In the way of remembrances,I first heard mention of Heer Kom Die Alibama from a young South African girl visiting her cousin, who was a friend of mine. I believe it was about 1944 in the Bronx.
It was then brought to my attention some years later in an article
in American Heritage. The Kearsage gunfire struck the Alabama about
250 times, and the Kearsage did not get hit once.As mentioned, the
Alabama was manned by gunners whose targets had previously been unarmed merchant ships whereas the Kearsage had well-trained and disciplined
gunners.There was no contest.
While not of any academic value, I thought I would cast this into the
thread.
Larry Parish