On this day 23 January - the sinking of the HMS Janus

[7eat51]

HMS Janus

On the 23rd of January 1944, the HMS Janus (F53), under the command of Lt.Cdr. William Brabazon Robert Morrison, RN, was sunk off the Anzio beachhead, approximately 35 miles south of Rome. Within 20 minutes, she sank, losing the majority of her crew. Only 80 members survived, being rescued by HMS Laforey, HMS Jervis, and other small craft. Participating in Operation Shingle, part of the Battle of Anzio, she, along with Jervis, had fired over 500 salvos of 4.7” shells. Janus was a Javelin (J-class) destroyer, named after the Roman god. Laid down on the 29th of September 1937, she was commissioned on the 5th of August 1939.

Dornier Do 217



Henschel Hs 293

There are two versions regarding the sinking of the Janus. One version postulates that a Dornier Do 217 (5.Wing KG100) struck the fatal blow with a Henschel Hs 293 glider bomb. Another version states that a German Heinkel He111 torpedo bomber dropped a Fritz X. The Fritz X, also known as a Ruhrstahl SD 1400 X, Kramer X-1, PC 1400X or FX 1400, was a German guided anti-ship glide bomb.

Heinkel He111



Fritz X

References
http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4450.html
http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chr...-37J-Janus.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Janus_(F53)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_X

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Now that gives me an idea for more anti-shipping rules.


However did find this in the wiki link:

Fritz-X is often incorrectly listed as having been responsible for the loss of the hospital ship HMHS Newfoundland at Salerno as well as the destroyer HMS Janus and the light cruiser HMS Spartan at Anzio. However, these ships were hit by Hs 293s, as clearly demonstrated by a careful analysis of Luftwaffe records regarding the deployment of III./KG 100,^[6] the nature of the damage inflicted,^[10] as well as reports from witnesses.^[11] (In the case of Janus, either an Hs 293 or a conventional torpedo was responsible.)

[7eat51]

Neil, I think this specific scenario could make for an interesting "What if?" by flying it twice, once with one type of bomber/bomb combo, and once with the other combo.

Stories like this always remind me of the humility we must have in our knowledge claims about historical events. Even in events we experience, we see things and remember things from given perspectives. Fun stuff to be sure.

[Captain Chum]

The USS Savannah was a confirmed hit with a Friz X....might make for a scenario for you guys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Savannah_%28CL-42%29

[Flying Officer Kyte]

As an aside, what a beautifully clear picture of HMS Janus. I often find contemporary pictures of warships in B&W very difficult to make out in detail.
Rob.

[David Manley]

Wow, she's huge.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Already on it. Making some guided bombs just need to figure stand and some rules.

Neil

Neil, I think this specific scenario could make for an interesting "What if?" by flying it twice, once with one type of bomber/bomb combo, and once with the other combo.

Stories like this always remind me of the humility we must have in our knowledge claims about historical events. Even in events we experience, we see things and remember things from given perspectives. Fun stuff to be sure.

[grumpybear]

Guided bombs sound cool, might improve my bombing.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I might have known that you would be on the case Neil, and I'd only just looked at the pictures and thought, "My word those look tasty but not from my chaps point of view".
Rob.

[Blackronin]

Excellent forage in the past as usual, Eric. I was getting a bit scared that you had stopped. Relief!

I see that you're already on top of things, Neil.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Only got the wiki data for this one:

HS 293-1000 built-27 hits-2.7% success rate!

I think it would be good for a one off or something to put on at a show. Mainly used in Italian theatre (Med). Allies quickly came up with CC measures. Americans attacked the control frequency for guidance whilst the British:

Meanwhile, as attacks were taking place at Anzio, the United Kingdom began to deploy its Type 650 transmitter which employed a different approach. This system jammed the Strassburg receiver's intermediate frequency of 3 MHz, and appears to have been quite successful, especially as the operator did not have to attempt to find which of the 18 Kehl/Strassburg command frequencies were in use and then manually tune the jamming transmitter to one of those frequencies. This system automatically defeated the receiver regardless of which radio frequency had been selected for an individual Luftwaffe missile.

Just located this data:

2000 Fritz X built - 200 used operationally. 8 named targets + several others, with a minimum of 10 recorded hits (1 Uganda, 1, Savannah, 1 close miss Phillidelphia, 1 Italia, 2 Roma, 3 Warspite being the only numbered hits of the 7 named targets. The missing two are HMS ships engaged in the bay of Biscay HMS Egret, Athabaskan)

About 50% of those built used up in trials and tests.

Neil

Guided bombs sound cool, might improve my bombing.

[csadn]

HS 293-1000 built-27 hits-2.7% success rate!

One wonders how many bombs "didn't hit" because the bomber never had a chance to launch....

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Both types had there downfalls. Mother aircraft either had to follow the target parallel to or follow the bomb direct towards the target. Each with its own inherent risks from enemy aircraft or AA from the ships.

[Marechallannes]

Only got the wiki data for this one:

HS 293-1000 built-27 hits-2.7% success rate!

The art of quoting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henschel_Hs_293

This first rocket propelled weapon was relativ effective air to ship bomb in my eyes.

Imagine how much conventional bombs missed their naval targets.

[David Manley]

One wonders how many bombs "didn't hit" because the bomber never had a chance to launch....

Or how many were never even loaded.

[csadn]

Or how many were never even loaded.

Those, too.