World War One- Friday Trivia

What was the name of Great Britian's first official battlecruiser, launched in 1907?
What 1906 12 inch gun was most notably known on the H.M.S. Dreadnought?
This British 1907 battlecruiser helped chase down the S.M.S. Goeben and Breslau.
Built between 1917 and 1919, this four engine German bomber was not produced in mass; only 18 in all.


Answer in comments, results posted in 48 hours!

World One History- Anti-Aircraft Guns

Anti-Aircraft guns were first developed in the Franco-Prussian War, when the Germans needed a weapon that could destroy supply balloons leaving Paris to find food, an attempt to feed besieged Paris. The first anti-aircraft weapon, the ballonkanone, developed by Gustav Krupp, was a modified 32mm mounted on a horse drawn carriage for easy travel.
By World War One, the Germans had developed and installed 75mm throught the countryside, providing excellent protection against balloons and aircraft. On the other hand, the British installed 1 pound(37mm) pom-pom autocannons minimally around London, leaving the British without serious anti-aircraft protection.
Once the war started, the Army installed 13 pounders, and the Royal Navy continued to install more 3 and 4 inchers.
Anti-aircraft warfare was a difficult and novel aspect of the war, and many crews knew little about trajectory and timing the shells to explode as near as possible to the aircraft. In addition, many air attacks, especially against London, were completed at night, putting the anti-aircraft crews at a severe disadvantage. It wasn't until after World War 1 that anti-aircraft technology became effective and easy to use.

World War 1 History- H.M.S. Havock(1893)

The H.M.S. Havock, formally designated a torpedo boat destroyer, was an unusual weapon that although never saw service in World War One, helped develop the future of destroyers. At 275 tons fully loaded, the small craft spanned 185 feet and featured a depth of 11 ft. Travelling at 50 km/h, incredible by 1890s standards, could travel quickely, using her lone 12 pounder to meagerly defend her fourty six man complement. These meagre numbers are howeever distinguished by one thing; three torpedo tubes. The small mobile craft could attack cruisers, yet the small cost of construction and equipment allowed the craft to intercept a torpedo to save a capital ship. The Havock class was outdated quickly by more heavily equipped destroyers.

World War 1 History- Light Cruisers

The first light cruiser, the H.M.S. Mercury, was launched in 1878, however in the next thirty years the light cruiser developed greatly, evolving from a glorified ironclad to a large, powerful steam ship mounting six inch guns. The Arethusa class (1911) featured four six inchers, and four inchers along with four torpedo tubes. Coupled with a destroyer-like 54 km/h, the Arethusa class became a strong weapon in the great scheme of World War 1. Studying www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arethusa_class_cruiser_(1912) , nearly every ship built engaged in active combat, with many sinking or destroying enemy ships. The cruiser class, specifically the light cruiser class, was an excellent combination of a destroyer and a capital ship, giving plenty of flexibility.

World War 1 History- Torpedo Bombers

The first self-propelled torpedo was fired in the 1860s, and among other designs, the Whitehead design became very popular in the late 19th century. Torpedos were very inaccurate up to World War 1, and were more of a deterrent than a threat.

However in 1912, Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske took a patent out for an aerial torpedo bomber, as shown in the photo below.

The idea was far-fetched and seemed impractical, however in 1914 the British started testing with a Short Folder. On August 12th, 1915, Charles H.K. Edmonds made history when dropping a 14 inch, 810 pound torpedo in the Sea of Marmara from a Short Type 184. This torpedo hit a beached Ottaman merchant ship, destroying the ship. Five days later, a Turkish steamship was hit again by Edmonds aircraft with a similar torpedo. Finally, Edmond's wingmate also got a kill, hitting a Turkish tugboat near port.

On May 1st, 1917, a German torpedo bomber accidently dropped a torpedo, which hit a 2,800 ton steamship off Suffolk. The Americans in late 1917 also completed unsuccesful trials designing a torpedo bomber.

Shortly after the war, the world of torpedo craft took off, with dozens of improved aircraft being designed specifficaly for torpedoing enemy ships, such as the Sopwith Cuckoo.

New Update

Today, after waiting three weeks for a command, I recieved a formal order from Admiral Savage before he left port.
"You are hereby commanded to take charge of the H.M.S. Robin, launching off the blocks in four days. All remaining crew from the Alden will be transferred to the Robin. In addition, you are required to fill the Robin's complement as soon as possible in order for the ship to get underway immediatly."
With those few sentences, I had transformed from a poor, lowely luietenant to a proud commander with a full destroyer, all in four weeks! Usually, someone like me would stumble upon a patrol craft or a minelayer after recieving a promotion, however the Navy hopefully had recognized my terrible progression and finally decided to hand me some responsibility.
At the same time, I'm worried about the amount of work I'll need to manage and organize in the next few weeks in order to get the ship seaworthy to travel wherever the King wishes me to go! Hurrah! Perhaps, for the hell of it, I'll travel inland and eat at the fancy Victorian tavern where Admiral Savage eats. I've got a steady paycheck, so I can afford more than rat meat.

Welcome!

Thanks for coming to my blog, the inside access to The White Ensign, my piece of fiction based off the game Napoleon: Total War. Wondering how this is different than the original thread at www.twcenter.net ? Basically, all updates will be posted here 12-36 hours before being published on TWCenter, along with designer art and updates to a video game being developed roughly about the game.

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