Battleship Texas BB 35 - The Only Remaining Dreadnought"

During the D-Day bombardment on June 6, 1944, Captain Charles A. Baker of the USS Texas (BB-35) executed an unconventional and creative maneuver to help support the Allied troops storming Omaha Beach. The USS Texas had been assigned to provide fire support for the soldiers, but the ship's guns were unable to reach some targets due to their limited elevation. To overcome this limitation and increase the range of the ship's guns, Captain Baker ordered the crew to flood the portside torpedo blisters (anti-torpedo bulges) of the ship. This action caused the USS Texas to list to port (tilt to its left side), thereby increasing the elevation of the starboard guns. As a result, the ship's 14-inch guns could fire further inland, providing more effective fire support to the troops on Omaha Beach. This innovative tactic demonstrated Captain Baker's resourcefulness and commitment to supporting the Allied forces during a critical moment of World War Il. of the ship. This action caused the USS Texas to list to port (tilt to its left side), thereby increasing the elevation of the starboard guns. As a result, the ship's 14-inch guns could fire further inland, providing more effective fire support to the troops on Omaha Beach. This innovative tactic demonstrated Captain Baker's resourcefulness and commitment to supporting the Allied forces during a critical moment of World War II.