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Posted by Felix C on April 25, 2025, 10:37:42, in reply to "Re: "The Coal Black Sea""
due to inclement weather.
Germans had used surface ship minelayers to the Thames region and were A,C,H were at was an appropriate area to intercept.
It is war. IFs occur and losses result.
If DD screen
IF minestrike not expected
IF 
Previous Message
True, but I don't think it's ever been told so well, in such detail, and with a probe into the reason why. When a great loss of life occurs, like Hood or Bismarck, it's obvious that it was in the course of action. Unless the question arises of what were they doing there in the first place. Those cruisers, already nicknamed the 'live bait squadron', were sent out and then forgotten by a busy admiralty--who then tried to play it down.
And as for being obsolete, there's many a good tune played on an old fiddle. Ships like that saw a lot of service during the war on trade protection and patrols.
Not even taking into account the horrific--and needless--loss of life.
Very nice job on the model, by the way.
Previous Message
But the statement that this episode was neglected is strange. It is included in almost all naval history books, often very prominent. And these ships were obsolete - as were most armoured cruisers. This generation of armoured cruisers was very vulnerable - slow, weakly armoured, no protection against torpedoes.
They were not very old - but in an age of rapid development they were already outdated by 1914.
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