded alongside the receiver for stowage or carrying. The AR-18 was extensively tested by the US Army and US Air Force between 1964 and 1967, and while it was admitted to be a sound and serviceable design, the wholesale commitment to the AR-15 precluded any chance of a major contract for the AR-18. In 1967 production began in Japan, by the Howa Machinery company, but their operation was somewhat circumscribed by the Japanese law which forbids the exportation of arms to combatant countries. Numbers of these Japanese AR-1 8s have appeared in the hands of the Irish Republican Army in Ulster. At rifle is being made in Britain by the Sterling Armament company under licence from Armalite, though there is no likelihood of it being adopted as a British service rifle. In addition to the standard rifle a submachine-gun version, the AR-18S, is made; this is simply the AR-18 with a shorter barrel

present the

and a forward Calibre:

pistol grip.

5.56-mm (.223-in)x45 Length: (AR-18)

in); (AR-18S) 76.2 cm (30 in) Weight: (AR-18) 3.04 kg (6.7 lb); (AR-18S) 2.60 kg (5.75 lb) Barrel: (AR-18) 47.6 cm (18.25 in); (AR-18S) 25.7 cm (10.125 in) Magazine capacity: 20 rounds Cyclic rate of fire: 750 rds/min

96.5

cm

(38

free

specially for

Stoner took the existing Remington .223-in sporting round and increased the velocity by enlarging the case and putting in more propellant. The result is a round effective for infantry use out to about 500 m, but the

rifle.

Light machine-gun version of the

AR-18 assault

rifle

made

by Artillerie-lnrichtingen of Holland

165

Armbrust 300 Armbrust 300 German

antitank weapon. This is a shortrange shoulder-fired weapon currently under

development by Messerschmitt-BolkowBlohm of Munich, West Germany. The launcher tube is 82 cm (32 in) long and carries an over-calibre projectile in the front end; this can be a hollow-charge antitank projecfragmentation-high-explosive, or illuminating, and is preloaded into the launcher at the factory. After firing, the launch unit is thrown away and a fresh projectile-launcher combination procured. Full information on the system of operation had not been released in late 1976, but the manufacturers claim that there is no muzzle flash, no backblast, no smoke, no infrared emanations which can be detected, and that the noise of discharge is less than that of a service pistol.

three were retained in the post-war navy but Antigone was laid up in 1927 and scrapped eight years later. Her sisters were both stric-

ken in July 1932, the Amazone being temporarily renamed Amazone II to release the name for a new submarine. The fourth boat served for seven years as

No. 15, was renamed Ha. 10 in 1924 and removed from the effective list in 1929.

tile,

Length: 82

cm

Range: 300 m/sec (723

m

in) Weight: 4.8 kg (10 lb 9 oz) (328 yards) Muzzle velocity: 220

(32

delivered before the outbreak of the First

World War but the other seven were taken over by the French navy while on the stocks. The Japanese and Greek boats were identical, being hull numbers SD-1 to SD-4. The Japanese boats were to have been Nos 15 but no record survives of the

names allotted to the Greek pair. The hulls were requisitioned on June 3, 1915, shortly before the first vessel was to be launched at the Schneider yard at Chalon-sur-Saone. The hull was the normal Laubeuf double-hull type, but with two internal bow tubes and four external drop-collars. An extra pair of torpedoes was carried as reloads for the internal tubes. As completed, a 47-mm gun was carried on the casing (75-mm in the Amazone), but the ex-No. 15 only had a

machine-gun.

As a gesture to the Japanese, who had supplied a dozen destroyers to the Marine Nationale, the French government handed over No. 15 to its original owners on compledown

launched

completed

SD-1 Armide (ex- No. 14)

SD-2 No. IS

1912

7/1915

6/1916

11/1913

1916

7/1917

1912

10/1916

1/1917

1913

8/1916

6/1917

SD-3 Antigone (ex-Greek)

SD-4 Amazone (ex-Greek)

75-mm

(3-in)

or

47-mm

(see above) Crew: 31

Armstrong Whitworth

British aircraft See Atlas, Albemarle, F.K.3, F.K.8, Meteor, Sea Siskin, Whitley

Individuelle de Proximite Antichar: antitank weapon. This one-man, shoulder-fired weapon, developed by MAS, consists of a glass-fibre and plastic launcher tube which carries a hollow-charge projectile

with solid-fuel rocket motor. When fired, a small propelling charge launches the projectile, and when this is some ten yards from the muzzle, the rocket motor ignites and accelerates the projectile to 250 m (820.21 ft) per second. The maximum range is about 100 m (328 ft), though the manufacturers speak of 50 m (164 ft) as being the most effective range. The principal advantage of Arpac is its size: 39.4 cm (155 in) long when carried, 55 cm long ready to fire, with an all-up weight of only 1.25 kg.

the 3rd Submarine Flotilla at Mudros, but the Antigone served first wiih the Bizerta Flotilla (operating with decoy or 'Q' ships) before joining her sister at Mudros in 1918. The Amazone was sent to the Adriatic on completion, and in 1918 she joined her two sisters in the 3rd Flotilla. All

1905 during a typhoon but was repaired. Mousquet was sunk in a hopelessly one-sided fight against the German cruiser

June 22,

Emden

Length: 55

cm

Weight 1 .25 kg (2 lb 12 (110 yards) Muzzle velocity: 7

(212 in)

Range: 100 m m/sec (23 ft/sec)

oz)

:

Arquebuse French destroyer class. Under the 1900 Programme the French navy ordered ten improved Durandal Class destroyers, followed by a further ten in 1901. The ships were all laid down in 1900-02 and completed between May 1903 and August 1904:

& Arbalete built by Normand. Carabine, Sarbacane, Francisque Sabre built by Rochefort Dockyard Javeline, Mousquet, BelierSc PistoletbuUt by Chantiers de la Loire, Nantes Epieu, Sagaie, Bombarde & Catapulte built by F et C Mediterranee, Graville Fronde, Harpon built by Ch de la Gironde, Arquebuse

Bordeaux Baliste

The Armide joined

"•Ml,,

Arme

French

&

1917. laid

166

gun

Arpac

—

in

(1.9-in)

Hawk,

Armide

tion

drop-collars (external);

ft/sec)

French submarine class. Between 1911 and 1912 the French Schneider-Laubeuf company was very successful in procuring export orders two submarines from Japan, four from Greece, three from Rumania and two from Peru. They were all very similar craft, medium-sized double-hulled boats displacing 300-450 tonnes on the surface. The Peruvian boats and the earlier pair of Greek boats were

14 and

Displacement: 457 tons (surfaced) 630 tons (submerged) Length: 56.2 m (184 ft 5 in) oa Beam: 5.2 m (17 ft) Draught: 3.02 m (9 ft 10 in) Machinery: (surfaced) 2-shaft Schneider-Carel diesels, 22000 bhp=17.5 knots (submerged) electric motors, 900 shp=11 knots Armament: 2 45-cm (17.7-in) torpedo tubes (forward); 4 45-cm

Arc

&

&

Dard

built

Mousqueton

by Penhoet, Rouen by Schneider

exceeded their contract removal of the mainmast improved stability. In 1903-04 Arbalete and all

speed.

the

class

The

Mousqueton carried out the first trials of wireless telegraphy in the French navy. Fronde capsized

Displacement: 302.7 tons (designed), 320 tons (normal) Length: 58.26 m (191 ft 2 in) oa Beam: 5.95 m-6.38 m (19 ft 6 in-28 ft 11 in) Draught: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) Machinery: 2-shaft tripleexpansion, 6300 ihp=28 knots Armaments 65(2Hn); 6 47-mm (1.9-in) (6x1); 2 45-cm (17.7-in) torpedo tubes (2x1). (In 1915 the two aftermost 47-mm guns were converted to AA

mm

guns; in 1917 an 8-mm machine-gun was fitted over the stern tube. In some units the 65-mm gun forward was replaced by a 75-mm (3-in) army type and depth charges and a thrower were fitted on the quarterdeck) Crew: 60

built

The design was supervised by Normand and

at Penang on October 28, 1914. The was the only other war casualty, being rammed and sunk by the British merchantman SS Warrimoo on May 18, 1918 off Bone. The rest of the class led busy but undistinguished lives on patrol and escort duties in the Mediterranean. Carabine was damaged in a collision in October 1918 and was condemned in January 1919 and the others were stricken between 1919 and 1921 and sold for scrap.

Belier

in

dock

at

Hong Kong on

Arrogant British cruiser class. The four 2nd Class cruisers of this class followed generally the design of the 2nd Class cruisers of the Astraea and Eclipse Classes. They were intended primarily for trade protection but could also be used for commerce raiding. The

J

Arrogant

type was controversial for they showed little improvement in speed or armament over the

Apollo 2nd Class cruisers despite being about 2000 tons larger. They were however provided with a high freeboard and this together with their larger size gave them the good sea-keeping qualities necessary for earlier

long-distance patrols of ocean trade routes. Three of the class, Arrogant, Gladiator and Furious, were launched in 1896 and the fourth, Vindictive, in 1897. They were commissioned during 1898-1900 but within a few years they were bordering on obsolescence. Some improvement was made to the ships during 1903-04 when all were refitted and rearmed, the 4.7-in guns being replaced by six 6-in guns which gave them a uniform calibre main armament of ten guns.

The Gladiator was lost on April 25, 1908 when she was accidentally rammed by the

US

liner St Paul in the Solent during a snowstorm. She was subsequently salvaged, under very difficult circumstances, and taken to Portsmouth but was not repaired and was

eventually scrapped. By a strange coincidence the St Paul capsized in New York harbour on April 25, 1918 exactly ten years after she had collided with the Gladiator. The

Arrogant was converted into a submarine depot ship at Portsmouth and commissioned in this role on July 1, 1911. She served at Dover throughout the First World War as

mother ship until

the 4th

Submarine Flotilla the 5th Submarine

and then She was sold for scrap

1916

Flotilla.

to

in 1923.

The

Furious was paid off into reserve at Portsmouth on March 15, 1912 and remained thus until commissioned as a training ship in June 1915 under the name Forte. She was sold for scrap in 1923. The Vindictive had a more active career and served in the 9th Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet (1914-15), on the southeast coast of America (1915-16) and in the White Sea (1916-17). Early in 1918 she was taken in hand at Chatham for conversion into an assault ship for the raid on Zeebrugge. A new deck was added over the midships structure and the port side equipped with a number of gangplanks from which she was to land 580 marines and 200 seamen on the mole of

Zeebrugge harbour. The original armament,

with the exception of four 6-in guns, was removed and replaced by one 11 -in and two 7.5-in howitzers, three pom-poms, 16 Lewis machine-guns, eight Stokes mortars and two flame throwers. The 1 1-in howitzer was fitted on the quarterdeck and the 7.5-in on the forecastle and amidships. The raid took place on April 23, 1918 and Vindictive carried out her part with a high degree of success. She returned home with her upperworks shot to pieces, the main body of her hull having been protected by the mole. In the following month she sailed again, this time as a blockship for a second attempt to close the entrance of the canal at Ostend. She was sunk in the canal mouth on May 10, but unfortunately in a position that left the main channel clear. Displacement: 5750 tons (normal) Length: 104.2 (342 ft) oa Beam: 17.2 m (56 ft 6 in) Draught:

m

167

Arromanches 6.1m (20 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft triple-expansion steam engines, 10000 ihp=20 knots Protection: 38 mm (1j in) deck: 51 mm (2 in) side at bow; 76

mm mm)

(3 in)

gun shields Armament: 4

6-in (152-

(4x1); 6 4.7-in (120-mm) (6x1); 8 12-pdr, 12 1 12-pdr, 8 cwt; 3 3-pdr (3x1); 5 mg; 3

cwt(8x1); 18-in stern)

(46-cm) torpedo tubes

(2

broadside,

1

Crew: 480

Arromanches French

aircraft

carrier.

The Arromanches

was

a unit of the British Colossus Class light fleet carriers coming into service at the end of the Second World War. The French navy was very anxious to rebuild its naval air arm, and so the Colossus was borrowed for five years in August 1946, with an option to buy her at the end of the five-year loan. The option was taken and the carrier, renamed up Arromanches, was transferred permanently in 1951. For many years Arromanches was the main strength of French naval airpower. She was extensively refitted in 1950-51, 1957-58 and again in 1968-69 but always retained her original appearance. She received a 4° angled

deck and other improvements to allow her to operate new aircraft, and in 1969 all her guns were removed. She was reduced to an antisubmarine carrier in 1958 and in 1969 became a helicopter and training carrier.

launched and completed during 1915-16. Zinoviev (ex-Azard) was later renamed Artem and was stationed in the Baltic. She sank after being mined on August 28, 1941 off Cape Yuminda. Engels (ex-Desna) was also mined off Cape Yuminda, but four days earlier than her sister, on August 24. Volodarski (ex-Pobiedityel) also served in the

The Arromanches was equipped Hellcat

fighters

initially

and Helldiver dive-

bombers, and could carry a maximum of 43 aircraft depending on type; the usual air group embarked had 24 aircraft. After 1958 she carried Breguet Alize antisubmarine aircraft, but in 1969 these were replaced by III A/S helicopters. For some years she retained her British radar and guns but the latter were eventually replaced by French-pattern 40-mm Bofors guns, 31 in 1957, but increased to 43 by 1969. When she became a helicopter-carrier all guns were removed and she was given a DRBV 22 air/surface surveillance radar. The Arromanches was striken in 1974 and sold for

Alouette

scrapping.

Displacement: 14 000 tons (normal); 18 500 tons load) Length: 21 1.7 m (694 ft 6 in) oa Beam: 36 m (118 ft) over angled deck sponson Draught: 7 m (23 ft) Armament: 43 40-mm AA (removed 1969) Aircraft: 40 max Crew: 101 9 (200 (full

Seacat missile launcher

The

right

aft,

with a

at the after end.

was remarkably costhe modern trend towards collaboration between firms in more than one country. The Italian firm Contraves electronics outfit

mopolitan,

reflecting

Baltic

supplied its Sea Hunter fire-control system but the air-warning and surveillance radar was the Plessey ASW-1, with its prominent aerial

August

mounted on

Fleet and was mined off Seiskari 28, 1941, the same day as the Artem. The Stalin (ex-Samson) was the only one of her class to be transferred to the Pacific, and as a result she survived the war; she was scrapped about 1953. The Uritzky (exZabiyaka) was transferred to the Arctic, where she spent the whole of the Second World War; she was scrapped at the same time as the Stalin. In appearance the Type V destroyers looked very similar to the other threefunnellers in the Red Fleet. The Volodarski was the only one to have three guns on the stern, whereas the others had the third gun mounted forward of the mainmast. In most respects they looked little different from the original Pobiedityel Class, apart from bigger bridge work.

flight

with

from the funnel almost

Displacement: 1440 tons (normal); 1800 tons load) Length: 98 m (321 ft 6 in) oa Beam: 9.3 m (30 ft 6 in) Draught: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons steam turbines, 32000 shp=24 knots (speed by 1941) Armament: 4 4-in (102-mm)(4x1);2 45-mm AA(2x1); (full

2 37-mm AA (2x1); 3 13-mm mgs and 9 smaller mgs; 6 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (2x3); 60 mines Crew: 160

Artemiz Iranian destroyer. In 1964 the growing navy of Iran decided to acquire a destroyer from the Royal Navy. As British shipyards were fully booked at the time and as the Iranians wished to train ratings as soon as possible they decided to buy and modernize an older ship for their purposes. Sluys was The 20-year-old destroyer bought and towed to Southampton to begin a Vospermodernization three-year by Thornycroft. During this period she was completely altered, with a new bridge, an enclosed foremast and a new enclosed mainmast amidships. A long deckhouse extended

HMS

the

new mainmast. Decca's RDL

radar interception set was installed, and Racal's direction-finder. Some vestiges of the original armament remained, principally the two twin 4.5-in Mk 4 mountings mounted in A and B positions, and the 'Squid' triple depth-charge mortar on the quarterdeck. The hull and machinery were unaltered apart from the provision of new boilers. As the ship had seen only peacetime service her sea speed probably remained near the original 3 1 knots (34 knots maximum) provided by the twin Parsons 1

geared turbines. Endurance is claimed to be 3000 miles at 20 knots. HMS Sluys (D 60) was completed by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead on September 30, 1946 and after many years of active service in various destroyer squadrons was paid off in the early 1960s. Following her modernization she was formally handed over to the Imperial Iranian Navy at Portsmouth on January 26, 1967 and renamed Artemiz. Subsequent reports have indicated that she may have been reconstructed once more, this time to take surface-to-surface missiles. As the Shah's navy has already bought the McDonnell Douglas Harpoon system it is unlikely that another missile would be chosen. The alterations would be limited to clearing sufficient deck space for the launching tubes, as these missiles are of the 'fireand-forget' type requiring no additional guidance radar other than the normal target acquisition sets already fitted. See also Barfleur. Displacement: 2325 tons (standard), 3360 tons load) Length: 11 5.5 m (379ft0in)oa Beam: 12.3 m (40 ft 6 in) Draught: 5.2 m (17 ft 6 in) Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines, 50000 shp=34 knots (max) Armament: 4 4.5-in (114-mm) DP (2x2); 8 40-mm (1.5-in) Bofors AA (8x1); 1 quadruple Seacat missile launcher; 1 Squid' depth-charge mortar Crew: 270 (full

aircrew)

Artem Russian destroyer

class.

When Lenin ordered

the reconstruction of the Red Fleet in 1922 only ten destroyers remained of the large number which had existed in 1917. Another an improved ver14, all of the same class sion of the Novik were under construction. Six of these were completed between 1925 and 1928, and with their earlier sisters and the original Novik (completed in 1913 and now renamed Yakov Sverdlov) formed a total of 17 destroyers. Because of the lengthy time taken to complete the various ships there were many differences, and so they were divided into six groups, the Yakov Sverdlov forming Type I and the Zinoviev and four sisters Type V. All five had been laid down in 1914-15 at the Metal Works, St Petersburg, and were

—

—

The Iranian destroyer Artemiz, converted from the old destroyer HMS Sluys, on preliminary trials after her refit by Vosper-Thornycroft. The original twin 4.5-in guns forward were retained

168

_

.

AS.12

AS-1 Soviet

ASM

See Kennel

Above:

An AS.12

air-to-surface missile is fired from a Lynx of the Aeronavale. Below: AS.12 on an Alouette. The twin wires through which the guidance commands are transmitted are unreeled from spools inside the missile itself, which carries an armour-piercing, shaped charge or antipersonnel fragmentation warhead installation

AS-2 Soviet

ASM

See Kipper

AS-3 Soviet

ASM

See Kangaroo

AS-4 Soviet

ASM

See Kitchen

AS-5 Soviet

ASM

See Kelt

AS-6/7 Soviet

ASM

See Kerry

AS.12 French antiship

missile. This air-launched version of the highly successful wire-guided SS.12 antitank missile is operated by maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters in an antiship/antisubmarine role. The basic missile has more than double the range of the earlier SS.ll and the warhead is more than four times as powerful.

AS.12 minor

SS.12—both developed by —are identical apart from a few

and

Aerospatiale

which include the type of wires which differ between the ground and air-launched applications. The missile has cruciform wings, a slightly bulbous warhead, a two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor and deflectors in the exhaust for control. When launched by a low-flying aircraft at 200 knots the effective range exceeds 5500 m (18 000 ft): the speed of impact is about 220 m/sec (720 ft/sec). Steering is achieved manually by line-ofdetails,

control

•^? 'Try

169

AS.20 from the launch aircraft. However, later models have been adapted for TCA (Telecommande Automatique) automatic guidance of the kind employed in the sight

some

Harpon antitank weapon system. The warhead can be one of three types: OP.3C, which penetrates more than 40 mm of armour to explode inside a vehicle; 170 AC high-effect antitank shaped charge; or high-effect, prefragmented antipersonnel charge. The French navy operates AS. 12 from Alize, P-2 and Atlantic maritime aircraft. It has also been widely exported. For example, it has appeared on Wasp helicopters of the Royal Navy and Nimrods of the Royal Air Force. Abu Dhabi and the Argentine navy operate the missile from Alouette III helicopters and the Royal Netherlands navy from P2 and Atlantic patrol aircraft and Wasp helicopters. Other buyers include Iraq, Iran,

West Germany,

Italy, Spain and Turkey. Aerospatiale claim that a helicopter armed with the AS. 12 is capable of destroying targets at 6000 m (19685 ft) range. Using an

APX gyro-stabilized optical sight for target acquisition and missile control, the helicopter can manoeuvre without disturbing the point of aim. It is therefore possible to employ evasive tactics during missile flight. cm

cm

AS.20 guided air-to-surface

missiles installed

French air-to-surface missile. This missile, built by Aerospatiale, has a wide range of applications against sea and ground targets and is used extensively as a training missile

for the larger AS. 30. It can be operated by any tactical aircraft capable of launching it at a speed of Mach 0.7 or higher. Propelled by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor (boost and sustainer), the missile has highly-swept cruciform wings and is controlled by radio command signals from the aircraft acting on deflectors in the efflux of the sustainer motor. The operator steers by direct line-of-sight using a simple joystick control, sighting with

Demonstration installation of an AS.20

and an AS. 30

Length: 187

Span: 65 cm

(74 in) Diameter: 21

(8.27 in)

(25.6 in) Weight: 74.2 kg (164 lb)

Warhead diameter: 210 cm (8.25 in) warhead weight: 30 kg (66 lb) approx

Total

AS.20

170

(right)

missile

on a Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer the aid of tracking flares on the rear of the missile. Alternatively, the (Telecom-

TCA

mande Automatique) system developed

for

AS. 30 can be used. Range depends on the speed and

the

altitude of the launch aircraft, averaging about 7 km (4.3 miles) when fired at Mach 0.9. Time to target is approximately 16 seconds.

More than 8000 missiles have been produced for the air forces of five countries. The French air force operates the AS.20 from

under the wing of a Sud-Aviation Vautour

Asa hi Mirage

Ills,

and the French navy from Eten-

Foreign operators missiles). include the South African air force (Mirage III), the Italian air force (Fiat G.91, two missiles), and the German navy (F.104G

dards

(two

1

A

s

The German navy employs mis v without warheads to train operators in the use of the larger AS. 30.

Starfighter).

1

\

siles

Techniques have been developed in which two aircraft cooperate in attacking surface targets, making their run in tandem with a few miles' separation. The first aircraft launches the missile and immediately takes evasive action; the second takes over guidance of the missile from a greater stand-off range, using the same radio command code. Length: 2.59 m (8.5 ft) Diameter: 25 cm (10 in) Span: 78 cm (31 in) Weight: 143 kg (315 lb) Warhead: 30 kg (66 lb) Propulsion: Aspic SNPE/Aerospatiale composite-propellant boost motor (burns for 16.3 sec); Icare cast DB propellant SNPE/Aerospatiale sustainer

AS.30

f

\

S

'

/

\

i

X

* ••/il

A

mm

ik%; m .-

H

W '

f™

W. Sfr wmT~~. [^

--

!

:1«J. j- HBbe^

^*

m -

J

m

&> *«r

French air-to-surface missile. One of the world's most successful air-to-surface missiles, the Aerospatiale AS.30 was developed to provide tactical aircraft with an effective stand-off weapon for use against hard and soft-skinned targets such as fortifications, bridges and ships. Design requirements included an effective range of at least 10 km (6.2 miles) with a proviso that the launch aircraft should not approach the target closer than 3 km (1.9 miles). The CEP (circular error probable) at the target had to be less than 10 (33 ft). The missile itself has a slim streamlined body with highly-swept cruciform wings and is powered by a two-stage (boost and sustainer) solid-fuel rocket motor. Optical tracking from the launch aircraft depends on a

m

radio command link acting upon steerable deflectors in the rocket efflux. Later models have been fitted with a TCA

(Telecommande Automatique) system which the launch operator keeps the target

in

in the aircraft tracks flares

on the

missile.

The Japanese

more to the rear. the total weight does not exceed 380 kg (838 lb), it can be carried by the smallest tactical aircraft, such as the G.91. A variant of the standard weapon the AS.30AL has been proposed for use by Jaguar aircraft of the Armee de l'Air in which the target is illuminated by the ThomsonCSF/Martin Atlis pod and the missile responds to a semi-active laser seeker. (35.4 in) span being located

As

—

—

Length: 3.9 m (12.8 ft) Diameter:2A cm (13.4 in) Span: 100 cm (39.4 in) Weight: 520 kg (1 146 lb) compositePropulsion: SNPE/Aerospatiale propellant boost; cast double-based sustainer

AS.37 Franco-British

ASM

See Martel

Asahi

matically translated into commands which steer the missile onto the target. Whereas the AS. 20 requires a minimum launch speed of Mach 0.7, a larger rocket motor allows the AS.30 to be launched at any speed above Mach 0.45. It can be released in level flight or in a dive. When fired at Mach 0.9 at low level, the average range is 11-12 km

between and the

number of variations between the ships of the class. The Shikishima and Hatsuse had three

CEP is about 6 m ( 19.7 ft) or better. general-purpose 230-kg (507-lb) warhead is interchangeable with a semi-armourpiercing type with impact or delay fuzing. The AS.30 has been operated by the French air force (Mirage III) and the French navy (Etendard). Foreign users include the Royal Air Force (Canberra); German navy (F-104G Starfighter); Swiss air force (Mirage III), and South African Air Force (Mirage III, Buccaneer). A lightweight version the AS.30L has also been developed. This makes use of the same missile body with a lighter warhead of 115 kg (254 lb) and shorter wings of 90 cm

funnels while the other pair followed their British contemporaries and had only two.

(6.8-7.4 miles).

Speed

450-500 m/sec

(1480-1640 ft/sec)

at

impact

is

measured

A

—

—

\

-

7

Ii

The Shikishima also had an additional 18-in torpedo tube, mounted above water in the bow. The Mikasa was completed to a slightly ft longer and having 6 in less beam than her sisters and mounting ten, instead of eight, of her 6-in guns at main

different design, being 7

deck

On

was quickly outclassed by

battleship Asahi, completed in 1900,

Japanese battleship class. Laid down in British shipyards during 1897-99 these preDreadnought battleships closely followed British design practice and were almost identical to the Royal Navy's Formidable Class. The first three, Asahi, Shikishima and Hatsuse, were completed in 1900 and the last, Mikasa, in 1902. Although they were sisters, there were a

Deviations from the sighting axis are auto-

SJ v:,

\

in

optical line-of-sight while an infrared seeker

_-Tr

::.,

9, 1904 when Mikasa was hit and damaged by three heavy shells. Three months later, on May 15, the Hatsuse was

February

sunk when she struck two mines, the second of which detonated her magazines. Of her were lost. The remaining crew of 831, three ships were badly damaged in a second action with the Russian fleet on August 10, 1904, the Mikasa suffering the most with 22 hits. The Asahi received further damage in October when she struck a mine, but all were repaired in time to take part in the Battle of

4%

Tsushima on May 27, 1905. The Mikasa was damaged yet again during this action in which the Russian battle fleet was virtually annihilated by the Japanese. Even peace did not bring safety for Mikasa: in September 1905 an accidental magazine explosion sent her to the bottom of Sasebo harbour. She was subsequently salvaged and refitted during 1907-1908, the opportunity being taken to replace her 40-cal 12- and 6-in guns with 45-cal weapons of

more modern

design.

Service during the First World War was comparatively uneventful and all remained in Japanese waters during this period. In 1923 they were removed from the effective list and relegated to subsidiary roles. Shikishima was hulked and then scrapped in 1948. Asahi was converted into a submarine depot and repair ship and served in this role until sunk by the

US submarine Salmon in the South China Sea on May 25, 1942. The Mikasa was preserved as a monument at Yokosuka, but was allowed to fall into disrepair until refitted in 1960. She subsequently became a memorial to Admiral Togo and the Battle of Tsushima. (normal) Length: (425 ft) oa; Mikasa 131.7 m (432 ft) Beam: 23.2 m (76 ft); Mikasa 23.0 m (75 ft 6 in) Draught: 8.53 m (28 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft, triple expansion steam engines, 15000 ihp=18 knots (9-4 in) belt; 76-25 Protection: 230-102

Displacement: 15 200 tons

level.

completion

later vessels

four joined the 1st Squadron of the 1st Division of the Japanese fleet, the Mikasa becoming the flagship of the C-in-C, Admiral Togo. They took a leading part in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05 and were present at the first fleet action of all

129.5

(3-1

m

in)

mm mm

deck; 260-203

mm

(10-8

in) turrets;

152

171

Asakaze mm (6 in) casemates; 355 mm (14 in) conning tower Armament: A 12-in (305-mm) (2x2); 14 6in (152-mm) (14x1); 20 12-pdr (20x1); 8 3-pdr (8x1); 6 22-pdr (6x1); 4 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (submerged + one surface 18-in in Shikishima) Crew: 750 (peacetime)

Asakaze

The

ships

in

the

class

were

Asakaze. Harukaze. Hatsuharu. Shigure, Udzuki (built at Kobe); Arare, Ariyake, Hatsushimo. Hatsuyuki. Fibuki. Hibiki, Kisaragi, Nenohi, Ushiho. Kamikaze. Wakaba. Yoyoi (built at Yokosuka Navy Yard); Hayate (built at Osaka); Ayanami. Isonami, Uranami. Oite. Yunagi (built at Maidzuru); Mikadzuki, Nowaki, Yudachi, Yugure (built at Sasebo Navy Yard); Matsukaze, Minadsuki. Shirayuki. Shiratsuya, Shirotaye (built at Nagasaki); Kikudzuki. Nagatsuki (built at Uraga dockyard). Construction was spread over six years, between 1904 and 1910, during which time foreign destroyer development had outclassed their basic design, principally in the adoption of a heavier armament. They were subsequently classified as 3rd Class destroyers and were employed mainly in coast defence. The four guns were mounted fore

and aft and abreast the bridge and the torpedo tubes on the centre line abaft the funnels.

They

early 1920s.

Displacement: 381 tons (normal) Length: 69m (227-234 ft) oa Beam: 6.6 m (21 ft 6 in) Draught: 1 .83 m (6 ft) A/fac/7/nery-2-shaft geared steam turbines, 6000 shp = 29 knots Armament: 4 12-pdr (4x1); 2 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (2x1) Crew. 91 71.3

ASALM US Advanced

Strategic Air-Launched Mis-

The concept of ASALM emerged both means of defending long-range bombers

as a against air attack and for defence suppression the ability to knock out enemy defence communications whilst at the same time

—

—

pressing

home

primary

targets.

thermonuclear attack on the suppression role include the enemy's major a

In

could radar and communications centres controltargets

172

The propulsion system represents a major challenge in that an attempt is made to achieve a compact integral rocket-ramjet for long-range strike capability. Central to this part of the project is the Marquardt company which is working closely with the Chemical Systems Division of United Technologies. The integral rocket motor depends on a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant by the Thiokol Corporation. In systems of this type the integral rocket boosts the missile to supersonic speed. When it cuts out, a series of mechanical changes transform the propulsion unit into a ramjet. These changes involve the opening of air inlets, nozzle changes and a switch to the burning of liquid fuel and air in the combustion

chamber.

Flight trials of an

funnels, belt armour of Krupp cemented steel instead of Harvey nickel steel, a thicker protective deck and reduced machinery power. All took part in the Russo-Japanese war and were present at the Battle of

Tsushima in which both Asama and Iwate were badly damaged. Service in the First World War was uneventful except that Asama ran aground on the Pacific coast of Central America in December 1914 but was salvaged and repaired. After 1918 they were reclassified as coast defence ships but served mainly as training vessels until the Second World War. Between the wars Idzumo and Iwate had the six later

guns on the main deck removed and the minor gun armament reduced to four 3-in and one 3-in AA while the Asama was eventually disarmed completely. The Tokiwa. however, was converted from a training ship into a minelayer during 1928-29. the after twin 8-in 6-in

ASALM

prototype were

expected to be made over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico beginning with drop tests and followed by air-launched trials with the propulsion system. Finally, tests were anticipated with the full guidance system. Raytheon and Rockwell were competing for the guidance system contract. Advocates of the ASALM system argued that it could replace or supplement the ShortRange Attack Missile (SRAM) on strategic bombers even that it might upgrade B-52 and FB-1I1 aircraft for attacking primary targets in the event of cancellation of the B-l supersonic bomber.

—

Asama Japanese armoured cruiser class. Launched by Armstrongs at Elswick between 1898 and 1900 these four vessels were similar to the British Monmouth Class but with reduced speed to allow for a heavier armament. The first pair. Asama and Tokiwa. were completed in 1899 and the second pair. Idzumo and Iwate. in 1901. The latter differed from the earlier pair in having three instead of two

removed to clear the after part of the ship for the mine equipment. In addition the six 6-in guns amidships were removed and the minor armament reduced to two 3-in turret being

3-in AA guns. Further modifications were made during the Second World War. the Idzumoand Iwate having their 8-in turrets replaced by two twin 5-in gun mountings, the 6-in guns reduced to four and the minor armament altered to three

and one

carried 100 tons of coal, giving

them a range of 1200 miles at 15 knots, but the Ayanami, Isonami and Uranami were fitted with coal- and oil-fired boilers and carried 95 tons of coal and 15 tons of oil fuel. One of the class was lost during the First World War. The Shirotaye was wrecked during an engagement with the German gunboat Jaguar in Kiao-Chau Bay on September 4, 1914. She was subsequently salvaged but was found to be beyond repair and was scrapped. The remainder of the class had comparatively uneventful careers and were removed from the effective list during the

sile.

ter aircraft

1978-79.

Japanese destroyer class. The 34 vessels of this class were improved versions of the Asashio and Harusame Thornycroft type' destroyers, their main advantage over the earlier ships being a uniform armament of 12pdr guns instead of the mixed-calibre armament of 12- and 6-pdrs. With a turtle back forecastle and four funnels their appearance revealed their British origin and they strongly resembled the Royal Navy's 27- and 30knotters.

and fighand the equivalent of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). At the end of 1976 a final configuration for the ASALM had yet to emerge. However, the Orlando Division of Martin Marietta had received a S33.6 million contract which was expected to lead to a flight demonstration in ling surface-to-air missile batteries

A

pre-1905 photograph of the Japanese armoured cruiser Asama. Though quickly outclassed by Asama saw a great deal of action against the Russians

later ships, the

Asdic smaller AA weapons. The AA and Tokiwa had her remaining 8-in turret, two 6in and two 3-in guns removed and the AA armament augmented. Idzumo and Iwate served in the China Squadron during the war and were eventually sunk in harbour by carrier aircraft in July 1945. The wrecks were subsequently broken

by 8000 shp and the latter by fitting a twin, instead of a single, mounting in position. These improvements entailed providing a slightly larger hull and resulted in a 300-ton increase in displacement.

up. Asama continued her service as a training ship until surrendered in 1945 and was scrapped in the following year. Tokiwa was in reserve at Sasebo until 1940 when she joined the 19th Minelaying Division of the 4th Fleet. She took a minor but not inactive part in the

principally in her steering qualities,

3-in

1

1

war and was finally sunk in harbour on August 10. 1945 during a raid by carrier aircraft on northern Honshu. The wreck was scrapped

1946.

in

X

The Asashio was launched in 1936 and the remainder in 1937. The trials of Asashio. in 1937, revealed a

number

of design defects, and as a result, the hull aft and the rudder were modified throughout the entire class. This greatly

improved

resulted in last

their manoeuvrability but

some delays

in

completion and the until 1939. During

was not commissioned

their early years of service the turbine instal-

gave trouble but these problems were overcome prior to 1941. Wartime alterations included additional AA weapons and lation also

fitting, during 1943-44. of four depthcharge throwers and 36 depth charges. To compensate for the additional weight, a gun mounting was removed, the area being utilized for a triple 25-mm AA mounting, and eight torpedoes, carried as reloads, were

the

Displacement: 9750 tons (9850 tons Idzumo & Iwate) normal Length: 134.7 m (442 ft); 132.3 m (434 20.9

Idzumo & Iwate Beam: 20. 5

ft)

m (67 ft 3 in);

Idzumob. Iwate Draught:! A m (24 ft 3 in) mean Machinery: 2-shaft tripleexpansion steam engines. 18 000 ihp=21.5 knots (16000 ihp=20.75 knots Idzumo & Iwate)

m

(68

ft

6

in)

Protection: 178-89

mm

(7-3| in) belt; 51

mm

mm (2 89 mm

(2\ in) Idzumo & Iwate) deck; bulkheads; 152 (6 in) turrets and casemates: 355 mm (14 in) conning tower Armament: A 8-in (203-mm) (2x2): 14 6-in (152-mm) (14x1); 12 12-pdr (12x1); 7 25-pdr (7x1); 4 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (submerged - 1 surface in)

(63

(3i

in)

18-in in

mm

Asama & Tokiwa

only)

Crew: 650

Asashio Japanese destroyer class (1901-22). The Asashio and Shirakumo w ere built at Poplar by Thornycroft and launched in 1902 and 1901 respectively. They were of much the

D

same design

Class 30-knot as the British turtle back destroyers, also built by Thornycroft. but differed in appearance in having four, instead of two. funnels. The single 12pdr gun was mounted on the quarterdeck and the five 6-pdrs were arranged one on the

two on each beam. The pedo tubes were mounted on the centre

forecastle and

torline

abaft the funnel. It is possible that the 6-pdr on the forecastle was later replaced by a single 12-pdr gun. In 1912 they were reclassified as 3rd Class destroyers, a designation extended to all vessels of this type which were under 600 tons displacement. Both served in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05

and

in

the

First

removed from

World War. They were

the effective

list in

April 1923

and subsequently scrapped. Displacement: 365 tons (normal) Length :66.0 m (216 ft 6 in) oa Beam: 6.3 m (20 ft 6 in) Draught: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) Machinery: 2-shaft tripleexpansion steam engines. 7400 ihp=31 knots

Armament: 1 12-pdr; 5 6-pdr (5x1); 2 cm) torpedo tubes (2x1) Crew: 59

18-in (46-

Asashio Japanese destroyer class (1934-45). The ten destroyers of this class were constructed under the Second Reinforcement Programme of 1934. They were improved versions of the Shiratsuyu Class with the speed increased from 34 to 35 knots and the armament from five to six 5-in guns. The former was achieved by increasing the machinery power

landed.

destroyers Hutchins. Daly and Bache. The Asagumo had her bows blown off by the cruiser Denver and sank a few hours later while retiring from the scene. The last unit. Kasumi. survived Ley te but was destroyed on April 7. 1945 by US aircraft while escorting a force destined to fail in an attempt to with operations interfere the against

Okinawa. Displacement: 1961 tons (normal) Length:M8.3 (388 ft) oa Beam: 1 0.4 m (34 ft) Draught: 3.7 m (12 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines. 50000 shp = 35 knots Armament: 6 5-in (127-mm) (3x2); 4 25-mm (1-in) AA (2x2); 8 24in (61 -cm) torpedo tubes (2x4) Crew: 200

m

Ascaro

Force. In July 1921 she was reclassified as a torpedo boat and served in this role until

removed from

the effective

list in

May

1930.

Displacement: 390 tons (normal) Length: 64 m ft) Beam: 6.1 m (20 ft) Draught: 2.1 m (7 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft triple-expansion steam engines. 6000 ihp=28.5 knots Armament: 4 12pdr (4x1); 3 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (3x1); 10 mines (not always carried) Crew: 55

destroyer.

Italians modified the

Asdic Submarine detection apparatus. The problem of detecting submarines underwater was tackled by French and British scientists early in the First World War. when the U-Boat threat first became apparent. The use of ultrasonic waves for locating objects had been proposed as early as 1912. but it was not until March 1915 that the French scientists Chilowski and Langevin began work. The British Board of Inventions and Research took up the idea in August 1916 and assigned Dr R Boyle to the project. He quickly established that the most promising line of

W

development w as

to exploit the piezo-electric properties of quartz, and in fact Professor Langevin had already used a quartz plate as a receiver with some success. Approximate bearings were obtained from a submarine lying on the sea bed at a depth of 25-27 fathoms (46-49 m) and a distance of 122-213 m (400-700 yards). The findings were passed on to the Antisubmarine Detection Investigation Committee, w hich initiated production of a prototype in June 1917. The device was known as Asdic, from the initials of the parent committee, and the first set went to sea in the armoured cruiser Antrim in 1920. At Osprey the same time the 'stone frigate" was opened at Portland to train antisubmarine personnel, and the patrol vessels P.31. P. 38. P.40 and P. 59 were given Asdic

HMS

HMS

form a training flotilla. The production model was officially passed for issue in July 1922. and in 1927 the Underwater Detection Establishment was founded at Portland. The cloak of secrecy surrounding Asdic meant that it came low on the list of priorities for money in the Royal Navy. The US Navy showed little interest in carrying on research, being content to leave matters in the hands of to

Ordered by the Chinese government from the Ansaldo yard at Genoa and laid down in 191 1. this vessel was to have been named Tsing Po. However, she was acquired by Italy in the following year and launched as the Ascaroon December 6. 1912.

The

Soldato Class were all completed by 1910) and the latest Italian destroyers (the turbinedriven Indomito Class, completed during 1913-14) were larger, faster and more heavily armed. On trials she achieved 28.6 knots w ith 6416 ihp but in service her best sea speed was around 25 knots. On completion she joined the 4th Destroyer Division and by 1917 she had been transferred to the 8th Destroyer Division as part of Italy "s Traffic Defence

(210

The class saw considerable front-line service during the Second World War and all ten ships were lost. The first to go was the Arare. torpedoed off Kiska Island, in the Aleutians, by the US submarine Growler on July 5. 1942. On October 12 of the same year the Natsugumo was sunk off the Solomon Islands by US dive-bombers. The Ooshio was torpedoed by the US submarine Albacore, north west of Manus. on February 23, 1943. The Arashio and Asashiowere sunk by US and Australian aircraft during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea on March 3. 1943. while engaged in escorting a transport convoy to Lae. Three more of the class were lost on October 24. 1944 during the battle of Ueyte Gulf. While passing through the Surigao Strait the Yamagumo w as sunk and the Michishio w as damaged and stopped by the destroyers McDermut and Monssen. The Michishio was subsequently sunk by the

Italian

ever: the forward boiler burnt oil fuel and the remaining two boilers coal, while the earlier ships were either uniform coal- or oil-fired. Stowage was provided for 33 tons of oil fuel and 50 tons of coal. Like the majority of Italian destroyers she was equipped for minelaying and could carry ten mines. By the time of her completion on July 21. 1913 her design was somewhat dated (the

designed armament

from two 12-pdr and four 6-pdr guns to a uniform four 12-pdr and thus altered she was virtually identical in design and appearance to the earlier Italian destroyers of the Soldato Class. She still differed in one aspect how-

private industry, while the original leaders, the French, seem to have given up completely. The US Sonar set did not come into service until 1931. whereas four *V&W'

QB

173

Asdic Asdic dome, oscillator and housing equipment. The oscillator, a quartz crystal disc which converted electrical impulses into sound and echoes back to electrical impulses, was lowered into the water under the ship's hull, protected from extraneous sounds by a streamlined dome which allowed operation at speeds of up to 20 knots. At full speed or in rough seas the dome and oscillator could be retracted into the hull

destroyers of the 6th Destroyer Flotilla were in service in 1923, and future destroyers were to be fitted with the device. The initial use of Asdic was seen as a means of protecting the Fleet from submarine attack, and so tactics emphasized the protection of fast warships rather than slow merchant ships. This led to a certain amount of over-confidence in the ability to cope w ith the U-Boat. but after 1937 contingency plans were drawn up to arm 100 trawlers with

Asdic

sets.

RN

1939 the had five Asdic types in service in surface warships: Type 123. the simplest type, used in trawlers Type 124. used in destroyers but obsolescent Type 128, a replacement for 124 used by all escorts except trawlers and smaller craft In

Type

132,

used

in

and cruisers) Type 135, used

major warships (battleships

in small craft

such as motor

launches.

Asdic and the

US

Sonar were basically

with three parts: an oscillator or transducer which projected through the ship"s keel, a transmitter and a receiver. similar,

When

the oscillator was connected to the transmitter it emitted a "ping" of about 15.25 kc/second which was converted to audible sound. Alternatively, if connected to the receiver the oscillator acted as a hydrophone, which detected sounds such as cavitating propellers. These two functions are now described as Active and Passive Sonar respectively, and it should be noted that the detection range in the passive mode is considerably greater than in the active mode. Asdic could not be used with any reliability above 18 knots, and above 24 knots the dome had to be retracted to avoid damage. Under normal Second World War conditions the operation was as follows: transmissions would be made every three seconds, starting at 80° on one side of the ship and moving in 5° steps round to 5° on the opposite quarter. Although the beam could detect a submarine at ranges up to 2280 metres (2500 yards) it might well miss a submarine passing down on the opposite side, and so a 'swept" range of only 1 370 metres ( 500 yards) was all that could be assumed. If a contact was made the Asdic operator had to classify it as 'Sub* or 'Non-sub', depending on the size of echo and the Doppler effect (a sonic effect which indicated that the echo was moving). The newest sets available in 1939 had a range recorder which converted the echoes into a continuous trace on paper. Its main use was to indicate the moment at which the depthcharges were to be dropped, but it also the classifying considerably in helped contact. The US Navy's Sonar set became available in 1940 when the first Lend-Lease destroyers 1

but it was also installed destroyer escorts delivered in 1942.

arrived,

in

the

Known

174

-

,

Ash (AA-5)

Asdic operation: sound impulses are reflected by submerged objects, the interval between transmission and receiving the echo giving the range as

Type 141 Type

to the

in

RN

128.

service, it proved inferior mainly because of the poor

design of the spherical dome, which limited the speed at which it could be used. An improved type of Asdic. Type 144 was pro-

main virtue was that it could be operated from a cabinet on the

duced

in

1943.

Its

with Asdic for target-acquisition, and in 1944 a submarine achieved the first submerged Asdic-controlled sinking of a U-Boat. The sets designed for submarines included

ries either two or four missiles on underwing pylons. When four are carried, the outer pair have radar homing and the inner pair

Type 116. Type 118, Type 120A. Type 138, Type 129 and Type 129AR. The term Asdic lapsed after 1948, when

Ash represents a second-generation weapon and seems to have been designed to

fitted

NATO,

with its common signal book and growing use of standard terms, forced the Royal Navy to adopt the US Navy's term Sonar. Details of later sets used by the British will be found under that heading. See also Sonar.

infrared.

achieve good all-round manoeuvrability at medium to high altitudes. The solid-fuel missile has a cylindrical body capped by a coneshaped nose, control being applied by cruciform steerable tail fins in conjunction with large cruciform delta wings. Effective range is probably about 10-12 km (6.2-7.4

bridge, giving the escort's commander much closer control over the search. Type 144 Q, introduced a year later, had nothing in common as it was a depth-finding set. A narrow beam was transmitted downwards to measure the angle of depression of a contact, and it was designed to offset the loss of contact which occurred when the ship passed over the U-Boat. Its main use was to provide firing data for the new 'Squid' triple ahead-firing

the formation of

Ash (AA-5)

the fragmentation type detonated imity fuze.

mortar. It was replaced by Type 147. which linked automatically to the Type 144 search set and could pass bearings directly to

Soviet air-to-air missile. Ash arms the Tu-28P Fiddler all-weather interceptor which is now being phased out of service. Two versions were produced, one having semi-active radar homing and the other infrared. Fiddler car-

version) 550

was

the 'Squid".

From The

1926 British submarines were also

miles).

The high-explosive warhead

RVs Asdic training ships at Portland in 1932—depot ship,

Length:

(IR

version) 520

cm

is

probably of by a prox-

(205

in).

(SAR

Diameter: 30 cm (11.8 Weight: 200 kg (441 lb) (Dimensions are in) approximate)

Asdic-equipped P-Boat and submarine 'target'

cm

(216

in)

—search for the

lost

submarine

M2

175

Ashanti the growing complexity of the specialized

Ashanti

antiaircraft,

British frigate class. The prototype of the Royal Navy's Type 81 frigates was laid down in

January 1958, launched

in

1959 and com-

pleted in November 1961. The Type 81 frigates were a revolutionary design using the (combined steam and world's first COS gas turbine) machinery, with a single-shaft Metrovick steam turbine for cruising and a gas turbine coupled to the same shaft for high-speed boost. The reason behind the Type 8 design was

AG

1

antisubmarine

and

aircraft-

direction frigates built in the 1950s. By adoptmachinery, with its high coning centration of power by low weight, more

COSAG

tonnage could be devoted to armament, and the Ashanti could find room for two gunmountings, a helicopter and hangar and a triple antisubmarine mortar. Another weightsaving expedient was to make the hull flushdecked, the first time this feature was seen in a British frigate or destroyer-sized ship. Seven ships were built, specifically to

A

2s, *%,

*

***.•£.. »-v» -

*t!^«

**

-

u

\.

TV.*

"

'

""'•

-

W

.»

.'

J

* 1

Ashanti The Ashanti(or Tribal') Class frigates Zulu (below) and Eskimo (right). The first British flush-deck frigates or destroyer-sized ships, the Ashantis were also the first ships in the world to be fitted with COSAG (combined steam and gas) machinery, giving a high powerweight ratio and enabling a greater weight of armament to be fitted. This means the ships can be used for antiaircraft,

antisubmarine and aircraft direction

rather than having separate, specialized types for the various duties

<*

•

***XSflH

Ashanti replace the nine old 'Loch' Class frigates used to patrol the Persian Gulf. They were Ashanti (Fl 17). Eskimo (F119), Gurkha (F122), Mohawk(F\25), Nubian(Fl3\), Tartar (F133). and Zulu (F124). All were laid Zulu, was down in 1958-60 and the last, completed in 1964. The cost of the Ashanti was £5 220000, but this included the cost of modifications to her machinery during her lengthy trials. The 'Tribal' Class, as they are popularly known, have an appearance quite distinct from other British frigates, with a flush deck, a tall lattice mast crowned by a Type 965 "bedstead' radar aerial and two funnels. Zulu was the first of the class to have Seacat close-range guided missiles, and could be distinguished by her two large directors on platforms amidships, but her sisters are now similarly fitted. In 1970 two ships of the class were fitted with variable-depth sonar (VDS) on the stern.

HMS

HMS

Displacement: 2300 tons (standard), 2700 tons load) Length AQQ. 7 m (360ft)oa 6eam:12.9 m (42.3 ft) Draught: 5.3 m (17.5 ft) max Machinery: Single-shaft COSAG, steam turbine 12500 shp-t-gas turbine 7500 shp = 28 knots Armament: 2 4.5-in (114-mm) DP (2x1); 2 40-mm Bofors AA (2x1) in first six ships; 2 quadruple Seacat missile launchers in place of 40-mm guns (four ships by 1976); 2 20-mm guns (2x1) in Seacat-fitted ships; 1 Limbo antisubmarine mortar; 1 Wasp antisubmarine helicopter Crew. 253 (13 officers, 240 ratings) (full

178

HMS

Zulu (above) and Tartar (below) of the Ashanti Class. The heavy armament of this class DP gun fore and aft, two quadruple Seacat launchers amidships, a Wasp ASW a Limbo antisubmarine mortar forward of the helicopter platform

includes a 4.5-in helicopter and

ASM-1

PG-84 PG-85 PG-86 Ready PG-87 Crockett PG-88 Marathon PG-89 Canon PG-90 Tacoma PG-92 Welch PG-93 Chehalis PG-94 Defiance PG-95 Benecia PG-96 Surprise PG-97 Grand Rapids PG-98 Beacon PG-99 Douglas PG-100 Green Bay PG-101 Asheville

Gallup Antelope

Asheville US gunboat class.

1963 the US Navy realized that it had no general-purpose patrol craft for blockade, surveillance and support missions, and so Congress authorized the building of 17 'patrol gunboats', PG-84-90 and PG-92-101 (formerly PGM, or Patrol Motor Gunboats). They were also the first American warships with (combined diesel and gas turbine) propulsion. The hulls were all-aluminium, with an aluminium and fibreglass superstructure, and the gas turbine was an LM1500 adapted from the J79-8 used in the F-4 Phantom aircraft. PGs can reach 40 knots in one minute from a dead stop, and their controllable-pitch propellers give them great manoeuvrability. Four ships, Antelope, Ready. Grand Rapids and Douglas, were armed with the In

CODAG

Standard RIM-66 surface-to-air missile system, and the first two ships were equipped with the new Mark 87 weapon-control system for tracking fast-moving targets. The other ships have a single 40-mm Bofors gun aft in place of the single-arm Standard launcher, and all have a single 3-in/50-cal gun forward.

PG-84-92 and 94, 96, 98, 100 were built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, and PG-93, 95, 97, 99, 101 by Petersen Builders of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. In 1971 the Beneciawas transferred to South Korea and renamed Paek Ku. The Surprise and Defiance were transferred to Turkey in 1973 and renamed Bora and Yildrim.

Displacement: 225 tons (normal), 245 tons (full m (164 ft 6 in) oa Beam J. 22 m (23 ft 9 in) Draught: 2.89 m (9 ft 6 in) Machinery: 2-shaft CODAG: 2 Commins diesels, 1450 bhp=16 knots; 1 General Electric gas turbine, 13 300'shp=40 knots Armament: 1 3in/50-cal (76-mm) AA; 1 40-mm AA (not mounted in missile-armed ships); 4.5-in mgs (2x2); 1 Standard missile launcher (four ships) Crew:27 load) Length: 50.03

USS

Askold

Asheville, first of a class of 17 general-

purpose

Russian cruiser. This ship was famous for one reason above all, being the only fivefunnelled cruiser ever built. She was a 2nd Class cruiser built in Germany for the Imperial Russian Navy, laid down in 1899, launched in April 1900 and commissioned in 1901.

The Askold fought in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904 but as she was interned in China she missed the Battle of Tsushima.

When the

war was over she was released from internment and returned to Vladivostok, and remained in the Pacific Fleet until the outbreak of the First World War. After helping search for the German cruiser Emden she was detached for service with Russia's British and French allies in the Mediterranean. When Turkey entered the war the Askold joined the Allied Squadron at the Dardanelles and carried out several bombardments. It was during this period that she became known to the British troops as the 'Packet of Woodbines' on account of her five thin, tall funnels. On December 7, 1914 she bomin the

patrol

gunboats

for blockade, surveillance

ordered

in

1963

and support work

gradually withdrew from their involvement. The old cruiser lay in Holy Loch on the Firth of Clyde for three years while negotiations continued with the Soviet government for her return. Finally, when the Civil War was over, Lenin restored normal diplomatic relations with the outside world and the British government allowed the Askold to return to Russia. She was, however, so old that not even the Red Fleet could find a use for her, and so she was sold to German shipbreakers early in 1922 and scrapped at

Hamburg. Displacement: 5900 tons (normal), 6500 tons in) waterload) Length: 135.33 m (444 ft in) Draught: 6.30 m line Beam: 14.93 m (49 ft (20 ft 9 in) max Machinery: 3-shaft tripleexpansion, 19 500 ihp=23 knots (when new) Protection: 76 mm (3 in) deck: 152 mm (6 in) conning tower Armament: 12 6-in/45-cal (12x1); 12 75-mm (3-in) (12x1)— replaced by 2 (full

75-mm AA

in

1917-18; 8

47-mm

(8x1); 2

37-mm

barded Urla, and sank the German steamer Peter Rickmers off Beirut on December 16; she also captured a German steamer off Haifa

(2x1); 4 18-in (46-cm) torpedo tubes (2 submerged, 2 above water) Crew: 580

at this time.

ASM-1

By

1916 the Askold's machinery was giving trouble because of its age and so the French navy offered to refit her in a French dockyard. From there she was sent to Murmansk to act as a depot ship for the Anglo-French forces in north Russia, arriving early in 1917. On August 3, 1918 she was seized by a British Glory boarding party and was renamed IV, since she was at the time acting as an overflow ship to the old battleship Glory. She carried on this humble but useful work until 1919, during the British Intervention against the revolution, and then went back to Britain with other ships as the British

HMS

Japanese

air-launched

antiship

missile.

Development of the ASM-l was started in 1972 by the Technical Research Institute of the Japanese Defence Agency with the object of arming the FS-T2 aircraft. The attack range

is

thought to be about 37-45

km

(23-28

miles).

At the time of writing few

details of the

weapon have been released. The development contract has been awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and in addition to the air-launched application the specification be launched from ships

calls for the missile to

179

Aso and ground

sites

with the assistance of a

rocket booster.

The guidance system depends on

inertial

control in conjunction with a radio-altimeter for cruise with an active radar seeker. The seeker is supplied by Mitsubishi Electronics. The propulsion contractor is Nissan Motors. When development is completed in 1979, the ASM- is expected to arm maritime patrol aircraft of the Japanese Air Self-Defence 1

Force. Length: 400

cm

(157

in)

Diameter: 50

cm

(19.7

Launch weight: 500-590 kg (1100-1300 Dimensions and weight are approximate in)

lb).

Aso Japanese cruiser

armoured

Bayan was

cruiser. laid

down

The Russian at the

French

La Seyne yard, Toulon, in March 1899 at a time when the Russians were leaning heavily on the French for technical assistance in expanding their fleet. The ship was launched on June 12, 1900 but not completed until February 1903. She was remarkably well armoured for her time, with a waterline belt of Krupp armour of 4-8 in and an armoured deck running from the bow to about three-quarters of the length of the hull. The belt was 4 in over most of its length, and very narrow, and only the boilers had 8-in protection. Similarly the 2-in deck armour was concentrated over the vitals, and thinned at either end. Unlike most other cruisers the Bayan had an upper belt of 3^-25in side armour protecting the forecastle and midships, in the belief that this would enable her to pursue an enemy cruiser or battleship without sustaining serious damage. The arrangement of guns was typical of cruisers of the period, with a single 8-in gun in a turret on the forecastle and another aft. The 6-in guns were mounted on the broadside between the main armament, four at the corners of a 'redoubt' abreast of the four tall funnels and four in 'casemates' level with the two masts. The casemates were armoured boxes intended to protect medium-calibre guns from the fire of light rapid-firing guns. A total of 20 75-mm guns was carried, eight of them in the 'redoubt' amidships, four a deck higher above the 6-in guns, and four in the wings of the forward and after bridges. A further seven 47-mm quick-firers were carried in various positions for repelling closerange attacks, for at the end of the last century naval tacticians still believed that ships could be boarded. Two submerged 45-

cm

torpedo tubes were sited forward, and three above water in the superstructure. However quaint she might sound, the Bayan was one of the earliest ships to have electrical loading and training for her main guns. Her machinery was very powerful, two sets of vertical triple-expansion engines 16 500 delivering indicated horsepower. Steam was supplied by 26 Belleville boilers and theoretically a speed of 21 knots could be maintained. In practice, however, the difficulties of getting coal from the bunkers farthest from the machinery, as well as the accumulation of ash and clinker, meant that speed fell off after a few hours' steaming. On trials in October 1902 she reached 22 knots with 17400 ihp. The new cruiser was sent out to the Far

180

The Russian armoured

cruiser

Bayan before her sinking at Port Arthur to be renamed Aso

December 1904 and

in

subsequent salvage by the Japanese,

East, and found herself trapped in the base at Port Arthur when the Japanese laid siege to it. As the Russian ships would not come out and the Japanese army could not take the fortress by storm, 11-in (28-cm) howitzers were brought up to attack the Russian ships. A projectile from one of these monsters struck the Bayan on December 9. 1904 and she sank at her moorings. The fortress capitulated on January 2, 1905 and by the end of the year Japanese salvage teams had raised most of the sunken ships. Under the new name Aso she joined the Japanese fleet in 1908 after a two-year refit at

Maizuru.

Her

replaced

by

Russian British

guns had been Armstrong-pattern

pieces, and she had new Miyabara boilers in place of the Bellevilles, but in other respects she was hardly altered. In 1913 the 8-in guns were replaced by single 6-in/50-cal Armstrong guns. In 1920 she was reconstructed as a minelayer, and had all her upper-deck 3-in

guns removed.

The Aso was stricken in April 1930 and renamed Hai Kan No 4. On August 8, 1932 she was sunk as a target. Displacement:7726 tons (normal) Length: 133.3 m (445 ft in) oa Beam: 17.51 m (55 ft 9 in) in) Machinery: 2-shaft Draught: 6.71 m (22 ft vertical triple-expansion steam, 16 550 ihp=21 knots Protection: 203-101

mm

(8-4 in) belt. 80-

upper belt, 76 mm (3 in) deck Armament: (As completed) 2 8-in (203-mm)/45 cal; 8 6-in (152-mm)/45-cal; 20 75-mm (3-in)/45cal; 7 47-mm; 2 17.7-in (45-cm) torpedo tubes (As rearmed) 2 8-in/45-cal (removed 1913); 8 6-

63.5

mm

(31-22 in)

in/45-cal;2 6-in/50-cal(added 1913); 16 3-in (76-

mm); 2

18-in torpedo tubes (above-water tubes removed) (As minelayer 1920) 16 3-in removed, and 1 3-in AA gun added; 420 mines

Aso Unfinished Japanese

aircraft carrier

See

I

nr\u

Aspide medium-range multirole missile. This versatile Italian missile, which has both airItalian

and surface-to-air applications, takes inspiration from the US Raytheon Sparrow. Effort has been concentrated on improving technology in several critical areas, to-air

its

including tronic

multiple-target

capability,

elec-

countermeasures (ECM), fuzing and

the effective range of the semi-active radar seeker. The prime contractor is Selenia.

The development programme, begun

in

969. led to unguided flight tests from an F104S Starfighter by the Italian air force at the Salto di Quirra range the following year using a simple programmer and licence-built Sparrow Mk 38 motor. Tests of the missile with a full guidance system and SNIA Vis1

cosa high-impulse rocket motor were anticipated in 1977. Aspide A has a slim cylindrical body u ith a cone-shaped nose. Control is applied b\ allmoving cruciform wings on the centrebody in conjunction with fixed cruciform fins. The missile responds to an I-band monopulse semi-active radar system on which Selenia has concentrated much effort. A 35-kg (77-lb) fragmentation warhead is fitted aft of the 1

seeker.

Speeds of between Mach 2.5 and 3.0 are possible in the air-launched role, while Mach 2.5 plus is quoted for the surface-launched application. Special attention has been paid to the ability to intercept sea-skimmers. Range and speed are greater than those of licence-built

AIM-7E/RIM-7H

which Aspide

is

Sparrows

designed to replace in all roles. The Italian contractor has redesigned the forward airframe and radome for greater efficiency at maximum speeds and the guidance system is claimed to be lighter with greater resistance to ECM than that of the AIM-7E. A new fuzing system has been adopted. Two surface-based applications are the Italian Navy Albatros point defence system and the Spada low-level air defence system. Aspide replaces RIM-7H Sea Sparrows in the Albatros shipboard defence system which employs RTN-I0XM Orion pulse-Doppler

and

RTN-12X

tracking and

Spada system

CW

radars for target Sirio illumination. The land-based

—designed

to

defend

airfields.

Asroc supply dumps, bridges etc against low-level strike aircraft requires high-power search and tracking radars to take advantage of Aspide"s greater range over Sparrow.

—

(Aspide 1A) Length: 370 cm (146 in) Diameter: 20 cm (7.9 in) Span: 100 cm (39 in) Weight: 220 kg (485 lb) [Wings of 80 cm (31.5 in) are fitted in the surface-launched version]

Below: Ground-to-air test firing of the Italian Aspide multirole missile at the Salto di Quirra test range in Sardinia in December 1975. Derived from the US AIM-7 Sparrow, it is designed to have better range and low-level performance in the surface-to-air role. Right: Albatros shipboard surface-to-air missile launcher,

part

of

the

Albatros

fire-control

system which can control either Sparrow or Aspide missiles and up to three guns. Albatros systems with Aspide missiles will eventually be fitted

to

all

Italian

cruisers,

destroyers and

frigates

5&3

Asroc US

antisubmarine missile. The major probin designing modern antisubmarine weapons is that passive sonar detection ranges have risen remarkably from hundreds of yards to thousands, and have accordingly outstripped the range of shipboard weapons. One answer is to use the helicopter as a delivery system for homing torpedoes, but manned helicopters are hard to operate under severe weather conditions, and if they are not airborne when contact is made the chances of a successful attack are reduced. In 1955 work started on an automatic delivery system for the US Navy, and a year

lem

later

the

first

contract

was awarded

to

Honeywell. The ASW experimental ship USS Norfolk was armed with the prototype RUR-5A Asroc (Antisubmarine Rocket) in 1960 and the first four destroyers received it a year later. It is now the standard mediumrange antisubmarine weapon in the US Navy and is used by the West German. Japanese.

and Canadian navies. Asroc is an all-weather, quick-reaction method of firing a ballistic rocket armed with a Mark 46 homing torpedo (originally a Mark 44) or a nuclear depth charge, but the homing torpedo warhead is the usual payload. The unguided missile is propelled by a solid-fuel motor and is stabilized throughout its flight. The airframe and rocket separate on a command from the fire control. If a depth-charge Italian

warhead

is fitted its descent is stabilized by but the torpedo warhead has to be slowed down by parachute to avoid damage to the sensitive transducer in the nose. Before launching the missile the target has been located by sonar, and range and bearing are transmitted to the Asroc fire-control system. The Mark 114 Underwater Battery Fire Control System (UBFCS) computes the future position of the target and then sets the time for separation of the rocket booster, while keeping the launcher trained on the correct bearing. As soon as the correct solution is ready the firing circuit is closed and the

fins,

missile fires.

The most common type of Asroc launcher is

the 8-cell 'box',

which has four over-and181

Asroc under 'guides' which can be elevated sepaThe cells are mounted on a modified 3in gun mounting, and the position varies according to the type of warship. The box is trained to an angle of 45° for firing, the rocket fires inside the cell and blows out the weather shield at the back of the cell. In some of the newer US Navy ships the launcher can be reloaded manually from the superstructure magazine. Some ships are fitted with a combination launcher for handling Asroc with other missiles. Three drums are arranged horizontally

rately.

below decks in an inverted triangle, with two drums of Asroc missiles on top and one drum of Terrier or Standard SAMs below. If an Asroc round is wanted, the left- or right-hand drum, depending on whether a depth-charge or torpedo warhead is indicated, rotates and loads the round onto the loading rail. The rail then carries the Asroc through the open magazine door and pushes it onto the launcher arm. The launcher trains and elevates in the usual way. The heart of the Asroc weapon system is the

Mk

114

UBFCS

already mentioned. The

Simplified Asroc

A Launcher

fire

control

ship

B Ship's course

C Launcher aiming D Launcher aiming

bearing point

E Ballistic correction F Computed water entry point G Water entry point H Effective range I

J

Actual water entry point bearing Relative target bearing

K Target range L

Target

Asroc and compensates for the and roll. This means that the firecontrol problem is solved in relation to the horizontal plane. The rates of the target's and ship's own motion are measured and fed continuously into the computer to enable the system

is

stabilized,

ship's pitch

ship to fire at the target's future position. The basic solution is corrected continuously by computing the effect of 'weathercocking' wind, the force of the true wind combined with the apparent wind caused by the ship's motion. Any error is eliminated by correcting the elevation of the launcher, which is always

fired at 45°

above the horizontal plus or minus a correction for the weathercocking effect. Finally, any other ballistic corrections which refine the solution are fed into the computer. The depth-charge warhead functions in the traditional way, with a hydrostatic pistol detonating the charge at a preset depth. The homing torpedo, on the other hand, uses an active/passive homing head to locate and track the target. On entering the water it begins a search pattern using an active sonar transmitting on a fixed frequency. The passive detector picks up acoustic energy from

the target's propeller, and both detectors produce signals which control the torpedo's rudder and elevator controls. The original prototype Model of the Mk 46 torpedo used a solid-fuel motor but the production Model 1, which became operational in October 1965, runs on liquid 'Otto' fuel. It is 324 mm (12.75 in) in diameter and 2.67 m (8 ft 9 in) long. The range of Asroc is classified, but it must be at least 8100 m (9000 yards). An Extended Range Asroc is under development, with a range of 16 200 mm (18000 yards).

Depth charge payload

Rocket motor separation

Airframe separation

Water entry: Nosecap shatters, extensions break away fin tip

Flight

Sequence

of

Asroc Missile

Left:Jhe Underwater Battery Fire Control System (UBFCS) Mk 114 computes the speeds and relative positions of the launcher ship and target, compensates for pitch and roll of the ship, corrects the basic launch elevation of 45°

wind 'weathercocking' and aims the on a course that will result in the optimum water-entry point. Above: Asroc is a rocket-propelled depth charge or torpedo

to allow for

missile

enclosed

in

a streamlined airframe. Airframe

and motor separate at a point pre-determined by the fire-control system to achieve the correct ballistic trajectory. After is

separation the torpedo

stabilized by a parachute, the depth

charge by

a nosecap protecting them against the impact with the water. On impact the nosecap shatters and the fins or parachute are jettisoned. The torpedo begins its search pattern or the depth charge explodes at a

Length: 4.6

pre-set depth

in)

fins,

m

(15

ft 1

in)

Diameter: 32.5

Launch weight: 435 kg (959

lb)

cm

(1 ft

approx

2? in) Span:84.5crr

Astor Astor American torpedo. Also known as the Mark (acronym for Anti-Submarine Torpedo Ordnance Rocket) is a long-range,

45, the Astor

high-speed weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. It first came into service in the early 1960s, and was designed primarily for nuclear submarines. Very little is known about Astor, and this is probably a reflection of the fact that it has been overtaken by later weapons. Few of the predictions made about the super-weapons of that period have come true, and Astor may have failed to live up to expectations. The guidance was by wire paid out through the propeller-boss, and it is claimed to have a high running speed and to be capable of deepdiving. Although designed for use against submerged targets it could also be used against surface ships. The manufacturer is Westinghouse Systems and Technology Divisions, Baltimore. Length: 5.76

m

(38

ft

11 in)

Diameter: 483

(19 in) IVe/g/7f:1310 kg (2888 (7 miles)

lb)

Range:

11

bers were taken into use by the French army. Two Astra-like pistols which may be met are the RE (for Republica Espaha) and the Ascaso. These were copies of the Astra 400 made in small workshops during the Spanish Civil War. There were simpler designs which

could have been copied more easily, and the existence of these pistols indicates the esteem in which the Astra was held. A variant of the '400' was the '600', of similar outline but slightly smaller and cham-

bered specifically for the 9-mm Parabellum cartridge. This was produced during the war years to meet a contract from the German government and about 10500 were delivered before the Germans withdrew from the Spanish border in 1944. The remainder of the contract, about 50000, were disposed of through trade channels. In the years 1928-36 the company also made a number of pistols which were outwardly identical copies of the Mauser C/96 Military automatic pistol, though their internal mechanism was rather more simple.

mm km

approx

Astra Spanish small arms manufacturer. 'Astra' is the trade-name of Unceta & Cia of Eibar and Guernica, Spain. The company originated in 1908, making a pistol called the 'Victoria', a copy of the contemporary Browning automatic pistol MI 903, but at the same time they undertook the manufacture of the Campo Giro automatic pistol on a Spanish army contract. After the First World War the company revised and improved the basic Campo Giro design and placed it in production as the 'Astra Model 400' for the commercial market and as the 'Modelo 1921' for the

Spanish army. Subsequently they have made a variety of models based on this same design, plus a line of cheaper 'Browning copies' sold under a variety of trade names. Since the end of the Second World War they have marketed a number of sporting and target pistols under such names as 'Cub', 'Camper', 'Constable',

More recently the company added revolvers to its line, under the trade-name 'Astra Cadix'. These are based on Smith Wesson practice, being solid-frame, double-action weapons with swing-out cylinders. They are available in a wide variety of calibres, barrel lengths and finishes. The basic Astra, the Model 400, was quite a remarkable pistol. It was a blowback model but was chambered to take one of the most powerful of military cartridges, the 9-mm Bergmann-Bayard, known in Spanish service as the 9-mm Largo. Due to careful design of the chamber and careful assessment of tolerances, plus an over-long firing pin, it is possible to chamber and fire the 9-mm Steyr,

The Spanish Astra Model 400 automatic pistol

is

range of

able to

fire

a wide

9-mm ammunition

These were known as the '900' and were sold in large numbers to China and South America. A variant was the '901 which had a '

could be used, with an attached holster-stock, as a submachine-gun. selective-fire switch so that

it

etc.

&

9-mm Browning Long and 9-mm Parabellum cartridges as well, though the 9-mm Parabellum sometimes gives feed trouble. The outof the pistol, with enclosing the barrel and

Model 400) Calibre: 9 mm Length: 235 Weight unloaded: 1 .15 kg (2 lb 6.5 oz) Barrel: 115 mm (5.5 in) Magazine: 8 rounds Muzzle velocity: 343 m/sec (1125 ft/sec)

(Astra

mm

Astraea Among the ships provided under the Naval Defence Act of 1889 were 29 2nd Class cruisers of which 21 belonged to the Apollo Class and 8 to the Astraea Class. The latter were almost 1000 tons larger than the preceding Apollos but showed few improvements for this increase in weight. With the same speed and a slight increase in armament their only real advantage was the placing of the broadside guns one deck higher which made the guns easier British cruiser class.

work in rough weather and gave them a higher command. The class was mainly intended to work on ocean trade routes and

tubular jacket

to

annular return spring, resembles a water-pistol, but it is comfortable to hold and fire. A reliable weapon, it remained in production from 1921 to 1946, some 105 275 being made, and num-

all

line

184

a its

(9.25 in)

were sheathed

in

wood and copper

protect their hulls in tropical waters.

Bonaventure was

launched

in

1892.

to

The the

in 1893 and they were completed between 1894 and 18%. Developments in warship design in the

remainder

early years of the twentieth century quickly reduced the class to obsolescence and only the three were operationally active in 1914 Astraea. Charybdis and Fox. The Astraea

—

operated on the Cape and West Africa stations during the war and in 1914 was responsible for the destruction of the base of the German cruiser Konigsberg at Dar-esSalaam. The Fox was part of the East Indies Squadron in 1914-15. during which time she bombarded Dar-es-Salaam and assisted in the blockade of the Konigsberg in the Rufiji

Astraea

HMS

Charvbdis, one of the eight Astraea 2nd Class cruisers ordered in 1889 for the protection of commerce on the high seas

Delta. In 1915-18 she operated in the areas of East .Africa. Egypt and the Red Sea. On the outbreak of war the Charybdis was part of the 12th Cruiser Squadron of the Channel Fleet and assisted in protecting the passage to France of the British Expeditionary Force. Unfortunately she was badly damaged in a collision in 1915 and spent the remainder of the war in Bermuda. Here she operated a trade and passenger service between New York and Bermuda using only her port side engine. She was broken up in 1923. The Bonaventure had been converted to a

depot ship during 1906-07 and was mother ship to the 6th Submarine Flotilla during 1914-16 and the 2nd Submarine Flotilla during 1916-18 at Harwich. The remainder of the class were laid up for disposal in 1914 but only Forte was sold, prior to the outbreak of war. The other three were found employment, the Cambrian (renamed Harlech'm 1916 and Vivid in 1921) and Hermione being used as depot ships and the Flora (renamed Indus in 1915) as a training ship. All seven were eventually sold for scrap during 1920-23 but Hermione was

resold in December 1922. converted into a private training ship and renamed Warspite.

She was

finally

broken up

in

1940.

Displacement: 4360 tons (normal) Length: 103.3 (339 ft 6 in) oa Beam: 15.1 m (49 ft 6 in) Draught: 5.2 m (17 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft tripleexpansion steam engines, 9000 ihp = 19.5 knots Protection: 50-25 mm (2-1 in) deck; 114 mm (4.5 in) gun positions: 76 mm (3 in) conning tower

m

Armament.2

mm)

6-in

(152-mm) (2x1); 8

(8x1); 8 6-pdr (8x1);

1

4.7-in (120-

3-pdr; 3 18-in (46-

cm) torpedo tubes (above water) Crew: 326

185

ASU ASU Soviet

A viadezantnaya

Samochodnaya

Ustankova or airborne self-propelled gun. The ASU equipments of the Soviet army are specialized self-propelled antitank and direct support guns, developed for airborne delivery. There are two types, the ASU-57 and the ASU-85. The ASU-57 first appeared in 1957 in Soviet service,

became

part of the Polish

army's equipment in 1962 and has since appeared in the East German and Yugoslav armies. It uses a lightweight tracked chassis with a fixed superstructure and mounts a 57mm/73-cal gun on the front plate. Two models exist: the Model A, which is entirely of steel and has a most unusually long multi-port

ASU-85s

in action

during a Soviet exercise. The ASU-85

is

equipped with infrared driving and searchlights and carries a crew of four

The ASU-85 airborne assault gun is armed with an 85-mm L/53 gun and a 7.62-mm machine-gun. It cannot be air-dropped because of its weight of 1 4 000 kg (31 000 lb). The ASU 85 equips Soviet and Warsaw Pact airborne forces

186

Atherstone muzzle brake on the gun. and the Model B. which uses a good deal of aluminium in its construction, is slightly smaller, and has a simple two-port muzzle brake on the gun. The armour is up to 12 mm thick, and the gun has a muzzle velocity with armour-piercing shot of about 1000 m/sec (3300 ft/sec).

AT-26 Brazilian designation of Embraer Xavante licence-built version of Aermacchi MB. 326 light strike/trainer See MB.326 AT-29

USAAF advanced trainer version of Lockheed A-29 See Hudson

The ASU-57 airborne assault gun can be parachuted or

lifted

by

crew of five, in the antitank role, though it can also be used as an APC. supply or reconnaissance vehicle. The ASU-57 is armed with a 57-mm L/73 gun and a 7.62-mm machine-gun helicopter.

It

carries a

and were generally unpopular with sea officers as they occupied valuable space. The 20 ships of the class were launched in 1939 and 1940, and entered service during 1941-42. They had insufficient endurance and sea-keeping qualities for ocean work and were mainly employed in the restricted waters of the North Sea, English Channel and Mediterranean. In home waters they were used extensively and very successfully as escorts for coastal convoys and in offen-

enemy shipping. In these operations they often encountered EBoats and, for use against such craft, a large number of the class were fitted with a single 2-pdr pom-pom in the bow. Three of the class were lost in home waters. The Exmoor was torpedoed by the Esive operations against

S 30 off Lowestoft on February 25, 1941. the Berkeley was sunk by the Albrighton after being bombed and heavily damaged

Boat

Each Soviet airborne division contains three companies, each of ten ASU-57s. The entire vehicle can be carried in a transport aircraft, lifted by helicopter or parachuted on the usual type of dropping platform. The ASU-85 is a heavier vehicle, based on the chassis of the PT-76 tank, though the version is not amphibious. The gun is an

ASU

85-mm/53-cal weapon and is fitted with a fume extractor and a muzzle brake. It can achieve a muzzle velocity of about 800 m/sec (2600 ft/sec) firing armour-piercing shell. The vehicle is air-transportable by fixed-wing aircraft only, due to its weight, and has an armour basis of 40 mm. First seen in Soviet service in 1962. it appeared in the Polish army in 1964 and later in the East German army. One company of ten ASU-85s is to be found in each Soviet airborne division. The ASUs are extremely useful equipments, providing valuable support and protection for the early stages of an airborne landing. Western armies have no equivalent.

(ASU-57) Length: (Mod A) 6.09 m (20 ft) including gun overhang; (Mod B) 5.79 m (19 ft) Weight: (Mod A) 5443 kg (12000 lb); (Mod B) 3356 kg (7400 lb) Range: (Mod A) 320 km (200

(Mod B) 240 km (150 miles) Speed:(Mod km/h (40 mph); (Mod B) 48 km/h (30 mph) Engine: (Mod A) 110 bhp; (Mod B) 55 bhp Armament: 57-mm (2.25-in) L/73 gun; 7.62-mm miles);

A) 64

mg

Atherstone British escort destroyer class. Constructed

under the 1939 Programme the Atherstone Class were the first group, or Type I. of the

famous 'Hunt* Class escort destroyers. They were designed to provide antisubmarine and antiaircraft defence for merchant ships and were originally described as "fast escort vessels'. In essence they were small destroyers with the torpedo armament omitted and the speed reduced in order to keep their size and cost within moderate limits. They were, however, too small to take their designed armament of three twin 4-in gun mountings, and

only two were mounted. The first unit to complete, the Atherstone. was found to be seriously deficient in stability, a fact revealed rather forcibly by her heeling over whilst in dock. Drastic measures were taken to reduce topweight and the entire

had the 4-in gun mounting in X position removed and the funnel and rig cut down. In order to avoid a trim by the bow, the 4-in mounting was replaced by a quadruple 2-pdr pom-pom. originally to have been fitted abaft the funnel. AH were fitted with Denny fin stabilizers in the hope of reducing the roll that such small ships would produce in a heavy sea. These were, however, only effective under limited conditions of wind and sea class

HMS

by German aircraft during the raid on Dieppe on August 19. 1942 and the Quorn was hit and sunk by a German explosive motor boat off Normandy on the night of August 2/3. 1944. One of the class, the Tynedale, was lost in the Mediterranean; she was torpedoed by the German submarine U 593 off Bougie on

December

12,

1943.

postwar and the majority were eventually sold for scrap between 1956 and 1958. Four found All surviving ships served in the

fleet

way

their

into foreign navies.

The Mendip

and Cottesmore were transferred to Egypt in 1950 and the Meynell and Quantock to Ecuador in 1954. Atherstone, Laird Cattistock,

—built

more

—built

Berkeley

Cleveland,

by

Cotswold,

Cottes-

by Yarrow

—

Eglinton. Exmoor built by Vickers strong and Parson Fernie. Garth built by John Brown

Arm-

—

Hambledon. Holderness, Mendip, Meynell built by Swan Hunter Pytchley, Quantock built by Scotts Quorn. Southdown built by White Tynedale. Whaddon built by Stephen

—

— — —

Displacement: 1000 tons Length: 85.34 m (280 oa Beam: 8.84 m (29 ft) Draught: 2.44 m (8 ft) Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons turbines, 19000 shp=27.5 knots Armament: 4 4-in (101-mm) (2x2); 4 2-pdr (1x4); 2 20-mm (2x1); 2 DCT, 1 chute, 40 depth charges Crew: 146

ft)

Southdown, one of the Atherstone or 'Hunt' Type I British escort destroyer December 1942. Designed armament had to be reduced from six to four 4-in guns

Crew: 3

Cammell

class, in

(ASU-85) Length: 8.53 m (28 ft) including gun Weight: 14000 kg (31000 lb) Range: 250 km (155 miles) Speed: 45 km/h (28 mph) Engine: 240 bhp diesel Armament: 85-mm (3.3-in) L/53 gun; 7.62-mm mg Crew: A

AT-1 Soviet antitank missile

See Snapper

AT-2 Soviet antitank

missile

See Swatter

AT-3 Soviet antitank

missile

See Sagger

AT-6. AT-16

USAAF advanced trainer

version of North American T-6 See Texan

AT-18

USAAF advanced

trainer version of

Lockheed A-28 See Hudson 187

Atlanta Atlanta US cruiser

class.

The Atlanta and Boston

were the first steel cruisers built for the US Navy, and formed part of the gradual revival

USN

guns on each broadside amidships. Both ships had new-pattern quick-firing 6-in guns in 1898. but by 1911 Atlanta was disarmed and Boston had only three 6-in, one 4-in and six 6-pdr guns.

They were

decline following the Civil War (see Amphitrite Class monitors). The debate on what ships to build started as early as 1872, but six years later nothing had been done. In 1878 American naval officers at the Universal Exposition in Paris were very favourably impressed by models of the latest French cruisers, particularly the 2nd Class cruiser Duguay-Trouin. As a result Congress accepted the need for two 2nd Class (ie deck-

rigged as two-masted schooners on long journeys. Both Atlanta and Boston ran aground during their careers and Boston suffered an outbreak of yellow fever in 1888. In 1895 the Atlanta found a derelict schooner, and used the opportunity to test the efficacy of her ram bow in sinking the wreck; despite cutting the wreck through the keel, two attempts at ramming failed to

armoured) cruisers.

The Atlanta was in reserve at the time of the war against Spain in 1898, but the Boston was with the Asiatic Squadron and took part in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. Atlanta decommissioned at Charleston in March 1912 and was sold three months later. Boston was lent to the Oregon Naval Militia

of the

after

its

was not yet over, and even when was placed with the John Roach, Morgan Ironworks of New York in 1883 the bickering continued. Having ignored naval

The

battle

the order

suddenly joined debate with an outburst of vituperation against the design and the builders. Almost the only matter on which there was no controversy was the naming, for everyone agreed that Atlanta and Boston were far better than the old Indian names given to previous US warships.

affairs for 15 years, the Press in the

ships were laid down in November and Atlanta was launched first on October 9, 1884; the Boston 'hung up' on the slipway on December 4, 1884 and then launched herself an hour late. The Atlanta commissioned in July 1886 and her sister followed her seven months later. The two ships had no trouble reaching their contract speed of 13 knots, but the Navy had been promised that they would reach 15 knots

The two

1883,

easily.

Despite all the criticism levelled at them Atlanta Class were no better and no worse than their contemporaries abroad. They had two 8-in guns, one forward and one aft, in barbette mountings, and three 6-in the

to save coal

sink

Atlanta US light cruiser

class. In 1940 the US Navy, no light cruisers since the end of the First World War, suddenly broke with tradition by ordering a radically new class of small cruiser. These ships were to be armed

having

built

with dual-purpose surface/antiaircraft guns and have a speed of 38 knots to permit them to work with destroyers. The resulting class was unique among US cruisers and carried the heavy armament of 16 5-in guns as well as eight torpedo tubes.

it.

as a drillship from June 1907 to September 1916, and was then returned to the US Navy. From May 1917 to June 1918 she was on loan to the Shipping Board, but became a naval receiving ship at Yerba Buena, California, from mid- 19 18 to 1946. When the new

I

Atlanta was commissioned in 1940 she was renamed Despatch and reclassified as IX-2 in

February 1941.

On

was ceremonially

April 8, 1946 the old ship San Francisco.

scuttled off

Displacement: 3189 tons (normal), 3340 tons in) oa Beam: (full load) Length: 85.25 m (283 ft 13.77 m (42 ft in) Draught: 5.57 m (17 ft in) mean Machinery: Single-shaft 3-cylinder horizontal compound reciprocating engine, 3500 ihp=13 knots (sea speed) Protection: 38 mm (1^ in) mild steel deck over machinery and boilers Armament: 2 8-in (204-mm)/30 cal (2x1); 6 6-in (152-mm)/30 cal (6x1); 4 1-pdr (4x1); 2 6-mm Colt 'Potato Digger' mgs; 1 3-in (76-mm) field gun; 6 6-pdr (Boston only) Crew: 278

The Atlanta (CL.51) under way. She was damaged

at the Battle of

Guadalcanal

in

1942

But the Atlantas were something of a disappointment in service and were not as success-

American cruisers of their day. With only two Mk 37 high-angle directors they could only engage two aircraft at a time, and would have been better off with fewer 5in guns, more directors and more close-range AA guns. Their radius of action was considerably less than that of other cruisers, which limited their usefulness in the Pacific, and their speed was no better than that of contemporary foreign cruisers and about 5 knots below the designed speed. The second group (CL.95 etc), known also as the Oakland Class, attempted to rectify some of the faults by omitting the pair of

ful as other

beam

5-in guns.

And

in

the last three, the

second and fifth 5-in turrets were mounted a deck lower to reduce topw eight; the torpedo tubes were also omitted. CL.51-52 and 119121 were built by Federal Shipbuilding. Kearny, CL. 53-54 by Bethlehem at their Quincy yard, and CL. 95-98 by Bethlehem's San Francisco yard. In 1949 the class were reclassified as antiaircraft cruisers (CLAA), in 1962-66.

and were sold for scrapping

Atlanta (CL.51) was badly damaged by gunfire from Japanese battleships and cruisers during the Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942 and foundered off Lunga

The Juneau (CL.52) was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine 1.26 off San Cristobal during the same battle. Tucson San Diego CL.98 CL.53 Point next day.

CL.54 CL.95 CL.96 CL.97

San Juan Oakland Reno

CL.119 Juneau (ii) CL.120 Spokane (ii) CL.121 Fresno

Flint (ex- Spokane)

Displacement: 6000 tons (standard), 8100 tons load) Length: 165.04 m (541 ft 6 in) oa Beam .16.24 m (53 ft 3 in) Draught: 8.07 m (26 ft 6 in) max Machinery: 4-shaft Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 75000 shp=33 knots (full

188

Atlantic Breguet 1150 mm

mm

Protection: 88 (3? in) belt, 50 (2 in) deck, 38 (1? in) turrets Armament: 16 5-in (127-mm)/38-cal DP (8x2) (later ships 12 5-in DP [6x2]); 12/16 1.1-inAA (3/4x4) removed 1942; 8 40-mm AA (4x4) added 1942 (later ships had 32 40-mm AA [4x2, 6x4]); 8/20 20-mm AA (8/20x1) added 1942-45; 16 21-in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (2x4) (not in last three ships) Crew: 810-820

mm

Atlantic Breguet 1150 European (French-designed) maritime patrol This twin-turboprop ocean recon-

aircraft.

The Breguet

1 1 50 Atlantic French-designed maritime patrol aircraft first flew in 1961 and serves with the air forces of France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. A crew of 12 are carried in a pressurized upper deck

ASW

machine was the first history to be funded, developed and built entirely on a multinational collaborative basis. The original design, the Breguet Br. 1150, was judged winner on October 21, 1958 of a competition to find a successor to replace the Lockheed P-2 Neptune. Though nine countries submitted 25 designs, nearly all these nations refused to be interested in a winning naissance and

combat

aircraft

in

NATO

design that came from another country. Eventually the United States managed to get together the governments of France, West Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, which with the USA financed the programme. The Belgian ABAP group (Fairey, FN and SABCA) handled various components, (later Sud- Aviation Aerospatiale) the outer wings, Fokker the centre

or

Otomat may

later

become

available.

Since 1968 what is now Dassault-Breguet has been working on the Atlantic II for future production or as rebuilds, with digital data processing, inertial and Omega navigation, doppler radar, a better radar, passive ESM,

augmented ECM, an improved MAD installation and a greater range of weapons. The Mk IIB is a proposal for a heavier (52 500-kg) version, with increased fuel capacity and two M45H turbofans in underwing pods to assist

takeoff and for use in high-speed dashes. It had been intended to fly the first (converted 04 prototype) II in early 1976, and go into production in 1977. There is not enough money available, and at present the users of the original now-obsolescent aircraft have no way of updating or replacing it.

Mk

(Atlantic

31.75 (95

m

900

I)

m (119 ft 1 in) Length: Gross weight: 43 500 kg speed: 658 km/h (409 mph)

Span: 36.3

(104~ft 2 in)

lb)

Maximum

Atlantic flies over the German submarine U 18. The Atlantic is equipped with a comprehensive range of detection equipment, and can carry a wide range of antiship weapons

An

section and nacelles, Dornier the rear fuseltail, and Breguet the forward fuselage, assembly and test. The 6105-horsepower Rolls-Royce Tyne 21 engines were made by Rolls, Hispano-Suiza (SNECMA), of Belgium and (MTU) of Germany. The 5.5-m (18-ft) propellers were made by Ratier, and systems and avionics were multinational

age and

FN

MAN HSD

.

The

was on October 21, 1961, France and Germany began 1966. Later Italy placed an order, and first flight

and deliveries in

to

production was reshuffled to bring in Italian industry. In December 1973 production ceased, deliveries amounting to 83 (France 34, Germany 20, Italy 18, Netherlands 8, Pakistan 3). Belgium shared in all airframe and engine production, but bought no Atlantics. The basic aircraft is popular and efficient, with a slender wing, double-bubble fuselage (largely skinned in honeycomb sandwich) with crew of 12 in the pressurized upper deck, and a large unpressurized weapon bay. All normal sensors are carried, and wing pylons carry AS. 37 Martel antiradar missiles; AM. 39 Exocet, Harpoon

ASW

189

Atlantis

Atlantis German

raider

cruiser.

Experience

in

the

World War had shown the Germans the value of using disguised merchant raiders as part of their attack on Allied commerce. When war broke out in 1939 work began on converting a number of cargo liners, and the first sailed on March 31, 1940. She was the Atlantis, the most successful of her type. She had been launched in 1937 as the Goldenfels of the Hansa line. What made her particularly suited to her new task was the fact that she was powered by large MAN diesels, two of them coupled to her one shaft. These gave the respectable speed of 16 knots, faster than the vast majority of ships she was liable to meet on the oceans, yet in appearance she was little different from hundreds of other ships, and in any case could easily be disguised by repainting and the use of temI

irst

porary canvas structures. Disguise, and the vast spaces of the oceans, would be her best protection from the Allied warships which would be chasing her. She could make full use of the oceans because of the great range the economy of the diesels gave her a radius of 96000 km (60000 miles) at 10 knots. A further advantage of these engines was that they could be shut down, enabling the vessel to drift at convenient spots, while still being capable, unlike steam machinery, of being restarted immediately in an emergency. The armament consisted of six 5.9-in guns

—

removed from an

old battleship, mounted on the broadside, a single 75-mm gun mounted aft, a twin 37-mm antiaircraft gun, and two 20-mm guns. Four 21-in torpedo tubes were mounted, and there was a single Heinkel He 114 seaplane carried. This was later lost and replaced by two of the better Arado Ar 196s. Unlike several of her sisters the Atlantis did not carry mines on her voyage. With the armament and. importantly, the fire control of a small cruiser, she could overwhelm any

defensively-armed merchant ship.

Her value was proved in a cruise of 622 days and 102000 miles during which she sank or captured 145697 tons of Allied shipping. She was helped to do this by intelligent organization of her crew by their excellent captain, Rogge, and by infrequent rendezvous with other raiders and supply ships. A final meeting with a submarine in the South Atlantic proved her downfall. British Intelligence had contrived to decode relevant messages, and the rendezvous was kept by the cruiser Devonshire. HS (German abbreviation for auxiliary cruiser) number 2, the ship known to the Royal Navy as 'Ship 16', was sunk by long-range 8-in gunfire to which she could not reply.

Displacement: 7862 tonnes Length: 148.74 m ft in) Beam: 18.59 m (61 ft in) Draught: m (31 ftO in) /Wac/7/nery.l -shaft diesel, 7600 bhp=16 knots. Armament: 6 5.9-in (149-mm); 1 3-in (76-mm); 2 37-mm AA; 2 20-mm AA; 4 21-in (53-cm) (2x2) torpedo tubes; 2 aircraft; provision for 92 mines Crew: 350

(488 9.44

Atlas US intercontinental SM-65 was the missile (ICBM) 190

ballistic missile. Atlas intercontinental ballistic to become operational in the

first

Above: Atlas 4B lifts off in the first successful launch in August 1958. Right: An Atlas with an RVX-2 nose cone during a launch in August 1960 from Pad II at Cape Canaveral United States. The design objective, which in the end was greatly exceeded, was to launch a thermonuclear warhead over distances greater than 8850 km (5500 miles). The weapon first achieved operational status in 1959 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, as part of the US Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC). The design involved a major breakthrough in almost every department of missile technology including structures, propulsion, guidance and warhead. The structural advance

K

is attributed to J Bossart, then technical director of General Dynamics/Astronautics (formerly Convair), who advocated a lightachieved weight rocket structure by pressurizing the thin stainless steel tanks like a balloon so that they could withstand the thrust loads of the rocket engines without heavy reinforcement. This allowed the designers to produce an ICBM without the complication of separate stages. In effect Atlas was a Ij-stage rocket having two sets of rocket engines but only one propellant source of liquid oxygen and kerosene (RP-1).

The

original Atlas tank

long and 3.05 internal

m

(10

ft) in

was

18.2

m

(60

ft)

diameter, had no

framework and formed the complete

airframe from propulsion section to nose cone. At the base was the mounting for a single rocket engine. Two outboard engines

were mounted

in a jettisonable skirt to form three rocket engines in line abreast. Total liftoff thrust exceeded 163 290 kg (360000 lb). The arrangement had the advantage that all the rocket engines lit on the ground. After the outboard engines had separated together with the skirt after about 145 seconds, the central sustainer continued propulsion to the final cut-off velocity, thus eliminating the danger

would fail owing to nonan upper stage. Target information could be programmed

that

the

missile

ignition of

into the

seconds.

computer memory in a matter of Guidance accuracy depended on

improving the precision of the gyros in an guidance system, the gyro-platform being linked to accelerometers which automatically sensed velocity changes and drift from course. inertial

Atlas

191

Atlas,

Armstrong Whitworth

Steering commands acted upon the main rocket engines which were gimballed or swivelled to change their direction of thrust to achieve control. Roll control was provided by two small swivel-mounted "vernier' rocket engines mounted on the side of the missile. The sustainer accelerated the missile to a velocity of about 24 140 km/h (15000 mph) when it was shut off by the guidance system. (Velocities of up to 27 360 km/h [ 7 000 mph] were eventually to be obtained in ballistic tests with ranges in excess of 14480 km [9000 miles]). The verniers were then used to trim velocity to the precise amount required by the guidance computer. After the verniers shut down, the re -entry vehicle containing the warhead was separated from the rocket 1

structure which pursued an independent ballistic trajectory.

When launch tests of Atlas began at Cape Canaveral in 1957 with series 'A' vehicles (in which only the booster engines were 'live'), the results were disappointing. In June a rocket blew up soon after leaving the launch pad. Three months later another went out of control and exploded in a spectacular fireball. However, the first test in which all engines were live, on August 2, 1958, was entirely successful. The missile travelled 4023 km (2500 miles) to impact in the Atlantic Ocean. The operational Atlas D tested from Van-

—

denberg AFB. California, down the Pacific Test Range (now the Western Test Range) began its career on 'soft' sites in 1959. The need to protect missiles from thermonuclear attack and improve launch-reaction time led to above-ground 'coffin' sites in which missiles were stored horizontally, ready to be fuelled and elevated into a vertical position for firing. Improved versions Atlas E and F went on test in 1960 and 1961 respectively, both being designed for use in underground silo-lift launching systems capable of withstanding severe shock as from a nearby

—

nuclear blast. Thirteen Atlas squadrons, comprising 129 missiles, were operational at ten Air Force bases dispersed through various Western states, with one in New York State. Vandenberg in California was the combined operations and training base. Atlas ICBMs were phased out in 1966 when the silo-based Titan II employing storable liquid propellants became available. Length: (blunt GE Mk 2 nose cone) 22.9 m (75 (GE Mk 3 or Avco Series 4 nose cones) 25.1 m (82.5 ft) Diameter: 3.05 m (10 ft) Width over boost skirt: 4.87 m (16 ft) Launch weight late models: 11 7930 kg (260000 lb) Engine: Rocketdyne MA3 Total thrust: 176450 kg (389000 lb)

ft);

192

[2x74 844 kg (165000 lb) LR89-5~one 25855 kg (57000 lb) LR105-5^two 454 kg (1000 lb) LR101-5, 6 or 7 verniers]

Atlas, Armstrong Whitworth British Army cooperation aircraft. Though today remembered by few. the Atlas was a big and capable aircraft that part of the strength of the

formed a major between the wars. It served throughout Britain and in many parts of the Empire. The prototype (J8675), flown on May 10, 1925, was designed to meet the first Army cooperation specifica-

RAF

ever written, all earlier such aircraft having been designed for other purposes. The Atlas was a robust all-metal biplane with tion

covering, powered by a variety of Jaguar-type engines (the most common was the 450-hp Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVC, with no cowl of any kind). There was no fin. and the tailplane could be adjusted for trimming. There was a pilot's cockpit with day/ fabric

night equipment and a fixed 7.7-mm Vickers machine-gun. and a rear gunner's Scarff ring

with a free Lewis gun. Four 50.8-kg (1 12-lb) carried beneath the lower ring. Standard equipment included Army radio, cameras, and a message pick-up hook on a long rod pivoted to the landing gear. A total of 275 Atlas Is served with various RAF commands from October 1927 until gradual replacement (mainly by the Audax) from 1933. the year in which the last Atlas

bombs could be

was

delivered.

Owing

to

its

reliability

tractability the Atlas also served in

cations and photographic roles.

and

communi-

A further

175

making 450 in all, were dual-control Atlas Trainers. These served at the Central Flying School and at the Flying Training Schools at Grantham, Digby, Sealand and Abu Sueir (Egypt), and at Netheravon and the RAF College. Cranwell, until 1937. About ten Atlas seaplanes were built.

aircraft,

Span: 11. 14 m (39 ft 65 in) Length : Q. 1 m (28 ft 6i Gross weight: 1823 kg (4020 lb) Maximum speed: 229 km/h (142^ mph)

in)

1

company. Propulsion is by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor developed by the Dai-Nippon Celluloid company, the boost phase lasting

some

sec. The warhead has a hollow The weapon is being replaced by the semi-automatic Kawasaki KAM-9 (also

0.8

charge.

known

as the

TAN-SSM).

Length: 100 cm (39.4 in) Diameter: 12 cm (4.7 Span: 60 cm (23.6 in) Weight: 15.7 kg (34.6 lb) Speed: 306 km/h (190 mph) in)

Atoll Soviet short-range air-to-air missile.

On

first

examination Atoll looks like a copy of the American AIM-9B Sidewinder. It has a slim cylindrical body with large cruciform tail fins and steerable cruciform foreplanes. The hemispherical nose conceals an infrared seeker, aft of which is a fragmentation warhead, foreplane controls and solid-fuel rocket motor. The original version, which bears the designation K13A. arms MiG-21 Fishbed interceptors of the Soviet home forces. Apart from its widespread use by the Warsaw Pact countries, the missile has been exported to Egypt, Syria, India and North Vietnam. It is produced by India under licence. Combat experience was obtained in the Arab-Israeli and Indo-Pakistan wars and in Southeast Asia.

Not tional

reports of the weapon under operaconditions have complibeen

all

mentary. The missile is said to have been reasonably effective when released from a rearward station and tended to home into the

ATM-1 Japanese wire-guided antitank missile. This missile bears the designation KAM-3D (Type 64 ATM). It has been in service with the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Forces (JGSDF) for a number of years and can be operated by two infantrymen using a pressbutton control box. Alternatively, it can be fired from box-like launchers mounted on Jeeps and from helicopters.

Development of

long ago as 957 under a contract from the Technical Research and Development Institute of the Japan Defence Agency. Prime contractor was the Kawasaki Aircraft company. After a successful test programme missiles began to reach the JGSDF in 1963. The missile, which has an effective range of 350-1800 m (1150-5900 ft), travels to its target at some 85 m/sec (279 ft/sec) under the control of wing-mounted trailing-edge spoilers using command to line-of-sight guidance. Guidance contractor was the Nippon Denki

the

KAM-3D

began as

jet

pipes of

its

aircraft targets.

However,

some

missiles lost their lock on targets and others were easily 'duped' by IR flares. The problem of achieving effective allaspect guidance led to the Soviets' develop-

ing the Advanced Atoll, which has a semiactive radar seeker. This has increased the versatility of the latest multirole version of

MiG-21 which carries the radar homing version on outboard pylons and the IR verthe

Attacker sion on inboard pylons. The latter has probably been modified to improve terminal gui-

dance and reduce

its vulnerability to countermeasures. Various aircraft mounts have been reported, sometimes in combination with other missiles. For example, the variablegeometry MiG-23 Flogger B has been seen with a combination of Atolls and Anabs.

(Atoll)

(5 in)

Length: 280 cm (110 in) DiameterAl Span: 53 cm (21 in) Weight :70 kg (154

cm lb)

Atropo Italian submarine. In 1910 the Italian navy ordered a submarine from the German Krupp yard at Germania, Kiel. Although Italian shipyards had been building submarines with considerable success for some years, it was felt that a foreign design should be studied for comparison. The design chosen was very similar to the Norwegian 'A' Class, and like them, the diesel engine was chosen in preference to the Korting kerosene motor used in German UBoats. In other respects normal German practice was followed, using a double hull based on the d'Equevilley modification to the original Laubeuf hull. The designed diving depth was 50 m ( 164 ft). The main differences between this boat and the Norwegian A. 2-5 were a slightly shorter hull, four tons less fuel, a reduction of the surface endurance by nearly 200 miles, and one less torpedo tube. Only one boat was built and she was named Atropo. She was laid down in March 1911, launched on March 22, 1912 and was com-

pleted in February 1913. Her trials were highly successful as she exceeded her designed speed by 23 knots, reaching a maximum of 14| knots on the surface. On her arrival in Italy the Atropo was based at La Spezia. where she served in the

Left/The Atropo. a German-built Italian submarine, she was the first German vessel to have diesel-electric propulsion. Be/ow.The US-built British escort carrier HMS Battler was used for convoy escort duties, carrying Seafires and Swordfish

2nd Submarine Squadron. From time to time she and her squadron were sent to Maddalena in Sardinia, and she took part in peacetime exercises with other Italian units. When war broke out in 1915 the Atropo was assigned to the 1st Submarine Squadron at Venice, and spent the entire war operating in the northern Adriatic. On June 4. 1916 she torpedoed the Austrian steamer Albanien (1122 tons GRT) off the island of Pago. She was discarded on January 23. 1919, and sold for scrap shortly afterwards. As Atropo was the first German-built submarine to have diesel-electric propulsion, her machinery was of great interest. The twinshaft Krupp diesels each developed 350-375 bhp. and were first tried in the passenger ship

Mentor

March

1911.

were supplied by

AEG

The electric motors and each developed 100 hp. giving a maximum speed of 7.8 knots.

RN

in

Displacement: 231/315 tons (surfaced/submerged) Length: 44.5 m (146 ft in) oa Beam:

m (14 ft 6 in) Draught: 2.7 m (9 ft in) Machinery: 2-shaft diesel. 700 bhp=12 knots (surfaced); 2-shaft electric, 200 hp=7.3 knots (submerged) Armament: 2 45-cm (17.7-in) torpedo tubes (both forward) Crew: 14

4.4

Attacker British escort carrier class. The Attacker Class (also known as the Tracker Class) were the second batch of escort carriers built for

the Royal Navy in the United States, the lead ship of the class. Tracker, originally having been intended to be one of the Avenger Class. They were also the first to be ordered after America joined the Second World War.

Like their predecessors they were converted hulls. Unlike them they were

from mercantile

USN name

mercantile

Attacker

Barnes

Steel Artisan

Western Pipe

Battler

Altahatna

Mormactern

Ingalls

Chaser

Breton

Mormacgulf

Ingalls

Fencer

Croat an

name

name

builder

Western Pipe

&

Steel

&

Steel

Hunter (ex- Trailer)

Pursuer

Block Island

Morrnacpenn

Ingalls

St George

Mormacland

Ingalls

Ravager (ex-Charger)

Seattle-Tacoma Seattle-Tacoma

Searcher Stalker

Hamlin

Western Pipe

&

Steel

Striker

Prince William

Western Pipe

&

Steel

Tracker

Mormacmail

Seattle-Tacoma

193

Attacker Supermarine known by were

the

new

designation

CVE1. and US Navy

briefly appropriated for the

before delivery to Britain. The USN kept the other 10 vessels (the Bogue Class) it had ordered at the same time. The diesels of the earlier ships were replaced by steam turbines in the Attacker Class, which also had a larger hangar designed to take 20 aircraft. The problem of disposing of the boiler gases was solved by small uptakes exhausting on either side of the flight deck. The armament was altered, two 5in guns being carried in sponsons either side of the stern (these were in some cases later replaced by British 4-in), with two twin 40Bofors mountings, and 14 (later more) 20-mm Oerlikons. Speed was increased to I85 knots, though displacement and size were

mm

much

the

same

as the earlier class.

Although the first of the class was handed over to the Royal Navy in January 1943 none actually reached active service until August that year. This caused a lot of American criticism, but was largely caused by unavoidable delays in getting the ships to Britain, and by what the Royal Navy considered to be essential alterations in the aviation fuel sys-

tems, deck lengthening, adding permanent and so on. The loss of two of the earlier ships in the Avenger Class had emphasized the importance of antifire precautions in a carrier laden with petrol and explosives. Once these ships were ready for action ballast

The

'assault carrier'

HMS

Stalker, one of the Attacker or

backed up escort groups attacking Bay of Biscay, and accompanied Arctic convoys. Some also served in

class also

U-Boats

in the

Eastern waters against the Japanese. At the end of the war all were handed back to the Americans, none having been lost. Most then were reconverted to merchant ships. They had proved to be useful and efficient conversions, and had, amongst other

Tracker Class escort carriers

Attacker Supermarine British carrier-borne jet fighter. Derived from the Spitfire by way of the laminar-winged Spiteful, the Supermarine Type 392 was proposed by designer Joe Smith in June 1944 as a 'Jet Spiteful'. Eventually the Specification E. 10/44 was allotted, and a prototype flew on July 27, 1946. By this time the Royal

The Supermarine Attacker carrier-borne jet fighter was derived from the Spiteful design. It was armed with four 20-mm cannon, and later models could carry two 454-kg (1000-lb) bombs or 16 rockets. One of the earliest jets to feature lateral jet intakes, the Attacker was powered by the Rolls-Royce Nene 3 or Mk 102 rated at 2314-kg (5100-lb) thrust

soon proved themselves. Attacker, Hunter and Stalker were converted to assault carriers', carrying fighters and equipped to support the army after a landing. They they

gave valuable service at Salerno, though the Seafires operating from their short decks with inexperienced pilots had a very high accident rate. Pursuer and Searcher specialized as fighter carriers, and Ravagerxn training; the other members of the class were mainly used escort, their original purpose. They played an important part in assuring victory in the Battle of the Atlantic, operating Swordfish and later Avengers. Carriers of this for

194

achievements, introduced the Royal Navy to the American system of cafeteria messing for the crew, now generally adopted.

Navy had planned

Displacement: 10200 tons Length: 151 m (495 ft 9 in) Seam:21.18m (69 ft 6 in) Draught: 7 m (23 ft 3 in) Machinery: 1 -shaft geared turbines, 9350 shp=17 knots Armament: 2 5-in (127-mm) AA (2x1); 8

20

40-mm AA

aircraft

(4x2); 15

Crew: 646

20-mm AA

(14x1);

for 24 Jet Spitefuls. but technical difficulties, and three years spent on experiments with rubber flight decks for aircraft having no landing gear, put off the production order until November 949. By 1

time the RAF had design was outclassed this

and the by the Sabre and

lost interest

Attilio

MiG-15. Despite the long delay the aircraft did go into production, in 1950, a total of 145 being built for the Royal Navy with the name further 36 were bought for use Attacker. from airfields by the Royal Pakistan Air

A

Name

launched

completed

builder

Regolo

Attilio

Regolo

8/1940

5/1942

Odero-Terni Orlando, Livorno

Caio Mario

8/1941

—

Odero-Terni Orlando, Livorno

—

—

Odero-Terni Orlando, Livorno

1/1941

4/1943

Odero-Terni, Orlando, Livorno

Force.

The best thing about the Attacker was its excellent engine, the powerful and reliable Rolls-Royce Nene 3, or 102, rated at 2315-kg (5100-lb) thrust. It was one of the installations with lateral (so-called first elephant ear) jet intakes, now used on many fighters. Attackers were very basic aircraft with no more equipment than a fighter of the

Mk

Second World War. Armament comprised four 20-mm Hispano Mk 5 cannon in the folding outer wings. Following 60 F.l fighters, delivered in 1950-51, came 85 FB.2 fighter-bombers with wing racks for two 454kg (1000-lb) bombs or 16 rockets. All could carry a 1136-litre (250-Imp gal) belly tank faired into the underside of the fuselage. Features included manual flight controls, traditional landing gear with twin tailwheels, Martin-Baker seat, and (later F.l and all FB.2) a long dorsal fin. Sea Hawks replaced these pioneer carrier-based jets in 1954.

Claudio Tiberio

Scipione Africano

Claudio Druso

1 1

.25

Attilio

(36

Cant, del Tirreno, Riva Trigoso

Agrippa Cornelio

Silla

Paolo Emilio

—

— —

7/1941

_

6/1941

Giulio

Germanico

Regolo

Pompeo Magno

8/1941

6/1943

Ulpio Traiano

11/1942

—

for the aircraft carrier Aquila.

She

fell

into

The designers in charge of the project were Generals Umberto Pugliese and Ignazio Alfano, and work began

Allied aircraft,

cruiser.

as early as 1937. Pugliese and Alfano followed the lines developed in the original 'Condottieri' or Alberto di Giussano Class of 1928 but with different armament and even higher speed. The original light cruisers had been designed for a maximum speed of 37 knots, but this time a speed of 41 knots was specified.

A new dual-purpose 135-mm (5.3-in) gun was developed, capable of ranging 19600 m (64300 yds) with 45° elevation. Another new A A piece, but instead of carrying six of these the new cruisers eventually received 37-mm Breda guns. Despite the high speed asked for, the tonnage was to be limited to 3400 tons, and so protection was restricted to very thin armour over the vitals.

gun was the 65-mm/64-cal

The

first

ships were laid

down

in the spring

of 1939 and all 12 were in hand by the end of that year. Unfortunately, wartime shortages caught up with them and only three were completed by the time Italy decided to negotiate an armistice with the Allies. As they commemorated the Roman heroes so beloved of Mussolini, they were also known as the 'Capitani Romani' Class. Work on the Claudio Druso, Claudio

Paolo Emilio and Vipsanio Agrippa in June 1940, and between July 1941 and August 1942 all four were demolished to clear the slips. The Caio Mario was delivered as a bare hull in January 1943 but had to be scuttled at La Spezia in September the same year to avoid capture by the Germans. The Cornelio Silla was 84% complete when her machinery was removed Tiberio,

was stopped

Cant, di Castellammare di Stabia

5/1941

German hands at Genoa and was sunk by Allied bombs in July 1944. The Ottaviano

light

Ansaldo, Genoa

Cant. Navali Riuniti,

Ancona

Cant. Navali Riuniti,

Ancona

ft 1 1 in)

light

ultra-fast

Ansaldo, Genoa

Ottaviano

cruiser class. In reply to the French contre-torpilleurs of the Fantasque Type, the Italian navy drew up plans for an Italian

Cant, del Tirreno, Riva Trigoso

Vipsanio

Augusto

m

Length: 1 1 .43 m (37 ft 6 in) Gross weight: (FB.2) 6124 kg (13500 lb) Maximum speed: 950 km/h (590 mph)

Span:

—

—

Augusto was also captured and sunk by on November 1, 1943. The Ulpio Traiano was completing in Palermo harbour when on January 3, 1943, 'chariots', or human torpedoes, blew her up. The Giulio Germanico was captured on September 11, 1943 by German troops while completing at Castellammare, but they had to scuttle her only 17 days later. However, she was later raised by Italian salvage teams. Thus when the time came to discuss the disposal of the Italian navy among the victors in 1945, only four of the 'Capitani Romani' Class were left: Pompeo Magno (designated FV.l), Giulio Germanico (FV.2), Attilio Regolo (R.4) and Scipione Africano (S.7). Under the peace treaty R.4 and 5. 7 were handed over to France as reparations. They were stricken in July and August 1948 respectively and were renamed Chateaurenault and Guichen on hoisting the French flag. They were then completely reconstructed at the Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranee yard at Toulon between 1951 and 1954. With new armament and equipment they were now escorteurs d'escadre (large

leaders). the French the Chateau-

flotilla

The Guichen was discarded by

navy on April 1, 1961, and renault on October 1, 1962. The other two ships, renamed San Giorgio (ex.-FV.l) and San Marco (ex. -FV.2), were retained by Italy and were used for much the same purpose. However, the reconstruction was not as comprehensive as in the French ships. They were given American 5-in guns and fire control and recommissioned in 195556 as esploratori (scouts). In 1958 they were rerated as cacciatorpidiniere conduttori (destroyer leaders). The San Marco was stricken in January 1971 but the San Giorgio underwent another rebuilding at La Spezia during

Cant. Navali Riuniti, Palermo

She could now accommodate 130 from the Accademia Navale as a training ship, and she was re-engined with diesels and gas turbines. Her armament was also changed, to 4 5-in and 3 76-mm A A guns, with two triple 2.75-in torpedo-tubes and triple depth-charge mortar. She remained in 1963-65.

cadets

service in the mid-1970s. As a class these cruisers lived up to their designers' expectations, being very fast and good seaboats. Their main weakness was lack of range but they certainly represented a better investment than the super-destroyers like the Fantasque or Mogador Classes, for they could not only chase and catch fast destroyers but also act as convoy escorts. (As built) Displacement:3745 tonnes (standard), 5035 tonnes (normal), 5420 tonnes (full load) Length: 142.9 m (457 ft 3 in) oa Seam; 14.4 m (47 ft 3 in) Draught A.Q m (16 ft 1 in) max Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines, 110000 shp=41 knots (sea speed 36 knots) Protection: Splinter-

proof plating to bridge only Armament: 8 135(5.3-in)/45 cal (4x2); 8 37-mm (1Hn)/54 cal AA (8x1); 8 20-mm AA (2x4); 8 53-cm (21-in) torpedo tubes Crew: 418

mm

(Chateaurenault & Guichen) Displacement: 3680 tonnes (standard), 5500 tonnes (full load) Length, Beam, Draught: As built Machinery: As built

Armament: 4 105-mm

(4.1-in)

AA

(2x2)

reduced to 2 guns in 1958-59; 10 57-mm AA (5x2); 12 55-cm (21.7-in) torpedo tubes (4x3) Crew: 353 (San Giorgio & San Marco) Displacement: 3937 tonnes (standard), 5317 tonnes (full load) Length, Beam, Draught: As built Machinery: San Marco as built; San Giorgio changed to 16600bhp diesels, 15000-shp gas turbines=28 knots (max) Armament: 6 5-in (127-mm)/38 cal DP (3x2); 20 40-mm AA (4x4, 2x2); 1 3-barrelled depth-charge mortar Crew: 530

195

2

Audace AU US

Marine

aircraft

See Corsair

Audace Italian/Japanese destroyer class. In 1913 the Japanese navy ordered two destroyers from the Clyde firm of Yarrow, and they were launched as the Kawakaze and Urakaze in 1915-16. They were intended to have a revolutionary system of steam turbines for main propulsion and high-speed diesels for cruising, but the diesels proved failures and were not installed. The Japanese lost interest in the project when they learned the news about the diesels, as they had only ordered the two ships to find out more about the new method of propulsion. On July 3, 1916, just before she was completed, the Kawakaze was sold to Italy and was renamed Intrepido two days later. On September 25, 1916 the name was changed again to Audace. The Urakaze was laid up by her builders in October 1915 and not delivered to the Japanese until 1919. The Audace had a long career. In September 1929 she was rerated as a torpedo boat and between 1937 and 1940 she was the control ship for the radio-controlled target ship San Marco. By the time of the Italian armistice she was no longer operational because of her age, but she was seized by German forces on September 12, 1943. She

renamed TA.20. On 1944 she was sunk in action off November Zara by the British destroyers Avon Valeand

was

refitted 1

and

,

Wheatland.

As designed, both ships had their guns arranged as follows: one 4-in on the fore-

two abreast between the funnels and further aft, one on a platform abaft the second funnel, and one on the quarterdeck. castle,

The torpedo tubes were mounted abreast of the second funnel. The Urakaze retained this arrangement but had 21 -in torpedo tubes. In 1938 the Audace' s torpedo tubes were removed, and in 1942 she was modified as an escort. This involved the removal of all but two of her 4-in guns and the addition of

20-mm antiaircraft guns. The Urakaze served as a trials destroyer

several

Displacement: 922 tons (designed), Urakaze 1085 tons (normal), Audace 1250 tons (normal), 1364 tons (full load) Length: 87. 59 m (287 ft 4 in) oa Beam: 8.4 m (27 ft 6 in) Draught: 2.8 m (9 ft in) max Machinery: 2-shaft Brown-Curtis turbines, 22000 shp=30 knots Armament: (As designed) 1 4.7-in (120-mm)/40 cal; 4 3-in (76mm)/30 cal (4x1); 2 40-mm/39 cal AA (2x1); 4 17.7-in (45-cm) torpedo tubes (2x2) (From 1917) i

The Audace's 76-mm gun mounting showing in detail illustration

shows the loaders, lower

distribution box.

One

of the feeders in

in

Chinese waters for most of her life. Many of the lessons learned from her hull and machinery were incorporated into later designs. She was the first Japanese destroyer armed with 21 -in torpedoes, and the success of the mounting led to its general introduction. In 1936 the Urakaze went into reserve and was put on the disposal list. However, she remained in existence as Hai Kan (hulk) No 18 at Yokosuka and was sunk on July 18, 1945. The wreck was scrapped in 1948. Kawakaze was laid down in October 1913, launched in September 1916 and completed in December 1916. Urakaze was laid down in 1913, launched in February 1915 and completed in October 1915.

the turret and upper shell hoist. The smaller and the captain of turret with the main the upper hoist automatically reloads one of the drums shell

hoist

7 4-in (102-mm)/35 cal (7x1); 2 40-mm/39 cal AA; 2 6.5-mm machine-guns; 4 17.7-in torpedo tubes (From 1942) 2 4-in/35 cal (2x1); 20 20-mm AA (twin and quadruple); 2 depth-charge throwers Crew: 118/127

Audace guided-missile destroyer class. In April 1966 the Italian navy announced that it would be building two new destroyers armed Italian

with guided missiles. The new class was basically an improved version of the previous Impavido Class built during 1957-64, but with improved armament and a hangar for two helicopters.

The main armament is the American RIM66A Standard surface-to-air missile, fired from a single-arm launcher sited above the after superstructure. A heavy gun armament is also mounted: two OTO-Melara 127-mm (5-in) lightweight automatic guns forward and

OTO-Melara 76-mm

four

(3-in)

guns amid-

ships for close-range defence. In addition

they have two sets of triple 12.75-in torpedo tubes for use against submarines and four fixed 21 -in tubes for firing wire -guided torpedoes against submarine and surface targets. The missile-guidance radar is the Hughes AN/SPS-52 for three-dimensional search and target acquisition, with two AN/SPG- 51

AG

tracker radars. For gun control three ELS 10 directors are provided, and for airwarning the AN/SPS-12. One hull-mounted sonar set is also provided. The quarterdeck forms a helicopter landing pad big enough to take two Sea King SH3Ds or three of the smaller Agusta Bell 212 antisubmarine helicopters. For passive defence against missiles two Breda Meccanica SCLAR chaff-dispensing rocketlaunchers are also carried. These fire salvoes of 20 105-mm rockets carrying flares and

NA

'Window' metal chaff. The hull is flush-decked with a graceful sheer and high freeboard. Double rudders are fitted for manoeuvrability and the twin-shaft double-reduction geared steam turbines are capable of developing 73 000 shp. Four Foster-Wheeler boilers provide high-pressure steam and six 800-kW and 400-kW generators provide electric power. The Standard missile can be used against surface targets as well as aircraft. With the

heavy gun armament and the helicopters this gives the Audace Class great flexibility in meeting the requirements of escort, attack and shore bombardment. They are the latest and most powerful major warships in the Italian navy. Ardito (Pendant No 550) was

D

by Navalmeccanic, Castellammare.

built

down

in

laid

November March 1973. Audace

July 1968, launched in

1971 and completed in (Pendant No D 551) was built by Cantieri del Tirreno, Riva Trigoso, laid down in April 1968. launched in October 1971 and com-

pleted in

^^Ll^'

November

1972.

Displacement: 3600 tons (normal) 4554 tons (full m (469 ft in) oa Beam: 14.6 m (48 ft in) Draught: 4.6 m (15 ft 4 in) Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 73000 shp=35 knots Armament: 1 RIM-66A Standard SAM launcher; 2 5-in (127-mm)/54 cal (2x1); 4 3-in (76-mm)/62 cal (4x1); 6 12.75-in (32.5-cm) torpedo tubes (2x3); 4 21-in (53-cm) torpedo tubes (2x2) Crew. 395 load) Length: 143

1%

_

i

1

Audacity Audacious British

battleship.

Constructed

under the

1910 Programme, the Audacious was one of the four 23 000-ton Dreadnoughts of the King George V Class. Built by Cammell Laird, she

down at Birkenhead on March 23, and launched by the Countess of Lytton on September 14, 1912. Under the command of Captain C F Dampier she was commissioned with full crew at Portsmouth on October 15, 1913 for service in the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Home Fleet. In August 1914 the Home Fleet became the Grand Fleet and moved north to its war base at Scapa Flow, but in October, due to concern over the vulnerability of the anchorage to submarine attack, the fleet was moved to temporary bases on the west coast of Scotland and in Northern Ireland. The 2nd Battle Squadron was based at Mull and on October 26, 1914 sailed from there for gunnery practice off Tory Island. At 0900 on the following day the squadron was in lineahead formation 20 miles NE of Tory when Audacious, third in the line and in the prowas

laid

191

cess of turning to starboard, struck a mine.

It

exploded on the port side aft and the rolling of the ship caused a boat stowed on the quarterdeck to break loose from its lashings, and as it thrashed to and fro it knocked the

on the deck. As a more and more water found its way below, helped by a fractured waste pipe in tops off the ventilators

result

the captain's quarters below. This extra flooding was outside the area of subdivision enclosed by the armoured citadel and so it was virtually impossible to control. Attempts to take her in tow, principally by the liner Olympic and the collier Thornhill, met with no success as she was almost unmanageable in the heavy swell. The crew was finally taken off to the Olympic and at 2100. 12 hours after being mined, she was shaken by an internal explosion and sank. The loss of a new battleship from one mine was viewed with great concern and the Admiralty and the C-in-C of the Grand Fleet, Sir John Jellicoe. were naturally anxious to keep it quiet. Despite the fact that the Olympic, packed with American and British passengers, had seen the Audacious in critical condition the decision was taken to ban all mention of the incident from the newspapers and it remained an official secret until after the war. For four years the name Audacious appeared in all official returns, even the most secret lists of day-to-day strength. As everyone in the Grand Fleet knew the truth, the only effect of this nonsense was to discredit the Admiralty. For a time the newspapers contented themselves with using phrases like 'the audacious sinking of this ship', and 'another audacious loss' etc.

of the Audacious is a classic example of the danger of progressive flooding. In fact her mine damage was not serious, particularly as the mine was only a Carbonit type with a small charge. By the time it was realized that the after part of the ship was also flooded, she had taken on many hundreds of tons of water and had lost her reserve of buoyancy. See also King George V Class.

The

loss

Displacement: 23000 tons (normal), 25700 tons load) Length: 182.12 m (597 ft 6 in) oa;

(full

Audacious sinking on October 27, 1914, after being mined 169.16

m

(555

ft

in)

pp Beam 27.13 ;

m

(89

ft

Draught: 8.74 m (28 ft 8 in) Machinery: 4shaft Parsons turbines, 27 000 shp=21 knots Protection: 305 mm (12 in) sides; 76 mm (3 in) deck; 280 mm (11 in) turrets ArmamentAO 13.5in(343-mm) (5x2); 164-in (102-mm) (16x1);43pdr; 3 21 -in (53-cm) torpedo tubes Crew: 782 in)

Audacious

British

aircraft

carrier

class

See Ark Royal/Eagle

of the escort carriers.

Before the outbreak of war in 1939 the Royal Navy had considered the conversion of merchant ships to carry aircraft, and the building of specially designed escort carriers, but other projects had higher priorities. The fall of France in 1940 altered matters, as the U-Boats were no longer forced to use the narrow exits of the North Sea, but instead could be based on the Atlantic shore itself. This meant that the surface escorts of British

convoys were strained

to the limit while shore-based aircraft could no longer control the danger area open to submarine attack. Worse still, Focke-Wulf Condors, a bomber type developed from an airliner design, could range virtually without opposition around the approaches to the British Isles. It was predominantly this last danger which produced the Audacity.

She had begun

of an armed merchant cruiser, but in January 1941 the conversion to an escort carrier began. At this stage she was known as Empire Audacity and this mercantile form of name was not dropped until after she was

commissioned. She was suited for conversion because she had a powerful two-shaft diesel installation giving her the respectable speed of 16 knots, and presenting less problems in trunking the exhaust over the side than did a steam installation. Her superstructure had been to cut

British escort carrier. Few ships with so short an operational career (she lasted only three months in service) have had such a great influence on naval history as the Audacity, first

the west coast of Scotland

damaged during her capture so

Audacity

the

off

life

in

1939 as the North

German Lloyd's cargo and passenger

liner

Hannover. A motor vessel of 5537 tons gross, she was very similar to the ships converted by the German's to disguised raiders like the Atlantis. She was caught outside home waters by the outbreak of war, and captured in 1940 whilst trying to run the blockade. She was originally scheduled for conversion to an ocean boarding vessel, a smaller equivalent

it

was

easier

down to take the simple wooden flight Above all she was available and could

deck. be converted rapidly. She was given a 4-in gun aft and 6 20-mm Oerlikons for selfdefence. There was neither time nor space to give her a hangar or lift, so her aircraft would have to be parked on deck. Three arrester wires and an open conning position on either side of the flight deck completed the conversion.

As the chief threat was conceived to be the Condors, the six aircraft carried were fighters. Hurricanes were proposed but were not available, while the excellent and robust

Grumman

Martlet (known in American ser-

vice as the F4F Wildcat) was not only available but was specially designed for carrier use, and so was provided to Audacity. Commissioned in June, the Audacity, after her work-up and having extra equipment such as 'Huff-Duff" (high-frequency direction finding) fitted, sailed with her first convoy, to Gibraltar, in September. Despite the

of maintenance on the open flight deck, her Martlets proved themselves by shooting down a Condor, fending off a bombing attack, and forcing several U-Boats to leave the surface by strafing them. Two more difficulties

convoys, and two more Condors shot down, found Audacity joining Commander Walker's

escort to convoy

HG76, homeward

bound from

Gibraltar, for what was to be one of the classic convoy actions of the war.

Audacity was torpedoed and sunk by U 751 on December 21, 94 but not before she had 1

1 ,

197

Audax Hawker claimed two more Condors, assisted in the sinking of a U-Boat, and played a vital part in the defence of the convoy against large numbers of submarines, for whom she was a priority target. The concept was proven, and already improved types of escort carriers

were commissioning from American yards. Displacement: 5537 tons Length: 142.34 m (467 Beam: 17.06 m (56 ft in) Draught:5.48 m in) Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 4750 (18 ft hp=16 knots Armament: 1 4-in (102-mm); 6 20mm AA; 6 aircraft

ftOin)

Audax Hawker British Army cooperation biplane. As the exceptional performance and versatility of the Hawker Hart two-seat biplane bomber became generally recognized, in 1930 special versions for other roles were ordered. One of the most important of these, built in large numbers, was the Army cooperation variant,

named Audax. Built to Specification 7/31. it differed from the Hart only in detail: the identical 525-hp

Rolls-Royce Kestrel IB water-cooled V-12 discharged through long exhaust pipes instead of direct stubs, there were radio aerial wires from outer wings to tail, and a message pick-up hook was hinged to the undercarriage. As in most Hart variants there was a fixed .303-in Vickers machine-gun and a manually-aimed Lewis of the same calibre, and light bombs or two 50.8-kg (112-lb) supply containers could be attached beneath the

lower wing. Total production for the 624,

made by Hawker,

RAF amounted

Bristol, Gloster

to

and

Avro. These trusty machines served at home and overseas from 1932 until 1942. From 1937 many were refitted with derated Kestrel X engines and used as advanced trainers (not dual-control). About 200 saw active service in East Africa in 1940-41 in the Iraqi uprising in the same year, and even in Egypt. In 194 142 a few were used to tow the first Hotspur ,

gliders in Britain.

The Hawker Audax, an Army cooperation development

Audaz Spanish destroyer class. The nine ships of the Audaz Class were originally intended to be conventional destroyers. Very few major Spanish warships of the twentieth century have been built to totally Spanish designs, and the Audaz Class was not one of the exceptions. The original design was very closely based on that of the French Le Fier light destroyers, which were laid down in France between 1939 and 1940, but never completed because of the Second World War. The first five Audaz Class were completed very much to the Le Fier design, though they were rerated as fast frigates in 1955 and then as antisubmarine frigates in 1956. They were armed with three 4. 1-in. four 37-mm A A and eight 20-mm AA. The 4. 1-in had a maximum elevation of 90°. Forty mines could be carried and they had a crew of 28. As in the Le Fiers, this was a all the main guns were carried aft common arrangement in European navies at

—

198

Hawker Hart

two-seat

bomber

some of

that time. There was a very short forecastle, with a 37-mm A A mount before the bridge. This arrangement was not uncommon in

the class were under construction, they were originally designed to permit rapid building in an emergency.

contemporary European navies: the German Mowe Class torpedo boats had their armament mounted in a similar fashion. The entire Audaz Class had been badly delayed by Spain's poor economic position

Meteoro was originally named Atrevido. They were all rerated as antisubmarine destroyers. Even after modernization, they

after

Span: 1 1 .35 m (37 ft 3 in) Length: 9.02 m (29 ft 7 in) Gross weight: 1987 kg (4381 lb) Maximum speed: 275 km/h (172 mph)

of the

1945.

However,

the provision of

US

guns and antisubmarine and electronic equipment after 1960 enabled the completed ships to be modernized and the incomplete ones to be finished with more sophisticated American equipment. Ironically, considering the time

Name

laid

down

retained the hull form and machinery of the Le Fiers. The modernization was confined to the upperworks, except for the provision of sonar. The armament was totally altered: the two single 76-mm guns replaced the aft two 4. 1-in and one of the two single 40-mm was mounted before the bridge and the other just abaft of the second funnel. A lattice mast was

launched

completed

completed modernization

Audaz

9/1945

1/1951

6/1953

6/1961

Furor

8/1945

2/1955

9/1960

9/1960

Intrepido

7/1945

2/1961

3/1965

Meteoro

8/1945

9/1951

11/1955

2/1963

Osado

8/1945

9/1951

1/1955

8/1961

Ariete

8/1945

2/1955

I%1

Rayo

8/1945

9/1951

1/1956

Relampago

7/1445

9/1961

7/1965

Temerario

7/1945

3/1960

3/1964

2/1963

Aurora

laid I

The

old Russian cruiser Aurora, preserved as a floating

fitted to

carry the radar.

The eventual

one MLA-lb, one SPS 5B and one

fit

was

SPG

34

fire-control radar.

The

first

of the class to go

was

Ariete,

which grounded on the rocks at the entrance to the River Muros on February 25, 1966. She

was so badly damaged that she was declared a total loss. The first ships to be completed were the first to be discarded: Osado was removed from the active list in 1972, followed by Audaz, Meteoro, Furor and Rayo in 1974. Temerario and Relampago were stricken in late 1975, having spent nearly 20 years under construction, to be followed by only ten years of service.

(Audaz) Displacement: 1227 tons (standard); 1550 tons (full load) Length:93.92 m (308 ft 2 in) Beam: 9.29 m (30 ft 6 in) Draught: 5.20 m (17 ft 1 in) Machinery: 2-shaft geared steam turbines, 28000 shp=31.6 knots Armament: 2 76-mm (3 in); 2 40-mm (1i-in); 2 side-launching torpedo tubes; 2 Hedgehogs; 8 DC throwers Crew: 191

Aurora Under the 1895-% three protected cruisers were laid down in Saint Petersburg for the Imperial Russian Navy. The Pallada was the first to be launched, in 1899, followed by the Diana; the Aurora did not take to the water until nearly a Russian cruiser class.

Programme

year

later.

The

three ships were typical of mediumsized cruisers built for all navies at that time, with reciprocating machinery, mediumcalibre (6-in) guns and a speed of 19-20 knots.

museum

at

Name

8/1899

1902

1

Diana

1896

10/1899

1902

1

Aurora

1896

5/1900

1902

some additional protection against torpedoes. The turning circle was about 670 m (750

—

The machinery was unusual three-shaft horizontal three-cylinder triple-expansion engines, with steam generated by 24 Belleville boilers. On her trials the Pallada reached 19.3 knots with 13 100 ihp, but after reboilering in 1910 she reached 223 knots. The Pallada was trapped in Port Arthur after being damaged by Japanese torpedoes during the surprise attack on the opening night of the Russo-Japanese war. Although repaired, she was sunk at her moorings by 28cm (11-in) howitzer shells on December 7, 1904. She was captured on January 2, 1905 and repaired and recommissioned in May 1910 as the Japanese Tsugaru. She served as a training ship until 1920, and was then refitted as a minelayer to carry 300 mines.

She was stricken in 1922 and sunk on May 27, 1924 as a bombing target. The Diana and Aurora were both interned in neutral ports after the Battle of Tsushima but subsequently rejoined the Baltic Fleet. The Auroradid nothing of note between 1914 and 1917, but the Diana and the 2nd Cruiser Squadron attacked German shipping off the Swedish coast in June 1916. On September 12 that year she was unsuccessfully attacked by the submarine UB 31 in the Gulf of Riga, and her last operation was in Tagga Bight in in 1922,

completed

1896

Protection against shells was afforded by an arched steel deck 2\ in thick, and the ccal bunkers on either side of the machinery gave

October 1917. The Diana, stricken

launched

Pallada

Leningrad as a memorial

yards).

down

was scrapped

to her part in the Bolshevik

Revolution

Bremen, but her sister Aurora played an important role in the Bolshevik Revolution. at

It was vital for Lenin to know if the navy was ready to support his bid for power, and as the Aurora had been brought up the Neva River to try to overawe the city of Leningrad, it was agreed that she would fire a blank shell. This signal triggered off the attack on the Winter Palace which expelled the Kerensky

government, although for many years the Aurora was credited with having shelled the Provisional Government out of its headquarters. The old ship occupied a special place in the Communist pantheon and so she was retained when many newer ships were scrapped after the Civil War. She was used for training and after 1930 was permanently moored in the Neva. During the 'Great Patriotic War' of 1941-45 her guns were removed and used

ashore in the armoured train Baltiyets, but not before she fired on German positions near Oranienbaum in 1941. She was badly damaged by bombing near Lomonossov, but after the war she was salved and moved to a permanent berth in the Nevska, a small tributary which joins the Neva very close to the scene of her exploit in 1917. She is now a

museum and

cadets' training ship but the 130-mm guns on board are not the type which she carried in 1917 and she has been stripped of most of her floating

open

to

visitors,

equipment.

The armament of the three ships varied during their careers. Their original armament comprised eight 6-in guns and 22 75-mm guns, but after the Russo-Japanese war the 199

Aurore number of

guns was increased

to 14 at

capacity was increased to give better surface

the expense of the broadside 75-mm. The Tsugaru was not much altered apart from reboilering and the substitution of Armstrong-pattern 6-in and 12-pdr guns. After

endurance and the gun armament was altered. LAstree, L Africaine and La Creole were not greatly altered, but they had 20-mm antiaircraft guns on the conning tower. The last two, L Andromede and L Artemis, were restarted under the 1949 and 1950 Programmes respectively, by which time it was possible to incorporate more modern ideas. Both emerged in 1953 with streamlined hulls and conning tower fins. L Andromede was used to test equipment designed for the forthcom-

6-in

1920 she lost her quarterdeck 6-in gun to for mines. In 1915 the Diana was rearmed with ten I30-mm guns, a new pattern developed by Vickers for the Russians.

make way

Displacement: 6731 tons (normal), 6932 tons load) Length: 127.03 m (416 ft 9 in) oa Beam. 16.84 m (55 ft 3 in) Draught:6.40 m (21 ft in) max Machinery: 3-shaft triple-expansion, 11 600 ihp=20 knots Protection: 64 mm-51 mm (2j-2 in) deck, 152 mm (6 in) conning tower Armament: (original) 8 6-in/45 cal (8x1); 22 75mm (3-in)/60 cal (22x1); 8 37-mm (8x1); 4 45cm (17.7-in) torpedo tubes, above water; (Aurora 1915) 10 6-in/45 cal; 14 75-mm; (Diana & Aurora 1915-17) 10 130-mm (5-in); 14 75-mm; 1 75-mm AA; (Aurora 1941) 10 130-mm; 4 75mm; 2 76-mm AA; 4 mg (4x1); 2 45-cm torpedo tubes, submerged Crew: 422 (normal), 578 (war-

faced) 1170 tons (submerged) Length: 73.5

time)

(241

(full

Nanal

ing

Class.

submarines, now known as the Creole Class, served as front-line submarines for about ten years until new construction came forward from the shipyards. La Creole was paid off for scrapping in July 1961, L Africaine in 1963, L Andromede and L'Au-

The

five

rore in 1967.

designed)

(As

4.2

December

m

and

L Artemis

Displacement: 893 tons

in

(sur-

m

oa Seam:6.5 m (21 ft 3 in) Draught: 9 in) Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 3000

3

in)

(13

ft

ft

1965,

Austen The Austen submachine-gun was designed in 1941 by a Mr Riddell and developed by Diecasters Ltd of Melbourne, Australia. As the name implies, it is an Australian Sten gun; in fact it manages to combine the best features of the British Sten and the German MP40 designs. The body, barrel, magazine and trigger mechanism were taken from the Sten Mk 2 design, while the folding tubular steel stock and telescoping bolt-spring casing were taken from the German weapon. The Mk model was produced from June 1942 to March 1945, some 20 000 being made. While a reliable gun, it was never as popular with the Australian Australian submachine-gun.

1

as the Owen gun. 2 Austen was produced in limited numbers in 1944-45. This was basically the

army

A Mk

same weapon but the body was largely made up of two aluminium die-castings which held the sheet steel receiver and into which the barrel was screwed. It was an ingenious attempt to speed up manufacture but the end of the war brought manufacture to a stop.

bhp=14s

Aurora CP-140 special version of the Lockheed P-3 Orion for the Canadian armed forces See Orion

Aurore

knots (surfaced); 2-shaft electric motors, 1400 hp=9 knots (submerged) Armament: 1 100-mm (3.9-in)/40 cal; 2 13.2-mm machine-guns (1x2); 9 55-cm (21.7-in) torpedo tubes Crew: 44

class.

The

first

of a

new

as

arsenal in December 1935 but not launched until July 1939. Under the 1937 Estimates four more (Q- 193 to 196) were ordered and a further four (Q-200 to 203) under the 1938 Estimates. The acceleration of French re-

Armament: 1 88-mm (3. 5-in) in La Creole, LAstree and L Africaine; 2 20-mm AA in L'Astree and L 'Africaine; 10 55-cm (21.7-in) torpedo tubes (6 internal forward, 2 aft and 2 external

armament after Munich led to a Supplementary Programme decreed on May 2, 1938 and

forward of the conning tower in last two; 4 forward, 2 aft and 4 external in older boats) Crew: 62

Name

hull

no

launched

builder

L 'Aurore

Q-192

7/1939

Toulon Arsenal

La Creole

Q-193

6/1940

Normand, Le Havre

La Bayadere

Q-194

-

Normand, Le Havre

La

Favorite

Q-195

11/1942

Ch Worms, Le

Trait

L Africaine

Q-196

12/1946

Ch Worms. Le

Trait

L Astree

Q-200

5/1946

Ch Dubigeon. Nantes

L Andromede

Q-201

11/1949

Ch Dubigeon, Nantes

L Antigone

Q-202

-

L Andromaque

Q-203

-

L Artemis

Q-206

6/1942

L Armide

Q-207

-

Ch Worms. Le

L 'Hermione

Q-211

-

Normand, Le Havre

La Gorgone

Q-212

-

Normand, Le Havre

La Clorinde

Q-213

-

Ch Dubigeon. Nantes

La Cornelie

Q-214

-

No

was 60% complete, and she was

Three others were capGermans, L Africaine, La Favorite and L Andromede; they were renumbered UF. 1-3 but only UF.2 was completed. She was finished in 1943 but was sunk by Allied bombs at Gdynia (Gotenhafen) on July 6, 1944. L Aurore lay at Toulon with the rest of the French fleet until November 27, 1942, when she was scuttled to avoid capture by the Germans. As designed, the class conformed to previous French ideas, with a small conning tower and a 100-mm deck gun. The armament

towed

before Machinery: Sulzer diesels, except L Africaine, which had Schneider; L 'Andromede had 2000-hp electric motors, others as before

Q-206 and 207 were ordered; a

further Supplementary Programme, known as 1938c and decreed on March 4, 1939, provided for another four (Q-211 to 214). Only the name ship had been completed by the time France surrendered in 1940. One, La Creole,

mm

(surfaced), 1180 tons (submerged) Dimensions:

class of seagoing or 2nd Class submarines was authorized for the French navy under the 1934 Programme. She was started at Toulon

this

mm

in)

(As completed 1946-53) Displacement: 970 tons

French submarines

under

mm

Length: (stock extended) 845 Weight: 4.66 kg (10 lb 4 oz) Barrel .^96 (7.75 in) Magazine: 28 rounds Cyclic rate of fire: 500 rds/min Muzzle velocity: 381 m/sec (1250 ft/sec) Calibre:9

(33.25

to England.

tured by the

comprised nine torpedo tubes, four forward, two aft and a triple training mount in the

Schneider, Chalon-sur-Saone

Ch Worms. Le

Trait

Normand, Le Havre

external casing. In this class the unsuccessful

40-cm slow-running torpedoes were dropped and the external tubes had conventional 55cm weapons. The diving depth was 100 m (330 ft). After the war the French navy decided to recast the design and completed the five hulls which had survived. In the case of La Creole this involved towing her back to France, replacing her on the slipway and then launching her a second time on May 8, 1946. Bunker

200

Trait

contract awarded

Avenger, General Electric GAU-8 Austrian-Aviatik

D.l

Austro-Hungarian See Aviatik D

fighter aircraft

AV-8

US

Avenger

Marine version of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier See Harrier

Alternative title of Archer British See Archer escort carrier class

Avenger British self-propelled antitank gun. The Avenger was developed in 1944, using a lengthened Cromwell tank chassis as the basis, and mounting a 17-pdr Mk 6 or 7 gun in a rotating turret. At that time there was

considerable tribal rivalry over the ownership of armoured vehicles, and the Avenger was

given an open-topped turret. Had it been closed-in. the vehicle would then have been a 'tank' and as such would have gone to the Royal Armoured Corps. By having the turret left open, it became a 'self-propelled gun'

The Avenger

self-propelled 17-pdr gun on a lengthened Cromwell tank chassis

The Austen submachine-gun, an Australian design combining the body, barrel, magazine and trigger mechanism of the Sten Mk 2 with the folding stock and bolt-spring casing of the German MP40. The Mk 2 Austen was .907 kg (2 lb) lighter, but only a few were made

New Avengers

outside their

Birmingham

and could be operated by the Royal

factory, alongside a de-gunned Valentine tank

Artillery.

was probably

the best self-propelled 17-pdr ever developed, but because the Achilles 17pdr SP had already gone into service, most of the 230 Avengers built were not completed until after the war and few, if any, saw action. It

Weight: 31 tons Length: 8.70 m (28 ft 7 in) Width: 3.05 m (10 ft in) Height: 2.50 m (8 ft 3 in) Speed: 51 km/h (32 mph) Armament: 1 17pdr Engine 600-hp Rolls-Royce Meteor Range: 145 km (90 miles) Crew: 4-5 :

Avenger,

General

Electric

GAU-8 USAF

aircraft gun. The key factor behind the procurement by the US Air Force of the tactical attack aircraft (which materialized as the Fairchild A-10A) was a gun capable of destroying main battle tanks. Under $12.1 million contracts Philco-Ford and General Electric developed rival designs of fast-firing cannon with multiple barrels

AX

firing

30-mm ammunition,

than any previously used protracted shoot-off the

cc

far

more powerful

in aircraft.

GE

After a

weapon was

selected; it was later named Avenger and is familiarly known as the 'bad mother' by Tactical Air Command pilots. The main objective of this gun was to fire tank-killing rounds fast enough to obtain lethal hits on a single pass; this necessitates

201

Avenger, General Electric GAU-8

GAU-8

Avenger, fired from a Fairchild A-10, gives a spectacular demonstration of its tank-busting power. Target is a US M48 tank

HIGH EXPLOSIVE INCENDIARY Igniter

(HEI) Aluminium cartridge case

tube

Plastic rotating

bands High explosive incendiary mix

M505A3 impact fuze

\

Single base nitrocellulose extruded propellant OR Double base nitrocellulose/nitroglycerine ball propellant

M33A1E1 percussion primer

ARMOUR PIERCING INCENDIARY

(API)

Steel fragmenting

TARGET PRACTICE

(TP)

Plastic rotating Plastic rotating

/

bands

bands Heavy metal penetrator

|

Aluminium nose

Aluminium \

Aluminium base

202

body

positioning ring

Steel windscreen

Steel

body

Avenger, General Electric GAU-8

high aiming accuracy and a slow and stable The Avenger has 7 exter-

aircraft platform.

nallv powered barrels and weighs about 748 kg (1650 lb). It is fed by linkless belt with aluminium-cased electrically-fired ammunition from a drum holding up to 1350 rounds. Standard projectiles are AP. HEI and SAPHE. Muzzle velocity is over 1000 m (32403450 ft) per second, about 30% higher than that of most aircraft guns, and this velocity is sustained for about 1000 m (3280 ft). Rate of fire can be selected at 2100 or 4200 rds/min. and according to Fairchild about half the rounds fired at a range of 300 m (1000 ft) in live air/ground trials have hit within a 1.2-m (4-ft) circle. Muzzle horsepower is 40 times that of the US 75-mm aircraft cannon of the Second World War.

The General barrelled

Electric GAU-8 Avenger seven30-mm cannon as installed in the

ground attack aircraft. Some ammunition types available are shown on the opposite page Fairchild A-10

of the

-/

c*

203

Avenger, Avenger,

TBF/TBM Grumman

TBF/TBM Grumman

US Navy torpedo bomber and (later) AEW and ASW aircraft. In the first six months of war after Pearl Harbor the only torpedo bomber aboard US Navy carriers was the obsolescent TBD Devastator. But from June 1942 the picture was transformed by the introduction to combat duty of the Grumman Avenger, the standard US carrier-based torpedo bomber of the Second World War and also important in the Royal Navy. After 1945 the Avenger continued in service, and during the Korean war (1950-53) many were urgently refurbished from storage to serve a further eight to ten years with several Western

AEW

ASW

countries in both the and roles. prototypes designated XTBF-1 were ordered on April 8, 1940, the first flying on August 1. 1941. The design had every good quality, and was dramatically superior to the British Barracuda. The engine was a Wright R-2600-8 Cyclone 14-cylinder two-row radial rated at 1700 hp driving a Hamilton Hydromatic propeller. The extremely large wings folded to the rear about skewed hinges so that they lay along the sides of the fuselage, upper surfaces outwards. The main landing gears were extremely robust, had wide track and yet retracted outwards into the wings. The fuselage accommodated a crew of three and an internal weapons bay, and the

Two

An Avenger takes off from its carrier base on its way to lend support to the US Army and Marine landings on Saipan in June 1944. Right: An Avenger is readied for catapulting

Avenger port wing undercarriage in lowered, semi-retracted and fully stowed positions. Below. TBF-1 Avenger. Sorfom.Tail undercarriage detail

Avenger, TBF/TBM

Grumman

Avengers (foreground) with wings folded and Dauntless dive-bombers on the snow-covered deck an aircraft carrier in a northern Atlantic port in spring 1944

of

205

Avenger,

TBF/TBM Grumman

defensive and offensive armament was well planned. The pilot dropped the short 55. 9-cm (22-in) torpedo, 907-kg (2000-lb) bomb or other internal load, fired the fixed guns (one 7.7-mm Browning in the upper right of the nose, and in the TBF-1C and nearly all subsequent versions two 12.7-mm in the outer wings) and rockets (eight 27.2-kg in the TBM-3). The bomb-aimer sat in the lower

fuselage behind the weapon bay, helped with navigation, sighted the torpedo or bombs in

bombing and

level

machine-gun

manned

the

7.7-mm

in the rear ventral position.

In

Cutaway

illustration of a TBF-1 Avenger. Fitting a crew of three, a powered a ventral machine-gun and a hydraulically-operated bomb bay into the fuselage of a single-engined aircraft small enough to be flown from aircraft carriers was a considerable achievement. An interesting feature is the presence of fittings for dual controls in the navigator/gunner's rear cockpit, though he would have had very little forward view unless the radio equipment between the cockpits was removed turret,

machines, subsequently multiplied, deliveries began in January 1942 to VT-8.

same squadron took

Midway, where they did great damage for loss, while 35 of the 41 old TBDs were

of

gunner.

shot

In

December 1940

initial

206

US Navy

placed an order for 286 of these outstanding the

TBF-I Avengers

into action for the first time during the Battle

the electrically-operated turret with its 12.7gun sat the radio operator and turret

mm

their

and

The

little

down

December

in

1943

a

single

Grumman

engagement. By had delivered 2293

Avengers, most of them being TBF-lCs with

wing guns and provision for two underwing drop tanks. The Royal Navy received 402 of these Grumman-built aircraft (for the first six months calling them Grumman Tarpons), with the US Lend/Lease designation of TBF-1B and the British name Avenger I. the

squadron. Fleet Air Arm No 832. action at the Battle of the Solomon Islands in June 1943. aboard the US carrier

The was

first

in

TBF/TBM Grumman

Avenger,

Saratoga.

A

plied to the

further 63

TBF-lBs were sup-

RNZAF.

So important was the Avenger that a second source was arranged, to boost rate of output.

As with

the Wildcat fighter this sec-

ond manufacturer was Eastern Aircraft division of General Motors. Between September 1942 and April 1944 Eastern delivered 2882 TBM-1 and -1C Avengers, almost identical to

Avenger

Mk

III

(Eastern

TBM-3)

of the Fleet Air

Arm 207

Aventurier Grumman -1 and -1C. and 334 TBM-1 were designated Avenger II when supplied to the Royal Navy. In early 1943 Grumman built an XTBF-3 the

prototype with 1900-hp R-2600-20 engine. This version subsequently became the standard production Avenger, all made by Eastern Aircraft (Grumman concentrating on the F6F Hellcat fighter). Between April 1944 and August 1945 Eastern delivered 4664 of this more powerful TBM-3 model, which also carried more fuel, had stronger wings equipped to carry drop tanks, radar or rocket projectiles,

and

in

most

aircraft

had the turret

The Royal Navy received 222 designated Avenger III. In 1946 the Avenger was the first aircraft removed.

(AEW) radar, the Project Cadillac set that became APS-20. This became a standard interim service type, designated TBM-3VV and -3W2, with no turever to carry early-warning

ret and rearranged interior. The TBM-3E was a post-war rebuild which was put back into during the 'remanufacture production' Korean war, for the Royal Navy (100

Avenger AS. 4). Royal Canadian Navy (115) and Aeronavale (96). The TBM-3S and -3S2 were antisubmarine strike versions for the Netherlands and Japan. The TBM-3U was a target-towing version, and the TBM-3R was a seven-seat COD (Carrier On-Board Delivery) transport.

(TBM-3. 1944, with turret) Span: 16.51 m (54 ft 2 in) Gross weight:8278 in) Length: 12.2 m (40 ft kg (18250 lb) Max speed: 430 km/h (267 mph)

Avenger turret detail. An early idea was to use a British Boulton Paul turret, but this was rejected as it was too prone to failure after minor damage, and Grumman designed their own turret, with the mounting of the single 0.5-in machine-gun offset to port

100-mm guns had to be replaced, mostly with new Canet guns, but in one ship by obsolete guns from the old battleship Devastheir

A venturier French destroyer class. In 1911 four destroyers were ordered from French yards for the Armada Republica Argentina. They were to

the

same

specification as four ordered

from Krupp's Germania yard and Schichau at Elbing, and four from the British firm Cammell Laird. The lead ship, the Rioja, was still running builders' trials when war broke out in August 1914, and on August 9 all four were taken over for the French navy.

The armament was originally to have been supplied from the USA; 4-in guns and six 1821 -in torpedo tubes. These in or four weapons had not been delivered and so they were replaced by 100-mm guns and Frenchpattern 45-cm torpedo tubes. The 100-mm 400 Canet Model 1892 gun had a range of 1 1

m

(37412 yds) at 25° elevation. In appearance the ships were unusual, with a raised poop aft carrying two guns, one on

The clipper bow and three funnels made them look rakish but in fact their speed was modest and they were poor steamers. The two Bor-

either side of a small superstructure.

deaux-built ships had four single torpedo tubes whereas the Nantes-built ships had two pairs, the foremost on the starboard side abreast of the forward funnels and the other pair abaft the mainmast on the port side.

L 'Aventurier and L'Intrepide joined the 2nd Light Squadron in the English Channel in October 1914 and fought off the Belgian coast under Rear-Admiral Hood, RN. On October 30, 1914. Admiral Hood hoisted his flag in L 'Intrepide, the first time a French warship had acted as an English flagship without having first been captured. By the end of the year both ships had fired so many rounds that 208

tation.

The other two destroyers went to the Mediterranean, but in 1917 both ships were suffering from boiler trouble and so they were replaced by L Aventurier and L'Intrepide. L 'Opiniatre and Le Temeraire were sent to Brest, where they underwent major repairs. Each received an oil-fired boiler from the suspended destroyer Enseigne Gabolde, three coal-fired

du Temple

boilers

from the

incomplete battleships Normandie and Gascogne, and a boiler from an older destroyer. They now had four funnels, as the after uptakes were now divided, and since they could only make 22 knots they hardly even merited the description of destroyer. In 1919 all four joined the Baltic Division for operations against the Russians. Between 1924 and 1927 L 'Aventurier and L'Opiniatre were reboilered. and each received three Schulz-Thornycroft boilers from the ex-

Name

German V.100 and V. 126. They were now good for 26 knots, and with the other pair they were reclassified as fast minesweepers. They formed the 13th Flotilla until discarded between 1933 and 1939. L'Opiniatre was stricken in 1933 and L 'Aventurier was last to March 1939. The problems with these

go, in

ships exemplified the difficulties experienced with all French destroyers of the period. Too much emphasis on small torpedo boats meant that the art of designing big oceangoing destroyers w as neglected. Of the 12 destroyers ordered by Argentina, the French boats were the slowest and least reliable. The Mendoza, for example, reached 32.6 knots on trials, but at a displacement of only 994 tonnes; at normal load (1 140-1 150 tonnes) she could only make 27 knots.

Displacement: 990 tons load) Length:88.53

m

(light),

(290

ft

5

in)

1250 tons (full oa Beam:8.75

m

(28 ft 8 in) max Draught: 3.1 m (10ft2in)max Machinery: 2-shaft direct-drive steam turbines,

launched

completed

1911

1911

9/1914

Dyle & Bacalan. Bordeaux

1909

2/1911

9/1914

Dyle & Bacalan, Bordeaux

1909

12/1911

11/1914

laid

builder

down

L 'Opiniatre (ex-Rioja)

L 'A venturier (ex- Mendoza)

Le Temeraire

At

L 'Intrepide

& Ch

de Bretagne.

Nantes

(ex- San Juan)

1909

9/1911

11/1914

At

& Ch

de Bretagne. Nantes

Aviatik

C

repositioned above the cylinders. larger, with swept-back tips, and pilot and observer sat in a single large cockpit, the observer having a rifle or, more often, a cumbersome 7.92-mm Schwarzlose machine-gun either on an infantry tripod or a spigot mounting on the upper longerons. The B.III had some bad characteristics, one of which was an extremely sluggish response to control, so that it became dubbed the 'gondola' or 'rocking chair' in rough weather. Production accordingly reverted to the Serie 34. which was virtually a B.II with the 160-hp engine (but B.II side radiator) and machinegun; most Serie 33 (B.III) and Serie 34 had racks for three 10-kg bombs. Some hundreds were delivered, but by 1916 they were all being relegated to training. radiator

The wings were

TBF-1 Avenger. A total of 9839 Avengers, including 2293 Grumman TBF and 7546 Eastern TBM. were built before production ceased

Span: 14.00 (small

in)

m

(45 ft 11 in) Length :8.00 m (26 ft 3 variations according to sub-type)

Gross weight: (B.I) 860 kg (1900 (1918

lb)

Maximum speed

870 kg 110 km/h (68

lb), (B.II)

(all):

mph) approx

Armament: 4 100mm (4x1); 2 47-mm (2x1) added during war; 4 45-cm (17.7-in) torpedo tubes (2x2 or 4x1); 10 18000 shp=32 knots

(light)

depth charges (1917-18) Crew: 90 approx

cooled engine on which some 90% of German engines for the next four years were based. A small series was built for the Imperial Air Service, supplementing the prewar aircraft of

one of which became the first be shot down in air combat, on

similar design, aircraft to

Avia Czechoslovakian aircraft See B 534, B-71 Tupolev, B-135, Bf-109, BH-21, BH-33

Aviatik

B

Austro-Hungarian

reconnaissance

aircraft

One of the pioneer aircraft companies Germany was Automobil und Aviatik AG,

series. in

of Muhlhausen (Mulhouse) in Alsace. On the outbreak of the First World War. the com-

pany moved from Muhlhausen, which was near the Western Front, to Freiburg im Breisgau. on the other side of the Rhine. Here the B.I was quickly designed, and flown in late 1914 (probably in November). A neat two-seat biplane comparable with the British B.E.2, it was powered by the mass-produced 100-hp Mercedes D.I six-cylinder water-

October 5, 1914. During the winter of 1914-15 the company's Austro-Hungarian subsidiary, Osterreichisch-Ungarisch Flugzeugfabrik Aviatik of Vienna, designed and went into production with a developed version, the B.II. Powered by a 120-hp Austro-Daimler. this differed mainly from the B.I in having angular elevators and rudder with large horn balances; it could also carry two 10-kg (22-lb) bombs, but guns were not originally fitted. Limited production, designated Serie 32, was undertaken for the Austro-Hungarian Flying Service, and from about April 1915 the B.II was a popular observation machine on the Russian Front. In the spring of 1915 production switched to the more powerful B.III, with a 160-hp Austro-Daimler with the

Aviatik

C

German reconnaissance bomber

series.

This

was

the chief product of the Automobil und Aviatik works at Freiburg, and was developed in early 1915 from the B.I. The C.I, powered by the 160-hp Mercedes D.III engine, followed the mistaken example of the B.E.2 in putting the pilot in the rear cockpit, so that the observer's 7.92-mm Parabellum machine-gun had a very limited field of fire. Feedback from front-line units was more effective than in Britain, and by about July 1915 the C.Ia was in production with the crew positions transposed. This version was built by both Aviatik and the Hannoversche Waggonfabrik. small series was built with 200-

A

hp Benz Bz.IV engines, receiving the designation C.II.

The

final production model was the C.III of 1916, which was originally designed with the old crew arrangement but quickly changed to a rear-observer layout. Powered

early

Aviatik B.1 a reconnaissance biplane comparable to the British B.E.2. On October 5, 1 91 4, an aircraft of this type was the first to be shot

The

down

,

in aerial

combat

209

D

Aviatik

The Aviatik

CHI

by the 160-hp streamlined

was an improved version

D.III.

it

nose,

faired into an

of the C.I, with better

had a cleaner and more

with

propeller

improved engine

spinner

installation,

performance and provision for bombs and two Parabellum machine-guns

were delivered by Aviatik (Serie (Serie 84), (Serie 101)

MAG and

38),

WKF

(Serie 92), Thone und Fiala Lohner (Serie 115). Repeat

and was much faster than the C.I despite usually having the burden of twin machineguns. A light bombload could be carried, and for some months the C.III was used in the first German Kampfgeschwader (bombing wings), though its main duty continued to be

batches with higher numbers were ordered, the bulk of those delivered having the 200-hp engine and final batches the 235-hp version. The engine made the D.I. unpopular because it tended to overheat badly; most photographs show the top cowling panels,

reconnaissance.

and sometimes the side panels, removed

to

armament was a single 8-mm Schwarzlose machine-gun mounted assist cooling. Initial

Span: (C.I) 1 2.50 ft

m

(41

ft

CH

5| in) Length: (C.I) 7.93

m

in), (C.III) 1 1

m

(26

ft

.75

m

(38

in), (C.III)

Gross weight: (C.I) 1239 kg (2732 lb), (C.III) 1337 kg (2948 lb) Maximum speed: (C.I.) 143 km/h (89 mph), (C.III) 161 km/h

8.09

(100

(26

ft

61 in)

mph)

Aviatik

D

Austro-Hungarian fighter series. Often called the Berg Scout, in honour of the chief designer of Austro-Hungarian Aviatik, Julius

von Berg, scout

this

design,

excellent originally

basic

single-seat

designated

Serie

was built in early 1916. Powered by a 185-hp Austro-Daimler six-cylinder engine, it was clean and robust, and despite its rectangular wings of unusually short span its performance was good and the ceiling of over 6100 m (20000 ft) outstanding. Development was protracted, however, and production did not begin until early 1917, the sub-type having by this time progressed to Type 30.21. As the D.I. this was ordered in large numbers (possibly as many as 1200) and about 700 30.14,

210

above the upper wing to fire over the propeller, but two of these guns, with synchronizing gear, in the top decking flanking the cylinders became standard armament. In almost every case the guns were so far forward that the pilot could not reach them to clear a stoppage, though many pilots fitted string to the cocking handles. On the whole the D.I had an

extremely good performance, exceptional pilot view and delightful manoeuvrability, but the Austro-Hungarian Jagdkompanien generally preferred the Albatros scouts, and the D.I faded progressively from the Balkan and Italian fronts during 1918. In 1918 Aviatik switched production to the D.II (Berg D.II), with cantilever lower wing and 235-hp engine, but few were delivered before the Armistice. Other developments included the Dr. I triplane (Type 30.24) and the D.III with increased span and the 230-hp Hiero. Span: 8.00 m (26 ft 3 in) Length: 6.95 in) Gross weight: 852 kg (1878 lb) speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)

m

(22

ft

92

Maximum

Aviocar

CASA

C.212

Spanish utility transport. A neat twinturboprop machine with good STOL characteristics, the Aviocar was designed primarily to replace the motley assortment of obsolescent transports in the Spanish air force, but has sold in several countries as both a military and civil aircraft. Powered by two 776-hp AiResearch TPE331-251C turboprops driving four-blade propellers, the C.212 has an unpressurized fuselage with full-section rear doors for heavy freight or for paradropping. Typical loads, with a flight crew of two, include 2000 kg (44 10 lb) of cargo, 15 paratroops and jumpmaster, or 12 stretcher patients and three attendants or sitting casualties. Versions are available for navigational instruction, air survey and other special roles, and studies have been made of armament schemes which include stores pylons for guns, bombs or rockets under the fuselage

and wings. The prototype flew on March 26. 1971. and by late 1976 well over 100 had been to the air forces of Spain. Portugal. Indonesia. Jordan and Venezuela.

sold

Span: 19.0 m (62 ft 4 in) Length: 15.2 m (49 ft 10} Gross weight: 6300 kg (13889 lb) Maximum speed: 370 km/h (230 mph)

in)

Avon-Sabre version

of

Australian the North

(CAC)

licence-built

American F-86 fighter

jet

See Sabre

Light Antitank

GERMAN ARTILLERY 2 As

befitted the pioneers of

warfare, the

modern armoured

German army were

alive to the

need for effective antitank guns, and their handling of them during the Second World War was one of the most outstanding features of their tactics. But like every other nation in the 1930s their idea of the perfect antitank gun was a lightweight high-velocity weapon which could be manhandled easily by the infantrymen, concealed easily and moved quickly.

3.7-cm Panzer (PAK) 36

Abwehr Kanone

This gun was developed by the Rheinmetall company in 1933. first issued in 1936, and given its first testing under fire in the Spanish Civil

War. Surprisingly, numbers were sold

abroad, notably to the Soviet Union.

By

1941

over 20000 had been made and issued. An excellent gun, its penetrative performance was disappointing, but its deficiencies in this respect were compensated for by its mobility and handiness in action. After the French campaign of 1940 it was obvious that its usefulness was at an end, since the newer generation of tanks carried armour which it could not penetrate. As a means of extending its life an ingenious 'Stick Bomb' was developed, a 19-lb hollow-charge bomb with a finned tail and a

A

3.7-cm

stick

PAK

36

in

prewar manoeuvres. Note the armoured

which could be inserted

muzzle.

into the gun's

A special blank cartridge was used to

range of 800 m (875 yards), though a range of 300 (328

bomb

maximum

shield slung below the axle

5-cm PAK 38 Even before

yards) was recommended for action against tanks. The warhead could penetrate 180 of armour, more than enough to cope with

the war there was ample evidence that improvements in tank armour would eventually demand a more powerful weapon, and in 1938 Rheinmetall-Borsig were given a development contract for a 5-cm

any contemporary tank.

gun.

fire this

to a

m

mm

It

3.7-cm

was issued

late in

1940 to replace the

PAK, and was known

as the

5-cm

PAK 38. It was a conventional design of splittrail carriage gun with a semi-automatic breech allowing a high rate of aimed fire. However, the increase in calibre led to an increase in bulk; no longer could two men

manhandle the battalion antitank gun

bet-

ween them. The PAK 38 was highly successful, particularly when a tungsten-cored shot (the was provided, and Panzergranate 40) although it was to be outclassed by heavier and more powerful guns in due course, it

remained

in front-line

service to the end of

some were still in use with the Bulgarian army in the early 1950s. In similar fashion to the 3.7-cm. a stick bomb was the war. and

produced in order to give it a heavier punch. This had the same penetrative performance as that of the 3.7-cm gun but had a fighting Rafting a 5-cm

PAK

38 across a Russian river

in 1941.

The towing

vehicle

is

a Soviet T-27

range of only 150

m

(164 yards).

211

Light Antitank

7.5-cm

PAK

Having ordered

army were

40, the

PAK

5-cm gun

7.5-cm

41 in

1938 the

apprehensive of the future course of tank development, and in 1939 approached both Krupp and RheinmetallBorsig with contracts for 7.5-cm guns. There seems to have been little urgency over their development until the invasion of Russia demonstrated that the 5-cm PAK 38 was hard-pressed to deal with the Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. Work was speeded up and the first guns appeared late in November 1941. The Rheinmetall model, the 7.5-cm PAK 40, was little more than an enlarged version of the 5cm PAK 38. but it was much more powerful still

PAK

97/38

In an attempt to provide a 75-mm gun in a hurry, in order to combat the Soviet armour in late 1941, the German army cannibalized numbers of French 75-mm field guns M1897

which had been captured in 1940. The guns were taken from their French carriages and mounted on 5-cm PAK 38 carriages, fitted

Below left: A park of captured guns and vehicles in 1944 with a 7.5-cm PAK 97/38 foreground and a 7.5-cm PAK 40 in the background. Below: 7.5-cm PAK 97/38

and became the basic antitank gun for the rest of the war.

The Krupp model was known as the 7.5-cm 41 and was a very different weapon,

PAK

with a squeeze-bore barrel (see Taper-bore Antitank section). Due to the shortage of tungsten, upon which it relied for its special ammunition, production stopped after only 150 guns had been made; but for this it probably would have replaced the PAK 40 as the standard gun.

Above: The breech and

armour

split trails of

of the shield. Right:

common

a 7.5-cm

PAK 40. Note the spaced

A PAK 40 in the sand-coloured camouflage

mm

in the latter part of the war. This gun could penetrate 96 at 1000 m (1094 yards) using tungsten-cored shot. It had a maximum range of 7681 m (8400 yards)

212

with a muzzle brake and given a special hollow-charge shell. Known as the 7.5-cm PAK 97/38 these were then rushed to the Eastern Front to act as stop-gaps until the PAK 40 and 41 arrived. They were not particularly successful: even with an improved cartridge the velocity was too low for accurate shooting at moving targets, and the extra power wore out the carriages. in the

Light Antitank

7.62-cm

PAK

36(r), 39(r)

The invasion of Russia provided

the

Germans

with thousands of captured guns, and one model, the Soviet 76.2-mm Divisional Gun M1936, was taken in such large numbers that the German army found it worthwhile to adapt it for their own use. With the chamber reamed out to take a standard German car-

some

tridge,

slight modifications to the fire-

system, and a range of antitank projectiles provided, it became the 7.62-cm PAK 36(r) and proved to be an extremely useful weapon. Numbers were used against the Allies in North Africa, and they remained in German service until the war ended. The Soviet M1939 gun, an improved model of the M1936, was also modified in similar fashion, to become the 7.62-cm PAK 39(r) although not many were thus modified, more being adopted as the 7.62-cm FK 39(r) field gun. control

A

7.62-cm PAK 39(r) captured by the

US Army

in Tunisia in 1943

PAK

PAK

7.5-cm

COMPARATIVE DATA Gun

3.7-cm

Weight

in Action

PAK

36

5-cm

38

7.5-cm

PAK

40

7.5-cm

41

PAK

97/38

PAK

7.62-cm

432/953

986/2174

1425/3142

1356/2990

1190/2624

1730/3815

N/A

2652/2900

7681/8400

N/A

N/A

8960/9800

0.68/1.5

2.22/4.9

6.8/15

4.53/10.01 6

7.52/16.6

36(r)

(kg/lb)

Maximum Range

1

(m/yards) Shell

Weight2

2.58/5. 71

5

(kg/lb)

Penetration with standard shot at:

500

m

1000

500

m

m

1000

(547 yards) 3

(1094 yards) 3

4

48

N/A 36

m4

mm mm

N/A

78

mm

132

mm

61

mm

116

mm

61

mm

104

mm

50

mm

89

— — — —

mm

100

mm

120

mm

100

mm

108

mm

100

mm

98

mm

100

mm

88

mm

Penetration with tungsten shot at:

500

m

1000

500

Muzzle

50

m

m

1000

3

3

4

m

N/A 40

4

mm mm

N/A

120

mm

154

mm

209

mm

N/A

158

mm

84

mm

133

mm

177

mm

N/A

130

mm

86

mm

115

mm

171

mm

N/A

118

mm

55

mm

96

145

mm

N/A

92

mm

mm

velocity with:

standard shot

760/2500

825/2700

800/2600

—

450/1475

740/2425 7

1030/3380

1200/3930

980/3250

1125/3690

—

980/3250

(m/sec/ft/sec)

tungsten shot (m/sec/ft/sec)

Notes: Using high-explosive shell in the infantry support role (2) Weight of the standard piercing shell; Pzgr 40 usually weighed about half this (1)

(3) (4)

Striking at right-angles to the target plate Striking at 30° to the target plate

(6)

Special tungsten-cored squeeze-bore shot Hollow-charge shell; penetration at all ranges

(7)

The PAK

(5)

is

the

same

had a barrel 27 inches (68.5 cm) shorter than the 36(r), and hence has slightly less velocity, but for all practical purposes the performance was the same. 39(r)

213

Medium

Flak The 8.8-cm antiaircraft gun employed by the Germans in the First World War. It fired a

The Germans were

the first to develop antiairhaving used a 25-mm rifle mounted on a horsed carriage to shoot at balloons escaping from Paris in 1870. At the turn of the century, when military aviation was beginning to appear, they were the first in the field once more, the gunmakers Krupp and Erhardt (later to become the Rheinmetall craft

artillery,

company) exhibiting a

selection

of

'anti-

balloon ' guns at the Frankfurt International Exhibition of 1909.

Early Flak

Guns

At the outbreak of war in 1914 the German six auto-cannons and 12 horsedrawn, all of 77-mm calibre. In order to expand the antiaircraft defences a number of captured French 75-mm and Russian 76.2mm guns were bored out to 77-mm and pressed into service, after which more 77-mm guns were made. But the 77-mm did not have sufficient performance to match the rapid improvement in aircraft performance which took place as the war progressed and an 80mm gun was developed. While this had a good velocity and accuracy, the shell weight was not sufficient to guarantee fatal damage to an aeroplane with one shot, so the calibre

army had

was increased once more, this time to 88-mm. These guns were developed in 1917 by both Krupp and Erhardt and were earmarked for the defences of the Ruhr and the Rhine valley. Weighing about eight tonnes, they fired a 20-lb shell at 785 m/sec (2575 ft/sec) at a rate of 10 rds/min and by early 1918 they were in service in some numbers, sited around vulnerable points in groups of six to

9.5-kg (21 -lb) shell to a height of 784 m (2575 ft); the horizontal range was 10789 m (35400

had a rate of fire of ten rounds per minute and a muzzle velocity of 785 m (2575 ft) per second. It had 360° traverse and elevated up to 70° ft). It

eight guns.

8.8-cm Flak 18 After the war, under the terms of the Versailles Treaty, army antiaircraft guns were forbidden, except for a handful in the fortress of Konigsberg, but by various subterfuges the craft of AA gunnery was kept alive. At the same time the gunmakers evaded controls by forming alliances with foreign companies, and a team of Krupp designers was sent to work with Bofors of Sweden. In 1931 they returned to Germany, bringing with them the plans for a completely new antiaircraft gun of 88-mm calibre. A prototype was built and approved by the army, and production began, the gun going into service in 1933 as the 8.8cm Flak 18. The gun itself was of conventional design,

Soldiers of the 8th Army stand by an 8.8-cm Flak 18 captured intact with its SdKfz 7 half-track tractor during fighting in North Africa. The crew of ten travelled in the tractor

214 •*

'

Medium

Flak

An extemporized mount for a 7.7-cm antiaircraft gun. The gun had a fixed elevation of 70° but could be traversed through 360°. It fired a 6-kg (1 5-lb) shell to a height of 4268 m (14000 ft) with a muzzle velocity of 463 m (1 520 ft) per second

T

J

215

Medium

Left;

An

right

watch for the

Flak

8.8-cm Flak 18/36 in action in North Africa. The ammunition details are handling the heavy fixed shells and cases while two men on the fall of shot. Right: A 7.5-cm Flak L. 60. This gun was built in the late 1920s, and had many design features, like the cruciform platform, later incorporated in the '88'. By August 1944 there were 10930 Flak 18, 36 and 37 guns in service a single-tube barrel within a jacket, and had an ingenious semi-automatic breech mechanism which was opened and closed by spring power, tensioned as the gun recoiled. The

platform was the usual type of four-legged unit carrying a central pedestal, and for movement two two-wheeled limbers could be hooked on to the ends.

8.8-cm Flak 36 After

some

experience

with

this

new

weapon, modifications were made in order to make manufacture easier and operation simpler. The platform was simplified, the front and rear sections being made identical, each with a barrel support so that the gun could be towed facing in either direction. The front and rear limbers were also made identical so that they could be hooked up to either end. The gun barrel was now made in three sections held together by an enveloping sleeve, so that when wear occurred due to firing only the worn section needed to be replaced instead of the whole barrel, a considerable

economy

ment became

in steel.

This

new

equip-

the 8.8-cm Flak 36.

8.8-cm Flak 37 In 1939 more changes were made: the threepiece barrel was changed to a two-piece design and the gunlayer's dials were changed to a simpler follow-the-pointer system. Firing data was sent electrically to the gun and caused pointers in the dials to move; all the layer had to do was to operate the gun so as to bring a second set of pointers into agreement, thus aiming the gun in accordance with the fire-control data. With these changes the weapon became the 8.8-cm Flak 37.

5-cm Flak 41 In 935 the Luftwaffe realized that there was a belt of sky too high for the light guns to cover and too low for the medium guns, and to fill this gap a 5-cm gun was proposed. In November 940 the 5-cm Flak 41 appeared in limited numbers for troop trials before going 1

1

2 16

IB^

^ £

Left: An 8.8-cm Flak L/56 is towed over a German training area during prewar trials. Right: Night firing tests to measure the effects of the muzzle brake on an '88'. Below: A Flak 36 mounted on a Siebel ferry for antiaircraft defence on a convoy in the Mediterranean

Medium

Flak

COMPARATIVE DATA 5-cm

Gun

Flak 41

5.5-cm Gerat 58

8.8-cm Flak 18, 36, 37

8.8-cm Flak 41

3100/6834

3500/7716

4986/10992

7800/17 199

130

140

15

20

90°

90°

85°

90°

840/2756

1050/3445

820/2690

1000/3280

9000/29525

N/A

9900/32480

15

Effective Ceiling (m/ft)

5600/18 370

N/A

8000/26 250

9760/32025

Max Ground Range

12

N/A

14813/16200

19730/21580

9.4/20.73

9.4/20.73

Weight Rate

in

Action (kg/lb)

of Fire (rds/min)

Elevation

Muzzle Velocity

Maximum

Weight

(m/sec/ft/sec)

Ceiling (m/ft)

(m/yards)

of Shell (kg/lb)

400/13 560 2.2/4.85

2.03/4.48

000/49 215

217

Medium

Flak

into full production.

gun using a

It

was a gas-operated

vertical sliding

breechblock and

with a four-legged mounting and four wheels. After some months of use defects were obvious: it was unstable both firing and travelling, frequently turning over on corners; it was difficult to conceal, it could not track targets fast enough and the sight was unreliable. In spite of this, it seemed that a gun of this type had something to offer and a

fresh specification

was drawn up.

5.5-cm Gerat 58 in 1942 work began on a completely new weapon system comprising a new gun,

Early

matched to each other. It was found that the 5-cm calibre was not well suited to a good shell design and the new gun was designed in 5.5-cm calibre with a shell containing 500 grams of explosive which, in theory, was sufficient to bring down any aircraft with one shot. There was a great deal of delay in the programme while this new calibre was assessed but by spring 1944 a prototype gun was ready. It was little more than a slightly larger radar and predictor,

all

version of the Flak 41 but used the 'differential recoil' system of operation in which the gun was pulled back against the recoil system and then released, firing just before it reached the forward position. This meant that the recoil force had to stop the gun before it could drive it back, a system which reduced the recoil force on the carriage and enabled it to be made somewhat lighter than would otherwise have been necessary. Due to difficulties perfecting the ammunition and delays in producing the radar and other components of the system the 5.5-cm Gerat 58 did not reach the production stage.

Below:

A

as an antitank gun, notably in the Western Desert. But in 1939 the Luftwaffe, looking to the future, demanded an improved gun with a higher ceiling and faster muzzle velocity.

Rheinmetall-Borsig worked on this develop-

ment and

early in 1941 delivered their

first

8.8-cm Flak 41. This was a very good gun indeed; the ballistic performance was an improvement and the mechanical design of the mounting was a great step forward. Instead of the usual pedestal the gun was carried on a turntable on the platform, which gave it a much lower silhouette and improved stability. The barrel was a complicated construction of three bore sections held by a sleeve, but this gave rise to trouble; the joint between two sections fell at the mouth of the cartridge case, and steel cases expanded into this joint and refused to eject. Changing to brass cases helped, but the barrel had to be redesigned into a two-piece unit before the trouble was completely cured.

Above:

A

5.5-cm Flak with outriggers set in An 8.8-cm Flak 41

the firing position. Below:

™

captured in Tunisia

-jsSRSP

wt 1 KM M -%

8.8-cm Flak 36/43, Flak 37/41

^^jud^fl

Two

other 88-mm models were developed as stop-gap weapons. The 8.8-cm Flak 36/43 was the barrel of the Flak 41 mounted, by adapters, into the carriage of the Flak 36, and a few of these were made when Flak 41 barrel production got ahead of carriage production. The other design, the 8.8-cm Flak 37/41, was intended to provide a high-performance gun while the Flak 41 was being developed, and was simply a normal Flak 37 fitted with a new barrel. This was externally of the same

5.5-cm Flak Gerat 58 in the travelling position. This gun was still in a prototype stage at and the Luftwaffe never had an effective intermediate AA gun

the end of the war,

218

8.8-cm Flak 41 The 88-mm gun, with its sound design, was the backbone of German air defence throughout the war, and was also pressed into service

erf

...

dimensions as the Flak 37 barrel but had the chamber enlarged so as to fire a more powerful cartridge, and a muzzle brake was fitted.

Twelve of these were built for testing, but by the time they were completed the problems with the Flak 41 had been overcome, production was under way, and therefore there was no longer any need for the stop-gap design.

Field Artillery COMPARATIVE DATA Maximum

Shell

Action

Range

Weight

(kg/lb)

(m/yards)

(kg/lb)

925/2040

7800/8530

6.85/15.1

15°

27.3

5.89/12.98

40°

35

6.37/14.0

40°

36

Weight

Gun

in

Gun Elevation

Length (calibres)

7.7-cm

M96nA

7.7-cm

M16

1325/2920

10700/11700

7.5-cm

M16nA

1460/3220

12 300/13

7.5-cm

M18

1120/2470

9425/10307

5.83/12.86

45°

26

7.5-cm

7M85

1778/3920

10275/11235

5.4/11.9

42°

42.5

15.7/34.6

40°

22

450

10.5-cm

le

FH

16

1380/3040

8400/9185

10.5-cm

le

FH

18

1985/4377

10675/11675

14.8/32.6

40.5°

28

10.5-cm

le

FH

18M,

1985/4377

12325/13480

14.25/31.4

40.5°

28

43

2200/4850

15

000/16400

14.8/32.6

75°

32

le

FH

18/40

10.5-cm

le

FH

German

field guns, as befitted their place as the artillery backbone of the fighting division, have generally been workmanlike and conventional weapons, well suited to the daily grind of

artillery

support operations.

7.7-cm M96nA, The

principal

War was

the

M16

weapon during the First World 77-mm M96nA (neuer Art, or

new pattern), an Erhardt design modified by Krupp after that company had absorbed Erhardt. It had the usual wooden wheels, box trail

and

shield

outbreak of war

of

the

in 1914

day, and by the some 5000 were in

service. From 1917 it was supplemented, and partly replaced, by a new design, the 77-mm M16. This, while of the same general type, had a longer barrel and greater elevation, which increased its range.

7.5-cm M18,

M16nA

Although a number of these guns survived until 1945, they were replaced in the 1930s by new designs. A new calibre of 7.5-cm was now selected, and in 1930 a completely new

Right: A 7.5-cm M18. This gun was used to equip many of the light artillery batteries at the beginning of the Second World War. It fired a 5.83-kg (12.86-lb) shell to a

range of 9425

m

maximum

(10307 yards)

219

Field Artillery weapon by Krupp, the 7.5-cm M18, was developed. This used a split-trail carriage and pioneered a new type of hydro-pneumatic which the buffer and recuperator cylinders were separated, the latter being carried above the gun barrel. This arrangement was claimed to improve the balance of the equipment and also allowed the heat generated in the recoil system to be

recoil

system

in

dissipated more easily. Shortly afterwards came the 7.5-cm MI6nA, which was little more than a 7.5-cm adaptation of the 7.7-cm weapon of the First World War. Improvements in cartridge and shell gave it a 25% increase in range over the earlier model.

A

10.5-cm

220

le

FH

10.5-cm

le

FH

18,

18M, 18/39

During the interwar years there was considerable debate in German military circles as to the best weapon for the Divisional artillery. The 7.5-cm or 7.7-cm gun, with high velocity, relatively light weight, good range and rate of fire, had many supporters, but an equally good case was advanced for a heavier weapon such as the 10.5-cm howitzer M16. This had done sterling work during the First World War and was more or less an overgrown 77-mm gun in its general design. Such weapons, it was claimed, delivered a heavier and more damaging shell in spite of being

18 in action with the Afrika Korps.

The man on

heavier and having less range than the guns. Similar arguments were going on in other countries too, and the Germans came to much the same conclusion as the British and the Americans they adopted a 'gunhowitzer', a weapon capable of being fired as a high-velocity gun, or a high-trajectory howitzer, by adjustment of the propelling cartridge. But in order to have the best of both worlds, the 7.5-cm guns were retained in service, augmenting the 10.5-cm howitzers. The 10.5-cm weapon was developed by Rheinmetall in 1928-29 and entered service in 1935 as the le FH 18 (leichte Feldhaubitze, or light field howitzer). A split-trail carriage with

—

the right has just pulled the lanyard to fire the

gun

Field Artillery pressed-steel wheels on solid tyres, it carried a 28-calibre howitzer using the divided recoil system. By the beginning of the Second World War almost 5000 were in service and they had also been exported to a number of European countries. Although satisfactory in most respects, was consitheir maximum range of 10675 dered insufficient and shortiy after the outbreak of war in 1939 a muzzle brake was fitted and the recoil system modified so as to allow the firing of a special long-range shell and cartridge. This weapon became the le 18M (M for Mundungsbremse, or muzzle brake) and it extended the maximum range to 12325 m. number of slightly modified 18s had been sold to the Netherlands army in 1939, where they were known as the M39. After the occupation of the Netherlands by Germany these guns were confiscated, fitted

m

FH

A

with

le

German

FH

18M

barrels,

service as the

10.5-cm

le

le

and taken into

FH

18/39.

FH 18/40

As the war progressed, so the German army came back to the gunmakers from time to time, asking for various improvements, and 1942, after some chastening experiences trying to manhandle guns in the Russian winter, the gunmakers were requested to make the le 18 lighter. This was done in the simplest possible way by mounting the barrel and recoil system on to the carriage of in

FH

Dating from the First World War, 10.5-cm howitzers of this type were also used in the Second World War. They had a range of 1 100m (1203 yards)

Spotting the

fall

of shot

from a 10.5-cm

le

FH 18M

in Tunisia.

The gun

is

being used in a direct

fire role

221

seld Artillery

0.5-cm

le

FH 43

he Russian campaign led the army to think about field artillery, and it eventually iid down a stiff set of requirements which ailed for a range of at least 13 km, the ability shoot in any direction without moving the irriage, the ability to shoot at angles up to 5° and, with all that, a weight no greater than lat of the 18/40. Krupp and Skoda both ugan development of weapons, but only the koda design reached the hardware stage. Known as the le FH 43, it was an outstandig technical achievement which had considarc!

to give the PAK 40 the advantage of the greater elevation which had been engineered into the 18/40 carriage. This was followed by the 7. 5-cm 7M59, which achieved the same result by a simpler method it was just the 75-mm 40 with its elevation gears mod-

—

PAK

ified to

allow

it

to elevate to a greater angle

and thus reach a greater range. In this way it could be used as a field gun as well as retaining its original role as an antitank weapon. But relatively few of either of these designs were built before the war ended.

)

able influence on postwar gun design. The jn was little more than a slightiy improved 3M. but the carriage was completely new. asically

it

was a

split-trail

two-wheel design

a firing pedestal between the wheels and vo extra trail legs at the front which folded sneath the barrel for travelling. To go into :tion the pedestal was dropped and the four ith

ail

legs spread out

and lowered. The wheels

ere then lifted clear of the ground and the jn could be swung through 360 degrees to re in any direction. An ingenious hydraulic /stem connected to the trail legs allowed lem to lie at whatever angle the ground ictated and yet form a rigid and stable firing latform. Great interest was shown in this an when it was revealed after the war, and lere is no doubt that it was responsible for le later French 105-mm M-1950 and the oviet 122-mm D-30 designs.

.5-cm

FK 7M85, 7M59

lthough the 10.5-cm had

become

the stan-

weapon, there were still hunreds of 7. 5-cm guns in use, and as the 10.5s •adually got heavier so there was a move to :turn to the 7. 5-cm, since it could produce most as good a result and was smaller and lore manoeuvrable. The first new design to ppear was the 7. 5-cm 7M85, which came in ite 1944 and was an amazing modification, nee it was the barrel of the 7. 5-cm PAK 40 ntitank gun fitted to the carriage of the 10.5m le FH 18/40. This, of course, had origially been .the PAK 40's carriage, so the heel had turned full circle. The object was ard divisional

Above: A 10.5-cm le FH 43 in the firing position. The legs have been lowered and the wheels jacked up to give a 360° traverse. Below left: The gun in the travelling position. Below right: The 7. 5-cm FK 7M85 dual-purpose gun could tackle AFVs but also had an HE ability

Guns

Light

A

demonstration of the prototype of the Krupp 7.5-cm 1G1. Four shells are stowed above the barrel

The term

'leichte Geschiitz' (light gun) was a measure adopted in order to conceal the fact that these were recoilless guns, the first

security

of the type to reach military service in

worth-

while numbers.

The

first

practical recoilless

gun was the

Cleland Davis of the First World War, in

which two barrels were fitted to a common chamber. When the cartridge fired, a shell was driven from the front barrel and an equal weight 'countershot' from the rear one; since both missiles weighed the same and moved at the same speed, the recoil of each barrel cancelled out the equal recoil of the other.

7.5-cm IG1 In the early 1930s the Rheinmetall company of Germany began to experiment in order to develop a weapon capable of being carried in an aircraft. As well as developing various countershot weapons, they carried the reasoning a stage further. Instead of identical weights and speeds, it was possible to use a countershot of half the weight moving at twice the velocity, or a quarter the weight at four times the velocity. Eventually they arrived at the stage where the 'countershot' was reduced to a stream of light but fast-

moving gas directed to the rear of the gun. The method of obtaining this stream of gas was to bore a hole in the breech block and fit a convergent-divergent Laval nozzle. Then the cartridge case had the base cut away and a plate of hard plastic material the gun

was

fitted.

When

fired this plastic resisted

the

explosion long enough to allow the shell to enter the gun rifling, after which the plastic yielded and allowed a proportion of the propellant gas to be ejected through the nozzle, thus setting up the necessary reaction to the recoil and effectively cancelling the recoil of the gun barrel.

COMPARATIVE DATA Gun

Maximum

Muzzle

Action

Range

Weight

Charge Weight

Velocity

(kg/lb)

(m/yards)

(kg/lb)

(kg/lb)

(m/sec/ft/sec)

7.5-cm 1G1

145/320

6800/7435

+42°

5.8/12.8

1.2/2.7

350/1150

10.5-cm 1G40

412/856

7950/8695

+40.5°

14.8/32.6

3.1/6.8

335/1100

10.5-cm 1G42

544/1200

7950/8695

+42.5°

14.8/32.6

2.9/6.4

335/1100

Weight

in

Elevation

Shell

223

Light

Guns

rhe object behind all this was to save u eight. The heaviest components of a conventional gun are the carriage and the recoil stem, both of which are needed to counter the rearward force of recoil. Doing away with recoil thus allowed the carriage to be much lighter and less robust. And this sort of weapon was just what was needed to give heavy firepower to the newly-formed Ger-

Firing

mechanism

-

)

man parachute

force.

Development of the actual guns began in about 1937. Though Rheinmetall had done most of the basic development work, contracts were given both to them and to Krupp for a 7.5-cm weapon firing the same shell as the standard 7.5-cm infantry gun. The Krupp design used a side-swinging breech and was carried on motor-cycle wheels, while the Rheinmetall model used a sliding block breech and aircraft-type wheels. Light alloy was extensively used in order to save as much weight as possible, and the elevation and traversing gears were interconnected so that at high elevations the blast would not injure the gunners. The Rheinmetall model was accepted for service as the 1G and was

Venturi

A

sectionalized view of the 7.5-cm IG40

showing the venturi. The back blast was a considerable hazard for the crew

Sliding block breech

1

issued to airborne units.

10.5-cm IG40, IG42 Krupp then went on

to develop a larger 10.5-cm shell; Rheinmetall joined in but in this case it was the Krupp design which entered service, becoming the '1G40'. Subsequently, the Rheinmetall design was accepted also, becoming the 1G42. The principal difference lay, again, in the breech mechanism, Krupp sticking with the sideswinging type. The major change between the 7.5-cm and 10.5-cm models lay in the firing mechanism; in the 7.5-cm guns the firing mechanism was in a streamlined pod in the centre of the jet nozzle, where it struck a primer in the plastic base of the cartridge. This led to severe erosion of the mechanism casing, due to the hot gases rushing past, and also to the metal primer being ejected with considerable force, to the danger of anyone in the vicinity. The 10.5-cm models placed the firing mechanism on top of the breech block and had the cartridge primer screwed into the wall of the cartridge, leaving the plastic base completely free of metal. This, in turn, meant that the cartridge case had to

model

A

firing

a

10.5-cm 1G40 with

its

crew of paratroopers

Above

left:

The 7.5-cm 1G40 in the travelling position. Right: The gun become the third leg of the tripod

in the firing position; the

barrel clamp has

While the light guns had a very useful performance, their defects were severe: one

have a raised 'key' so that it could only be inserted into the gun one way, ensuring that the primer came under the firing pin. Both models were used in the airborne landings at Crete, when the rest of the world discovered that the Germans were using recoilless guns. With the running-down of German airborne forces the light guns were taken over by mountain troops, who valued the light weight, but by 1944 their appetite for

shot demanded up to five times as much propellant as a conventional gun, and there was a large danger arc to the rear of the weapon due to the back blast. Moreover, the flame and gas ejected from the rear made concealment impossible after the first shot was fired and also made it quite impossible to dig the gun into any sort of pit. As one German officer said after the war, 'They were a good deal more popular with their designers than they ever were with their users'.

was too much

for the German capacity and production of ammunition for recoilless guns stopped.

propellant

production

is

towed by an

NSU

Kettenkrad in Tunisia

1943

in

£_

rfL**

r

•

**" H^BBiAh.

224

*4^

-^

"^v

"*•..

—

^-^,

'

>

".-i

-v..

^T *\„.

.

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