Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:18:36-2:19:22

A Polish Mackensen at close range

A hypothetical Polish battlecruiser at Denmark Strait raises the problem of divided German fire and an aggressive close-range approach.

Alternate HistoryBattle Of The Denmark StraitMackensen Class BattlecruisersNaval GunneryPolish Navy
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Question

How would a Polish Mackensen be kept out of very close range at Denmark Strait?

Short answer

The scenario lets the Polish ship press the attack while the German ships divide their fire among three opponents, with intensive Polish gunnery practice assumed.

Notes

In this counterfactual, a modernised Polish Mackensen joins Hood and Prince of Wales at Denmark Strait. The Polish ship is allowed to close aggressively to extremely short range. That approach leaves the German ships dividing their fire among three targets while one presses towards them. The imagined Polish crew also practises gunnery intensively. Both the aggressive tactics and expected shooting proficiency are assumptions within this alternative battle.