Difference between revisions of "USS Bennion"
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− | {{Specs-Card|code=us_destroyer_fletcher_bennion}} | + | {{Specs-Card |
+ | |code=us_destroyer_fletcher_bennion | ||
+ | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}} | ||
+ | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | <!--In the first part of the description, cover the history of the | + | <!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' --> |
− | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a member of the [[Fletcher (Family)|Fletcher-class]] destroyers, the first generation of destroyers developed by the U.S. after the disintegration of the Washington and London Naval Treaties during World War II. The Fletcher class was meant to be larger and carry more armament due to dissatisfaction with earlier destroyer classes. She was named for Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, a commander of USS West Virginia who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was laid down on 19th March 1943 and commissioned on 14th December 1943. During the Battle of Surigao Strait in October 1944, Bennion torpedoed and sunk Japanese Fusō-class battleship Yamashiro. Before the aforementioned battle and also after it, she served as picket ship and fighter director through the Marianas, Philippines, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns. For her duty, she received the Presidential Unit Citation and was awarded with eight battle stars. She was placed into reserve on 20th June 1946 and sold for scrap many years later on 30th May 1973. | |
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− | The '''{{ | ||
− | As a Fletcher-class destroyer, the USS Bennion resembles its sister ships [[ | + | It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]] as an Xbox-exclusive vehicle purchasable on the [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/war-thunder-uss-bennion/c13lc0czw316?activetab=pivot:overviewtab Microsoft Store]. As a Fletcher-class destroyer, the USS Bennion resembles its sister ships [[USS Fletcher]] and [[USS Cowell]] in terms of performance characteristics. The most distinctive differences the USS Bennion has compared to its sisters is its unique dazzle camouflage, following the MS-32/13D design pattern. Compared to its closer relative, the Cowell, the Bennion possess an extra 5,000 rounds of 40 mm Bofors ammunition. |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and armour === | ||
− | <!--Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary | + | {{Specs-Fleet-Armour}} |
+ | <!-- ''Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.'' --> | ||
+ | As part of the Fletcher-class family, the USS Bennion's armour profile is not so different from its sisters, with armour plates covering the individual 127 mm gun turrets and primarily hull protection at the sides and roof. | ||
− | + | '''Armour type:''' | |
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* Antifragmentation armour | * Antifragmentation armour | ||
* Cast homogeneous armour | * Cast homogeneous armour | ||
* Hardened armour | * Hardened armour | ||
+ | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Armour !! Bow (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Stern !! Deck | ! Armour !! Bow (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Stern !! Deck | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Hull || N/A || 13 mm (0-24°) || N/A || 13 mm (85-89°) | + | | Hull || N/A || 13 mm (0-24°) || N/A || 13 mm (85-89°) |
|- | |- | ||
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ||
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|} | |} | ||
'''Notes:''' | '''Notes:''' | ||
+ | |||
* The fire-control radar atop the bridge is covered with an antifragmentation armour with 19 mm thickness. | * The fire-control radar atop the bridge is covered with an antifragmentation armour with 19 mm thickness. | ||
* Gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick. | * Gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick. | ||
=== Mobility === | === Mobility === | ||
− | <!--Write about the | + | {{Specs-Fleet-Mobility}} |
− | { | + | <!-- ''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.'' --> |
− | + | ||
− | + | {{NavalMobility}} | |
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− | + | === Modifications and economy === | |
− | + | {{Specs-Economy}} | |
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== Armament == | == Armament == | ||
+ | {{Specs-Fleet-Armaments}} | ||
=== Primary armament === | === Primary armament === | ||
− | <!--Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. | + | {{Specs-Fleet-Primary}} |
− | + | <!-- ''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.'' --> | |
− | Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.--> | + | {{main|5 inch/38 Mk.12 (127 mm)}} |
− | {{main|5/38 | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan="6" | [[5/38 | + | ! colspan="6" | [[5 inch/38 Mk.12 (127 mm)|5 inch/38 Mk.12]] (x5) |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan = "6" | Turrets (Bow to stern) | + | ! colspan="6" | Turrets (Bow to stern) |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! || Turret 1 || Turret 2 || Turret 3 || Turret 4 || Turret 5 | + | ! || Turret 1 || Turret 2 || Turret 3 || Turret 4 || Turret 5 |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Vertical guidance | ! scope="row" | Vertical guidance | ||
− | | colspan = "5" | -15°/+85° | + | | colspan="5" | -15°/+85° |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Horizontal guidance | ! scope="row" | Horizontal guidance | ||
− | | colspan = "2" | ±150° || ±143° || colspan = "2" | ±150° | + | | colspan="2" | ±150° || ±143° || colspan="2" | ±150° |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Ammo capacity | ! scope="row" | Ammo capacity | ||
− | | colspan = "6" | 1,800 | + | | colspan="6" | 1,800 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | + | ==== Ammunition ==== | |
− | { | + | {{:5 inch/38 Mk.12 (127 mm)/Ammunition|5 inch AAC Mk.34, 5 inch Common Mk.32, 5 inch SP Common Mk.46, 5 inch AAVT Mk.31}} |
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=== Secondary armament === | === Secondary armament === | ||
− | <!--Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. | + | {{Specs-Fleet-Secondary}} |
− | + | <!-- ''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.'' --> | |
− | If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.--> | + | {{main|Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (40 mm)}} |
− | {{main|Bofors (40 mm)}} | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan="6" | [[Bofors (40 mm)|40 mm Bofors | + | ! colspan="6" | [[Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (40 mm)|40 mm Bofors L/60 Mark 1]] (x10) |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan = "6" | Turrets (Bow to stern) | + | ! colspan="6" | Turrets (Bow to stern) |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! || Front port turret (x2) || Front starboard turret (x2) || Middle port turret (x2) || Middle starboard turret (x2) || Rear turret (x2) | + | ! || Front port turret (x2) || Front starboard turret (x2) || Middle port turret (x2) || Middle starboard turret (x2) || Rear turret (x2) |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Vertical guidance | ! scope="row" | Vertical guidance | ||
− | | colspan = "2" | -15°/+88° || colspan = "2" | -10°/+88° || -15°/+88° | + | | colspan="2" | -15°/+88° || colspan="2" | -10°/+88° || -15°/+88° |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Horizontal guidance | ! scope="row" | Horizontal guidance | ||
− | | -150°/+90° || -90°/+150° || -180°/+20° || -20°/+180° || ±180° | + | | -150°/+90° || -90°/+150° || -180°/+20° || -20°/+180° || ±180° |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Ammo capacity | ! scope="row" | Ammo capacity | ||
− | | colspan = "6" | 25,000 | + | | colspan="6" | 25,000 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | ==== | + | ==== Ammunition ==== |
− | + | ||
− | + | * '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}} | |
− | + | * '''40 mm HE clips:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}} | |
− | + | * '''40 mm AP clips:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}} | |
− | + | ||
− | + | {{:Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (40 mm)/Ammunition|HEFI-T, AP-T}} | |
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− | |- | ||
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=== Anti-aircraft armament === | === Anti-aircraft armament === | ||
− | <!--An important part of the | + | {{Specs-Fleet-AA}} |
− | + | <!-- ''An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. Talk about the ship's anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.'' --> | |
− | If there | + | {{main|20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}} |
− | {{main|Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)}} | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
Line 183: | Line 117: | ||
! colspan="8" | [[Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)|20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II]] (x7) | ! colspan="8" | [[Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)|20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II]] (x7) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan = "8" | Turrets (Bow to stern) | + | ! colspan="8" | Turrets (Bow to stern) |
|- | |- | ||
! || Front port turret || Middle port turret || Front starboard turret || Middle starboard turret || Rear port turret || Rear starboard turret || Rear stern turret | ! || Front port turret || Middle port turret || Front starboard turret || Middle starboard turret || Rear port turret || Rear starboard turret || Rear stern turret | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Vertical guidance | ! scope="row" | Vertical guidance | ||
− | | -80°/+65° || ±100° || -65°/+80° || ±100° || colspan = "3" | ±180° | + | | -80°/+65° || ±100° || -65°/+80° || ±100° || colspan="3" | ±180° |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Horizontal guidance | ! scope="row" | Horizontal guidance | ||
− | | colspan = "7" | -4°/+50° | + | | colspan="7" | -4°/+50° |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row" | Ammo capacity | ! scope="row" | Ammo capacity | ||
− | | colspan = "7" | 16,800 | + | | colspan="7" | 16,800 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | === | + | === Additional armament === |
− | <!-- | + | {{Specs-Fleet-Additional}} |
− | + | <!-- ''Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes. If there is no additional armament, remove this section.'' --> | |
− | If there is no | + | {{main|Mk.15 (533 mm)|Mk.6 mortar depth charge}} |
− | {{main|Mk.15}} | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
− | ! colspan = "9" | 533 mm steam turbined Mk.15 torpedo (x10) | + | ! colspan="9" | 533 mm steam turbined Mk.15 torpedo (x10) |
|- | |- | ||
! Mode !! Mass (kg) !! Maximum speed <br> in water (km/h) !! Travel distance (km) !! Depth stroke (m) !! Arming<br>distance (m) !! Explosive type !! Explosive mass (kg) | ! Mode !! Mass (kg) !! Maximum speed <br> in water (km/h) !! Travel distance (km) !! Depth stroke (m) !! Arming<br>distance (m) !! Explosive type !! Explosive mass (kg) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Stock || rowspan = "2"| 1,559 || 83 || 5.50 || rowspan = "2"| 1.0 || rowspan = "2"| 50 || rowspan = "2"| TNT || rowspan = "2"| 224 | + | | Stock || rowspan="2" | 1,559 || 83 || 5.50 || rowspan="2" | 1.0 || rowspan="2" | 50 || rowspan="2" | TNT || rowspan="2" | 224 |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Torpedo mode || 62 || 9.15 | + | | Torpedo mode || 62 || 9.15 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | == | + | == Usage in battles == |
− | <!-- | + | <!-- ''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> |
− | * | + | |
− | * | + | The Bennion is a powerful American destroyer that is very versatile. There can be 3 main jobs for the Cowell to do: |
+ | |||
+ | *'''Gunfighter''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | With its fast firing armament, it is definitely capable of fighting other destroyers. Load APHE for your main guns, and you can start firing against enemy ships from mid to long range. Try disabling the enemies' engine room or gun turrets to prevent them from escaping or fighting back effectively. You also have ten torpedoes, so you can use them in any tricky situation. Should you be outmatched, try turning away and using a smoke screen to conceal yourself. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''Anti-air ship''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Cowell has lots of anti-air weaponry. The deadliest will be your ten Bofors and five 127 mm cannons. Let your AI gunners shoot from long distance using radio fuse HE shells. Once enemy aircraft come close enough, you should either take control of the Bofors or the main guns themselves to deal with enemies. As always, lead your target and take into account your ship's momentum if you need to. The ship can fire all of its anti-aircraft guns when the enemy is directly above the ship. Try turning to the side to allow more guns to fire if the enemy is coming from an angle. The radio-fuse shells will make quick work of any enemy aircraft or at least critically damage them to the point that they will not be able to make their attack run, while the Bofors will chew down many smaller planes. | ||
− | + | *'''Light craft hunter''' | |
− | '' | + | |
+ | The Bofors also allow the Cowell to hunt PT boats and other small craft very well. From longer distances, use HE or Radio HE shells to try to hit enemy PT boats and deal splash damage to them. Once you move in closer, take command of your Bofors, load their Universal or HE belts, and slice the PT boats to ribbons. For larger gunboats, using your main guns are still an option. Since you are a destroyer, you are armoured enough to be immune to most of their small cannon and machine gun fire. Your main threat at this point is torpedo boats. Try targetting any PT boats that are heading in your direction. PT boats such as the [[LS 3]] and [[G-5]] are dangerous since they are small, fast and can carry 2 torpedoes. Be sure you make your course erratic and hard to hit, and always be ready to change course in the event that you detect an incoming torpedo. Keep in mind, if a torpedo hits: game over. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In terms of opposition: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[BTD-1]]: This plane can carry 2 torpedoes which can kill you very quickly, or can attack you from high altitude with a 2,000 lb bomb. Try prioritizing these aircraft to shoot down first. | ||
+ | * [[SKR-1]]: This patrol ship can shoot very rapidly and deal a lot of damage to your ship. Try engaging it from long range, where your shells will have the advantage. | ||
+ | * Light cruisers: Light cruisers will have better guns that are capable of beating you in a straight-up gun duel. Try avoiding them or disabling their vital parts, or requesting help. | ||
+ | * PT boats: Certain PT boats who penetrate your line of defences might pose a danger by launching off torpedoes. Use your Bofors to try to mow down any PT boat that gets too close, and always be manoeuvring to dodge. | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
− | <!-- | + | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> |
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
+ | |||
* Dual-purpose 5-inch guns | * Dual-purpose 5-inch guns | ||
* Access to proximity-fuze shells for anti-aircraft duties | * Access to proximity-fuze shells for anti-aircraft duties | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
+ | |||
* More protected only against fragmentation and shrapnel than against shells | * More protected only against fragmentation and shrapnel than against shells | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
− | <!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the | + | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> |
− | [[File:HistoricImage USS Bennion (DD-662) underway.jpg|frameless|right| | + | [[File:HistoricImage USS Bennion (DD-662) underway.jpg|alt=Featured Image: Historical image of USS Bennion underway on 13 January 1945.|frameless|right|x250px|U.S. Navy destroyer USS Bennion (DD-662) underway on 13 January 1945]] |
− | The Fletcher-class destroyers were conceived as a 2,100 ton class destroyer following the underwhelming construction of the Benson and Gleaves-class destroyers that could not equip a total of five 5-inch guns and ten torpedoes. The design was approved in 27 January 1940 by the Secretary of the Navy, Charles Edison, with construction plans expanded after the Battle of France in Europe when Congress passed the Two-Ocean Navy Act on July 19th, allowing for the construction of 115 destroyers. The Fletcher-class destroyers began construction in October 1941, with eleven shipyards involved in their production.<ref name="McCombUSADestroyers" | + | The Fletcher-class destroyers were conceived as a 2,100 ton class destroyer following the underwhelming construction of the Benson and Gleaves-class destroyers that could not equip a total of five 5-inch guns and ten torpedoes. The design was approved in 27 January 1940 by the Secretary of the Navy, Charles Edison, with construction plans expanded after the Battle of France in Europe when Congress passed the Two-Ocean Navy Act on July 19th, allowing for the construction of 115 destroyers. The Fletcher-class destroyers began construction in October 1941, with eleven shipyards involved in their production. By the war's end, 175 Fletcher-class destroyers were produced.<ref name="McCombUSADestroyers" /> |
− | The '''USS Bennion''' was first laid down on 19 March 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard, named after Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, who was killed during the Japanese Pearl Harbor attack on 07 December 1941.<ref name="NavSourceBennion" | + | The '''USS Bennion''' was first laid down on 19 March 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard, named after Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, who was killed during the Japanese Pearl Harbor attack on 07 December 1941 while commanding the USS West Virginia battleship.<ref name="NavSourceBennion" /> The destroyer, christened by Bennion's widow, was launched on 04 July 1943, and following sea trials was commissioned into service on 14 December 1943 with Joshua W. Cooper in command.<ref name="BennionHisCentral" /> The USS Bennion was put into service in Destroyer Squadron 56 in Destroyer Division 111.<ref name="McCombUSADestroyers" /> |
− | USS Bennion left for the Pacific on 03 March 1944, conducting training around Pearl Harbor until May 29th. From then, the USS Bennion joined the Pacific War | + | USS Bennion left for the Pacific on 03 March 1944, conducting training around Pearl Harbor until May 29th. From then, the USS Bennion joined the Pacific War as a fighter director and radar picket ship and saw action at Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Peliliu, Philippines, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.<ref name="BennionHisCentral" /> At Leyte Gulf, the USS Bennion was involved in the Battle of Surigao Strait, where it assisted with the sinking of the Japanese battleship Yamashiro.<ref name="BennionSurigao" /> For the USS Bennion's actions off of Okinawa, the destroyer received eight battle stars and a presidential unit citation.<ref name="BennionHisCentral" /><ref name="BennionCitation" /> |
− | After the war, the USS Bennion was sent to the Puget Sound Navy Yard on 21 October 1945 before being decommissioned on 20 June 1946 and became part of the reserve fleet. USS Bennion was stricken from the register on 15 April 1971 and was sold in 30 May 1973 and broken up for scrap.<ref name="BennionHisCentral"/> | + | After the war, the USS Bennion was sent to the Puget Sound Navy Yard on 21 October 1945 before being decommissioned on 20 June 1946 and became part of the reserve fleet. USS Bennion was stricken from the register on 15 April 1971 and was sold in 30 May 1973 and broken up for scrap.<ref name="BennionHisCentral" /> |
== Media == | == Media == | ||
+ | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> | ||
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' | ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
− | <!--Links to | + | <!--''Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:'' |
* ''reference to the series of the ship;'' | * ''reference to the series of the ship;'' | ||
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''--> | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''--> | ||
− | * [[Fletcher ( | + | |
− | * [[ | + | ;Related development |
+ | * [[Fletcher (Family)]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role | ||
+ | * [[USS Aylwin]] | ||
+ | * [[Harukaze|JDS Harukaze]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
− | <!--Paste links to sources and external resources, such as: | + | <!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' |
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
− | + | * ''other literature.'' --> | |
− | * ''other literature.''--> | + | |
* [https://www.historycentral.com/navy/destroyer/Benniondd662.html [History Central<nowiki>]</nowiki> USS Bennion DD 662] | * [https://www.historycentral.com/navy/destroyer/Benniondd662.html [History Central<nowiki>]</nowiki> USS Bennion DD 662] | ||
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/662.htm [Navsource<nowiki>.org]</nowiki> USS BENNION (DD-662)] | * [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/662.htm [Navsource<nowiki>.org]</nowiki> USS BENNION (DD-662)] | ||
+ | === References === | ||
+ | <references> | ||
+ | <ref name="McCombUSADestroyers">McComb, Dave, and Paul Wright. ''US Destroyers, 1942-45: Wartime Classes''. Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2010</ref> | ||
+ | <ref name="BennionHisCentral">History Central. "USS Bennion DD 662." History Central, 1999, [https://www.historycentral.com/navy/destroyer/Benniondd662.html Website]</ref> | ||
+ | <ref name="NavSourceBennion">Willshaw, Fred. "USS BENNION (DD-662)." NavSource Naval History, [https://www.navsource.org/archives/05/662.htm Website]</ref> | ||
+ | <ref name="BennionSurigao">Holloway, James L. "Second Salvo at Surigao Strait." U.S. Naval Institute, Oct. 2010, [https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2010/october/second-salvo-surigao-strait Website]</ref> | ||
+ | <ref name="BennionCitation">Parkinson, Bill. "USS Bennion DD 662 Presidential Unit Citation." Destroyer History Foundation, [http://destroyerhistory.org/fletcherclass/ussbennion_puc/ Website]</ref> | ||
+ | </references> | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ShipManufacturer Boston Navy Yard}} | ||
{{USA destroyers}} | {{USA destroyers}} | ||
{{USA premium ships}} | {{USA premium ships}} |
Latest revision as of 10:55, 8 April 2024
Contents
Description
The Fletcher-class, USS Bennion (DD-662), 1944 is a member of the Fletcher-class destroyers, the first generation of destroyers developed by the U.S. after the disintegration of the Washington and London Naval Treaties during World War II. The Fletcher class was meant to be larger and carry more armament due to dissatisfaction with earlier destroyer classes. She was named for Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, a commander of USS West Virginia who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was laid down on 19th March 1943 and commissioned on 14th December 1943. During the Battle of Surigao Strait in October 1944, Bennion torpedoed and sunk Japanese Fusō-class battleship Yamashiro. Before the aforementioned battle and also after it, she served as picket ship and fighter director through the Marianas, Philippines, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns. For her duty, she received the Presidential Unit Citation and was awarded with eight battle stars. She was placed into reserve on 20th June 1946 and sold for scrap many years later on 30th May 1973.
It was introduced in Update 1.79 "Project X" as an Xbox-exclusive vehicle purchasable on the Microsoft Store. As a Fletcher-class destroyer, the USS Bennion resembles its sister ships USS Fletcher and USS Cowell in terms of performance characteristics. The most distinctive differences the USS Bennion has compared to its sisters is its unique dazzle camouflage, following the MS-32/13D design pattern. Compared to its closer relative, the Cowell, the Bennion possess an extra 5,000 rounds of 40 mm Bofors ammunition.
General info
Survivability and armour
As part of the Fletcher-class family, the USS Bennion's armour profile is not so different from its sisters, with armour plates covering the individual 127 mm gun turrets and primarily hull protection at the sides and roof.
Armour type:
- Antifragmentation armour
- Cast homogeneous armour
- Hardened armour
Armour | Bow (Slope angle) | Sides | Stern | Deck |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hull | N/A | 13 mm (0-24°) | N/A | 13 mm (85-89°) |
Armour | Front | Sides | Rear | Roof |
Turrets | 3.2 mm Front 15 mm Gun mantlet |
3.2 mm | 3.2 mm | 3.2 mm |
Notes:
- The fire-control radar atop the bridge is covered with an antifragmentation armour with 19 mm thickness.
- Gun shields around the 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons are 12.7 mm thick.
Mobility
Mobility Characteristics | |||
---|---|---|---|
Game Mode | Upgrade Status | Maximum Speed (km/h) | |
Forward | Reverse | ||
AB | |||
Upgraded | 79 | 31 | |
RB/SB | |||
Upgraded | 65 | 25 |
Modifications and economy
Armament
Primary armament
5 inch/38 Mk.12 (x5) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turrets (Bow to stern) | ||||||
Turret 1 | Turret 2 | Turret 3 | Turret 4 | Turret 5 | ||
Vertical guidance | -15°/+85° | |||||
Horizontal guidance | ±150° | ±143° | ±150° | |||
Ammo capacity | 1,800 |
Ammunition
Penetration statistics | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
1,000 m | 2,500 m | 5,000 m | 7,500 m | 10,000 m | 15,000 m | ||
AAC Mk.34 | HE | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
Common Mk.32 | Common | 124 | 103 | 77 | 58 | 46 | 37 |
SP Common Mk.46 | SP Common | 150 | 125 | 93 | 71 | 56 | 45 |
AAVT Mk.31 | HE-VT | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
Shell details | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (s) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | |||||
0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
AAC Mk.34 | HE | 792 | 25 | 0 | 0.1 | 3,220 | 79° | 80° | 81° | |||
Common Mk.32 | Common | 792 | 24.49 | 0.01 | 6 | 1,150 | 47° | 60° | 65° | |||
SP Common Mk.46 | SP Common | 792 | 25 | 0.01 | 6 | 906.5 | 48° | 63° | 71° |
Proximity-fused shell details | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (s) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Arming distance (m) |
Trigger radius (m) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | |||
0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
AAVT Mk.31 | HE-VT | 792 | 25 | 0 | 0.1 | 457 | 23 | 3,220 | 79° | 80° | 81° |
Secondary armament
40 mm Bofors L/60 Mark 1 (x10) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turrets (Bow to stern) | ||||||
Front port turret (x2) | Front starboard turret (x2) | Middle port turret (x2) | Middle starboard turret (x2) | Rear turret (x2) | ||
Vertical guidance | -15°/+88° | -10°/+88° | -15°/+88° | |||
Horizontal guidance | -150°/+90° | -90°/+150° | -180°/+20° | -20°/+180° | ±180° | |
Ammo capacity | 25,000 |
Ammunition
- Universal: AP-T · HEFI-T
- 40 mm HE clips: HEFI-T · HEFI-T · HEFI-T · AP-T
- 40 mm AP clips: AP-T · AP-T · AP-T · HEFI-T
Penetration statistics | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||||||
10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
HEFI-T | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
AP-T | 81 | 78 | 68 | 58 | 49 | 41 |
Shell details | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||||||
0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
HEFI-T | 874 | 0.9 | 0 | 0.1 | 67.13 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
AP-T | 874 | 0.89 | - | - | - | 47° | 60° | 65° |
Anti-aircraft armament
20 mm Oerlikon Mk.II (x7) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turrets (Bow to stern) | |||||||
Front port turret | Middle port turret | Front starboard turret | Middle starboard turret | Rear port turret | Rear starboard turret | Rear stern turret | |
Vertical guidance | -80°/+65° | ±100° | -65°/+80° | ±100° | ±180° | ||
Horizontal guidance | -4°/+50° | ||||||
Ammo capacity | 16,800 |
Additional armament
533 mm steam turbined Mk.15 torpedo (x10) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mode | Mass (kg) | Maximum speed in water (km/h) |
Travel distance (km) | Depth stroke (m) | Arming distance (m) |
Explosive type | Explosive mass (kg) | |
Stock | 1,559 | 83 | 5.50 | 1.0 | 50 | TNT | 224 | |
Torpedo mode | 62 | 9.15 |
Usage in battles
The Bennion is a powerful American destroyer that is very versatile. There can be 3 main jobs for the Cowell to do:
- Gunfighter
With its fast firing armament, it is definitely capable of fighting other destroyers. Load APHE for your main guns, and you can start firing against enemy ships from mid to long range. Try disabling the enemies' engine room or gun turrets to prevent them from escaping or fighting back effectively. You also have ten torpedoes, so you can use them in any tricky situation. Should you be outmatched, try turning away and using a smoke screen to conceal yourself.
- Anti-air ship
The Cowell has lots of anti-air weaponry. The deadliest will be your ten Bofors and five 127 mm cannons. Let your AI gunners shoot from long distance using radio fuse HE shells. Once enemy aircraft come close enough, you should either take control of the Bofors or the main guns themselves to deal with enemies. As always, lead your target and take into account your ship's momentum if you need to. The ship can fire all of its anti-aircraft guns when the enemy is directly above the ship. Try turning to the side to allow more guns to fire if the enemy is coming from an angle. The radio-fuse shells will make quick work of any enemy aircraft or at least critically damage them to the point that they will not be able to make their attack run, while the Bofors will chew down many smaller planes.
- Light craft hunter
The Bofors also allow the Cowell to hunt PT boats and other small craft very well. From longer distances, use HE or Radio HE shells to try to hit enemy PT boats and deal splash damage to them. Once you move in closer, take command of your Bofors, load their Universal or HE belts, and slice the PT boats to ribbons. For larger gunboats, using your main guns are still an option. Since you are a destroyer, you are armoured enough to be immune to most of their small cannon and machine gun fire. Your main threat at this point is torpedo boats. Try targetting any PT boats that are heading in your direction. PT boats such as the LS 3 and G-5 are dangerous since they are small, fast and can carry 2 torpedoes. Be sure you make your course erratic and hard to hit, and always be ready to change course in the event that you detect an incoming torpedo. Keep in mind, if a torpedo hits: game over.
In terms of opposition:
- BTD-1: This plane can carry 2 torpedoes which can kill you very quickly, or can attack you from high altitude with a 2,000 lb bomb. Try prioritizing these aircraft to shoot down first.
- SKR-1: This patrol ship can shoot very rapidly and deal a lot of damage to your ship. Try engaging it from long range, where your shells will have the advantage.
- Light cruisers: Light cruisers will have better guns that are capable of beating you in a straight-up gun duel. Try avoiding them or disabling their vital parts, or requesting help.
- PT boats: Certain PT boats who penetrate your line of defences might pose a danger by launching off torpedoes. Use your Bofors to try to mow down any PT boat that gets too close, and always be manoeuvring to dodge.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Dual-purpose 5-inch guns
- Access to proximity-fuze shells for anti-aircraft duties
Cons:
- More protected only against fragmentation and shrapnel than against shells
History
The Fletcher-class destroyers were conceived as a 2,100 ton class destroyer following the underwhelming construction of the Benson and Gleaves-class destroyers that could not equip a total of five 5-inch guns and ten torpedoes. The design was approved in 27 January 1940 by the Secretary of the Navy, Charles Edison, with construction plans expanded after the Battle of France in Europe when Congress passed the Two-Ocean Navy Act on July 19th, allowing for the construction of 115 destroyers. The Fletcher-class destroyers began construction in October 1941, with eleven shipyards involved in their production. By the war's end, 175 Fletcher-class destroyers were produced.[1]
The USS Bennion was first laid down on 19 March 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard, named after Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, who was killed during the Japanese Pearl Harbor attack on 07 December 1941 while commanding the USS West Virginia battleship.[2] The destroyer, christened by Bennion's widow, was launched on 04 July 1943, and following sea trials was commissioned into service on 14 December 1943 with Joshua W. Cooper in command.[3] The USS Bennion was put into service in Destroyer Squadron 56 in Destroyer Division 111.[1]
USS Bennion left for the Pacific on 03 March 1944, conducting training around Pearl Harbor until May 29th. From then, the USS Bennion joined the Pacific War as a fighter director and radar picket ship and saw action at Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Peliliu, Philippines, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.[3] At Leyte Gulf, the USS Bennion was involved in the Battle of Surigao Strait, where it assisted with the sinking of the Japanese battleship Yamashiro.[4] For the USS Bennion's actions off of Okinawa, the destroyer received eight battle stars and a presidential unit citation.[3][5]
After the war, the USS Bennion was sent to the Puget Sound Navy Yard on 21 October 1945 before being decommissioned on 20 June 1946 and became part of the reserve fleet. USS Bennion was stricken from the register on 15 April 1971 and was sold in 30 May 1973 and broken up for scrap.[3]
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
- Related development
- Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McComb, Dave, and Paul Wright. US Destroyers, 1942-45: Wartime Classes. Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2010
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 History Central. "USS Bennion DD 662." History Central, 1999, Website
- ↑ Holloway, James L. "Second Salvo at Surigao Strait." U.S. Naval Institute, Oct. 2010, Website
- ↑ Parkinson, Bill. "USS Bennion DD 662 Presidential Unit Citation." Destroyer History Foundation, Website
Boston Navy Yard | |
---|---|
Gun Destroyers (DD) | |
Fletcher-class | USS Bennion · JDS Yūgure (DD-184)* |
*USS Richard P. Leary in Japanese service |
USA destroyers | |
---|---|
Clemson-class | USS Welborn C. Wood · USS Barker · USS Litchfield |
Farragut-class | USS Aylwin |
Porter-class | USS Porter · USS Phelps · USS Moffett |
Somers-class | USS Somers · USS Davis |
Fletcher-class | USS Fletcher · USS Bennion · USS Cowell |
Allen M. Sumner-class | USS Sumner |
Gearing-class | USS Gearing · USS Frank Knox |
Mitscher-class | USS Mitscher · USS Wilkinson |
USA premium ships | |
---|---|
Motor torpedo boats | PT-3 · PT-109 · PT-174 · Thunderbolt (PT-556) · PT-658 · PT-811 |
Motor gun boats | LCM(6) Zippo · USS Douglas · USS Flagstaff |
Sub-chasers | Carmi (PC-466) |
Destroyers | USS Welborn C. Wood · USS Wilkinson · USS Bennion · USS Cowell · USS Davis · USS Moffett · USS Phelps · USS Frank Knox |
Light cruisers | USS Detroit · USS Helena |
Heavy cruisers | USS Des Moines |
Battleships | USS Arkansas |