I rewrite the possible scenario with Renown April 9th 1940...
Forces in presence:
British – Battle cruiser Renown, with 9 Destroyers - Admiral Withworth
German – The complet Baltic Squadron; 3 Pocket Baltic Battleships – 1 light cruiser – 6 TorpedoBoots – Admiral Marshall on Von der Tann
5.05am - The Baltic Squadron steaming at 16kts course 140° is discovering by Renown.
The cruiser, 1 mile ahead in front of the German Fleet line receives first the 15” splashes. The distance is 16500m.
The cruiser turns towards to the Admiral battleship in the middle of the German line.
The cruiser reported the presence of a battleship and destroyers steering 200°. Renown making 23kts in the storm, open fire on Std20, at the left of the German line at 5.08. Without possibility to escape, Admiral Marshal orders the deployment of the pocket battleships line for the tactical “1 battleship engagement by the left”. At 5.10, Baltic Squadron begins the deployment. At 5.14, all pocket battleships now in tactical position return the fire. Speed during deployment was16kts to 20kts.
The German battleships take their positions, Std20 (3T3x28cm), right of the German line go ahead at 18kts. Von der Tann - (2T2x38cm), in the middle of the line make a complete circle & follow Std20. Std21 (3T2x38cm) left in the line operate on opposite side with the light cruiser.
During the movement, Renown scored one hit on Std 20 at 5.16 near the top of the tower. The main range finder & some optical material are damaged. At the same moment, a 11” shell from Std 20 hit Renown near the mast making light damage. Renown, now steering 60° is hit again by a 15” shell at 5.18, this shell, probably from Std21 hit the lifeboats near the second funnel & a fire begin in the middle of the battle cruiser. Distance is now about 12000m. The British Battle cruiser identifies correctly the pocket battleships and switches her fire to Std21, the most powerful german pocket battleship. Shortly later, at 5.23, the range is correctly obtained & the battlecruiser makes a hit on the aft 38cm turret, making the turret out of action. Std 20 altered course to port before turning together to 110° at 5h26.
Due to the poor visibility by snow, fire cease for a few minutes. However, at 5.29, Renown is hit on the bridge, probably by a 11” shell fire at 12850m by Std20, this shell destroyed the top range finder. Study 21 with her 15” guns is now masked by the snow, so Renown switch her fire to Std20, At 5.30, This pocket battleship making 16kts, is now relatively clear in west at about 12700m. Before obtain the right range, Renown is hit again by a 11” shell near the bow.
The Renown's first salvo was about 300yds short, the 2nd straddled, at 5.32, the 3rd hit the pocket battleship in the middle, on deck boat. The shell passed through the 80mm armour deck & explodes in the aft starboard diesel room. The diesel in partially destroyed and a serious fire occurred, speed slow down to 14kts.The ship turn over and make screen smoke. Shortly later, Von der Tann reopens fire on Renown and obtains a 15” hit on Renown’s funnel at 5.35. Apparently, some 5”9 shells from the cruiser or Von der Tann hits also Renown during this period. The 5”9 turrets of Von der Tann are use to help the 15” guns in range. At 5.38, the German admiral pocket battleship score a 15” hit at 11840m on A turret, putting the turret out of action.
The British Cruiser altered course & continue to hammer Std 20. At 5.40, Std20 is hit in the bow at about 12000m. The shell made serious damage in the bow. Some compartments were flooded. Her draught forward increases by 2’.
At 5.43, Std21 reopen fire on Renown at 10750m & makes a hit on the forecastle.
Von der Tann hit also Renown in a turbine room at 5.44. The turbine was damaged & stopped. Speed of the British BC decrease to 20kts.
Distance between the German pocket battleships & Renown is now about 11000m.
British destroyers & German torpedo boats fire some times during this period; a torpedo boat was slightly damage by a hit on the funnel.
Std20 is hit again at 5.46 on the aft deck, some officers‘s cabins are destroyed.
The visibility is now better. All pocket battleships are firing on the British battlecruiser. The 3 German ships outgunned the Renown & obtain 2 hits at 5.48 one hit a life boat & explode in the hangar, serious fire begin in the middle, one other 11” hit the 2nd port 5”25 turret, destroying the turret.
At 5.52, on Renown, aft turret is damaged by an other hit probably a 15”which put the turret out of action.
Std 21 Captain think that Renown with 2 turrets out of action & a reduce speed is now in defeat condition. He orders to hoist the flag”ready for 1 torpedo launch”. Von Der Tann answers at 5.54.
2 minutes later, at 5.56, manoeuvring to be in good position, all pocket battleships launch 16 torpedoes to the Renown at 11000m & then, turn over at 20kts to escape the British Destroyers reactions
Renown firing with B turret only altered course to port before turning together to 220° at 5.58.
During the torpedo launch, Renown receives 1 more hit, a 15” on the forecastle. At 6.02 a 11” hit the belt. The amour was slightly driven and the hull plating bulged in, but no very serious damage was done, though the wings immediately below the amour were flooded for a length of c60ft.
3 British destroyers were in good position & launch torpedoes to Von der Tann at 5.59. Without effect due to the bad sea & the turn over of the pocket battleship. Von der Tann searchlights and bridge were damaged by shells from destroyers during this action.
6h05 - With 2 turrets & 1 turbine damaged, important fire in hangar & deck boat, about 500tons water in the hull Admiral Withworth order retreat.
On Renown, 2 more hits were obtain during retreat, a 15” near the aft rangefinder and an 11” near the stern without serious effect.
Torpedoes launch by pocket battleships made no result in the storm.
German Baltic Squadron ceased completely fire when Renown disappears south at 23kts-6h16
Jef
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