Scottish pilot who helped sink the Bismarck dies
Thread Starter
Scottish pilot who helped sink the Bismarck dies
RIP, a true hero
A Scottish veteran pilot who helped to sink the Bismarck during World War Two has died at the age of 97.
Lt Cdr John "Jock" Moffat was credited with launching the torpedo that crippled the German warship in 1941
full article on BBC website at Scottish pilot who helped sink the Bismarck dies - BBC News
A Scottish veteran pilot who helped to sink the Bismarck during World War Two has died at the age of 97.
Lt Cdr John "Jock" Moffat was credited with launching the torpedo that crippled the German warship in 1941
full article on BBC website at Scottish pilot who helped sink the Bismarck dies - BBC News
Lansen,
Are you sure you're not confusing this with Graf Spee?
AFAIK Bismark was on the receiving end of a lot of heavy iron thrown at it by several large ships from the Royal Navy.....
Are you sure you're not confusing this with Graf Spee?
AFAIK Bismark was on the receiving end of a lot of heavy iron thrown at it by several large ships from the Royal Navy.....
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Escaped the sandpit 53° 32′ 9.19″ N, 9° 50′ 13.29″ E
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The debate on the Bismark scuttling vs torpedo hole as the singular cause for sinking continues.
It is clear that the disabling of the twin rudder system was a critical, early blow.
Several deck shots from the British eventually disabled all the big guns.
There was not underwater evidence of holes below the waterline due to torpedoes, although a complete hull survey was not done. However, the stern section, known to be fairly weak in this series of ship, did detach from the major section of the hull causing seas to be taken on. Also, there was bow damage a day or two earlier in the first engagement, that caused some listing and pumping action.
So, there may not have been a singular cause for sinking. What few crew that were saved, in the know about scuttling, did report that was in process too, at the end.
It is clear that the disabling of the twin rudder system was a critical, early blow.
Several deck shots from the British eventually disabled all the big guns.
There was not underwater evidence of holes below the waterline due to torpedoes, although a complete hull survey was not done. However, the stern section, known to be fairly weak in this series of ship, did detach from the major section of the hull causing seas to be taken on. Also, there was bow damage a day or two earlier in the first engagement, that caused some listing and pumping action.
So, there may not have been a singular cause for sinking. What few crew that were saved, in the know about scuttling, did report that was in process too, at the end.
Psychophysiological entity
Wing Commander Percy Hatfield. Not wanting them to know we knew.
The Bismarck [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums
The Bismarck [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums
Thread Starter
This man, in his string bag, with his crew, launched a torpedo that effectively crippled the biggest threat to the shipping lanes in the Atlantic and who knows where else. He has sadly died and this thread is to remember him, people like him, the work they did and the sacrifice many of them made so that we can live our lives in freedom.
God rest his soul
God rest his soul
Last edited by golfbananajam; 13th Dec 2016 at 15:12. Reason: typo's
Psychophysiological entity
We could all nod respectfully, or we could fill the story of that astonishing act with a little colour. Further, it occurs to me that without the likes of Percy Hatfield, he may not have known where the ship was.
Sad to hear of Jock's passing. About 10 years ago together with forumite FD2 I was idling some time away as a visitor to Perth (UK) airfield. Jock was still an active pilot at that time and we were fortunate to spend a while in his company before he took to the skies. A very brave man.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Glens o' Angus by way of LA
Age: 60
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's a vid of Jock at a ceremony the Scottish Aero Club threw for him last year.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AsUqLYgbkd8ekzicnAcew67rrS1B
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AsUqLYgbkd8ekzicnAcew67rrS1B
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Scotland
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AFAIK Bismark was on the receiving end of a lot of heavy iron thrown at it by several large ships from the Royal Navy.....
