On November 10, 1942, nine SBDs from Ranger struck Jean Bart with two 1000 lb bombs. The effect is described as causing the Jean Bart to settle into the harbor mud with her decks awash. However, the post-damage photos that I have found show the Jean Bart with her deck far above water. (They may have been taken after she was refloated, when there wasn't shooting going on.)
Does anyone know what type of bombs the SBDs dropped? HE, SAP, AP? There's been recent discussion about the availability of AP bombs for USN aircraft, but dropping HE on a battleship and causing it to settle is somewhat unlikely. The most likely cause would be near misses causing popping hull seams below the armored belt and causing flooding below decks.
Is there a damage report on the Jean Bart or a yard assessment for her repair and upgrading that shows the damage that she took from Massachusetts and the bombing?
Does anyone know what type of bombs the SBDs dropped? HE, SAP, AP? There's been recent discussion about the availability of AP bombs for USN aircraft, but dropping HE on a battleship and causing it to settle is somewhat unlikely. The most likely cause would be near misses causing popping hull seams below the armored belt and causing flooding below decks.
Is there a damage report on the Jean Bart or a yard assessment for her repair and upgrading that shows the damage that she took from Massachusetts and the bombing?